(Here is a guest post by Adam at the Frugal Dad. Get ready to be inspired! I hope to try these in the new year.)
Given the rising costs of just about everything these days, keeping your house stocked with everyday items can get pretty expensive. Fortunately there are many household items that you can make yourself. Not only will you save money by doing so, but you will have peace of mind knowing exactly what is going into your products. Once you see how easy it can be to make your own household items, you may never purchase them at a store again.
Given the rising costs of just about everything these days, keeping your house stocked with everyday items can get pretty expensive. Fortunately there are many household items that you can make yourself. Not only will you save money by doing so, but you will have peace of mind knowing exactly what is going into your products. Once you see how easy it can be to make your own household items, you may never purchase them at a store again.
1. Glass Cleaner
Glass cleaner is a very popular household item that gets used frequently in most households. The problem is most glass cleaners on the market are pricey and contain harsh chemicals that can be irritating. You can easily make your own glass cleaner by combining 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar with 1 quart of warm water. Vinegar has excellent cleaning properties that can leave surfaces sparkling. Be sure to use old newspapers to wipe away glass cleaner, as paper towels can leave streaks.
2. Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Multi-purpose cleaners are great because they can be used to clean just about anything, besides wood. Many multi-purpose cleaners are antibacterial, which means they also kill germs and bacteria on surfaces. The good news is you can make antibacterial multi-purpose cleaner yourself, using simple ingredients that are not harmful. All you need is 2 cups water, 3 tablespoons liquid castile soap, and 20 drops tea tree essential oil. Mix the ingredients in a spray bottle and use on anything that needs to be clean and germ free. Tea tree oil is a natural germ killer that also has a fresh scent.
3. Laundry Detergent
We all need clean clothes, but laundry detergent can be quite expensive. Luckily it is relatively simple to make yourself. All you need are some basic ingredients and a little time. For a good powdered laundry detergent, you will need 1 bar of soap (any will do), 1 cup borax, and 1 cup washing soda. First you will need to shred the bar of soap into a large bowl. A cheese grater works well for this step. Next, add the borax and washing soda to the bowl and stir the mixture for a few minutes, until it is powdery and uniform in appearance. It is that simple. Store your detergent in a lidded container and use 1-2 tablespoons per load, depending on your needs.
4. Fabric Softener
Most folks like to use fabric softener along with their laundry detergent to add softness and a fresh scent. To make your own, you will need 1 cup baking soda, 6 cups white vinegar, 8 cups water, and 20 drops essential oil. Put the baking soda in a medium-sized bucket and add 1 cup of the water. Add the vinegar slowly to minimize fizzing, then mix in the rest of the water and essential oil. Stir everything very well and transfer it to smaller lidded containers or a gallon jug. Use 1/2 to 1 cup of fabric softener for each load of laundry.
5. Shampoo
Shampoo is necessary for clean hair, but it can often contain harsh ingredients and cost a lot. To make your own shampoo at home, all you need is 4 ounces liquid castile soap, 1/4 cup distilled water, and 5-10 drops of your favorite essential oils. Combine your ingredients in an 8 ounce capped bottle and shake before using. Lemon, carrot, lavender, and rosemary essential oils are all good choices to add to shampoo.
6. Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is a great alternative to traditional hand washing because it cleans and kills germs without water. You can easily make your own hand sanitizer using common ingredients. Combine 2/3 cup rubbing alcohol, 1/3 cup aloe gel, and 10 drops of your favorite essential oil in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Stir the mixture until it is uniform in appearance, then use a funnel to pour it into an old hand soap or hand sanitizer bottle. Use as needed.
7. Body Wash
Some people prefer body wash over bar soap, but it often costs a lot more. Making your own body wash at home is a fun, simple process. All you need is 1 cup liquid castile soap, 1/2 teaspoon xanthan gum (a thickener), and 10-15 drops of your favorite essential oil. Combine everything in a capped bottle and shake well before each use.
8. Acne Treatment
Most people suffer from at least one acne breakout during their lives. Store-bought acne treatments usually contain harsh chemicals that can dry out your skin and cause irritation. An easy acne treatment to make at home uses only tea tree oil and water. Mix 1 teaspoon oil with 2 teaspoons of water and apply directly to troublesome areas using a cotton ball or swab. Tea tree oil has blemish fighting properties that kill germs and help heal skin.
Although all of these household items can be purchased at a store, making them yourself will save you money and time. You will also feel good knowing exactly what is going into your products. Give these easy recipes a try today.
Guest post from Adam. Adam shares many coupons through FrugalDad.com.
