This Is the Most Underrated Aisle at Trader Joe’s
Everyone’s favorite grocery store has so many great household items.
Courtesy of Trader Joe's
Trader Joe’s is beloved for its unique and budget-friendly grocery offerings. Orange chicken, peanut butter pretzel nuggets, Unexpected Cheddar, Everything But the Bagel Seasoning—these are just a few items that have achieved cult status. But when you’re roaming the aisles during your next shopping trip, don’t forget to take a stroll down the household and personal care section. It’s an underrated gem!
We already know that TJ’s has some great beauty dupes, but it also has household essentials that are effective, on the more natural side, and wallet-friendly. And you can really make it a one-stop shopping trip since the retailer has a variety of home essentials, from laundry detergent to household cleaners to reusable food bags and sponge cloths. We’ve highlighted some of the offerings below.
All Purpose Disinfectant Cleaner, $4
Free of chlorine bleach, phosphates, or sodium laureth sulfate, this all-purpose cleaner kills 99.9% of common household bacteria and viruses. It contains a 2.4% solution of hydrogen peroxide that makes it effective at cleaning tough stains and mold and mildew.
Reusable Sponge Cloths, $4
Think about how many paper towels you go through a day. It can be a lot of waste and expensive, too. These reusable sponge cloths are a blend of 70% cellulose and 30% cotton, making them soft and highly absorbent. After using the cloths, rinse them out, let dry, and reuse again. You can also toss them in the washing machine and dishwasher for deeper clean.
Waffle Weave Cotton Kitchen Towels, $8
These 100% cotton kitchen towels feature a waffle weave, which make them extra absorbent to easily sop up spills, dry dishes, and clean counters.
Multi-Purpose Cleaner Cedarwood & Sage, $4
Use this plant-based cleaner on any surface, whether it’s countertops, tiles, or mirrors. The formula is made with coconut-derived surfactants and cedarwood and sage oils.
Liquid Dish Soap Lavender Tea Tree Scent, $3
Super sudsy and powerful, TJ’s dish soap is free of artificial colors and synthetic fragrances. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic, so it’s gentle on skin. This version has a soothing lavender tea tree scent.
Reusable Silicone Food Storage Bags, $10
Reduce waste by stocking up on these reusable food storage bags. The set comes with three bags in three different sizes: small (think snack bag), medium (think a sandwich bag), and large (can hold three to four slices of pizza). They’re microwave-, freezer-, and dishwasher-safe.
Liquid Dish Soap Citrus Scent, $3
And if you prefer your household scents to be brighter, the dish soap also comes in a light citrus fragrance. TJ’s dish soaps are a USDA Certified Biobased product since 87% of its content comes from renewable biological sources.
Liquid Laundry Detergent Lavender Scent, $11
Trader Joe’s was one of the first brands to introduce an “eco-friendly” liquid detergent 18 years ago. The formula has gotten a revamp recently—it’s still made with coconut-derived surfactants, is hypoallergenic, and doesn’t include dyes or chemical fragrances, but now it contains stain-fighting enzymes (protease, amylase, and mannanese).
Liquid Laundry Detergent Free & Clear, $6
If you prefer a detergent without fragrance, grab the Free & Clear version, which has everything the lavender-scented one does, without the lavender!
Reusable Produce Bags, $2
Next time you head to the grocery store, pack these produce bags so you can reduce waste and skip the plastic ones at the store. Made from 100% recycled polyester mesh, the set comes with a small produce bag and a large one to fit all your fruits and veggies.
Super Lemon Room Spritz, $2
Get rid of funky odors with this air freshener made of water, lemon myrtle oil, spearmint oil, and a sorbitol-based emulsifier.
Reusable Lavender Dryer Bags, $4
Take your laundry to the next level with these dryer bags that will make your linens and clothes smell like relaxing lavender. Each box contains four bags and each bag lasts for five to 10 cycles (depending on what’s being dried), so you’ll get plenty of uses! After several dryer cycles, Trader Joe’s suggests sprinkling the contents on your carpet and vacuuming them up to refresh a room.
