10 Affordable Home Items To Buy At Aldi (& 5 To Leave On The Shelf) Based On Reviews

It's important to stick to a budget, and one of the easiest ways to cut costs without having to alter your routine is shopping for sales. While other common big box and grocery stores frequently have short-term deals on items, Aldi has savings in mind year-round. This retailer is all about the discounts, and while it does carry a few name-brand items, it's able to keep its prices low thanks to its selection of primarily private-label products. This means that many of the store's offerings are brands you won't see anywhere else, which can make it more difficult to determine the quality of their products based on reputation alone.

Thankfully, however, there are plenty of Aldi loyalists that share their reviews online, helping shoppers make more educated decisions without having to test out items themselves. Just because Aldi is a discount retailer doesn't mean that it skimps on quality. Many of its items are fan favorites that provide the same quality as larger brands at a significantly lower price point. At the same time, just like any brand, there are occasional misses. We compiled some of Aldi's best and worst home products to help you make the most of your money the next time you shop.

Laundry detergent can be surprisingly expensive, but it's possible to save money while still getting a quality product by shopping at Aldi. This Tandil Premium High Efficiency Laundry Detergent is the brand's answer to Tide's powerful cleaning formula, and according to a customer's review, it's just as good as the name brand. There is one major difference, however: the price. The Tandil option costs just $8.69, coming out to under $0.09 per ounce, while a similarly-sized bottle of Tide Original from Target is $15.99, or $0.15 per ounce.

OxiClean actually works, but if you're not willing to shell out around $10 for a tub at Target or Walmart for the name brand, consider picking up a similar product on your next Aldi run. The Tandil Oxy Stain Remover is much less expensive, coming in at just over $6 for a 3 pound tub, and can deliver the same results. According to a customer review, Aldi's version of this multi-use product is just as good at removing stubborn stains from clothing when used as a pre-soak or added directly into the washing machine.

There's nothing cozier than lighting a delightfully-scented candle after a long day, and thanks to Aldi, you don't have to pay much for the luxury. The brand's Huntington Home 3 Wick Candles come in a wide array of scents, both classic and seasonal, and will cost you less than $5. According to reviewers, these candles pack a major punch for the price, and the fragrances are impressive across the board. Want to get even more bang for your buck? Upcycle and reuse your candle jars to use as storage or decor.

You don't have to shell out the big bucks to bring some greenery to your space. This Belavi Self Watering Hanging Planter is only $5.99 and can do the exact same job as other options, like a similar choice on Amazon for $22.99. It already comes with hardware included and is available in three different colors (black, white, and green), so you can cater the look to your home's existing color scheme.

If you're looking for a convenient stick vacuum that won't break the bank, Aldi can provide. While the retailer doesn't offer many specs that would allow you to compare its suction power of battery life to other brands, reviewers say that the Ambiano Cordless Cyclonic Stick Vacuum delivers a powerful clean that's comparable to many other high-end products on the market. At $69.99, this vacuum is much more affordable than other options like the Dyson V11, Bissell CleanView, and Shark Rocket Pro, so it's worth giving a shot if you're on a budget.

Swiffer-style mops are inexpensive to buy initially, but the cost of the disposable pads can quickly add up over time, especially if you're committed to routine cleaning or have a large amount of floor space to handle. A 12 pack of Swiffer Sweeper Wet Mopping Pads will cost you $8.83 at Walmart, but the same number of refills comes in at half the price at Aldi for $4.09. Reviewers say the Radiance Lavender Wet Mopping Cloth Refills perform well, though they do lack the convenient scrubbing strip included on the name-brand pads.

A sturdy laundry hamper is a home essential, and if you're in need of an upgrade, the Home Logic Large Rolling Laundry Hamper is a solid option. Unlike many of Aldi's products, this hamper is available for purchase from other retailers. On Amazon, it has earned a 4-star rating, with many stating that the wheels make it convenient to transport laundry. If you buy this hamper from Aldi, you could save yourself some extra money. It's priced at $57.52 for two on Amazon and $16.99 at Target, but at Aldi, it's only $14.99.

Disinfectant wipes can come in handy for quick cleans around the house, and the Radiance Lemon Scented Disinfectant Wipes are a solid option on a budget. A 75-wipe tube retails for $3.45, while an 80-pack of the Lysol Disinfectant Wipes costs $4.97 at Walmart. Reviewers note that the Aldi wipes clean well, are thinner, don't stretch, and have a rougher texture. This gives the overall impression that they're made of lower-quality material, but the roughness can provide a convenient advantage if you find yourself having to scrub stuck-on messes.

Keeping your plants alive, especially if you frequently travel, requires a lot of work. With these Belavi Mushroom Shaped Self Watering Globes, however, you can set it and forget it. Simply fill them up with water, place them in your plant's soil, and enjoy hands-free watering for several days. Customers note that they work well and look great in their potted plants, and at just $8.99, they're slightly cheaper than similar offerings from other stores like Target and Earthbound.

Paper towels are a lifesaver when it comes to messy cleaning jobs, but spending money on them only to toss them in the garbage a few minutes later can feel like a waste. Thankfully, the Boulder Ultra 6 Roll Towel from Aldi is a cost-effective option that will get the job done. According to reviews, these paper towels are durable and thick. They offer a significant savings compared to the Bounty brand, which costs over $15 at Walmart.

The Radiance Blue Dish Detergent is Aldi's take on Dawn Dish Soap, and while it is more affordable (about $0.10 per ounce versus around $0.17 per ounce), the savings might come at a cost. There are plenty of unexpected things you can clean with dish soap, but reviewers say that the Radiance soap doesn't deliver the same amount of power as the name brand option. While it will still work to get your dishes clean, you might find yourself having to use more product to tackle those especially tough, stuck-on messes.

Keeping rugs clean can be a challenge, and it can feel like an even more daunting task if the one you purchased costs hundreds of dollars. Aldi's Kirkton House 3-by-4 foot Washable Scalloped Accent Rug seems like it would solve both of those issues — it's only $29.99 and can easily be tossed in the washing machine — but customers are generally disappointed in the rug's performance. Several reviewers note that Aldi's washable rugs are incredibly thin and don't hold up well with wear, giving the impression that they're a waste of money.

You might be tempted to pick up some of Aldi's budget toilet paper to help save a few bucks, but according to the reviews, you may regret your decision. The Willow Essential 1000 Sheet Bath Tissue is one of the most affordable options out there, but its ultra-thin texture means you'll likely end up having to use way more product at once. Reviewers say the texture of this paper is rough and note that it's so thin you can see through it, which quickly makes the $3.29 price for four rolls significantly less tempting.

A simple box of 50 Glad trash bags will run you around $13 at Target, so the Boulder Tall Kitchen Drawstring Bags can seem like a great deal at just $6.95 for 45. While they do offer a significant savings, reviews state that the quality of these bags has gone downhill recently. While they used to be a worthwhile buy, many customers now note that they're having issues with ripping and say that the drawstrings have repeatedly detached and ripped through the bag after the slightest bit of tugging.

While the Radiance Triple Chamber Ultra Dish Packs are slightly cheaper than Cascade Platinum — $0.26 per pod versus $0.38 per pod — reviewers say that the Aldi option is disappointing compared to the name-brand. While they can get the job done, it's a much better deal to buy in bulk if you're looking for a deep clean. If you're just looking for a basic clean and don't frequently deal with stuck-on messes, you can also pick up a more basic pack of dishwasher packs at another retailer for less money.