9 Aldi Items You’ll Regret Buying Every Time

Ever walked through Aldi and thought, “Wow, these prices are amazing”? It really is a great spot for budget-friendly shopping. But not every deal is as good as it seems. Some items might look like a steal but end up being a letdown. Before your next trip, it’s good to know which products might not be worth it—so you can fill your cart with real savings, not regrets.

Cat Food

Aldi's cat food often gets the cold shoulder from pets. Many cats refuse to eat it, hinting at subpar taste or ingredients. Even if it's budget-friendly, you'll regret filling your cart when your feline leaves the bowl untouched. Save yourself the cleanup and invest in a quality brand instead. Flavor is king, and Aldi's formula isn't winning any feline fans.

Dish Soap

This product is a letdown disguised as a bargain. The formula is so thin, watery, and weak that even grease and grime laugh it off. You'll squeeze out half the bottle to clean a single sink of dishes. Those cents saved vanish with each extra pump.

Plastic Wrap

Plastic wrap from Aldi might be cheap, but it's an absolute kitchen nightmare. It sticks to itself instead of your food, and its flimsy material tears easily when you tug. Wrangling leftovers becomes an annoying wrestling match with cling film that won't cling.

Toilet Paper and Paper Towels

Bargain toilet paper and paper towels disappoint where it counts. The toilet paper is as thin as tissue and scratchy to boot, so you use twice as much. Aldi's paper towels dissolve after one wipe and leave you grabbing extra sheets. In the end, you spend more and still feel shortchanged.

Garbage Bags

Aldi's garbage bags fold under pressure—literally. These cheap, thin trash bags tear at the worst time and turn your kitchen cleanup into a messy disaster. One heavy toss can bust their weak seams and send trash spilling everywhere. Saving a few cents definitely isn't worth a garbage avalanche.

Laundry Detergent

Some laundry detergent can leave you hung out to dry. That's the case with Aldi's cleaning power, which is mediocre at best, meaning even stains and odors often survive the wash. You'll find yourself using extra scoops or re-washing clothes. The scent is bland and doesn't linger.

Disinfectant Wipes

Disinfectant wipes from this outlet fizzle out fast. They're thin, tear-prone sheets that dry up before you finish wiping the counter. You'll grab three or four to tackle even one small spill because they lack the punch of name-brand wipes.

Aluminum Foil

This store's aluminum foil is paper-thin and flimsy as it rips and punctures at the slightest tug or tiniest snag. It ends up making a mess of your carefully wrapped leftovers. Forget using it for grilling or heavy-duty baking—it can't handle the heat without disintegrating. You'll end up double-wrapping everything anyway.

Shredded Cheese

There's no melty disappointment like purchasing bagged shredded cheese from Aldi. The anti-clumping additives leave it bland and starchy, and it refuses to melt into the smooth, gooey consistency you expect. You'll end up with a lumpy pizza topping or gritty cheese sauce that's anything but appetizing.

Chicken

Buying Aldo chicken is often a letdown, as the bargain cuts are plumped with water and broth. This means you pay for the extra weight that sizzles away in the pan. Even if you cook it right, it often turns out rubbery or flavorless.

Produce

Aldi's produce section might tempt you with super low prices, but you'll often regret it later. Fruits and veggies tend to bruise easily and spoil much faster than those from other grocers. You might save a few cents, but you'll be tossing out wilted lettuce and moldy berries in almost no time. Shop produce elsewhere for longer-lasting freshness.

Name-Brand Products

Name-brand products at Aldi will let you down in the savings department. The grocer might stock a few big brands, but they often come at an even higher price than you'd pay at a regular grocery store or Walmart. There are no coupons or big sales here, either, so if you want your favorite brand, look elsewhere for less.

Soda

Unfortunately, Aldi's soda options will leave you flat. The store-brand cola lacks the fizz and flavor punch you expect—it tastes like watered-down syrup. Even with a low price tag, cracking open a can is still a letdown.

Kitty Litter

No one wants a stinker of a deal like Aldi's kitty litter. This item doesn't clump well, turns into sludge at the bottom of the box, and does little to control odors. The litter is also dusty, which means more cleanup for you and potential irritation for your cat.