Why Estate Sales Are a Hidden Goldmine for Affordable Cleaning Supplies

Estate sale shopping has quickly become one of my favorite hobbies. My home is sprinkled with secondhand treasures, and almost all of them come from estate sales. Since browsing these sales for more than a year, I’ve discovered that everyone goes for different reasons. For me personally? I’m there for hosting supplies, unique home decor, and luxury bags.

But I was surprised to find that there are people who leave with boxes of cleaning supplies. I’ve seen this happen on many occasions and had no idea this would be such a draw for so many. These shoppers are scoring cleaning products for cheap. Who knew!

I chatted with Scott Schrader, a cleaning expert at CottageCare, to get his take on shopping for estate sale cleaning products, along with a few important things to watch out for.

An estate sale is a method for selling all or most items in a household, and that can include cleaning products tucked away beneath sinks, or in cabinets, laundry rooms, or garages. “When it comes to cleaning supplies, estate sales can be full of good finds if you know what to look for,” Schrader says.  

You can often find unopened or barely used products like all-purpose cleaners, laundry detergent, window cleaners, and dish detergent — all for a fraction of the cost of buying new. I’ve seen shoppers leave with boxes full of supplies. And it’s no wonder — you can usually score these items for a few dollars each. 

When buying cleaning products at an estate sale, however, there are a few things to keep in mind. Estate sale companies usually do a good job with sourcing the items for sale and removing anything that wouldn’t be safe to purchase, but you still want to be mindful. 

Schrader first and foremost recommends checking the condition and storage of the item you’d like to buy. “If it’s a bottle that has been sitting in someone’s garage during the hot summer or frozen solid during the winter, that cleaner might have fully separated or lost its killing ability,” he shares. You can always ask someone running the sale if they know the condition of the products or when they were bought. If they’re not sure, Schrader suggests doing a little more investigating. “Smell it, shake it, check the label,” he says. “If it feels off,  just leave it alone.” 

Checking expiration dates is also equally important — especially with disinfectants or bleach-based products. “Old bleach is basically water at that point,” Schrader continues. If the product is obviously weathered, Schrader suggests leaving it on the shelf.  “Avoid any products where the label is unreadable, or the cap is crusty,” he says. 

When asked if there were any products to skip over, Schrader shares that “I would personally stay away from open powders, such as detergents, anything flammable stored near heat sources, or homemade cleaners. This is because there is simply no way to know what is in them.” 

If you’re specifically on the hunt for cleaning products at an estate sale, head to the kitchen, laundry room, or utility closet areas first. “Go for brands that are sealed, and recognizable,” Schrader suggests. This way, you’ll know for sure these products are safe to use. 

Be sure to check the expiration date, even on sealed items (you don’t want to buy a disinfectant that has lost its potency over time), and don’t be afraid to negotiate! Especially if you’re bundling items, many estate sale companies are open to offers. For the best deals, wait to go on the last day of the sale — this is usually when everything will be on sale. “Don’t purchase anything that feels shady, and just as simple as it sounds, do a quick snip and cap check,” Schrader states. “Estate sale cleaning hauls can be a steal. However, beware!”

As long as you shop with a little common sense and caution, estate sales can be a fun way to stock up on cleaning supplies for way less. It’s an unexpected, eco-friendly way to save some cash and create less waste. Just use your best judgement and prioritize safety.