The $1.25 Dollar Tree Find I’m Stocking up on (It's Almost Too Good To Be True)

Do you remember when the TikTok trend "five things I'd never do because of my job" was popular? People talked about what they'd, under no circumstances, do (or let their kids do) because of their professional knowledge. Everyone—from paramedics and neurologists to CIA officers, architects, and more—was sharing great advice. It was wildly informative and entertaining (and a little anxiety-provoking, if I'm being honest).

For instance, I used to scold my husband for leaving our filtered water jug on the counter, suggesting it would be a hub for bacteria, but he'd always brush me off. So, when I saw one of my favorite creators, Dr. Tracy, a microbiologist, and retired college professor, share that she'd never use a water bottle for more than three days without cleaning it, I finally had the "proof" I needed to back up my claims.

No, I don't recommend doing "research" on TikTok, but—spoiler alert—my husband now cleans the water canister more frequently. While I'd always been pretty good about washing our family's water bottles, that video nudged me to step up my cleaning game.

The problem was that our family of four had a big collection of bottles, coffee tumblers, thermoses, and other similar containers. Between getting into every bacteria-harboring crevice of the valves and straws and trying to eliminate that lingering coffee smell that seemed embedded in the stainless steel, cleaning them could sometimes feel like a part-time job.

A Super Affordable Dupe

So when I spotted Homebright Bottle Cleaning Tabs at Dollar Tree, picking up a package felt like the easiest decision I’ve ever made. For just $1.25 for 12 tablets, they're a knock-off of the Shark Tank-approved Bottle Bright tablets, which sell for a minimum of $7.99 on Amazon. I'd used Bottle Bright tablets in the past, and they were, in fact, revolutionary, but they felt a little pricey for semi-regular use. After several uses, I'm happy to report that the Dollar Tree dupe works just as well as the expensive ones.

Homebright Bottle Cleaning Tabs

• Price: $1.25 for 12 tabs

• Why I Love Them: These tabs make cleaning water bottles, thermoses, and to-go mugs easy. They eliminate stains and odors, and they can be used to clean other kitchen items—like coffee pots—too.

Why I Love Homebright Bottle Cleaning Tabs

These little tablets make cleaning water bottles, thermoses, and to-go mugs so easy. All I have to do is fill the bottles with warm water, drop in a tablet, and watch it work magic—no scrubbing required. The fizzing action reaches every nook and cranny, dissolving residue and eliminating those persistent coffee and tea odors that permeate our containers, no matter what I try.

For tougher stains or odors, it's best to let them soak overnight or do double-duty with two tablets. With semi-regular use, I now feel like I have almost brand-new bottles. I now wash our collection of vessels regularly with soap and hot water, and once every week or two, I do a deeper clean with the tablets. This helps keep the build-up and odors at bay, and everything looks and smells so much better!

They're Not Just for Cleaning Water Bottles

Beyond the water bottle rotation, I've used them to refresh our coffee carafe, deep clean my husband's protein shake bottle, and even tackle a small collection of bottle parts and sippy cups before passing them along to my sister. Each time, they've mostly restored that like-new clarity and freshness. Writing this story has also made me think I should try them on my Instant Pot insert and sealing rings.

A spotless coffee tumbler might seem like no big deal, but the freshness feels like a big victory for me. These cleaning tabs are affordable, effective, and save me precious time. What more could a busy mom ask for?

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