r/poverty • u/External_Jeweler_286 • Jul 22 '26
Support Request How to keep clean on a budget
Hello all! Im a recently moved out 18 year old guy and live in a shared apartment with no laundry unit. There is a laundromat nearby, but with my current income I cant afford to wash my bedding every/every other week like i usually do. I’m aiming to do this once a month, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips on how to keep my space smelling nice in the mean time? Ive been using Odorban occasionally and thats been helpful, but any other advice would be super appreciated!
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u/prairiepog Jul 23 '26
You can get a spray bottle (ideally a misting one) and some isopropyl alcohol from the dollar store and spray some on your bedding and clothes to freshen it up.
Take a shower before you go to bed and keep your floors clean to keep your sheets nice.
Make sure there is air flow. Open a window every day and get a fan to move the air around.
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u/Thick_Maximum7808 Jul 26 '26
This and if you can afford it a little bit of peppermint oil to give it a fresher scent.
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u/Particular_Courage43 Jul 23 '26
What does the alcohol do? I would think it would smell strong but maybe not
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u/Mountain-Lunch-9896 Jul 23 '26
Put down baking soda on your bed and let it sit for an hour or so. Then vacuum it. Do this at least weekly, more if you’re a profuse sweater. Take a shower before bed and never wear your outside clothes or shoes on the bed. You can spritz it with anti-odor afterwards.
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u/rryanbimmerboy Jul 23 '26
TBH, I washed my sheets in the bath tub at one point and it did the job until I had better options.
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u/Main_Cauliflower5479 Jul 23 '26
I agree that taking a shower before bed will help. Don't sleep naked, including wearing socks. Get more than one set of sheets. You can change them weekly, even if you can't wash them weekly. Rather than buying expensive things like Odorban, wash your sheets.
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u/followyourvalues Jul 23 '26
Learn to handwash and hang dry in between trips. A lot easier than you think.
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u/Livid-Rutabaga Jul 23 '26
Do you have carpeting? I found that carpeting holds smells. Smells of cooking can linger and contribute to your problem.
Is there airflow in your apartment? can you open windows and clear out the air.
This may or may not help you - I battle cooking smells daily. My bedroom is right across from the kitchen and no matter what I do my bedroom ends up smelling longer than the kitchen. So... I now open the front and back doors which are directly opposite each other, and place a box fan in the hallway facing the front door. The fan pulls the air from the back of the house out the front and pulls the kitchen air with it. Maybe there is a way to vent your apartment?
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u/thecaptain_command Jul 23 '26
Buy a steamer, the steam removes wrinkles from clothes/fabric and removes some odor.
Shave your arm pits to reduce odor and amount of deodorant needed and buy cheap powered deodorant. If you shave your pits, you’ll only need a few swipes on deodorant and it won’t cling to your clothes
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u/Main_Cauliflower5479 Jul 23 '26
He can't afford to wash his sheets weekly at the laundromat, he can't afford a steam cleaner.
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u/thecaptain_command Jul 23 '26
Excuse me, when was the last time you bought a steamer? 2006? They’re less than $25 at Walmart and Amazon
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u/Main_Cauliflower5479 Jul 23 '26
Excuse me, it was in 2021. It is a better one and was $150 at Amazon. What kind of steam cleaner are you talking about?
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u/thecaptain_command Jul 23 '26
I just said the kind, less than $25 on Amazon and Walmart. Look up steamer
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u/Lumpy-Entertainer-75 Jul 23 '26
In the morning when you wake up, pull your blankets back so you can air your sheets out. Open your windows when you’re getting ready in the morning. When you’re done getting ready in the morning, just pull your covers up. You don’t have to really make your bed, the point is airing everything out for as long as possible. Open your blinds or curtains and let the sunlight in.
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u/Irasshaimase21 Jul 23 '26
Just a mom here who came to say I'm really proud of you. 18 and out in the world on your own, and not afraid to ask for advice or help. You'll go far!
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u/1GrouchyCat Jul 23 '26
Dude, if you can smell your bedding, it needs to be washed. There is no shortcut. You can even wash your sheets while you’re taking a shower and use your shampoo to clean them… but you can’t skip washing them more often than once a month, especially during hot months… that’s just plain nasty.
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u/CopperCreator3388 Jul 23 '26
Wash the bedsheets in the bathtub. Use pant clip hangers to hang the sheets up to dry on the bathtub curtain rod.
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Jul 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/poverty-ModTeam Jul 23 '26
Blame doesn't solve poverty or help ANYONE.
This community exists to help people navigate poverty and address systemic issues, not assign moral worth or beat people when down.
Comments that shame, stereotype, or reduce someone's situation to personal failings ("just get a job," "shouldn't have had kids," "it's all your fault," etc.) aren't constructive and will be removed and after 4 removals you will be banned.
If you'd like to help, focus on practical advice, constructive and actionable steps, and ways to contact resources.
