With the back to school season just around the corner, it’s important to stock up on everyday home essentials to ensure that daily sendoffs to school go smoothly! After all, parents are super busy during this time of the year with all the food preparation and making sure kids have everything they need to have a great day at school. To make school preparation easier, make sure you have these everyday home essentials ready. Here are some spend vs save options for you and your family this school year.
Laundry Detergent
Spend: Tide Laundry Detergent Liquid, Original Scent, 100 oz, 64 Loads
If you’re a Tide loyalist, you’ll definitely go for this 100 oz bottle that offers up to 64 loads for $11.97. America’s #1 selling detergent offers up to 10 times cleaning power and an improved formula that effectively removes tough body soils. It features Smart Suds™ technology with quick-collapsing suds for faster clean and rise out, even in cold cycles. This detergent effectively keeps white clothing white and colorful clothes vibrant even after many washes. This best seller is rated 4.0 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I grew up with tide and to me there is no better. Being a mechanic I know how well it works. Even on tough stains.” Charles Rankin
Save: Presto! Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent, Fresh Scent, 128 Loads, 96 Fl Oz
Here’s a liquid detergent that only costs $0.16 per load. Presto! Concentrated Liquid Laundry Detergent features a fresh scent and effective cleaning. It whitens, brightens, and tackles tough stains with just half the dose of standard-concentration laundry detergent. Its concentrated formula provides premium cleaning power for effective results in every load. It makes laundry cleaner, easier, and hassle-free thanks to its multi enzyme technology that effectively whitens, brightens, and fights tough stains. Rated 3.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “We don’t do well with perfumes and dyes. This works perfectly for us! Our laundry is clean, doesn’t have an overwhelming perfume, and we don’t need to use a ton to get the job done. It has an easy to use dispenser and the usual measuring cap to make sure you only use what you need. I don’t feel a residue on anything and our clothes are as clean as they’ve ever been. This is a great, well priced detergent for those with sensitivities.” HobbitLyfe
Paper Towels
Spend: Bounty Select-a-Size Paper Towels, White, 6 Double Rolls = 12 Regular Rolls
Bounty is a best selling brand that offers twice the absorbency so you use less paper towels, therefore saving the environment! In fact, 6 double rolls are equivalent to 12 regular rolls of a different brand. It effectively and quickly absorbs messes so you can clean up in less time, without having to wash towels. It comes in an array of sizes and prints so you can personalize your paper towel use. This longer-lasting Quicker Picker Upper costs $1.32 per 100 sheets. This best seller is exclusive for Amazon Prime members. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “You have to squeeze and weigh in your hands the different brands of paper towels because they can trick you into thinking you are buying a big fat roll, and getting more for your money, but it’s really been loosely rolled up. I find this brand to be one of the few that actually gives you the most sheets for the value.” Heidi
Save: Presto! Flex-a-Size Paper Towels, Huge Roll, 6 Count = 15 Regular Rolls
While this pack also has the same $9.99 price tag, it only costs $1.05 per 100 sheets. Presto! offers up to 75% more absorbency versus the leading 1-ply brand. This pack includes 6 huge rolls of 158 2-ply sheets per roll so you get more. Flex-a-Size lets you get only what you need, so you don’t go through a whole roll quickly. It is manufactured from pulp sourced from sustainably managed forests and controlled sources so you know you’re being environmentally friendly when choosing this brand. Presto! Flex-a-Size Paper Towels are PEFC certified. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “These paper towels are great! They’re not the softest but I’m wiping up spills with them, not washing my face. They soak up liquids quickly and can be ripped off the roll as a half sheet or more. Perfect for what I want! The price is pretty great, too! I can’t find any other brand towels I like for a better price.” Char Denae
