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 in its warehouses.
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.
Infant formula
All infant formulas must meet federal standards, so you can be sure any powder you feed your baby is safe and healthy.
At 49 cents per ounce, Kirkland Signature ProCare infant formula is one of the most affordable formulas out there — and was ranked No. 1 by Wirecutter. According to the product review site, Costco’s private-label infant formula contains many of the same extra nutrients as formulas that cost two or three times as much.
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 12 cents per load, based on Costco’s 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 also costs 12 cents per load online.
Batteries
According to an interview with Costco’s CEO, Craig Jelinek, Kirkland Signature alkaline batteries are actually made by a big name brand — Duracell. And they cost just 35 cents per AA battery and 38 cents per AAA battery online.
Alcohol
Costco’s alcohol department offers plenty of standout generic gems. Kirkland Signature vodka outperformed Grey Goose in many blind taste tests at less than half of the price. As for its wine, Kirkland’s malbec, rioja, zinfandel and sauvignon blanc were well-received in a casual taste test.
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 and comes in both premium and regular grades.
Toilet paper
Toilet paper has emerged as one of the hottest commodities of the coronavirus pandemic. If you’re looking to get the most out of your money, Kirkland Signature Bath Tissue is a good bet at 63 cents per roll, based on the online price. (The price may be even lower at a warehouse.)
Disinfecting wipes
Cleaning supplies have also been super popular during the pandemic. Not only do Kirkland Signature Disinfecting Wipes kill cold and flu viruses; they’re also bigger than Clorox and Lysol wipes and even feature a satisfying scrubbing texture.
Maple syrup
You can find a deal on this often-expensive product at Costco. The Kirkland Signature Organic Pure Maple Syrup costs just 37 cents per ounce online, compared to about 59 cents for a similar maple syrup from Whole Foods Market’s house brand, 365.
Extra virgin olive oil
The Kirkland Signature Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil gets a stamp of approval from professional chef Samin Nosrat of Netflix fame, who says the Kirkland kitchen staple is “really good!”
Trash bags
While Kirkland Signature Flex-Tech trash bags weren’t Reviewed.com’s top pick, they performed well, ranking right below brand-name competitor Glad ForceFlex Plus. Costco’s bags were strong enough to hold more than 34 pounds.
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—and mixing the butter when you’re ready to use it.
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Source: moneytalksnews.com