If you’re looking to save money, one of the best ways this can be achieved is by spending just a little time making the products you’d normally buy from the shops. And for a fraction of the price, too! From cleaning supplies and food to personal care products and beauty items, there’s a wide variety of everyday items that you can stop buying and start making yourself at home. In the long term this will not only be better for you and your family, but also for your wallet!

Here are ten simple household items you can make instead of buy:

Cleaning products

Laundry detergent

This is one of the many household items that can be quite expensive at the shops but fairly cheap to make yourself. In fact, you can make laundry detergent on your own for just $3 using three ingredients: a cup of borax, a cup of washing soda, and a bar of soap. And now you can keep your clothes keen on the cheap!

Disinfectant spray

You can make a cheap yet effective disinfectant spray using natural ingredients such as water, lavender, essential oils such as thyme or eucalyptus, and tea tree oil. These oils have antibacterial, antibiotic, antifungal, and antiviral properties that help clean and disinfect surfaces in your home, and they also leave a wonderful fragrance!

Liquid dish soap

You can make your own liquid dish soap and save up to 75% off a store bought one. What’s better is that your homemade soap will be all natural, organic, and antibacterial, making it better for both the environment and yourself. All you need is grated soap (e.g. citrus Castile soap), water, vegetable glycerine, and tea tree oil. You can put the final product in a mason jar soap dispenser.

Food

Peanut butter

Making your own peanut butter at home is not only simple but also a great delight! The things you need are roughly 450 grams of dry roasted peanuts (add more or less depending on desired quantity), a pinch or two of salt, and a good food processor. Your family is sure to love this creamy and tasty homemade peanut butter.

Potato chips

Potato chips don’t need to be unhealthy or expensive. All that’s required is 1 large russet baking potato, olive oil or other cooking spray, and sea salt to taste. Cut the potato using a mandoline or slicer for a consistent thickness, bake in the oven, and you’re done! Add some herbs for extra flavour.

Maple syrup

Maple syrup can cost quite a lot, so it’s a good idea to make your own. All you need is three ingredients: a cup of water, a cup of sugar, and one teaspoon of maple extract or mapleine imitation flavouring. The syrup is light in flavour and absolutely delicious when served warm.

Personal care products

Dry shampoo

Buying shampoo can also cost a fortune, but no more! You can make dry shampoo using natural ingredients like arrowroot powder, organic cornstarch, cocoa powder, and lavender essential oil. It’s perfect for both dark and light hair, and will make your hair softer, smell wonderful, and easier to manage.

Body wash

This homemade body wash is a great natural alternative, cheap, and suitable for all skin types. The ingredients needed are a pure Castile soap bar, grated, 12 cups of water, and 2 tablespoons of glycerine. With this you can make 3 bottles of body wash for less than $5!

Remineralising toothpaste

You can make your own squeezable and natural remineralising toothpaste that includes calcium powder, xylitol powder, coconut oil, baking soda, bentonite clay, distilled water, essential oils (such as peppermint or cinnamon), and trace materials. This toothpaste will help make your teeth white and improve your oral health.

Health and beauty

Makeup powder

For less than $10 you can create a natural translucent makeup powder that’s not only good for oily skin but also stays on all day, looking and feeling natural. For this you’ll need organic cornstarch, French green clay, and organic cocoa for a tint.

Cough syrup

Treat coughs naturally and get your family’s coughing under control with a herbal cough syrup blend. Elder is the main ingredient here, a powerful healing plant. This cough syrup utilises dried elderberries, dried elderflowers, dried plantain leaf, water, and honey. It can be kept for roughly 3 months with the honey acting as a natural preservative.

Vanilla lip balm

It’s easy to make your own lip balm, particularly one that’s natural and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. A vanilla lip balm uses only a few ingredients: beeswax, shea butter, coconut oil, and vanilla oil for flavour. If vanilla isn’t your thing you can flavour this lip balm with any scent you want!

Around the house

Lemon-lavender aromatherapy candle

Make your own lemon-lavender aromatherapy candles using just three ingredients: beeswax, lavender essential oil, and lemon essential oil. These will burn clear and fragrant, making a wonderful addition to your home while delighting your senses with the scents of summer.

Throw pillows

You don’t have to buy throw pillows anymore! You can quickly and easily make your own for a fraction of the cost of a store bought cushion. The only thing you need are a fabric of your choice, scissors, sewing machine, dress pins, and pillow inserts.

Cardboard pendant light

Lighting is just another household item that can eat into your budget unnecessarily, so why not make them yourself? You can create cardboard pendant lights and use up any cardboard boxes you have lying around the house. The materials for this project are corrugated cardboard, spray paint, yardstick, box cutter, glue gun, and a pendant light cord. A cardboard pendant light can brighten any corner of your home!Image via poppytalk