Aldi is one of the fastest growing grocery stores in Houston. There are 33 locations now, and three more are planned before the end of this year.
The no-frills budget chain is known for low cost groceries; but consumer expert Amy Davis found some surprising deals that are not food.
If you've never been in an Aldi store, it won't take you along to look around. The stores are about a third the size of a regular grocery store. They squeeze in a lot in the small space.
If you haven't heard, Aldi has the lowest prices in Houston for staples. A dozen large eggs are 85 cents. A gallon of milk is just $1.76.
But if you peruse the center of the store and look at the general merchandise, you'll see deals difficult to find anywhere else.
We found cute doormats for $4.99, laundry baskets for $4.99 and kitchen accessories like a multi-pack of flexible cutting boards for $2.99.
Most of the products are Aldi's store brand. Crofton is their in-house kitchenwares brand. It's Boulder for paper goods. Some mom bloggers swear by Aldi's Little Journey baby wipes.
A package of 72 is $1.29. That is 30 cents cheaper than Walmart's Parent's Choice and 68 cents less than Huggies wipes.
The wipes and paper goods are in stock all the time, but items in the center aisle change weekly.
We found a 6-foot folding table for $34.99. Right now you can find dorm essentials like a foam topper for that hard mattress for $19.99. Insulated school lunch bags are only $3.99.
If you worry about the quality of the products, don't. Aldi will offer a replacement or refund on any general merchandise item you are not happy with for any reason.