These household purchases cost more upfront but may save frequent trips to the store

This is the brand I use at home, and I even conducted a test to see how absorbent one of these sheets was compared to a paper towel. The Wettex cloth handled several tablespoons’ worth of liquid without issue, while the paper towel looked like it might tear at any second while holding the same amount. I also used the Wettex to clean my bathroom mirror and was pleased to find it didn’t leave streaks or lint (major win, never going back!).

This pack clocks in at about a dollar per cloth, which might seem expensive compared to a roll of paper towels, but they’ve saved my household hundreds of dollars over time.

This colorful set is an Amazon favorite — over 6,000 were purchased in the past month alone, and thousands of shoppers give it a perfect rating. According to the brand, the polyester and polyamide fiber material can absorb up to three times its weight in liquid, and the short pile is less likely to leave lint behind than traditional dishcloths.

“They’re soft, absorbent and work really well for cleaning around the house without leaving a bunch of lint or streaks behind,” noted a five-star fan. “I love that you get 18 in a pack, and the different colors make it easy to keep separate cloths for different areas. They wash well and are definitely reusable, so I feel like I’m getting a lot for my money.”

At less than a dollar apiece, these are an excellent buy compared to paper towels — and with $18 to a pack, you won’t run out for ages!

Traditional sponges are designed to absorb moisture, which is all well and good — except that moisture can promote rapid bacterial growth. That’s why it’s important to replace your sponges on the regular, though silicone sponges will keep you from having to do so as frequently.

Silicone doesn’t absorb liquids, so it dries more quickly than a standard sponge. These top-sellers not only buff away messes, but they also emit a fresh peach scent and are less abrasive on delicate surfaces than rougher scrubbers. No, they don’t seem cheap at nearly $6 apiece, but when you consider how much use you’ll get out of them, they’re a total steal.

Not only are these mats more cost-effective than parchment paper, but they’re more versatile to boot. Yes, you can line your baking sheets with them to prevent sticking and time-consuming cleanup, but they also come in handy when you’re working with pie, cookie or bread dough. Use one as your prep surface, and you’ll keep more of the mess off your counter while making it easier to transfer your treats to their respective baking vessels.

Does this highly rated duo cost more than a box of parchment paper? Yes, but it also comes with a lifetime warranty (and the mats are dishwasher-safe to save time!).

I’ll admit — these storage bags are a bit of a splurge, which is why I’ve been hesitant to make the investment. That said, if they’re good enough for our home editor, I have no doubt they’ll become my new favorite purchases. Dodell-Feder has had her original set for years, and says it’s still in great condition after countless trips through the dishwasher and freezer. “I’ve tried other brands of reusable bags, too, and these are by far the most durable,” she says.

This set is a more digestible $38 for three, and as someone who goes through many freezer bags, I’ll be adding them to my cart. Plus, they’re microwave- and even oven-safe, and the brand claims that they’re designed to be used forever (clean ’em without hassle in the dishwasher!).

How do I love these bestselling balls? Let me count the ways: For starters, I appreciate that they’re made without chemicals and won’t leave a film on my dryer’s interior. According to Energy Star, which works with the Environmental Protection Agency to identify energy-efficient appliances, “Dryer sheets can leave a film on the filter that reduces airflow and, over time, can affect the performance of the motor.”

These unassuming accessories can also speed up drying times by moving between clothes to improve airflow around each garment. At just over $2 each, they’re more expensive than most packs of dryer sheets, but I’ve been using mine for several years and they look no different than the day I got them.

Bidets can cost a pretty penny — but they don’t have to. This one’s received high praise from thousands of Amazon shoppers who say it’s “relieved” them of mundane movements. “This is one of those products that my family didn’t know that we needed,” wrote one. “Installation was easy and straightforward. We like that the water stream is adjustable.”

The top-seller has a nifty 360° self-cleaning mode to take some maintenance off your hands, and it conveniently flips up so you can get to those hard-to-reach spaces.

I won’t lie — I thought this packaging belonged to a fancy shampoo, not a home cleaning product. It’s so chic! It’s also ever-so-stylishly plant-derived; formulated with plant-based wetting agents and essential oils, it’s a far cry from the harsh liquid cleaners on the market and has a warm cinnamon scent that’ll fit right in with the coming season.

Yes, it’s $40 per bottle, but you won’t go through it quickly. To use, combine one capful with 2-3 cups of water. “Seems pricey, but lasts longer than any other product in the store,” promised a pleased purchaser. “Smells fresh and cleans great. Great [for cleaning] windows and just about anything in the kitchen.”

If there’s one pet peeve I have about household products, it’s their unattractive labels. Unfortunately, many cleaning products are absolute eyesores, which is why transferring them to glass bottles like these can make cleaning feel like less of a chore.

This pair comes with grippy silicone sleeves to help prevent slipping and sliding, and I appreciate that they’re transparent, which makes it easy to know how much product is left. If you’re making the switch to cost-effective concentrates, you can combine them with water in these bottles for easy spritzing.