Always Buy These Household Staples In Bulk From Costco To Save Your Wallet

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Costco memberships are on the rise, which is no surprise given the consistently increasing living costs throughout the United States. A membership at this retailer is a once-per-year fee that ensures competitive pricing on food, cleaning supplies, and other household essentials. Below are 10 household staples you should be buying in bulk at Costco to save your wallet.

With over a year of bulk purchasing, Costco saves you a lot more money than it costs to shop there in the first place. Many of their prices are cheaper than other popular retailers, as they're able to offer lower prices due to the membership fee and by selling most products in large quantities. Read on to learn what household essentials you should be buying from Costco, the perks of buying them in bulk, and how the prices compare to other retailers. The only thing to keep in mind is that these prices may not be exact — Costco pricing varies across locations, based on local rates. Certain states may have slightly higher or lower prices, depending on the cost of living for the area.

In addition to using them for typical cleaning chores, there are even unexpected ways to repurpose sponges around the house. There's no harm in purchasing these supplies in bulk, especially if you go with a reputable brand like Scotch-Brite. Scotch-Brites' heavy-duty sponges don't go bad when not in use and should be swapped out every three to four weeks anyway, so it's only logical to keep a bulk pack organized in the back of closets, on cabinet shelves, or under sinks with other cleaning supplies. Buying a single sponge for $2.59 is over a 236% markup from what you could get buying these name-brand sponges in bulk from Costco.

A 24-pack of Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Sponges is only $18.49 with a Costco membership. This comes out to about $0.77 per sponge, saving significantly more than other retailers with reputably low prices. Walmart sells the same sponges in 9-packs for $13 each, totaling roughly $1.44 per sponge. In a similar case, Amazon sells a 24-pack for $24.89, which is just over a dollar per sponge, proving Costco easily provides the best deal.

Even if you love ordering take-out or delivery food, dirty dishes are a natural part of everyday life. You'll always need dish soap on hand to clean up utensils, plates, and bowls. Keep a large container of Palmolive dish soap on hand to ensure your household doesn't fall short on soap for a long time. This cuts down on plastic waste, saves money, and reduces how often dish soap must be added to a shopping list. Once opened, a bottle of dishwashing liquid typically lasts from a year to a year and a half. Even after this point, the dish soap still works, albeit less effectively. Purchase a roughly 6-pound bottle of dishwashing liquid from your local Costco to save over 70% compared to buying the same amount from other well-known retailers.

Costco carries Palmolive Ultra Strength Dish Soap for $10.69 or roughly $0.10 an ounce. In comparison, Amazon and Walmart carry the same product for close to double the price, charging around $0.19 ounce. As long as you stick to how much of this dishwashing staple should you actually use, you should get about 600 uses out of this dish soap for $8 less than buying it elsewhere.

Unopened boxes of fabric softener sheets are good for up to three years, and once opened, they're effective for up to a year. But dryer sheets don't ever truly expire if you take steps to prolong their lifespan. A single pack of generic branded fabric softener sheets has over an 80% markup at other budget-friendly retailers compared to Costco. Purchasing them in bulk at Costco ensures your next few hundred laundry loads are covered at a minimal investment. Households also won't have to worry about stocking up for several months to a year.

Costco's Kirkland Signature Fabric Softener Sheets are $11.99 for two packs of 250, which results in 500 dryer sheets total. This comes out to less than $0.03 per sheet. In comparison, the same pack of fabric softener sheets is $22 on Amazon, meaning they cost approximately a little over a cent more per sheet. The $0.01 difference doesn't seem like much, but it adds up, especially when concerning hundreds of dryer sheets.

Trash bags are another essential household item that you don't have to worry about deteriorating for decades to come. One of the biggest issues with plastic bags is that they take centuries to break down, which, although bad for the environment, is good for people looking to save on bulk household purchases. Get more than a 50% discount on Husky extra large trash bags by purchasing a bulk box at Costco, rather than a smaller package at other retailers. A roll of 100 trash bags can be stored just as easily in cabinets, closet shelves, and underneath utility sinks. Consumer analyst Julie Ramhold explained to AARP that stocking up on trash bags is a common move to save money, "Some families wait for certain brands to go on sale at the local grocery store and stock up; others just go to Costco and pick up trash bags. Maybe a year later, they have to do it again."

Costco carries 100-Count 45 Gallon Husky True Tie XL Trash Bags for only $29.99, or $0.30 per bag. Even retailers known for their affordable pricing, such as Amazon, list 100-count trash bags for over $58. In fact, Amazon is the next cheapest option, and their rate comes out to $0.58 per bag.

Disposable gloves come in handy for cleaning, preparing food, and other household hacks like preventing a paintbrush from drying out. They hold up for years in storage(about three years if stored properly), making it a fiscally responsible decision to buy in bulk. Tuck away a pack of gloves in storage long-term to always have them on hand for whatever household tasks arise in the coming months. As an added perk, buying a bulk pack of food-safe nitrile disposable gloves from Costco saves 37% or more compared to buying the same brand on Amazon.