Trash Bags
Spend: Glad Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags, 13 Gallon White, 100 Count
Busy kitchens and homes need trash bags that can keep up. Good thing there’s Glad, which offers 13-gallon white trash bags that feature 3-in-1 OdorShield, which effectively traps, locks, and neutralizes tough odors so your kitchen and house doesn’t smell. This Tall garbage bag prevents rips, tears, and leaks thanks to its LeakGuard technology and Glad’s unique diamond design that lets the bag stretch at the top and contain bulk at the middle. It features liners that ensure a tight grip on the garbage can for extra convenience during use and removal. Costs $0.18 per bag. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I fell in love with these bags after the first use. The Gain scent helps to mask odors coming from the trash can. The bags themselves hold quite a bit of refuge. They fit in my trash can very well and hold super durably.” Ashley Murray
Save: Solimo Tall Kitchen Drawstring Trash Bags, 13 Gallon, 120 Count
Get more value for your money with Solimo kitchen trash bags that offer 13-gallon capacity for just $0.12 per bag. It features a red drawstring closure for easy tying and carrying. Solimo offers great value for money for the same quality you’ll find with name brands. More and more customers are making the smart choice to switch. This product is rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I have life threatening reactions to scents and chemicals. These trash bags are the first I have found that truly have no scents and hidden vanilla scents. I have wasted a ton of money on so called unscented trash bags. Come to find out they add vanilla and it’s not listed on their box. The trash bags are also tough enough to handle my family load of trash each week which is saying a lot!” Sherri Chabino
Hand Sanitizer
Spend: Germ-X Hand Sanitizer, Aloe, Pump Bottle, 30 Fluid Ounce (Pack of 4)
The back to school season means your kids get exposed to more germs in the school yard, playground, and school bus. Make sure they’re protected with Germ-X Hand Sanitizer that effectively kills 99.99% of many common harmful germs and bacteria in as little as 15 seconds. It’s a perfect alternative for cleaning hands when soap and water are not available. It’s packed with vitamin E to keep skin moisturized and is housed in a bottle with a convenient pump for easy dispensing. It’s great for home and office use. Place one on your child’s desk so he can keep his hands clean throughout his homework and arts and crafts projects. Rated 4.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “Must have for a germ freak and new mom. I placed 2 around our house, and brought the other 2 to both sets of parents (now grandparents) houses.
I love this sanitizer because it smells good and moisturizes! Will buy again when I run out.” Crystal M.
Save: Solimo Hand Sanitizer with Vitamin E and Aloe, 32 Fluid Ounce (Pack of 4)
Get more value for your money with the Solimo Hand Sanitizer that’s packed with vitamin E and aloe so skin stays moisturized during application. This hand sanitizer effectively eliminates up to 99.99% of many harmful germs and bacteria in as little as 15 seconds, as per the In Vitro Time Kill Report 2012 by the Bioscience Laboratories 120509-201. It’s great for decreasing bacteria on hands when you don’t have access to water and dirt-busting soap. Rated 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “These are the large ones so they’re not good for traveling. But my kids teachers didn’t care at all it wasnt name brand. I’ve had two tell me it works great. Save some money when helping your teacher out and buy these!” Lisa Flip
Sandwich Bags
Spend: Great Value Sandwich Bags, 300 count
Large families with a number of kids must invest in this box of Great Value sandwich bags, which offer up to 300 pieces of reusable use bags conveniently equipped with Snap’n Click double zipper. It makes snacking super convenient by offering a durable container for sandwiches, fruit, veggies, nuts, pretzels and other items you’ll want your kids to bring to school. It effectively locks in freshness and is ultra durable, so it won’t leak in your child’s backpack or lunch bag. Shop at Amazon.
