If you want to save money and live like a true homesteader, making your own household items is the way forward. We are living in an era where it’s becoming increasingly important to be self-reliant and save for the future. Even if you earn a decent living from homesteading, saving as much money as you can ensures that you’re financially stable during the bad months. There are so many items you can make instead of buying them that it’s impossible to list them all, but here are some of the most common.
1. Bone Broth
Bone broth is nourishing, restorative, and not to mention, very expensive. But if you’re willing to exercise some patience, you can make it yourself. Read here the entire recipe.
2. Cleaning Products
Although some conventional cleaning products make your house smell delightful, they are also packed with harmful ingredients which studies prove cause skin conditions, shortness of breath, asthma, and several other respiratory diseases. You can make your own all-purpose scented cleaner with these ingredients:
Ingredients
- Rosemary sprigs
- Lemon rind
- One part water
- One part white vinegar
Directions
- Add all the ingredients to a spray bottle.
- Shake to combine and let the ingredients infuse for one week before using.
3. Perfume
Making your own perfume is one of the most creative things you can do. Instead of smelling like thousands of other women, why not create your own signature fragrance:
Ingredients
- 3 drops of sandalwood oil
- 3 drops of orange oil
- 3 drops of lemon oil
- 5 drops of jasmine oil
- 1 ounce of distilled water
- 1 ounce of jojoba oil
Directions
- Combine the ingredients in a small glass jar with a lid.
- Use a wooden spoon to combine the ingredients.
- Before using, shake the bottle slightly and apply it to the wrists and behind the ear.
- The smell lasts for 2-3 hours, you can apply more throughout the day.
4. Soap
Homemade soap is a creative money saver. Soap is one of the many products we use daily, and so having a homemade stash will come in very handy. There are several ways to make soap, the cold press process is the most common.
5. Mouthwash
Do you know that mouthwash contains a blend of chemicals that are detrimental to your health and well-being? These ingredients include ethanol, chlorhexidine gluconate, and hydrogen peroxide. Swirling these toxins in your mouth every day can cause mouth ulcers and increase the risk of oral cancer. You can make your own mouthwash with these ingredients:
Ingredients
- 3 drops of essential peppermint oil
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1 cup of filtered water
Directions
- Combine the ingredients in a glass jar with a lid.
- Make sure the lid is properly secured and shake thoroughly.
- Store at room temperature and shake well before each use.
6. Deodorant
Deodorants are designed to keep armpit moisture and odor under control. But some of them do more harm than good; they are known to cause irritation and change the natural pH balance of your underarms making them smell even worse. A homemade deodorant with natural ingredients is definitely the better option.
Ingredients
- 6 to 10 drops of essential oil of your choice
- ¼ cup of arrowroot starch
- ¼ cup of baking soda
- 1/3 cup of coconut oil
Directions
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine the arrowroot and baking soda and stir to combine.
- Add the essential oils and the coconut oil and stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture into a glass jar with a lid, and store it at room temperature.
7. Lotions
Why spend $10-$15 on a bottle of lotion every couple of months when you can make your own? It’s very simple to make, here are the steps you’ll need to follow:
Ingredients
- ½ a cup of your choice of carrier oil such as jojoba oil, castor oil, or grapeseed oil
- ½ a cup of distilled water, ½ a cup of rosewater, or ½ a cup of aloe
- 1 tablespoon of beeswax of your choice
- Optional ingredients: 10 to 15 drops of any essential oil/1 teaspoon of rosemary extract/1 teaspoon of vitamin E extract/1 tablespoon of shea butter
Directions
- Combine the carrier oil, wax, and shea butter (if using) in a mason jar or measuring cup. Make sure whatever you use is heatproof.
- Add one cup of water to a small saucepan and boil it. Once boiling, reduce the temperature to low and allow the water to simmer.
- Put the mason jar/cup into the water and leave the ingredients to melt. This should take about five minutes.
- Once melted, use a wooden spoon to stir the ingredients.
- Remove the mason jar/cup from the stove, pour the ingredients into a glass container with a lid, and leave it to cool down to room temperature.
- Add the distilled water, rosewater, or aloe and stir to combine.
- Add the optional ingredients and stir to combine.
- Pour the ingredients into a blender, and blend until a smooth consistency form.
- Pour the ingredients back into the glass jar, seal with the lid, and store at room temperature.
8. Toothpaste
Brushing your teeth twice a day is essential for healthy teeth. However, a lot of the ingredients are toxic. These include fluoride, glycerine, and sodium lauryl sulfate. To avoid putting these toxins in your body, and to save some money, you can make your own toothpaste by following these steps:
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons of baking powder
- 10 drops of essential oil of your choice
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
Directions
- Add the ingredients to a small bowl
- Stir the ingredients until a smooth texture is formed
- Store in a sealed glass container
Final Thoughts
Although making your own household items is time-consuming, it’s extremely rewarding. I challenge you to spend one year making all the items listed above, track how much you’ve saved, get a pot, and put the money in that you’d use to buy these products. At the end of the year, you’ll be amazed at how much you’ve saved.
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