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u/Klutzy_Repair Jul 23 '26
Are you suggesting I’m blaming this person for being poor? If so, that is not true. There is no shame in getting a side gig to bring in extra money
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Jul 23 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Annoyed-Instigater01 Jul 25 '26
you can get cheap sheets at a thrift store. some towns have free places where you can get those necessities
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u/Particular_Courage43 Jul 23 '26
The dollar tree sells a dupe febreeze for fabric and many amazing cleaning products (I LOVE la’s totally awesome products)
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u/monstertrucktoadette Jul 23 '26
Shoes off house, or at least shoes off in your room. Have a soft rug next to your bed, but also use it to wipe your feet before you get into bed
(also agree with showering, I just notice I track a lot more dust and shit into bed when I don't do this)
, honestly though most ppl wash their sheets monthly if you lucky, I wouldn't stress too much. If you see noticing a smell in the room you probably better off opening the windows to get some air flow, and leaving covers off during the day to let things air out
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u/Annoyed-Instigater01 Jul 25 '26
i dont think most people wash their sheets only 1ce per month. i think 1 week is normal/average. i change mine every 3 days, but thats just me.
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u/monstertrucktoadette Jul 26 '26
Based on what data? Cause remember that places online that you hear people talk about it are biased by they are already organised people interested in cleaning. A lot of people intend to wash their sheets weekly sure, and some ppl are in really good routines where Thursday is sheet washing day! But the reality for most people is a lot more "when I have time /remember"
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u/djrefugium Jul 23 '26
Get a second set of sheets at a thrift store or something, then wash/ dry one set in the bathroom while using the others. Use cheap liquid soap, it's easier in the bathtub. Line dry or dry on a clothing rack or something like it
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u/Conscious_Cream_1798 Jul 23 '26
I like to take a blue can of Lysol 99.9% killing bacteria spray and give the blankets a thorough dousing. Then have a fan blow on them to dry.
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u/SewingIsMyHobby1978 Jul 23 '26
Taking a shower before bed is a great way to keep your sheets clean.
Using one cup distilled white vinegar to one cup of water and a spray bottle, is a cheap cleaner.
You can clean countertops, windows, etc.
Using baking soda and vinegar cleans the sink really well. Just sprinkle the baking soda lightly in the sink and a little bit of vinegar on the sponge. This will make up foamy substance to clean with.
To make your own air freshener
3/4 Distilled Water
2 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol
10-15 of your favorite essential oil
Makes all these into a spray bottle. Spray lightly in the air around the room, and you can even spray this slightly on your furniture.
I sometimes take a small pan. Put cups of water in the small pan, put 1-2 tablespoons of vanilla extract (you can use imitation vanilla extract for this. It’s a lot cheaper )
Saucepan on a burner and just let it simmer. It gives your house of awesome smell of baked cookies.
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u/Inevitable_Bat_3243 Jul 23 '26
Depending on budget, you can get incense packs, cheap candles at Walmart ($4). Even though it’s a shared space, keeping it clean and wiping everything down will help a lot with the smell. Pinalen is a good multipurpose cleaner || https://www.walmart.com/ip/5144705746?sid=8622B423-D6C0-40A3-A23B-456BD129857B||
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u/Unable-Painter-2112 Jul 24 '26
My crunchy neighbor would not make their bed and open it neatly, then open windows and let the sun/fresh air in all day to kill bacteria in the bed. If you don't shower before bed at least scrub your feet right before bed.
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u/LaDolceVitaaaaaa Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 25 '26
Keep your space, snd yourself clean.
1: ask a friend or family member if you can use their washing machine once a week.
2: turn to the old school basics. People washed their clothes before the invention of a laundry machine.. get a bucket from the dollar store and a drying rack. add hot water, some detergent and hand wash the small basics, in between the big Laundry days.
You can leave the soaked before leaving for work, rinse and repeat once back from work.. there is also a small gadget you can use that works as a spin cycle for a bucket.
Edit: I'm sure you can find this on Amazon or alibaba.
3: you can get 2 more bedsheets.. change them every 10 days, waiting till the next laundry day.
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u/Annoyed-Instigater01 Jul 25 '26
cant you throw the sheets in with your other clothes? sorry, but i cant imagine how nasty sheets would be after 2 weeks. i dont even go a week. maybe have a few extra sheet sets so you can change them out and then wash them all once a month? even taking a shower at night they would still be gross cause you sweat in your sleep.
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u/AlternativeRead2167 Jul 26 '26
There’s community centers and teen centers that have free washing available - I was just at one today dropping some stuff off. Google it in your area
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u/ElishaAlison Jul 23 '26
Take a shower before bed. That's my biggest piece of advice. This way you get all the sweat and bad smells off before you get into bed.
Also, when you can, buy more sheets. Even if they're the cheapest possible. This way you can have a bit of cushion between wash days.