So, you've reduced your water bill, slashed your electricity costs and have overhauled your weekly grocery shop. But the savviest spenders' save huge amounts of cash by avoiding paying over the odds for everyday items. Here are some of the household products where budget is often the best option.

Cute bunnies have done wonders for a certain brand, but the only difference is that more expensive batteries often last longer. Academics recently compared cheap batteries with Duracell ones costing three times the price. The Duracells lasted three times longer, meaning the cost of the energy was the same. In summary? Cheaper brands are ideal for that dust-covered torch you'll use once a year. It’s also worth noting that batteries expire, so you don’t want to keep them for too long.

There’s no difference or health benefits to bottled water over what comes out of the tap says Professor Peter Scales, a world-renowned expert on drinking water based at the University of Melbourne. Even more shocking is the trend for low-sodium bottled waters. "Some are so low in sodium that they'd be classified as corrosive if put into normal water distribution networks," reveals Professor Scales. Not to mention that bottled water is terrible for the environment – get a refillable bottled inst

Today, there’s a stain remover for every type of stain, but in reality, most products are simply concentrated versions of laundry detergent. According to Professor Elizabeth P Easter, an expert in textile science at the University of Kentucky. “Stubborn stains can usually be removed by pre-treating with a concentrated application of detergent, prior to washing - simply mix half a cup of detergent with water to make your own stain remover. Apply it directly and allow to soak for 15 minutes befor

Yes, that premium brand of painkiller might come in attractive packaging, but don't believe the hype - most painkillers contain exactly the same ingredients. “All medicines in the UK are manufactured to a very high standard,” points out Dr Alan Fayaz, an expert in pain medicine based at the University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. “There may be tiny differences in the time they take to work but this is relatively small. The analgesic benefit will be the same.”

Your favourite shower gel might well smell of hand-squeezed Valencian oranges or contain cocoa extract from outer-Mongolia, but in reality, the contents won't really differ according to the price tag. "Water is always the main ingredient" explains says Dr Bruce D Alexander, who runs the University of Greenwich's MSc formulation science degree. "Most shower gels will be at least 90 per cent water, which means that in terms of materials, the most costly part is the actual bottle!"

Research shows that the vast majority of people who purchase rinse aid don't need it. A quick science lesson: rinse aid helps crockery and glassware dry in the dishwasher, eliminating those pesky white marks. But you only need it if you live in a hard water area, and generally, the further south you are, the harder your water. Find out how hard your water is by visiting www.ofwat.gov.uk. A final top tip? For a greener alternative, add a splash of white vinegar to the rinse aid dispenser.

Wondering how often the National Trust's housekeepers polish their wooden furniture? Once every seven to 10 years, using their own beeswax-based recipe. In between polishes, they keep their furniture dust-free using soft, lint-free cloths. So ditch that expensive bottle of wood polish and keep the chemicals to a minimum. Light stains can be removed with a slightly dampened cloth, and if the furniture is painted, with a cloth dampened with a mixture of washing-up liquid and water.

Disposable wipes are Mother Nature's nightmare. Plus, you simply don't need them, and it's also highly likely you're replacing your dish cloths more regularly than you need to. Although they can quickly become a breeding ground for germs, most of these can be eliminated by regularly washing the cloth in hot water and detergent, before leaving it to air-dry. Alternatively, add a drop of detergent and place it in the dishwasher on a hot wash (60 celsius and over).

There really isn't a reason to splash out on the nation's favourite caffeine fix. "Tea must be one of the most cost effective natural products on the planet and prices have remained highly competitive for decades," says William Gorman at the UK Tea Council. In other words, opt for expensive teabags and you'll be paying for pretty packaging, rather than quality. However, it's worth noting that some types, such as Darjeeling, cost slightly more, so it really comes down to a matter of taste.

In our quest for whiter, brighter smiles, we're spending over £100 million a year on whitening toothpastes and mouthwashes. To put things into perspective, dentists certified to offer teeth whitening use hydrogen peroxide, but in the UK, the legal limit is a six% concentration. Products sold over the counter are allowed concentrations of just 0.01% hydrogen peroxide, meaning you'd have to brush your teeth hundreds of times a day to notice any difference.

It's just not everyday household items which can cost us more money than they should - it's scarily easy to be duped into buying counterfeit electrical items online. Here's how to avoid doing so.