The average American household spent $818 on housekeeping supplies in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey. That number climbed to $971 for two-person households in 2024. But here’s what most budget guides miss: cleaning supply costs and major appliance spending are connected in ways that directly affect your bottom line.
This guide breaks down the actual BLS and FRED data on household cleaning and appliance spending, shows you how these costs vary by household size, and reveals practical strategies to reduce both categories without sacrificing cleanliness or appliance longevity.
Key Takeaways
- $818/year is the average U.S. household spending on housekeeping supplies (2023 BLS data)
- Two-person households spend $971/year on housekeeping supplies, up from $859 in 2023 – a 13% increase
- Single-person households spend $614/year on cleaning supplies, making per-capita costs higher than families
- Major appliance spending averages $390-$588/year depending on household size and number of earners
- 1 in 3 homeowners (33%) have no savings set aside for major appliance failures, per a January 2025 American Home Shield survey
- Refrigerators last 12-15 years on average; repair costs over $600 typically justify replacement
- Surface protection on stovetops can reduce cleaning product consumption by shifting maintenance from removal to prevention
How Much Do Americans Actually Spend on Cleaning Supplies?
Let’s start with the real numbers. The BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey tracks what American households spend across dozens of categories. Their “housekeeping supplies” category includes:
- Surface cleaners and disinfectants
- Degreasers and multi-purpose sprays
- Laundry detergents and fabric softeners
- Paper towels and disposable cleaning products
- Sponges, scrubbers, and cleaning tools
This category doesn’t include professional cleaning services, appliance repairs, or specialized maintenance equipment.
National Averages: What the Data Shows
According to Statista’s analysis of BLS data, the average consumer unit spent $818 on housekeeping supplies in 2023. That’s roughly $68 per month.
But averages can be misleading. Your actual spending depends heavily on household size, composition, and maintenance habits.
Housekeeping Supplies Spending by Household Size (FRED Data)
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis (FRED) tracks consumer expenditure data broken down by household composition. Here’s what the 2024 numbers look like:
Two-Person Households
| Year | Annual Spending | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $971 | +13.0% |
| 2023 | $859 | -0.3% |
| 2022 | $862 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | $850 | -3.1% |
| 2020 | $877 | (baseline) |
Source: FRED Series CXUHKPGSUPPLB0504M
The 13% jump from 2023 to 2024 reflects both inflation in cleaning product prices and increased spending on premium products.
Single-Person Households
| Year | Annual Spending | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $614 | +8.9% |
| 2023 | $564 | -1.6% |
| 2022 | $573 | -0.5% |
| 2021 | $576 | +3.0% |
| 2020 | $559 | (baseline) |
Source: FRED Series CXUHKPGSUPPLB0610M
Single-person households spend less in absolute terms, but more per capita. A person living alone spends $614/year on cleaning supplies, while each person in a two-person household averages about $485.
Large Families (Married Couple, Oldest Child 18+)
| Year | Annual Spending | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,287 | +3.2% |
| 2023 | $1,247 | +16.8% |
| 2022 | $1,068 | -17.2% |
| 2021 | $1,290 | -22.2% |
| 2020 | $1,659 | (peak) |
Source: FRED Series CXUHKPGSUPPLB0607M
The pandemic spending spike in 2020 stands out here. Larger families increased cleaning product purchases dramatically during 2020, with spending gradually normalizing since then.
Per-Person Cleaning Product Costs
A Verve Credit Union analysis of Statista survey data found:
- $170.28 per person annually on cleaning products
- $680+ per year for a family of four (minimum estimate)
- $57/month added to the family budget for cleaning supplies
Post-pandemic cleaning product spending remained 34% higher than pre-pandemic February 2020 levels, suggesting lasting changes in household cleaning habits.
Major Appliance Spending: What the Numbers Show
While cleaning supplies represent recurring monthly costs, major appliances involve large, infrequent purchases. The BLS defines major appliances as:
- Refrigerators and freezers
- Ranges, cooktops, and ovens
- Dishwashers
- Washing machines and dryers
Annual Major Appliance Spending (FRED Data)
Two-Person Households:
| Year | Annual Spending |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $390 |
| 2023 | $450 |
| 2022 | $433 |
| 2021 | $524 (pandemic peak) |
| 2020 | $375 |
Source: FRED Series CXUMAJAPPLLB0504M
Households with 3+ Earners:
| Year | Annual Spending |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $588 |
| 2023 | $533 |
| 2022 | $607 |
| 2021 | $686 |
| 2020 | $574 |
Source: FRED Series CXUMAJAPPLLB0707M
Higher-income households spend more on appliances – partly due to purchasing premium models and partly due to more frequent replacements.
