Save $Money$ With These SECRET Mexican Cleaning Tips

Growing up, I watched my abuela clean an entire house with products that cost less than $5 total. No fancy sprays, no subscription cleaning kits — just time-tested wisdom passed down through generations. Here are the cleaning secrets I learned that will save you serious money.

1. Zote Soap for Everything Fabric

We covered this in detail in another post, but it bears repeating: a $1 bar of Zote soap outperforms stain sticks that cost 10x more. Keep one in every bathroom and the laundry room.

2. Baking Soda + Dish Soap = Scrubbing Paste

Mix baking soda with a few drops of dish soap to create a paste that scrubs away soap scum, baked-on food, and bathroom grime without scratching surfaces. This replaces expensive scrubbing creams entirely.

3. Newspaper for Streak-Free Windows

Skip the paper towels and microfiber cloths for glass. Old newspaper leaves windows and mirrors completely streak-free. The ink acts as a mild abrasive and the paper doesn't leave lint behind. Spray with a 50/50 water and rubbing alcohol solution and wipe with newspaper.

4. Salt for Cast Iron and Cutting Boards

Coarse salt is the perfect abrasive for cleaning cast iron pans and wooden cutting boards. For cast iron: scrub with salt and a paper towel while still warm. For cutting boards: sprinkle salt, rub with half a lemon, let sit 5 minutes, rinse. Sanitizes and deodorizes naturally.

5. Boiling Water for Drains

Before reaching for Drano, try pouring a full kettle of boiling water down slow drains. This dissolves grease buildup and clears minor clogs for free. Do it monthly as preventive maintenance.

6. Rubbing Alcohol for Stainless Steel

Rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl) leaves stainless steel appliances streak-free and shiny — and it disinfects at the same time. Apply with a microfiber cloth in the direction of the grain. A bottle costs $1 and lasts months.

7. The Two-Bucket Mopping Method

Always mop with two buckets: one with your cleaning solution and one with clean rinse water. Dip in the clean bucket after every few passes. You'll be amazed how much dirtier your floors were than you thought — and how much cleaner they get with this method.