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There are 21 things that I no longer buy, because I make them at home instead! Once you start making your own personal care, cleaning, and home essential products, you won’t want to go back to store-bought.
Every time I figure out a new DIY recipe, I get such a sense of accomplishment. Once I realize I get to remove that product from the shopping list forever, I feel even more excited!
My daughter recently asked me to buy her some lightweight lotion next time I place a grocery order.
I knew I could make a better version at home, so I got to work making my homemade tallow lotion. I never did have to buy that bottle of store-bought lotion!
Making your own bath and beauty, cleaning products, and home essentials isn’t just gratifying. It also saves money, waste, and ensures you get only the best ingredients in your products!
If you want to focus more on homemade and spend less at the store, this list of 21 things I stopped buying and started making will help get you started!
With everything from skincare staples to cozy DIY candles, you’ll have a blast learning to DIY your home products!
Why Make Your Own Products?
- Save money over time: Once you have the basic ingredients, you can make these for a fraction of the cost of store-bought versions. It’s a great way to tighten your budget without missing out!
- Know exactly what’s in it: When it comes to the products that go on my skin, food surfaces, and in my air, I like to be informed. These homemade products have no fillers and no unnecessary additives — just simple ingredients you choose yourself.
- Customize it to your preferences: Adjust texture, scent, or ingredients, so it actually works the way you want it to. You’re in control!
- Reduce waste at home: DIY products are an important part of my eco-friendly lifestyle. Switching to homemade means fewer bottles, less packaging, and more reuse of what you already have on hand.
21 Things I Stopped Buying and Started Making
Without further ado, let’s dive in. If crafting more and buying less is a goal of yours, you’ll certainly find some products you’d like to stop purchasing!
Body + Personal Care
Non-Greasy Pumpable Lotion
This homemade pumpable lotion looks and feels just like a regular store-bought lotion, but it’s made with natural, nourishing ingredients. Scent it yourself with essential oils or leave it unscented!
DIY Body Powder
I only discovered the joy of body powder last year, and now I can’t live without it! This homemade body powder keeps me dry, fresh, and comfortable even on my sweatiest days. It’s so simple to make, I’ll never buy it again!
Homemade Deodorant
It’s no secret that natural deodorant brands can be very expensive! I started saving money — and took control over the ingredients going in my underarms — when I started making my own deodorant. It’s simple to make, long-lasting, and it actually works!
Homemade Lip Balm
This homemade lip balm is made with simple, moisturizing ingredients, like coconut oil and beeswax. With eco-friendly ingredients and endlessly reusable tubes, it’s as good for the planet as it is for your lips!
All-Natural Lotion Bars
Homemade lotion bars are a great liquid lotion alternative for traveling or on the go. They are made with natural, nourishing ingredients in under 30 minutes. Since I make these at home, I can skip the travel tubes of lotion or all-natural lotion bars from the store!
DIY Bath Bombs
Bath bombs are such a fun addition to a relaxing bath, and they make excellent gifts. But you don’t have to buy them when they are so fun to make! These homemade bath bombs are completely customizable with different colors, scents, and herbal additions, and they are a delight to use!
DIY Bath Salts
Bath salts certainly seem fancy and luxurious, but you’d be surprised at just how simple they are to make yourself! These rose bath salts smell incredible and cost a fraction of the price of store-bought bath salts. They make a beautiful handmade gift!
Homemade Shampoo
You can replace all of your shower essentials with homemade products, starting with shampoo! My family has used this homemade rosemary shampoo for years, and I haven’t had to buy any shampoo in that time. It’s easy to make and cleanses and moisturizes your hair naturally.
DIY Conditioner
Follow up your homemade shampoo with a homemade conditioner! This homemade conditioner moisturizes, smooths, and strengthens your hair with simple, nourishing ingredients.
Simple DIY Face Moisturizer
I’ve seen facial moisturizer prices that make my jaw drop. Luckily, I know how to make my own! Homemade face moisturizer can be customized to your skin type, and it will leave your face looking plump, hydrated, and healthy without making it greasy.
Soap + Skincare
Beginner’s Cold Process Soap Bars
It still amazes me that you can make soap bars from scratch! When I first started with cold process soapmaking, I was a little intimidated, but it’s not as scary as it seems. I lay out everything you need to know in this beginner’s recipe for ultra-moisturizing homemade soap bars.
Turmeric Soap Bars
You can make these beautiful orange soap bars with just a few simple ingredients and some fun flower-shaped molds. The beautiful hue comes from real turmeric — don’t worry, it doesn’t stain your skin, tub, or towels!