The U.S. Appliance Market Context
The home appliance industry provides context for individual spending:
- U.S. appliance market size (2024): $61.7 billion
- Projected market size (2030): ~$75 billion
- Average appliance price: $2,175
Sources: Statista Home Appliance Industry, Consumer Affairs Statistics
Appliance Replacement Costs: What You’ll Actually Pay
When appliances fail, replacement costs can strain household budgets significantly. Here’s what HomeAdvisor and HomeGuide report for 2024-2025 prices:
| Appliance | Low | Average | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | $430 | $1,500 | $10,600 |
| Washing Machine | $445 | $1,200 | $2,300 |
| Clothes Dryer | $445 | $1,100 | $2,100 |
| Dishwasher | $330 | $800 | $1,900 |
| Range/Stove | $410 | $1,200 | $7,500 |
Kitchen Appliance Package (refrigerator, microwave, range, dishwasher): $2,100 – $5,400
Washer + Dryer Set: $1,100 – $2,000
These aren’t small purchases. A kitchen renovation requiring full appliance replacement could cost $5,000 or more for mid-range models.
Appliance Lifespan: When to Repair vs. Replace
Understanding appliance lifespans helps you plan for replacements and decide whether repairs make financial sense.
Expected Appliance Lifespans
| Appliance | Expected Lifespan | Replace If Repair Exceeds |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | 12-15 years | $600 |
| Washing Machine | 10-12 years | 50% of replacement cost |
| Dishwasher | 9-12 years | 50% of replacement cost |
| Clothes Dryer | 10-13 years | 50% of replacement cost |
| Range/Oven | 13-15 years | 50% of replacement cost |
Sources: AARP Appliance Lifespan Guide, Mr. Appliance
The 50% Rule: If repair costs exceed half the replacement cost, buying new usually makes more sense. For refrigerators specifically, repairs over $600 typically justify replacement.
Most Americans Aren’t Prepared
Here’s a concerning finding: according to an American Home Shield survey from January 2025:
- Nearly 1 in 3 homeowners (33%) have no savings set aside for appliance failures
- 84% of homeowners own major appliances
- Survey of 1,007 U.S. homeowners, average age 43
When your refrigerator dies unexpectedly and you’re looking at a $1,500 replacement, that lack of preparation hits hard.
The Hidden Connection: How Cleaning Habits Affect Appliance Costs
Here’s what most household budget guides miss: your cleaning habits directly influence how long appliances last and how much you spend maintaining them.
Surface Damage Drives Early Replacement
Many appliances get replaced because of appearance, not mechanical failure. Stovetops with burned-on residue, scratched surfaces, and permanent staining often prompt replacements years before the appliance would otherwise fail.
The kitchen bears the brunt of this wear:
- Daily heat exposure from cooking
- Grease splatter and oil buildup
- Sugar-based spills that caramelize and bond to surfaces
- Acidic foods that can damage finishes
This explains why kitchen-related cleaning drives both higher supply usage and faster appliance surface degradation.
The Cleaning Intensity Problem
Aggressive cleaning creates a cycle:
- Residue builds up on cooking surfaces
- Stronger chemicals and more scrubbing become necessary
- Abrasive cleaning damages surfaces over time
- Damaged surfaces collect residue more easily
- Even stronger cleaning becomes necessary
Breaking this cycle at step one – preventing residue buildup in the first place – reduces both cleaning product consumption and surface wear.
Prevention vs. Removal
Stovetop protection shifts the cleaning equation from removal to prevention. Products like Stoveshield create a barrier between cooking activities and your stovetop surface. When spills happen, they land on the easy to clean, non-stick protector rather than bonding to your appliance.
What this means practically:
- Degreaser usage drops because grease doesn’t bond to surfaces
- Abrasive scrubbers become unnecessary for regular maintenance
- Cleaning time decreases – wiping replaces scrubbing
- Stovetop surfaces stay protected from heat damage and scratches
For gas stovetops specifically, the custom-fit design matters. Stove Shield offers single-piece protectors designed for specific stove models, with 0.5-0.6mm thickness (2-4x thicker than many competitors), a 365-day product warranty, and flat shipping rather than curling or rolling the product.
The maintenance is straightforward: wipe down on the stovetop or hand wash at the sink. Never use a dishwasher or soak the protector – just wipe clean and dry immediately.
Cleaning Supply Consumption: With vs. Without Surface Protection
Daily kitchen use creates grease splatter, burned-on spills, and heat-bonded residue — especially on stovetops and oven floors.
Cleaning Supply Usage Comparison
| Factor | Without Protection | With Surface Protection |
| Degreaser usage | High | Reduced |
| Abrasive scrubbers | Frequent | Rare |
| Disposable wipes | Fast turnover | Slower consumption |
| Cleaning intensity | Heavy scrubbing | Light wiping |
Result:
Maintenance shifts from removal to prevention.
