6 Dollar Tree Laundry Items That Are Always Worth Buying (And 6 To Skip)

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Dollar Tree is a great stop when stocking up on affordable home essentials. This popular dollar store carries dozens of laundry products and other items that will keep your laundry room organized and tidy, and many are priced at just $1.50. Prices like these are hard to find at other retailers, and sometimes even other dollar stores can't match the cost. Of course, you shouldn't blindly purchase these affordable home goods. Although many of Dollar Tree's laundry items are worth picking up, there are a select few to leave on the shelf.

Below are six products that are great buys and six products to skip over. We cover what makes the "buy" items great, from their quality to cost. We also discuss the shortcomings of the "don't buy" items and explain why they aren't worth the low price. Read on to learn more about Dollar Tree's selection so you can optimize your shopping list with the best laundry deals.

Fabric softener ensures clothes and linens come out of the wash and dry cycle feeling soft and smelling fresh. There are also brilliant ways to use it outside the laundry room. Don't sleep on Dollar Tree's Downy Ultra April Fresh Fabric Softener. It's the highest-rated laundry product on their website, with 4.8 stars and 120 reviews. Only two of those reviews are less than four stars, as most people are overjoyed with this humble but worthwhile product. Reviewers claim that only a tiny amount results in a fresh scent that lasts for days.

The best part about this dollar-store laundry item is that it's only $1.50 for a 10-ounce bottle. In many cases, Dollar Tree items are priced lower because there's less product. We compared this Downy softener to the same-size bottles sold on Walmart and Amazon, where they cost $4.94. You're getting a name-brand fabric softener for only $0.15 per ounce, in comparison to other places that sell it for $0.49 per ounce. 

Some people don't like the filmy feeling that fabric softeners leave on clothes. If you're one of those people, use a fragrance booster. These dissolvable beads lock in smells without softening. When browsing the options, don't get drawn in by the vibrant teal bottle of In-Wash Fresh Scent Laundry Fragrance Booster. You may have already heard of this product due to a Dollar Tree rumor started by a TikToker. Many of the reviews gave this laundry booster a low rating for reasons unrelated to online gossip. They claim it takes nearly half the 10.5-ounce bottle to make any impact on clothes. They go through the fresh-scent bottle quickly, and the results are lackluster.

Full disclosure– a few happy purchasers say the fresh scent works just fine. Since their opinions are overruled by the majority, we recommend choosing a different scent with a more favorable reputation. The In-Wash Spring Scent Fragrance Booster has nearly all positive reviews. Aside from the scent, it's the same price and size, and there isn't a single complaint about the fragrance strength.

If you're wondering if the Dollar Tree dryer balls are any good, much of the internet says yes. These plastic dryer balls prevent laundry from clumping, resulting in more efficient drying and softer fabric. There are very few online reviews for the Essentials Colored Dryer Balls, but all three are positive. In addition to these reviews, various social media influencers also stand behind the product. TikToker @homemakerlife put them to the test and verified that her towels were softer and fluffier. Instagram personality @zapatas_cleaning_services also recommended these dryer balls. She claimed they're reusable, long-lasting, and better for your laundry than dryer sheets since they don't leave a waxy buildup behind.

If the testimonials don't have you convinced, the pricing should. Dollar Tree plastic dryer balls come in a pack of two for $1.50. The cheapest alternative from another popular retailer is Amazon's XIEHE Dryer Balls 4 Pack for $6.99. A four-pack of Dollar Tree dryer balls would cost only $3.00, making them half the price of this competitor.

There are many brilliant ways to use lint rollers for cleaning. Before you grab the $1.50 lint rollers at Dollar Tree, consider whether they're worth the plastic. Each purchasable lint roller pack has 40 to 80 sheets. They have few sheets to start with, and they're known for tearing sloppily. This wastes sheets and makes the rollers run out of product even faster. Reviews and ratings appear high at a first glance, but if you dive a little deeper, many customers complain that the sheets are too sticky and the handles are too flimsy. Overall, this simple laundry tool is more trouble than it's worth.

Instead of settling for dollar-store lint rollers, purchase from Amazon. The Scotch-Brite Everyday Clean Lint Roller is only $0.01 more per sheet (when compared to the 30-sheet Dollar Tree version). It's better reviewed and has a sturdier handle. There are 100 sheets total, and they rip cleanly down the seams, so none are wasted throughout the roller's lifespan. If you're looking for another reason to skip the Dollar Tree brand, Scotch-Brite sells refills for its rollers. These refills cost the same as Dollar Tree per sheet, but create less trash for landfills.

If you're looking for a tiny stain remover to bring with you on the go, Dollar Tree's mini laundry pens are the answer. The OxiClean On the Go Stain Remover Portable Pen is a brand-name product with a great reputation. It's the perfect emergency tool to throw in your purse or suitcase for a day trip or weekend vacation. Reviewers claim it removes all kinds of stains, from blood to motor oil, making it a handy solution for unexpected incidents. The Dollar Tree version is only 0.24 fluid ounces, which is much smaller than other OxiClean pens found at other retailers.

Aside from being a quality product, this laundry pen is the same price as most Dollar Tree items: $1.50. It's around the same cost per ounce as larger pens that aren't as practical to carry around. The extra $0.03 per ounce is well worth it if you need something small and subtle to cover your mistakes and salvage clothes before stains set in.

It's hard to pass up on anything that's under $2 in this day and age. The seven-pack of Essentials Plastic Clothing Hangers seems like a good deal until you compare it to other retailers. These hangers are $0.21 each, while other retailers sell the same product in larger bundles for a lower price per piece. There's also some discrepancy in the online listing. The listing says there are seven per pack; however, customers claim some only come in packs of six. Fortunately, this discrepancy doesn't extend to the physical stores — both the black and white hangers are sold in packs of seven.

