Maximizing Savings on Household Supplies: DIY Solutions
Household supplies are essential, but they can add up fast and take a serious chunk out of your budget each month. Cleaning products, air fresheners, and personal care items all contribute to the cost of running a household. However, there’s a more affordable way to keep your home stocked and clean: making your own supplies. DIY solutions not only save you money, but they also allow you to control the ingredients and reduce plastic waste.
Benefits of DIY Household Supplies
Before we dive into specific recipes, let’s look at some of the reasons why DIY household supplies are worth considering.
Cost Savings
The most immediate benefit of making your own household supplies is the potential for big savings. Basic ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils are affordable, widely available, and can be used in multiple recipes.
- Save on Packaging: Store-bought products often have high markups due to branding and packaging. DIY solutions let you reuse bottles and containers, saving both money and reducing waste.
- Buy in Bulk: Many ingredients can be purchased in bulk, which further reduces the cost per use.
Health Benefits
Many commercial products contain harsh chemicals that can irritate skin, lungs, and eyes. By making your own products, you can control what goes into them, reducing exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
- Fewer Allergens: DIY cleaners are often hypoallergenic, especially when using gentle ingredients like baking soda and castile soap.
- Safer for Pets and Kids: Homemade solutions are generally less toxic, making them safer for use around children and pets.
Environmentally Friendly
Making your own household supplies allows you to use eco-friendly ingredients and avoid single-use plastics.
- Reduce Plastic Waste: By reusing bottles and containers, you reduce the need for new plastic packaging.
- Biodegradable Ingredients: Ingredients like vinegar and baking soda are eco-friendly and won’t harm the environment when washed down the drain.
DIY Cleaning Supplies
Keeping your home clean doesn’t require an arsenal of expensive chemicals. These DIY cleaning supplies are easy to make, effective, and much more affordable than store-bought options.
All-Purpose Cleaner
This versatile cleaner can be used on countertops, floors, and bathroom surfaces. The combination of vinegar and essential oils cleans and disinfects, while the citrus adds a fresh scent.
Ingredients
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 15-20 drops of essential oil (lemon, tea tree, or lavender for antibacterial properties)
- Optional: peel from one lemon or orange for added scent
Instructions
- Combine the vinegar, water, and essential oil in a spray bottle.
- If desired, add citrus peels for extra fragrance.
- Shake well before each use, and spray on surfaces. Wipe clean with a cloth.
Tips
- Avoid using vinegar on granite or marble, as it can damage these surfaces. For stone surfaces, use a mix of rubbing alcohol and water instead.
DIY Glass Cleaner
This simple recipe will leave your windows and mirrors streak-free without the need for ammonia-based cleaners.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol
- 1 cup water
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional, for extra shine)
- Spray bottle
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle, and shake well.
- Spray on glass surfaces and wipe with a microfiber cloth or crumpled newspaper for a streak-free finish.
DIY Carpet Deodorizer
Freshen up your carpets with this simple, all-natural deodorizer. Baking soda helps absorb odors, while essential oils add a pleasant scent.
Ingredients
- 1 cup baking soda
- 15-20 drops essential oil (eucalyptus, lavender, or tea tree work well)
Instructions
- Mix the baking soda and essential oil in a bowl.
- Sprinkle over your carpet and let sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Vacuum thoroughly to remove the powder and freshen your carpet.
DIY Laundry Supplies
Laundry products can be costly, and many contain fragrances or chemicals that may cause skin irritation. These homemade solutions are gentle on clothes, effective, and affordable.
DIY Laundry Detergent
A homemade detergent can save money and reduce your exposure to common allergens. This powder recipe is effective on stains and easy to store.
Ingredients
- 1 bar of castile soap (grated)
- 1 cup washing soda
- 1 cup borax
Instructions
- Mix the grated soap, washing soda, and borax in a large bowl until well combined.
- Store in an airtight container and use 1-2 tablespoons per load.
Tips
- For a scented detergent, add a few drops of essential oil to each load.
- For extra cleaning power, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your wash.
Fabric Softener
This simple vinegar-based fabric softener is an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to commercial softeners.
Ingredients
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 10-15 drops essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Add vinegar to your washer’s fabric softener compartment, along with essential oils if desired.
