Back in college, a friend of mine was working as a cleaner. One day, her partner couldn't help out with a client, so she asked if I'd be willing to step in.

I enjoyed the work so much that I later started my own small cleaning-and-organizing business, which I ran for 10 years.

During this time, I was always looking to cut business costs wherever I could, without sacrificing quality.

So, I ended up relying on budget retailer Dollar Tree for a lot of my high-wear-and-tear cleaning supplies. When you can get the same (or better) product for a lower price, it's just good business.

I'm no longer cleaning professionally, but I still use my favorite Dollar Tree essentials and hidden gems to clean and organize my own home.

Here are seven items I recommend to all of my friends and family.

I stock up on Scrub Buddies heavy-duty scrub sponges.

I've always used heavy-duty sponges to scrub sinks and tubs. Since I cleaned a lot of kitchens and bathrooms, I would go through them fast.

Luckily, at my nearest Dollar Tree, I could buy a 2-pack for just $1.50 — an amazing deal since, in my experience, comparable packs often cost $3 or more at other stores. To this day, I'll stock up on these on every trip.

The Scrub Buddies soap-dispensing brush is a lifesaver.

This brush, which can be filled and refilled with dish soap, is one of my favorite cleaning gadgets.

At just $1.50, this little brush helps me clean dirty grout around sinks and in bathrooms fast, cutting my scrubbing time in half.

Instead of buying paper towels, I opt for Home Collection cotton washcloths.

When I was running my business, I always preferred cleaning with reusable cloths over buying and using paper towels. Not only was it environmentally friendly, but it was cost-effective, too.

Even now, I'll buy these cotton washcloths, which I use to clean windows, counters, and basically anything that needs disinfecting. A pack of two costs only $1.50.

I love the Standard Essentials duster kit, and always stock up on refills.

This kit is only $1.50 for a handle and two dusters, which I consider a steal compared to the Swiffer version.

At my local Target, a similar Swiffer duster kit with five disposable dusters costs $5.99. Not only is this Dollar Tree starter kit less expensive, but its dusters are double-sided, allowing for more versatility and usage each time.

Plus, I've been able to get a pack of 10 duster refills at Dollar Tree for $4, whereas Swiffer's 10-pack costs more than twice that at my nearest Target.

I swear by the Scrub Buddies pot-and-pan brush.

The worst thing about cleaning a toilet is getting splashed while scrubbing. So, I was excited when I discovered this brush, which is technically meant to clean pots and pans.

At only $1.50, I've found it actually does a better job than the traditional round toilet brushes. The smaller size gives me much better access to the harder-to-get-to spots.

LA's Totally Awesome all-purpose cleaner is great for deep cleans.

I used to buy Method's all-purpose cleaner — which typically costs between $4 and $5 for a 28-ounce bottle — until I discovered this one at Dollar Tree for only $1.50 for 32 ounces.

I prefer to make my own cleaning products whenever possible, so I only use this one for heavy-duty jobs. It works wonders on stovetops that need a deep clean, and I love the cherry-blossom scent.

I also like to buy LA's Totally Awesome cleaning vinegar.

I like these 64-ounce bottles of vinegar because they're easier to tote around. At $1.50, they're also much more affordable than similarly-sized bottles I've seen at other stores.

I get a lot of use out of this vinegar. For my homemade cleaning spray, I mix ¼ cup of it with 4 cups of water, then put it into a plastic spray bottle. (Perhaps needless to say, I also stock up on these at Dollar Tree, too.)

I also use this for mopping — usually, I'll add just a splash of this vinegar to a bucket of hot water.