Brand Name vs. Generic Cleaning Products

We’ve all seen the commercials on TV touting brand name products and claiming that generic alternatives don’t work as well, or need double the amount to be used to do the same job. While there are some things you definitely don’t want to skimp on, such as safety products or specific medications, how important is it to use a brand name cleaning product over a generic? Do generics really cost you more money in the long run because you need to use twice as much?

Most studies prove that there is very little difference between name brand and generic cleaners. This applies both to household cleaners, as well as commercial cleaning supplies such as those used in an office or large space. In fact, there is even little evidence proving that store bought cleaners are any more effective than homemade recipes used for the same purpose. Unless you have a particular preference to a certain brand or have seen evidence that the brand name cleaner truly does work better than the generic cleaner for your purposes, there is no reason to hesitate to buy the cheaper version at the store.

The one major caveat to this is if you rely on a particular brand for a specific application, such as removing mold and mildew, or getting a specific stain out of a carpet. This also means using the products for their intended purposes. One standard “all-purpose” cleaner is not going to perform equally well for every stain and surface it encounters, whether the product is brand name or generic, just like using dish soap to disinfect a contaminated surface won’t have the same effect as bleach. Even products intended for specific areas such as bathroom cleaners or kitchen cleaners aren’t going to clean every surface as well as using a dedicated grease remover, mirror cleaner, and toilet disinfectant.

Generally the best way to tell how the generic matches up is to look at product labels. You will often find the “compare to active ingredients in (comparable name brand product)” information right on the front of the bottle. Taking the time to compare labels and ingredients will save you time and money in the long run, both by not buying the brand name when a generic will do the same work, and by realizing that for that specific product the ingredients don’t match up and the generic would require more time and product to do the same job.