Costco's Clear-Touch Food Handling Nitrile Gloves cost $27.49. This comes out to about $0.05 per glove — and they come in medium, large, and extra-large sizes. Compare this to the Clear-Touch-branded gloves sold on Amazon, which are priced at $37.39, equating to $0.07 each. However, like the fabric softener sheets, the $0.02 difference adds up, especially if you regularly use nitrile gloves.

Paper towels are among the common household essentials. They're exactly what you need on hand when spills and messes happen, potentially saving furniture, flooring, and other home features from water damage or stains post-mishap. They also come in handy for routine cleaning, cushioning stored items, and serving as emergency coffee filter substitutes. A pack of generic 2-ply paper towels doesn't expire. Save almost 50% by buying good quality double-ply paper towels at Costco, rather than other major retailers.

A 12-pack of Kirkland Signature 2-Ply Paper Towel rolls is $23.99 at Costco, making each roll about $2. This is a huge difference from buying Kirkland Signature paper towels at Amazon or Walmart, where they cost $43.46 and $35.98, respectively. The bulk packs at Amazon and Walmart are charging $3.54 and $3 per roll, making them incomparable to Costco's $2 per roll rate. If you're loyal to name brands like Bounty, Costco also carries Bounty Advanced Paper Towels for $32.99, which is $10 cheaper than Walmart's price.

Though perhaps not as environmentally-friendly, single-use napkins are perfect for parties or those who simply don't want to do deal with laundry. It doesn't hurt to have a steady supply when hosting dinners or visitors for stays in your home. This affordable bulk investment doesn't expire, as long as it's stored in a dry location. The Kirkland Signature napkins have a reputation for being of decent quality as far as paper dinner napkins go, and are about half the price as the same napkins sold on Amazon.

Purchase a four-pack of 280 Kirkland Signature 1-Ply Napkins (1,120 napkins total) from Costco for only $14.89. This comes out to less than $0.02 per napkin, making it a great deal for frugal individuals. You can also find Kirkland Signature napkins at Amazon, though they're $33, which is more than $0.03 per napkin. Even other generic napkin brands, like Target's Disposable Paper Napkins 250-Count are more expensive when purchasing enough to match Costco's bulk quantity. 

Baking soda is an ingredient that goes beyond the kitchen, as there are many unexpected ways to use this household essential in your home. Whether you're cleaning tough spills, polishing metal, neutralizing odors, deterring bugs, or simply baking, buying a bulk-sized bag of Arm & Hammer baking soda from Costco is cheaper all around. Although baking soda manufacturers say to use it within 30 days of opening, this timeframe isn't set in stone.

Test baking soda after the 30 days are up by mixing it with vinegar to see if it causes a fizzing chemical reaction. If bubbles pop up, it's still usable for cleaning. Some people report using baking soda for six months or years before it loses its effectiveness. Given its longevity, buying in bulk might be the right choice for your household. It's 30% cheaper than buying a similar amount of baking soda from other budget-friendly retailers. Although you have to put more money down to buy a larger bag upfront, it's cheaper than buying multiple 8-ounce boxes. Of course, buying baking soda in bulk is best for those who actually use the product regularly.

Pick up a 13.5-pound bag of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda at Costco for $10.99. In comparison, the popular home improvement store Lowe's carries the same product for $18.98. Lowe's has a far better deal than most other retailers, but still can't compete with Costco. Costco's price clocks in at $0.05 per ounce, while other sellers charge $0.09 and up.

Nouvelle Legend is a brand known for its well-made products at budget-friendly prices. Their bulk pack of microfiber towels comes in handy for personal hygiene and household cleaning, and you never have to worry about them going out of date. Having multiple washcloths on hand adds convenience by ensuring a household has backup options if they have yet to do laundry. They're reusable and washable, and the microfiber material should last for hundreds of washes — it doesn't get much better than that!

A bulk pack of 12 Nouvelle Legende Ribbed Microfiber Towels at Costco is only $0.75 per cloth, or $8.99 total. This is an unbeatable price compared to other popular retailers, where it's listed for $14.99 and up (we're looking at you Amazon). At $14.99, people are paying roughly $1.25 per towel, making Costco the most fiscal-minded option.

Purchasing a 40-pack of generic alkaline AA or AAA batteries is a smart move, especially in modern households full of wireless technology. Alkaline batteries are good for up to 10 years when stored in a dry, safe place, and there's no harm in stocking up. Duracell batteries have a stellar reputation among battery brands, typically lasting longer than other brands and generic brands on the market — even longer than Costco's Kirkland batteries. This is ironic since the popular brand name behind Costco's Kirkland batteries is Duracell, according to Costco's former CEO. In any case, investing in the pack of Duracell alkaline AA or AAA batteries is ensured to last long-term and get you the best bang for your buck, since each battery is about 300% cheaper if purchased this way, instead of in a typical 4-pack from a retailer like Walmart.

Costco's 40-packs of Duracell alkaline AA or AAA batteries are $19.99, making each battery about $0.50 each. Other retailers list Duracell 40-packs for $35 or more, costing nearly twice as much per battery. You can get an even better deal by opting for the Kirkland Signature batteries, which, as mentioned previously, are also manufactured by Duracell. These batteries don't have the same reputation as their manufacturer-branded alternative but are only $15.99, making them only about $0.40 per battery.