- As a former Dollar Tree employee, there are things I still love buying from the budget retailer.
- I don't buy cards or gift bags anywhere else, especially since the store has such a variety.
- Dollar Tree is my go-to place for essentials like cotton balls, bleach, and dog waste bags.
Although I no longer work at Dollar Tree, I still shop there often.
The discount retailer is great for those of us who are trying to live a budget-friendly life since most items are $1.25. Not everything at the chain is a great value, but I've found some excellent products over the years.
Here are a few Dollar Tree finds I swear by and still purchase often.
Air-fryer liners come in handy.
Cleaning an air-fryer basket can be a real hassle, so these Surefresh liners feel like a necessity in my kitchen.
They help catch pesky crumbs that can fall deep into the appliance and burn, thus making cleanup way easier.
A pack of 20 liners is only $1.25.
I grab a car air freshener almost every time I go to Dollar Tree.
Everyone loves a nice-smelling car, and I like that my local Dollar Tree has so many scents and styles of fresheners available for $1.25 each.
I've seen hanging tree-shaped fresheners, vent clips, and even scented diffusers that go in cupholders in scents that range from fruity to clean to musky.
It's easy for me to switch up my car's scent whenever I want without spending a fortune.
The plastic cups with sip lids are perfect for iced coffee.
I love starting my mornings with iced coffee, but I dislike cleaning reusable cups that have been sitting out for hours after a long day at work.
Instead, I pay a little extra to put my drinks in disposable 20-ounce plastic cups that come with lids designed for sipping with or without a straw.
I used to spend $25 on 100-packs of similar cups elsewhere until I realized Dollar Tree's bag of six for $1.25 is a better value. The price per cup is a few cents lower, and I don't need to worry about storing so many cups in my home at once.
Disposable plates and platters are perfect for parties.
Dollar Tree is my go-to destination for affordable party supplies, especially when I need serving plates, platters, and bowls.
I've used them for chips, dips, finger foods, and appetizers — and I love not having to wash a huge pile of dishes once the party's over.
The chain also sells disposable utensils like forks, spoons, ladles, and tongs to make serving even easier.
Dollar Tree is still the only place I'll buy greeting cards.
I've seen drugstores and stationery stores charge $5 or more for greeting cards. Meanwhile, Dollar Tree offers a wide variety of them that are two for $1.
There are options for virtually every occasion, from graduations to birthdays, and most of them are from Hallmark. The selection is also updated for different seasons and holidays.
All in all, I saving money on a card so I have more to spend on a gift.
If you have a dog, you may want to grab some waste bags.
Dollar Tree carries a wide variety of dog-waste bags in different designs, colors, and sizes.
These compact rolls are perfect for stashing in your bag, pocket, or car. Each pack typically has four rolls of 15 bags, plenty to last dozens of walks.
Plus, Dollar Tree usually also sells bag carriers and holders that clip onto backpacks or leashes. That way, you'll never forget to bring bags on your walk.
Everyday essentials, like cotton swabs, balls, and pads, are easy to pick up at Dollar Tree.
I use cotton swabs, balls, and pads for a wide range of purposes, like removing makeup, treating minor cuts, and cleaning small surfaces.
For me, grabbing a pack of each at Dollar Tree whenever I run out feels like a no-brainer. The quality has impressed me, and the prices are generally lower than what I've seen at nearby drugstores.
I always head to Dollar Tree when I need to pack up a present.
To me, it feels wasteful to spend too much on gift bags — they're usually used once and then tossed.
Fortunately, Dollar Tree stocks $1.25 bags in various sizes and designs for just about every occasion. Some of the smaller bags even come in value packs of two or three, making them even more cost-effective.
I find it's affordable to stock up on bleach at Dollar Tree.
For many households, including my own, bleach is an absolute cleaning essential. It's just $1.25 a gallon here — a few bucks cheaper than what I've seen at other stores.
If you can find it and use it frequently, definitely grab a few bottles. It used to fly off the shelves when I worked at Dollar Tree.
Dollar Tree was not involved in the sourcing or writing of this story. The views contained within represent the author's personal views.
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