While official spending statistics track what households spend, they don’t always explain why costs rise.
One of the biggest drivers is how much friction exists during daily cleaning — especially in kitchens.
Stovetop surface protection (such as Stove Shield–type liners) directly reduces:
- grease bonding,
- burned-on residue,
- chemical intensity required for cleaning,
- and product consumption over time.
Cleaning Supply Consumption: With vs. Without Protection
Estimated Reduction in Cleaning Supply Use
| Category | Without Protection | With Surface Protection | Estimated Reduction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Degreasers | High usage | Low–moderate usage | –35–45% |
| Heavy-duty sprays | Frequent | Occasional | –40% |
| Scrubbing pads & sponges | Replace often | Replace less often | –30% |
| Paper towels & wipes | High consumption | Reduced | –25–30% |
These reductions align with observed decreases in scrubbing time and residue buildup when food never contacts the stovetop directly.
Relative reduction in cleaning supply usage when food residue does not directly contact the stovetop surface.
What Households Typically Buy — and What Can Be Reduced
Common Cleaning Supplies
| Product Type | Without Protection | With Protection |
| Heavy degreaser sprays | Regular repurchase | Infrequent |
| Oven-strength cleaners | Necessary | Often avoidable |
| Abrasive pads | Essential | Rarely needed |
| Disposable wipes | Daily use | Light maintenance use |
Key insight:
Protection shifts cleaning from chemical removal to simple wiping.
Product Longevity: How Long Supplies Last
Average Use Cycle Comparison
| Supply Type | Without Protection | With Protection |
| Degreaser bottle | 3–4 weeks | 6–8 weeks |
| Scrub pads | 1–2 weeks | 3–4 weeks |
| Paper towels (kitchen use) | Heavy weekly use | Noticeably reduced |
| Oven cleaner | Regular | Occasional or eliminated |
This directly impacts annual household spending, even without changing product prices.
Cleaning Supply Longevity: With vs. Without Surface Protection
Protected surfaces reduce how often households need to replace common cleaning supplies.
Note: Paper towel values represent relative usage frequency, not durability. Protected surfaces reduce how often towels are needed throughout the week.
Usage estimates are conservative and based on typical household cooking patterns.
Annual Cost Impact (Estimated, Percentage-Based)
Using conservative averages from BLS housekeeping supply spending:
| Scenario | Annual Cleaning Supply Spend |
| No protection | 100% baseline |
| With surface protection | ~70–75% of baseline |
| Estimated savings | 25–30% annually |
Note: Using surface protection is estimated to reduce annual cleaning supply spending by ~25–30% versus baseline (households without protection). (Chart shows midpoint ~72.5% of baseline.)
Even without changing product prices, reduced consumption leads to meaningful annual savings.
For a household spending ~$180–200/year on cleaning supplies:
- Savings: ~$45–60 per year
- Without lifestyle changes or product switching
Appliance Protection = Deferred Replacement Costs
Surface protection doesn’t just reduce cleaning supply usage — it helps preserve:
- enamel finishes,
- stainless steel appearance,
- burner areas and seams.
This can delay cosmetic degradation, which is one of the most common reasons homeowners replace otherwise functional appliances.
Even delaying replacement by 1–2 years represents significant long-term financial value.
Total Household Spending Context
To put cleaning and appliance costs in perspective, here’s how they fit into overall household spending:
According to the BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey released December 2025:
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|
| Average Annual Expenditure | $78,535 | $77,158 |
| Average Income Before Taxes | $104,207 | $101,805 |
Housekeeping supplies ($818-$1,287/year depending on household size) represent about 1-1.6% of total household spending. Major appliances ($390-$588/year on average) add another 0.5-0.7%.
Combined, that’s roughly $1,200-$1,875 annually for a typical household – money that’s largely unavoidable but partially controllable through smart maintenance choices.
Practical Budgeting Recommendations
Based on the data, here’s how to approach cleaning and appliance budgeting:
For Cleaning Supplies
Single Person:
- Budget: $50-60/month ($600-720/year)
- Focus on multi-purpose products to reduce total items needed
- Consider prevention-focused products that reduce overall consumption
Couple/Two-Person Household:
- Budget: $80-100/month ($960-1,200/year)
- Bulk purchasing can reduce per-unit costs
- Establish cleaning routines that prevent buildup
Family (4+ people):
- Budget: $100-130/month ($1,200-1,560/year)
- Assign cleaning responsibilities to distribute labor
- Invest in durable cleaning tools rather than disposables
For Major Appliances
Emergency Fund Target: At minimum, save enough to replace your most critical appliance (typically refrigerator at $1,500).
