14 Essential Costco Items I Buy Every Time I Go

It can be tough to come by corporations that actually work to be ethical, but Costco has managed to stand out from the crowd.

The retailer actively works to keep prices down and can help you keep more money in your wallet pretty consistently. That's why we legitimately enjoy making our regular Costco run for household staples.

Here's what ends up in our cart every time, no matter what we're looking for.

Editor's note: Prices and availability are subject to change and may vary by location.

Arguably Costco's most famous offering, and one of many great Costco hacks, the $1.50 all-beef hot dog and soda combo has been $1.50 since its debut back in 1985.

We like to start out by having one at the food court to avoid shopping on an empty stomach. This can help save money, as you'll be less inclined to impulse buy.

It's a simple way to make your warehouse trip more budget-friendly before you even reach the aisles. Eating before shopping can help you stick to your list instead of grabbing extra snacks and convenience foods along the way.

The combo also offers an inexpensive lunch when you're already making a trip to Costco, helping you avoid a pricier stop elsewhere. Just remember to factor in what you actually need from the warehouse so a quick food court visit doesn't turn into an excuse to overspend.

Whether you opt for the Kirkland option or another brand, you can't beat the price of toilet paper at Costco.

We particularly like the 30-pack of Kirkland toilet paper, which is a solid deal at under $25. It helps that the paper isn't chintzy and won't fall apart.

Buying a large pack means fewer trips to the store and less temptation to pay more for a smaller package when you run out. Costco carries multiple bath tissue options, including Kirkland Signature varieties with different sheet counts, so it's worth comparing the total number of sheets rather than just the roll count.

For households with limited storage space, make sure you have somewhere dry to keep the extras. And if you want to check whether you're getting the best deal, compare the price per 100 sheets with what you'd pay at your regular grocery store.

If the store-brand toilet paper at Costco is good, it stands to reason that the paper towels are as well.

To that end, you can snag a 12-pack of the stuff for nearly the same price as the toilet paper. That's a much better bang for your buck than what you'll find at any regular grocery store.

Kirkland Signature paper towels come in individually wrapped rolls, which makes it easier to keep spare rolls clean while storing them in a pantry or utility closet. The two-ply sheets are useful for everyday messes, wiping counters, and cleaning up spills. To get more mileage from each roll, use smaller pieces for minor jobs instead of automatically tearing off a full sheet.

Continuing with the staples everyone needs at home, the Kirkland box of 200 garbage bags always makes it into our cart.

We prefer the scented option — which is pleasant without knocking you over. A box will set you back just over $20, and there's a good extra-large option if you need it.

The standard kitchen size is designed for everyday household waste, making it a practical pick for busy kitchens and families that empty the trash frequently. Buying 200 bags at once also means fewer last-minute runs to the store when you discover you're down to your final liner. Costco offers larger-capacity bags, too, so check your trash can's size before choosing a box.

Given that we take a multivitamin daily, buying this product in bulk makes sense. Fortunately, Costco carries a huge variety of supplements, all at reasonable prices.

You can opt for Kirkland products, but the retailer also carries supplements made by other trusted brands.

Compare the serving count and recommended daily serving size before deciding which bottle offers the better value.

Depending on the selection at your warehouse, you may find multivitamins, individual vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements in larger bottles or multipacks. Ask a health care professional or pharmacist about supplements that may interact with medications or aren't appropriate for your needs.

While this item can be a bit tough to wrangle into your cart, the 42-pound package of Scoop Away cat litter is worth the hassle.

Two boxes are included for $29.99, but it does a good job of clumping and sealing in odors. It's also pretty good at not generating too much dust when you pour it into the box.

Scoop Away's clumping formula is designed to make routine litter-box maintenance easier by helping you remove waste without replacing all the litter every time. The large package can also mean fewer trips to buy a product that runs out quickly in multi-cat households.

Costco has carried this product with favorable customer feedback, although individual experiences with odor control and dust can vary.

Doing dishes is certainly not our favorite household task, but they have to get done anyway. This makes us all the more grateful for having a dishwasher.

We also prefer dishwasher pods for the same reason, which is why we buy the box of 93 Cascade Complete pods for around $21.99 every time we go to Costco.

Premeasured pods are convenient because you don't have to measure detergent for every load, and storing them in their original container helps keep the supply organized. A 93-count package can last a while, depending on how often you run your dishwasher, which makes it a useful item to stock up on during a warehouse trip.