Melt and Pour Oatmeal Soap
If cold process soap is too involved for you, you can still make beautiful homemade soap with a melt and pour base! Using a base expedites the soapmaking process while still allowing you to customize the soap and skip the store-bought bars. This honey oatmeal soap is gentle and soothing to the skin (and easy to make!).
Homemade Charcoal Soap
These beautiful charcoal soap bars are one of my all-time favorites (and I’ve made a lot of soap!). They are ideal for washing your face as the activated charcoal provides deep pore cleansing and removes impurities. This cold process recipe may become your new favorite soap!
Cleaning + Home Care
Homemade All-Purpose Cleaning Spray
This all-purpose spray is made with just 3 ingredients, and it takes less than 5 minutes to make! It cuts through grime on a variety of surfaces, such as counters, tables, and appliances. You can seriously use this cleaner everywhere (except on natural stone — for that, check out my DIY granite cleaner)!
Homemade Toilet Cleaning Bombs
These toilet cleaning bombs are one of my most popular recipes, for good reason! They act like bath bombs in your toilet; the fizzing helps clean the toilet bowl without any scrubbing. Toss one in and let it works it’s magic for hands-free cleaning and a sparkling toilet.
DIY Mattress Deodorizer
Keep your mattress fresh, clean, and odor-free with this all-natural mattress deodorizer spray. It will be ready in just a few minutes, and it smells amazing! You’ll also find tips for maintaining a mattress naturally and without any store-bought products.
DIY Garbage Disposal Deodorizer Tabs
I used to purchase garbage disposal cleaner tabs to keep my kitchen sink smelling nice. They were pricey and had an overwhelming synthetic fragrance! This homemade version saves money, uses natural ingredients, and works beautifully at cleaning and removing unpleasant odors. They also leave behind a light, fresh lemon scent!
Home Essentials
DIY Wood Balm (Spoon Butter)
Maintaining your wooden cutting boards, utensils, bowls, and butcher blocks requires some sort of oil, or better yet, board butter/wood balm. This homemade wood balm works beautifully at conditioning and waterproofing the wood so it lasts decades! It’s free from mineral oil and so simple to make.
Simple Laundry Powder
I save so much money every year by making my own laundry soap. This powdered laundry detergent is so quick to make, and a batch will last you a long time. It is scented naturally with essential oils, so your clothes won’t have an intense scent from synthetic fragrance, and you can customize the scent to your liking!
Homemade Soy Candles
Making your own candles is cost-effective, eco-friendly, and you can have a say over what kind of fragrance goes in them! With my mess-free method, making your own candles is a fun and straightforward process. You’ll love cozying up with your very own homemade candle!
Where to Get Started
One of my most frequently asked questions is about where I source the ingredients for my homemade products.
If you have a health food store in your area, you may be able to get some ingredients from there, but my main source is actually Amazon! I get the majority of my ingredients, supplies, tools, and containers online, all of which I have linked in my Amazon storefront.
Another great source for organic, natural ingredients is Azure Standard. They offer great prices on bulk ingredients that I use a lot, such as castile soap, vinegar, and baking soda.
Frequently Asked Questions
While it always depends, overall, it is significantly cheaper to make your own bath and beauty products. Especially when you compare the prices to natural products, which are the most comparable in terms of ingredients and quality.
Making your own products typically has a start-up cost as you purchase the ingredients, but then they are effectively free for several batches as you use the already purchased ingredients!
Yes, they do! Homemade cleaning products use natural ingredients that are amazingly effective at cutting through grease and grime, such as vinegar and lemon essential oil.
You can really start anywhere! If you’re out of a product, you might make that one first so you don’t need to purchase a replacement. You can also focus on what you use most often, or select one of my easiest recipes to dip your toes. If easy is your goal, I’d recommend the homemade all-purpose cleaner, DIY laundry soap, or homemade body powder.
More DIY Recipes
- 29+ Natural Cleaning Recipes for the Whole House
- Natural Laundry DIYs for a More Sustainable Life
- 12 Must-Have DIY Skin Care Recipes
- 30 Easy Soap Recipes You Can Make at Home
Ready to ditch the store-bought and start making your own body and home essentials?! I think you’ll find that it’s utterly addicting; I know I did.
If you try one of these recipes, let me know what you made in the comments. And don’t forget to bookmark or pin this post so you can come back and try another recipe!