Ideal Emergency Fund: $3,000-5,000 covers most single appliance failures or allows you to replace a washer/dryer set.
Annual Set-Aside: Given average lifespans and replacement costs, setting aside $300-500/year for future appliance purchases prevents financial shock when replacements become necessary.
The Prevention Investment
Consider this math: stovetop protectors cost $50-70 initially. If they reduce your degreaser, scrubber, and heavy cleaner purchases by even 20-25%, you’ll recoup that cost within 12-18 months while also extending your appliance’s cosmetic lifespan.
What Real Households Spend: Community Perspectives
Official statistics provide averages, but community discussions reveal the range of actual spending.
From the Mr. Money Mustache Forum, frugal-minded families report:
- $50-100/month for all household supplies (bundled with grocery budget)
- Significant variation based on cleaning frequency and product choices
- DIY cleaning solutions can reduce costs substantially
Quora discussions show wider variation, with some households spending under $30/month and others exceeding $150/month depending on:
- Home size and number of bathrooms
- Presence of children or pets
- Personal cleanliness standards
- Brand preferences (generic vs. name brand)
The takeaway: official averages represent the middle, but your actual spending depends heavily on your circumstances and choices.
Trends to Watch
Several factors are reshaping household cleaning and appliance spending:
Inflation Pressure: Cleaning product prices rose faster than general inflation in 2023-2024, contributing to the 13% year-over-year increase in housekeeping supplies spending.
Premium Product Growth: More households are purchasing premium cleaning products marketed as eco-friendly, natural, or health-conscious – often at 2-3x the cost of conventional alternatives.
Appliance Technology: Smart appliances with Wi-Fi connectivity and advanced features cost more upfront but may offer energy savings over time.
Repair Challenges: Right-to-repair legislation is slowly improving, but many modern appliances remain difficult and expensive to fix, pushing more households toward replacement.
Professional Services: About 10% of U.S. households now use professional cleaning services, according to Home Cleaning Centers of America. This shifts some supply costs to service fees.
Conclusion
U.S. households spend $818-$1,287 annually on cleaning supplies and $390-$588 on major appliances, with significant variation based on household size and composition. These costs are largely unavoidable – you need a clean home and functioning appliances.
But the data reveals opportunities. Prevention-focused maintenance reduces cleaning product consumption while extending appliance lifespans. Building an appliance emergency fund (a step 33% of homeowners haven’t taken) prevents financial stress when refrigerators and washing machines inevitably fail.
Here’s what to do next:
- Track your actual spending on cleaning supplies for one month – most people underestimate
- Calculate your appliance ages and estimate replacement timing based on expected lifespans
- Start an appliance fund – even $50/month builds meaningful protection over time
- Consider prevention products like stovetop protectors that reduce ongoing cleaning costs
- Review your emergency fund to ensure you could handle a $1,500 appliance replacement
The goal isn’t to spend less at any cost – it’s to spend strategically on maintenance that reduces both recurring costs and major replacement expenses over time.
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Survey 2024 – Total household expenditure data and methodology, released December 19, 2025
- Statista: U.S. Expenditure on Housekeeping Supplies 2023 – National average spending data sourced from BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey
- FRED: Housekeeping Supplies by Household Size – Two-person household spending time series data
- FRED: Single-Person Household Housekeeping Supplies – Single-person household spending trends
- American Home Shield Appliance Purchase Statistics Survey – January 2025 survey of 1,007 homeowners on appliance preparedness
- HomeAdvisor Appliance Costs Guide – 2024-2025 appliance replacement pricing
- AARP: Lifespan of Appliances – Expected appliance lifespans and replacement timing guidance
- Verve Credit Union: Cleaning Supplies Costs – Per-person cleaning product spending analysis
- Mr. Money Mustache Forum: Monthly Household Supplies Budget – Community discussion on real household cleaning budgets
- Home Cleaning Centers of America: Industry Statistics – Professional cleaning service usage data
About the Author
Ben Karlovich is an expert in the stove niche and has spent his career creating products and accessories that enhance household kitchen stoves. In 2016 he launched stovedecals.com (Stove Decals brand) and was the first to create and offer replacement stove decals across thousands of stove models. In 2022 he created stoveshield.com (Stove Shield brand) focused on stove top protectors, a patented knob panel protector, and other useful stove accessories fitted for your exact stove model. This niche expertise helps bring a unique blend of creativity and innovation to every article post.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be relied upon as the sole basis for purchasing decisions. Product specifications, pricing, and availability are subject to change – contact the relevant manufacturer or retailer for the most current information. Stove Shield is not affiliated with and receives no compensation from any brands mentioned in this article.