There's a reason more and more people are ditching regular soda in favor of sparkling water: It gives you the same carbonated pleasure without all of the sugar or additives.

We're fans of the 24-count variety pack of Lacroix at Costco, which offers lemon, lime, and grapefruit flavors.

The cans are convenient to keep in the refrigerator for an afternoon pick-me-up, serve to guests, or pack for a picnic. Because sparkling water is already carbonated, it can also be a refreshing alternative when you're craving something fizzy but don't want a traditional sugary soda. LaCroix's variety packs make it easier to keep several flavors on hand without buying separate cases.

If you're ultra-committed to your hydration, you know that sometimes regular water isn't going to cut it, especially if you're someone who works out frequently.

Since we do daily, it's always good to have a pack of Kirkland coconut water nearby. That way, you can replenish what you lose in your sweat while out for a run.

Coconut water is a convenient option to keep in the pantry for workouts, travel, or days when you want something different from plain water. It naturally contains electrolytes, including potassium, although the amount varies by product. For most everyday activities, regular water is generally sufficient for hydration, so you don't necessarily need a specialty drink every time you exercise.

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Sometimes we're more focused on having a good time or entertaining than hydrating. That's why we always buy the handle of Kirkland vodka when we're at Costco.

It may be bulk liquor, but it's good enough to spur rumors that it's the same as Grey Goose — a high compliment indeed.

For anyone who entertains, a larger bottle can be convenient because it provides more servings without requiring several smaller purchases. Vodka can be used in classic cocktails or served with mixers, making it a versatile option for a gathering.

Alcohol availability and prices vary by state and location, and not every Costco warehouse sells liquor. Remember to drink responsibly, and consider nonalcoholic options for guests who don't drink.

We go through a lot of Costco's organic soy milk at home. We use it in our coffee, cereal, morning smoothie, and when we bake.

Fortunately, Costco sells soy milk in a 12-pack of 32-ounce containers, all for around $19. If that's not your jam, they also have good deals on almond and oat milk.

The smaller cartons are useful for households that don't go through a large container quickly, since you can open one at a time and keep the rest stored until needed. Soy milk works in plenty of everyday recipes, from overnight oats and pancake batter to creamy soups and smoothies. Its protein content can also make it a useful plant-based alternative to dairy milk, although nutrition varies by brand and variety.

America's love affair with coffee is well-documented, and it's certainly popular with us. When we're feeling cheap, we opt for the three-pound can of Kirkland's ground Colombian coffee for around $25.

Having a larger supply at home can help you avoid expensive daily coffee-shop runs, especially if you brew several cups a day. Ground coffee is convenient when you want to get straight to brewing, while whole beans let you grind what you need for each pot.

Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to help preserve its flavor. Buying a bulk can or multipack makes the most sense when you'll finish it before the quality declines.

It's hard to find a snack that manages to be tasty and satisfying while also having a relatively decent nutritional profile.

Enter the almighty Kirkland peanut butter-filled pretzel nuggets, which come in a 55-ounce container for around $12.

These crunchy and addictive treats have 130 calories per serving (8 nuggets), with one gram of fiber and four grams of protein.

The pretzels combine a salty, crunchy shell with a creamy peanut butter center, so they can satisfy a craving for both sweet and savory flavors. The large container is handy for keeping a snack ready for road trips, movie nights, or a quick bite between meals.

Last but not least on our list is Costco's cage-free eggs. We always try to get the organic versions with the brown shells, though that's just our peckish preference at work.

The cost for two dozen eggs will vary depending on your store, but it's reasonable for good-quality stuff.

A two-dozen carton can be a practical buy for households that regularly cook breakfast, bake, or prepare meals at home. Eggs are versatile enough to use in omelets, hard-boiled snacks, casseroles, and baked goods, so a larger package can help reduce repeat grocery trips. They're also a source of protein and other nutrients, making them a useful staple for a variety of meals.

Costco is known essentially for one thing: Selling a wide variety of high-quality products while helping its members save on groceries. That's why we return to Costco time and time again for food and household staples.

However, it can also be worth it to stray and try a new product once in a while, especially if you have a great cash-back credit card in your wallet.

Given how hard it is for entrepreneurs to get their offerings sold at the big-box juggernaut, you know it will at least be worth a shot.

The key to getting the most from a Costco trip is knowing which products your household uses regularly and comparing unit prices before filling your cart.