- Vinegar softens clothes naturally and helps to break down any soap residue, leaving your laundry fresh and soft.
DIY Personal Care Products
Personal care products, from hand soap to deodorant, are essential but often expensive. These DIY versions are simple, effective, and gentle on your skin.
Homemade Foaming Hand Soap
Using castile soap and essential oils, this DIY hand soap is gentle on skin and much cheaper than buying bottled soap.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup liquid castile soap
- 1 cup water
- 10-15 drops essential oil (lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus)
- Foaming soap dispenser
Instructions
- Pour the water and castile soap into the soap dispenser.
- Add essential oils for fragrance and shake gently to mix.
- Use as you would any foaming hand soap.
DIY Deodorant
Making your own deodorant is surprisingly easy and effective. This recipe uses baking soda and coconut oil to keep you fresh all day.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup cornstarch or arrowroot powder
- 4 tablespoons coconut oil
- 10-15 drops of essential oil (optional for scent)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mix the baking soda and cornstarch.
- Add the coconut oil and stir until the mixture is smooth. Add essential oils if desired.
- Transfer to a small container, and apply a small amount under your arms with your fingertips.
DIY Air Fresheners and Fragrance Solutions
Commercial air fresheners can be pricey and often contain artificial fragrances. These homemade air fresheners are simple, cost-effective, and free from synthetic chemicals.
Room Spray
A DIY room spray freshens up any space and can be customized with your favorite essential oils.
Ingredients
- 1 cup distilled water
- 2 tablespoons vodka or rubbing alcohol (helps the scent last longer)
- 15-20 drops of essential oil (choose scents like lavender, eucalyptus, or citrus)
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in a spray bottle.
- Shake before each use and spray in any room for a refreshing, natural scent.
DIY Reed Diffuser
This simple reed diffuser can be made with ingredients you probably already have, and it fills a room with a subtle, pleasant aroma.
Ingredients
- Small vase or glass jar
- 1/4 cup fractionated coconut oil or almond oil
- 15-20 drops of essential oil
- Reeds or bamboo skewers
Instructions
- Pour the oil and essential oil into the jar and stir to combine.
- Place the reeds or skewers in the jar, and flip them once a week to refresh the scent.
Baking Soda Odor Absorber
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer that absorbs odors rather than masking them, making it a great option for kitchens, bathrooms, and pet areas.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- 10-15 drops essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Mix the baking soda and essential oil in a small bowl.
- Place the mixture in an open container, such as a jar or dish, and set it in the area that needs freshening.
Tips for Maximizing Savings on DIY Supplies
Here are a few additional tips to help you save even more as you get started with DIY household supplies.
Buy in Bulk When Possible
For staple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap, buying in bulk can save money and ensure you always have what you need on hand.
- Bulk Stores and Online Retailers: Many bulk stores and online retailers offer discounts on larger quantities of common ingredients.
- Consider a Subscription: If you know you’ll be using a lot of a particular ingredient, a subscription with an online retailer can save both time and money.
Reuse Containers and Bottles
Repurpose old spray bottles, jars, and soap dispensers instead of buying new ones. This reduces waste and saves money on containers.
- Label Each Product: To avoid confusion, label your containers with the product name and ingredients.
- Sanitize Containers: Make sure to clean and sanitize containers before using them for DIY products to prevent contamination.
Experiment with Essential Oils for Variety
Essential oils allow you to customize your DIY supplies with different scents, so you don’t get tired of the same fragrance.
- Mix and Match Scents: Try combining oils, like lavender and lemon or eucalyptus and peppermint, for unique blends.
- Use Sparingly: Essential oils are highly concentrated, so a few drops go a long way.
Clean, Fresh, and Budget-Friendly Solutions
Making your own household supplies is an easy, effective way to cut costs while still keeping your home clean, fresh, and well-stocked. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a range of cleaning, personal care, and air-freshening products that are affordable, eco-friendly, and safe for your family.
By incorporating DIY solutions into your routine, you’ll gain more control over the products you use, reduce waste, and save money—all without sacrificing quality. Small changes like these make a big difference over time, helping you keep your home organized, clean, and budget-friendly.
