There’s a lot to love about Costco. The one-stop bulk shop has a generous return policy and hands out plenty of yummy samples at its warehouse stores.
Followers also love Costco’s generic label, Kirkland Signature, but many will point out that you’ve got to know when to choose the Kirkland label over name brands.
The following items from the Kirkland Signature line are top-shelf generic products and come with budget-friendly price tags.
1. Infant formula
All infant formulas must meet federal standards, so you can be sure any formula powder you feed your baby is safe and healthy.
At 76 cents per ounce online, Kirkland Signature ProCare infant formula is one of the most affordable formulas out there — and was ranked a top pick by Wirecutter. According to the product review site, Costco’s private-label infant formula contains many of the same extra nutrients as formulas that are much more expensive.
2. Liquid laundry detergent
Both Consumer Reports and Wirecutter have rated the Kirkland Signature Ultra Clean liquid laundry detergent as the best budget laundry detergent. It costs about 15 cents per load, based on Costco’s regular online price. (The price may be even lower at a warehouse.)
Consumer Reports also named the Free & Clear variation the best detergent for baby clothes — and it costs 12 cents per load online.
3. Batteries
According to an interview with former Costco CEO Craig Jelinek, Kirkland Signature alkaline batteries are actually made by a big name brand — Duracell. And they cost just around 35 cents per AA and AAA battery online.
4. Gasoline
Kirkland Signature gasoline has been certified to meet the Top Tier performance standards, which means it contains special additives to clean your engine and help it run more efficiently. Costco’s fuel is also typically cheaper than its competitors’. It’s one of the regular purchases that can help pay for your Costco membership.
5. Toilet paper
If you’re looking to get the most out of your money for toilet paper, Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue is a good bet at about $1.75 per 100 square feet, based on the online price for a 30-roll package of 2-ply, 380-sheet rolls. (The price may be even lower at a warehouse.)
6. Maple syrup
You can find a deal on this often-expensive product at Costco. The Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup costs just 44 cents per ounce online and may be even cheaper in your local warehouse.
7. Extra virgin olive oil
The Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Italian Olive Oil gets a stamp of approval from America’s Test Kitchen after a blind taste-test, noting, “scores were nearly tied between our supermarket favorite Carapelli and the Kirkland 100% Italian extra virgin olive oil.”
The Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil wasn’t far behind in the taste test.
8. Trash bags
While Kirkland Signature Flex-Tech trash bags weren’t Reviewed.com’s top pick, they performed well for strength and moderate flexibility in the website’s testing.
Costco’s bags, sold in boxes of 200, were strong enough to hold up to 35 pounds. The only drawback the site noted is that the Flex-Tech drawstrings don’t cinch up as tightly as those of other brands.
9. Organic peanut butter
The Kirkland Signature Organic Peanut Butter contains just two ingredients (dry-roasted peanuts and sea salt) — no preservatives.
Some users have said you can combat the separation and runniness of natural peanut butters like this one by storing the unopened jar upside down — so the oil settles on the “bottom.” When you’re ready to use it, turn the jar right-side up, thus mixing the peanut butter.
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