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Aldi has made a name for itself as a no-frills discount grocery chain that isn’t afraid to cut corners to save money — and for the most part, shoppers are willing to compromise because prices are so low. But consumers should take note that not everything is worth buying at the discounter, according to a Reddit thread

Dozens of commenters on the Aldi subreddit revealed household items that they “regret” purchasing. We’ve compiled the worst of Aldi’s household offerings here so you can avoid them on your next trip to the grocery store. And if we missed something (or you disagree), please let us know in the comments.

Cat Food

Aldi Cat Food
Aldi

Pet owners beware. Redditors resoundingly panned Aldi’s cat foods, with many writing that their pets wouldn’t even touch the treats or wet food. “My cat vomited everywhere. It does not agree with him,” one Redditor commented.

Dish Soap

Radiance
Aldi

Self-proclaimed Dawn snobs said that Aldi’s dish soap couldn’t compete with the name brand. Even if Aldi’s offering is cheaper, commenters complained that they had to use more soap to clean their dishes.

Plastic Wrap

Plastic Wrap
Aldi

Again, commenters said that Aldi’s plastic wrap was far inferior to name brand alternatives because of its frustrating cutting edge and lackluster plastic. “The only thing it sticks to is itself,” one shopper wrote.

Toilet Paper and Paper Towels

Boulder Classic
Aldi

Commenters described Aldi’s toilet and paper towels as “thin” and “terrible,” but not all Aldi shoppers agreed. Some noted that a few of Aldi’s paper products, namely the Boulder Ultra paper towels, rivaled name brand Bounty.

Garbage Bags

Garbage Bags
Aldi

One Aldi shopper called out the kitchen garbage bags for being thin, while another added that they’ve become more expensive despite a drop in quality.

Laundry Detergent

Tandil Laundry
Aldi

Aldi’s Tandil brand laundry detergent “might as well be water with blue food coloring,” a Redditor said. Another critic wrote that the detergent didn’t fully dissolve in their machine, leading to “sticky detergent” on their clothes. That said, a shopper came to Aldi’s defense, adding that they “love” the detergent, especially compared to expensive name brands.

Disinfectant Wipes

Radiance Disinfectant Wipes
Ebay

If Redditors are to be trusted, then shoppers should look for disinfectant wipes elsewhere. Commenters complained that the wipes had a strange smell — not to mention the “weird film” they left on a shopper’s skin.

Aluminum Foil

Aluminum Foil
Aldi

Aldi’s aluminum foil is “infuriating to use” because of an adhesive that’d been placed on the roll, according to a Redditor. Other shoppers agreed, with one adding that the foil would stick to itself and tear. 

Meet the Writer

Maxwell is a California-based writer who got his start in print journalism, a career that satisfies his love of research. That penchant for learning also fuels his desire to be a discerning consumer — whether he’s looking for his next pair of headphones or rock-climbing shoes. When he’s not hunched over his laptop, you can find Maxwell sending routes at the crag, playing Magic: The Gathering, or hanging out with his buddies at the bar. As a UCSC alumnus, he’s also a proud banana slug. You can reach him at [email protected].