Living alone for the first time comes with a certain kind of freedom — your space, your rules. But it also comes with a reality check: Every bill, bottle of dish soap, and roll of paper towels is now on you. And if money’s tight, even the small stuff starts to add up fast.
That’s why solo renters on Reddit have been sharing the everyday swaps and budget hacks that actually make a difference. These aren’t “buy nothing for a year” extremes or complicated DIY recipes; they’re simple changes that real people say save them hundreds over time. We’ve compiled a handful of the best tips.
Switch to Powdered Laundry Detergent (and Skip the Extras)
Redditors overwhelmingly recommend one thing to cut back on overall laundry costs: Powdered Tide — the Free & Gentle version. It’s cheaper per load, lasts longer, and, unlike some bargain detergents, actually cleans clothes rather than just making them smell nicer.
“Use a small amount and your clothes will get clean.” shares one Redditor, adding, “Powdered will be your cheapest option and Tide still has the necessary chemicals to clean your clothes properly.”
“There are many cheap [laundry detergents] but they don’t really do a whole lot … they’re just fancy perfumes and bubbles,” the user notes.
ManyMost solo renters also skip fabric softener and dryer sheets altogether. Your clothes won’t miss them, and your wallet definitely won’t.
Replace Dryer Sheets With Reusable Dryer Balls
Dryer balls cost a few more dollars upfront, but they’ll last years and keep your laundry nice and soft without throwing money at single-use sheets every month. Plus, they’re better for the environment, so you can feel like you’ve done your part in lowering single-use waste.
“In my opinion, [dryer balls] are far superior to dryer sheets,” says one user, adding, “They are reusable (these particular ones I have are up to 600 uses), they are extremely cost effective, they remove static and help fluff up clothes, and they prevent bulkier laundry items like sheets and blankets from bunching up and taking longer to dry.”
The user adds, “You also don’t have to worry about dryer sheet chemicals (I’m not hugely against chemicals but for people with sensitive skin or who are trying to reduce their chemical exposure, dryer balls are amazing).”
Stock Up on Washable Cleaning Cloths Instead of Paper Towels
Another favorite: Walmart’s 18-pack of white washcloths for under $5 ($4.88 to be exact).
“I use them for all my cleaning and dusting. Super convenient!” writes one Reddit user, noting that they’re great for everyday messes while helping cut down on paper towel use.
Another Redditor chimed in with a similar strategy, saying they buy “one or two big packs of washcloths” and stick to white so they can bleach them afterwards. They use the washcloths for most household cleaning, save a separate pack for “really oily” messes, and rely on toilet paper for pet accidents. “We have cats,” they added, “so we mostly just have the occasional hairball herk.”
And the best part? Toss them in the wash and they’re good as new, saving you from burning through roll after roll of paper towels.
Try Washable Sponges and Get Creative With Dish Soap
One Redditor swears by their 12-pack of washable sponges. “Mine came in a 12-pack for $10 and I’ll likely never have to buy new sponges again,” says the user, adding, “They just get thrown in the laundry with your clothes.” Another user says they stretch their cleaning supplies even further by thrifting cotton kitchen towels and cutting disposable sponges into smaller pieces “to make more of them.” Genius!
The key is avoiding bargain-bin dish soaps that don’t actually cut grease. Redditors recommend sticking with Dawn or another reliable brand — the small upgrade pays off in how long it lasts and how well it works. Several users even stretch it further with a simple hack: “I use Dawn Blue dish soap. I have a smaller container that I add water to. Since the soap is a concentrate, adding a little water doesn’t hurt,” says one user.
Another user says they dilute it even more, and use it for cleaning basically everything in the house: “I keep a squirt bottle next to my sink and I add a LOT of water and a little Dawn. It has become my favorite all-purpose cleaner. I use it on dishes, countertops, food spills on clothes, spot cleaning my kitchen floor, etc.”
In fact, you can even use dish soap as a spot cleaner for removing stains on clothes, says one user. “I keep a small bottle in the bathroom for pre-treating stains before putting them in the laundry hamper.”
Use a Dollar-Store Tablespoon as Your Laundry Scoop
A small but genius hack: Buy a cheap set of measuring spoons, and designate the tablespoon as your detergent scoop. One Redditor’s method:
- 2 tablespoons for big or heavily soiled loads
- 1 tablespoon for light loads
This way, you’ll stretch your detergent much further without guessing or over-pouring.
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Embrace Generic Brands — But Be Picky About What You Buy
When it comes to most cleaning supplies, solo renters say going generic is the way to go. Stores like Aldi, Lidl, Dollar General, Walmart, and Target all have solid store-brand versions that work just as well as the name-brand stuff. So next time you’re at the store, Redditors suggest opting for the generic version of:
- Bleach
- Vinegar
- Hand soap
- Cleaning sprays
- Trash bags
- Basic hygiene items
- Vitamins and OTC meds
- Pantry staples
- Paper towels
- Toothpaste
“I always buy generic first and then switch to name brand only if I can’t find something that works well as generic,” says one Redditor. It’s a simple rule of thumb that can save a surprising amount over a year, especially when you’re stocking a home from scratch.
Cut Down on Cleaning Costs With Two Pantry Staples
For most cleaning jobs, Redditors swear by a simple combo: Baking soda and vinegar. As one user notes, “For cleaning, dish soap and white vinegar will do 99% of the job.” They’re cheap, easy to stock, and far more versatile than most of the specialized cleaning sprays lining store shelves. Together, they tackle:
- Sinks and stovetops
- Soap scum
- Funky fridge smells
- Clogged drains
- Tub scrubbing
Some commenters even use the combo for tougher tasks, like cleaning out stubborn grout stains. “I make a paste of baking soda and water, scrub it into grout lines, then spray it down with ~50% vinegar solution. The baking soda fizzes. Let it sit 10–15 minutes, light final scrub, and wipe clean with clear water. Way better than commercial grout/tile cleaner,” shares one Redditor.
For Those Who Need It, a Menstrual Cup Saves Serious Cash
If you’re comfortable using one, several Redditors recommend using a menstrual cup, which typically costs around $10-$15 and can last for years. Menstrual cups eliminate the constant need to restock pads or tampons, and the savings quickly add up.
“It’ll last a decade and you’ll never have to worry about running out of pads or tampons again,” says one user, while another adds, “I love my menstrual cup…I did the math once, I’ve saved like $2,400 using one for 10 years on just tampons alone.”
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The Bottom Line
Being a solo renter doesn’t have to mean spending more. With a few strategic swaps, you can keep your home running smoothly without draining your paycheck.
Sure, these aren’t the most glamorous of hacks, but they’re the kind that quietly save you money week after week. And when you’re living on your own, that’s exactly the kind of help you need.
More budget tips on Cheapism
- 10 Best ‘Beauty on a Budget’ Tips, According to Frugal Redditors — While we’re all for self care at Cheapism, we’re also penny pinchers who believe you can pamper yourself without dipping into your savings.
- 20 Cleaning Products That Are a Total Waste of Money — Discover items that are better left on the shelves, along with some smart substitutes to use instead.
- 25 Cleaning Products You’ll Want to Try Yourself — It can be daunting trying to weed through all of the options to find the best products, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorite tried-and-true cleaning products.
