I'm pretty much the same, I always look for the offers and bargains, and don't just go for the bigger branded items.  However, I do try to support companies that have 'good' ethics, eg. against animal testing, good for the environment etc.. and might even pay a little more for some items.  One in particular is the Ecover washing and cleaning products.  They do cost more but do the job well and are better for the environment.  I've noticed these types of products are never on offer in the bigger supermarkets, as they know people will pay the price to use them.  However, they must be popular, because recently I've noticed that the supermarkets have started to introduced their own versions.  Of course, these are also cheaper, but I've decided to stick to the original ones.  They might cost a little more but by buying them, I believe they send out a good message.

I use a lot of the eco friendly products as well - 7th generation is one of my favorite brands … but the one thing I choose not to live without is bleach.  I know, I know … it's not exactly eco friendly, but it has been shown to be safe when diluted, and I usually use it in a 1:4 combo.  I clean everything with it - the sink, counters, bathrooms, toilets, tables, the stove, my tables … I even use it to clean the mystery smudges my kids leave on the windows and sliding glass door (I do have to go over it with rubbing alcohol to clean the streaks).  I don't feel like my house has been de-germed unless I have bleached it! 

I only have 2 other must have items when it comes to cleaning …

vinegar - gets that bacon or popcorn smell out of the microwave AND cleans all the residue off, amazing on soap scum, and I use it in the soccer laundry!

rubbing alcohol - for all my windows and mirrors

I was told that using the bleach in a 1:4 ratio was diluting it enough to be safe for the kids (we used it in the cottages at the group home I worked in to clean everything each night after the kids went to bed).  I use it to spray the countertops after dinner each night and have never rinsed it afterward.  I haven't had it ruin any clothing or carpeting, not even the towels, but I haven't spilled any (surprisingly) so other than wiping it down or it coming into brief contact with kitchen towels, I can't say I have really tested it - lol.

I love it in my kitchen sink!  after I scrub it down, I fill the sink up with HOT water, pour in a cup of bleach and let it sit for 30 minutes.  I will also toss in my cutco cutting boards if they have stained with fruit, and let them soak as well.  makes my sink look almost brand new :)  since I started doing that I have found that the garbage disposal doesn't smell too, nice benefit!  lol

using vinegar on soap scum is a little laborous, but it works and you don't have the harsh fumes of toxic cleaners … of course, you DO have the sometimes harsh fumes of vinegar!  lol  I heat the vinegar in the microwave for a couple of minutes (which helps CLEAN the mic too) and then pour it into a spray bottle - hot vinegar works faster on the scum.  it takes a few applications if the soap scum is really bad, but then using it once a week usually keeps it under control for me.

I had never heard about putting it into the dogs water though … I wonder if that works on humans in fending off mosquitoes?!  I will defintely try the combo of bleach and vinegar in my oldest daughter's drains - that girl has more hair and her drains are always clogging!  I told hubby we needed to take out stock in liquid plumber becaues we were buying it so often … and we have to buy the professional grade to get it to work in her bathroom.

oooh!  good idea!!  and much cheaper than my method - when all mine got yucky, I put in plantation shutters!  lol