Walmart carries the same plastic hangers in an 18-pack. The 18-pack Mainstays Plastic Clothes Hangers are $2.98 total for $0.17 a piece. This isn't a huge difference from Dollar Tree's $0.21 cost, but it adds up as you purchase more. Instead of buying three packs of Dollar Tree's, it's more convenient to buy a bulk pack at Walmart. Even if you end up with a few more hangers than necessary, they may come in handy the next time you treat yourself to new clothes.

Iron clothes into perfection with a DIY starch laundry spray, or use a convenient can of Chase's Home Value Spray Starch. This spray can is a full-size 12-ounce can with a crisp lemon scent. Reviewers claim it doesn't get too sticky like other starch sprays. The biggest issue is that dollar stores can't keep it on the shelf— I can attest to this, as there was only one bottle left at my Dollar Tree, and it was missing the cap. Be warned that the lemon scent makes or breaks this product for some. One reviewer negatively described the smell as "furniture polish." Although furniture polish is pleasant, many people don't want to reek of Lemon Pledge.

In addition to being a well-made laundry formula, it's also a great deal. The whole can is only $1.50, which is significantly cheaper than most spray starches. The only starch spray that can compete is Walmart's Faultless Heavy Hold Ironing Enhancer Spray Starch, which is a larger bottle and only $0.01 cheaper per ounce.

Dryer sheets are a luxury for budget-conscious individuals. However, even the most fiscally strict person could fall for the $1.50 dryer sheets at the Dollar Tree. It may seem like a bargain to pick up a few sheets for this low price, but many of these boxes only contain 15 sheets. There's no practical reason to buy a small amount at once since they have a long shelf life. Dryer sheets last months before the fragrance starts to fade. They'll last even longer if properly sealed and stored.

Bearing this in mind, customers should never pay $0.10 per sheet, like with Dollar Tree's 15-packs. A much better option is buying the Gain 120-Count Dryer Sheets off Amazon, where they're only $0.05 per sheet. Or, you can still find dryer sheets at the dollar store for a slightly better deal. They aren't name brand, but Honeysuckle Dryer Sheets come in a pack of 40, giving you more than twice as much bang for your buck.

Don't pass up on those tiny laundry detergent bottles if you need to wash clothes on a tight budget. The Tide Original Scent Liquid Laundry Detergent comes in a modest 8-fluid-ounce bottle and deserves just as much praise as its larger counterparts. Past customers say it doesn't take much to soap up laundry, and the small bottle goes a long way. One person claims they buy one a week, making it convenient and budget-friendly.

The most surprising part of the Dollar Tree Tide detergent is that it's an even better deal than buying the bulk 84-fluid-ounce container from Amazon. On Amazon, it's about $0.23 per fluid ounce, while Dollar Tree's is only $0.19 per fluid ounce. On another note, Tide isn't the only brand that has a good deal going on at the dollar store. The Gain + Aroma Boost Original Scent Liquid Laundry Detergent is also slightly cheaper in mini-bottle form.

Using a mesh laundry bag is a smart laundry hack that protects small and delicate garments and makes sorting easier. These mesh laundry bags need to be durable enough to withstand constant wash-and-dry cycles. The Dollar Tree Essentials Three-Pack Mesh Laundry Bags seem ideal with their low price and high 4-star rating. However, many reviewers claim they aren't stitched well and fall apart. Some even go as far as to stitch up the bags themselves.

Instead of refurbishing these mesh bags to do the jobs they were designed for, you're better off buying a more reliable set elsewhere. Amazon's Durable Mesh Laundry Bags come in a three-pack and are only $2.50 more than the dollar store. These bags are slightly larger, so they hold more garments, and there are more positive reviews promising that they hold up over several washes. They may be a bit more expensive from the get-go, but these bags are a better choice long-term since they won't need to be replaced as often.

A laundry basket is a must-have to simplify a laundry routine. Tossing garments in a designated receptacle keeps them off the floor and from being draped over other furniture. A carrying basket also makes it easy to transport all the laundry to the washer in one go. There are several styles of Dollar Tree plastic laundry baskets, including stackable bins and baskets with handles. They come in black, gray, white, or bright colors, ensuring you'll find one that suits your interior design. They all have decent reviews, and many people say they're hardy enough for other tasks, such as collecting supplies, toys, and other items aside from clothes. Try investing in more than one laundry basket to sort your clothes by color or fabric and further optimize a laundry routine.

Aside from their usefulness, Dollar Tree's plastic baskets are unbeatable in price. Despite being made of affordable plastic, they're relatively sturdy. Just don't overfill them until the plastic is strained and misshapen. Each basket is only $1.50 each, putting them about $0.50 cheaper than the closest competition.

It's not the 2.9-star rating that's the problem with L.A.'s Totally Awesome Fresh Scent Bleach. This 64-ounce jug is only $1.50 at Dollar Tree, or $0.02 per fluid ounce, but it's even cheaper at Dollar General. In addition to being a better deal elsewhere, it's not a strong contender among bleach solutions. According to its safety data sheet, it only contains 3% sodium hypochlorite. In layperson's terms, this is a weak amount of bleach. It's nowhere near as powerful as other household bleaches, which usually contain between 5% to 9% sodium hypochlorite.

Remember, bleach can always be diluted to make it safer for removing stains and sanitizing clothes. Instead of buying a mixture that's already weak, purchase Walmart's Great Value Concentrated Liquid Bleach. It's a bit more expensive than the dollar store's L.A.'s Totally Awesome, at about $0.05 per fluid ounce. In the long run, you use less of the Great Value concoction per use since you only need about ¼ cup of bleach per gallon of water. This jug will last longer, and the cost will even out if it's adequately mixed with enough water.