Save: Ziploc Sandwich Bags, 280 Count
Ziploc has long been a trusted brand when it comes to convenient, handy household containers. These handy sandwich bags are perfect for packing lunch and snacks for your loved ones, especially this back to school season. Whether it’s lunch, cookies, chips, fruit, or simply organizing your child’s crayons, you’ll find that these grab-and-go bags are very convenient. Features Easy Open Tabs for easy access. Made with BPA-free materials. Rated 4.4 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “This 280 pack of Ziploc sandwich bags were a very good value for the money. They are sturdy, and I’ve never had a problem with the zipping system. They keep my food fresh and are also great for corralling those odds and ends around my busy household-makeup, arts and crafts, nails and screws, and any other small items I need to keep organized.” Lin Hint
Fabric Softener
Spend: Purex Liquid Fabric Softener, Sweet Lavender, 100 Fluid Ounce
Level up your family’s laundry with the classic Purex Liquid Fabric Softener in Sweet Lavender. It effectively extends the freshness of your clothing and keeps it softer and cuddly to help reduce static cling. It penetrates deep into fabric fibers to remove ground-in dirt and stains and is specially formulated with stain fighting actives for an extra clean that smells and looks good. Rated 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I purchased this softener to freshen up sheets/bedding and towels primarily. It smells great and doesn’t leave any residue on laundry, just leaves a nice soft feel and light smell of lavender. I’ve also used it on socks, shirts, pants, etc. with no issues and only positive results (as long as the item is washing-machine appropriate). The price was excellent and I would most definitely purchase it again.” Jen
Save: Downy Ultra Free & Gentle Liquid Fabric Conditioner/Fabric Softener, 120 Loads, 103 Fluid Ounce
Sensitive skin needs extra care. Opt for Downy Ultra Free & Gentle Liquid Fabric Conditioner for your and your family’s laundry, as it effectively conditions, smooths, and strengthens fabric fibers without being tough on skin. This product is both scent- and dye-free so your clothes are protected from damage stretching, fading, and fuzz. It is also dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I’m diagnosed with eczema so this item has helped my skin so much. I can’t use regular fabric softeners since I get very itchy and irritated. This item has saved my skin! I highly recommend it if you have sensitive skin!” Estefany Zelaya
Multi-surface Cleaner
Spend: Puracy Natural All Purpose Cleaner, Streak-Free Household Multi-Surface Spray, Green Tea & Lime, 25 Ounce (2-Pack)
This best selling all purpose cleaner safely cleans any hard surface without streaking. It has a plant-based formula that removes food, soda, juice, grease, oil, sugar, pet accidents, fingerprints, footprints, lipstick, tree sap, grime, adhesives, soap scum, dirt, spills, streaks, residues, and other common household messes. It is great for kitchen countertops, bathrooms, high chairs, electronics, smartphones, tablets, hardwood floors, finished wood, and other common surfaces at home and in the office. This product is natural non-toxic, hypoallergenic and biodegradable so you know you’re being environmentally friendly. Rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “I was looking for something that didn’t smell chemically so I stumbled upon this and decided to try it. It is amazing! It got stuck on grime on my glass stove top off, grease, some sticky stuff that ended up on my counter. It makes the house smell amazing. I also used it to dust some furniture and it did great. HIGHLY recommend!” Courtney Reed
Save: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner, Lemon Verbena, 16 fl oz
As parents and homemakers, we understand the need for household materials that are safe to use around our families. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaners has a hard-working yet gentle multi purpose cleaning agents that are derived from plants, not synthetic chemicals so you can safely clean your home. It’s great for all non-porous surfaces such as finished wood and tile floors, countertops, walls, porcelain, bathroom fixtures, sealed natural and synthetic stone, and more! Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Promising review: “Once you use this, you can never go back! I’ve been using this for a while now to clean my kitchen and on wood surfaces. It’s pretty much an all purpose cleaner that smells great, plus it doesn’t give me a headache from having a bunch of chemicals like normal cleaning products.” Lauren
When it comes to keeping our family safe and healthy, make sure you invest in great products that other users swear by. Depending on your needs, you’ll find products that fit well with your family’s lifestyle. We have more back to school stories for you to peruse in the links from our archive below. Make sure to check them out to make this the best school year ever!
Your Complete Back to School Guide for Kids!
4 Easy Back to School Recipes for Kids + Fun Lunch Bags!
Back to School Backpacks for Kids of All Levels
Back to School Essentials You Need to Prepare for Your Preschooler
Just a disclaimer – We have partnered with these companies because we use their products and/or proudly trust and endorse them – so we do receive a commission if you make a purchase or sign up for services. Often, we are able to negotiate special discounts and/or bonuses, which we will pass on to you via our links. We often get short notice on sale items available for 24-48 hours as we will pass these savings onto you.