10 ways you can clean your kitchen and bathroom for less

There's no need to pay out for store-bought bathroom cleaners. Try these 10 easy — and much cheaper — ideas instead.

• If you clean a shower or bath immediately after use, when steam has loosened any dirt, you should only need to wipe over surfaces with a damp cloth plus a small amount of dishwashing liquid or white vinegar for stubborn marks.
• Wipe soapy film off tiles with a mixture of one part vinegar to four parts water.
• Cost of a branded bathroom cleaner: $4.50 for 750 millilitres (three cups).

• Remove hard-water deposits on shower doors and screens by wiping with vinegar. Leave for 30 minutes, then rinse.
• Unscrew and soak a shower head in a bowl of warm vinegar to remove scale, using an old toothbrush to clear the holes.
• Cost of a branded limescale remover: $10 for 800 millilitres (3 1/2 cups).

If there is a buildup of limescale on taps, scour with vinegar, then cover with a plastic bag.

• Leave for a couple of hours, then rinse.

Restore the effectiveness of your light bulbs by dusting them with a dry cloth when switched off.

• A dust-free bulb shines up to 50 per cent brighter than one that is dirty.

• To remove stains from a porcelain sink, soak paper towels or cloths with bleach and spread them over the bottom of the sink.
• Leave for 30 minutes, remove and rinse with cold water.
• Cost of a branded kitchen cleaner suitable for porcelain: $4 for 650 millilitres (2 2/3 cup).

• Remove water marks with white vinegar.
• Rub persistent marks with a paste of baking soda mixed with water.
• Cost of a branded stainless steel sink cleaner: $1.30 for 400 grams (two cups).

Rub chrome taps with half a lemon to remove scale and scrub inside them with a toothbrush dipped in vinegar.

• Cost $1.50; cost of branded limescale remover: $10.

To avoid the need for a major cleaning job, wipe countertops daily with hot, soapy water, rinse and wipe dry.

• Rub stains with a damp cloth and baking soda.
• If the stain persists, wipe with a cloth moistened with a little bleach.
• Cost of a branded kitchen countertop cleaner: $4 for 650 millilitres (2 2/3 cup).

• Mix baking soda with a little water to make a thick paste and spread over baked-on grease.
• Leave overnight, rub with a plastic scrubber and rinse.
• Cost $1.50; cost of branded oven cleaner: $6.

• Mimimize mold and remove mildew from a shower curtain by applying a paste of baking soda and lemon juice.
• Soak, then rinse in warm water.
• Cost $1.50; cost of branded mildew remover: $3.

Keeping your bathroom and kitchen clean doesn't have to be pricey. Incorporate these inexpensive alternatives into your cleaning routine and you may be surprised with the results!