Commercial household cleaners often come at a premium price. Many households turn to DIY recipes for savings—but do they deliver? A detailed investigation by 60 Millions de Consommateurs, France's trusted consumer watchdog (published in Que Choisir), puts it to the test.
The verdict? In nearly every case, homemade cleaners are significantly cheaper. Let's break down the numbers together:
From detergents and glass cleaners to multi-purpose sprays and toilet gels, Que Choisir journalists compared costs head-to-head.
They used a simple, shopper-friendly method: calculating price per liter (or per dose for detergents) for store-bought options versus DIY equivalents.
Recipes were sourced from reliable sites like comment-economiser.fr, featuring affordable ingredients such as Briochin flake soap or organic Vahiné agar-agar.
Comparisons included first-price store brands, name brands, and eco-labeled products. The result? Homemade versions are far more economical—with one minor exception. And the savings aren't trivial.
The standout winner: DIY window cleaner, costing nearly 12 times less than commercial alternatives.
A bottle of white vinegar and household alcohol yields 15 x 750ml sprays. It's not just cheap—it's streak-free and highly effective.
Homemade multi-purpose cleaner rings in at just €0.19 per liter—versus €1.16 for a Monoprix basic or up to €3.25 for premium brands like Carolin.
That's 6 to 17 times cheaper, 100% natural, and ideal for floors, kitchens, and bathrooms.
DIY laundry detergent saves up to 10 times over branded options, producing over 9 cans per batch.
It's natural, stain-fighting, and gentle on sensitive skin. Pro tip: Swap fabric softener for white vinegar—equally effective and ultra-affordable.
Toilet gel is the outlier, edged out by pricey agar-agar. Still, it's effective, natural, and better for health and the planet.
Try swapping for cornstarch in recipes for bigger savings. One reader shared with Que Choisir: she spends just €30 yearly on all cleaners. Game-changer?
