Dollar Store Hacks for a Sparkling Chicago Home

Living in Chicago means juggling a busy schedule, and keeping your home clean often falls to the bottom of the to-do list. Between work, family, and trying to enjoy the city, who has time for a deep cleaning help session? We get it. Sometimes, you need smart, affordable tips to make your space feel fresh—or you need to call in the pros.

You don’t need a fancy budget to get your home organized and clean. With a little creativity and a trip to your local dollar store, you can tackle clutter and make cleaning routines easier. Here’s how to transform your space, room by room.

Bathroom Organization on a Budget

The bathroom is one of the hardest rooms to keep tidy, with all its small products and tools. Smart storage is the key to making apartment cleaning a breeze.

Under-Sink Solutions

That cavern under your sink doesn’t have to be a black hole. Dollar Tree’s stacking shelves are a game-changer. They create multiple levels so you can actually see and reach your cleaning supplies or extra toiletries. Pair them with clear acrylic lazy susans (found in the kitchen section!) for bottles and products—it’s a high-end look for a fraction of the price.

• Acrylic Organizers: Use three-compartment trays in shallow drawers for makeup, first-aid items, or dental care.
• Wicker Baskets: Grab them while they’re in stock! They’re perfect for holding extra towels, toilet paper, or hairdryer cords to cut down on visual clutter.
• Magazine Holders: Don’t limit them to the living room! They’re perfect for standing up hair tools like straighteners and curling irons, so cords don’t get tangled.

Lighting & Easy Upgrades

A dark space feels less clean. Dollar Tree’s under-sink stick-on lights are a brilliant hack. For just a few dollars, you can illuminate those shadowy corners, making it easier to find what you need and spot spills. If your bathroom feels a little sad, consider peel-and-stick wallpaper for an accent wall or behind shelves—it’s renter-friendly and instantly cheerful.

Renting with a basic builder-grade mirror? The peel-and-stick mirror border is your secret weapon. It adds a custom, framed look and removes cleanly when it’s time to move. It’s a simple way to elevate your space without a permanent commitment or a call to a professional home cleaning team for a post-renovation clean-up.

Kitchen & General Home Cleverness

These dollar finds aren’t just for the bathroom. Extend these organizing principles throughout your home to maintain order.

Clear Containers are Everything

Glass canisters with bamboo lids aren’t just pretty; they help keep pantry items fresh and visible, preventing food waste and mess. In the cleaning closet, use clear bins to group supplies for glass, floors, and bathrooms. When everything has a designated spot, tidying up is twice as fast. This system is a lifesaver for maintaining clean between visits from your favorite Chicago cleaning company.

Think Vertical

Don’t forget about the space on the back of doors or inside cabinet doors. Over-the-door hooks or small adhesive baskets from the dollar store can hold everything from spray bottles to reusable bags, getting them off your floors and counters.

When DIY Meets “Do It For Me”

These tips are perfect for daily maintenance and small projects. But let’s be real—some tasks require more time and energy than you have. When you need a reset, or if the thought of a spring clean is overwhelming, that’s the perfect time to schedule a cleaning with a trusted pro.

Finding reliable cleaning services in Chicago can be a chore in itself. You want fast cleaning services that are thorough and trustworthy. Whether you need someone to clean my apartment before guests arrive or a regular home cleaning service to maintain your peace of mind, investing in help is the ultimate hack for a busy Chicagoan.

Hey, I’m Catherine, Dollar Tree Pro. This is part two of organizing everywhere in your house from Dollar Tree. Starting in the bathroom, these three compartment acrylic organizers are great in lowprofile drawers. Dollar Tree glass canisters with bamboo lids are awesome. I love these stacking organizers. They’re $3 each and incredible under a sink. Now’s your moment to get your wicker baskets. They’re in stock everywhere from Dollar Tree. Friend, do not miss these stacking shelves. They are incredible under a sink. These acrylic lazy susans are in the kitchen section. They are giving container store, okay? I use these for product under the sink. I use magazine organizers to store my hair tools. Here comes that stocking shelf. This entire sink was from Dollar Tree. The shower caddies are fantastic along with their shower curtains. They’re great quality. And do not pass on the under sink lighting. This is cheaper than Amazon. It’s cheaper than Walmart. They’re $5 each and great for dark and small spaces. And if your space feels sad, my friend, I’ve got you. Get some Dollar Tree peel and stick wallpaper. I used 14 sheets for behind these shelves. Are you renting? Do you have a builder grade mirror? Let me introduce you to peel and stick mirror border. You put this on. It comes right off. It’s a really easy way to makeover your bathroom on a dime.