Homemade Household Cleaners, Toilietries, FoodStuffs and More

[Convert_in_99]

**Our grocery bills are going through the roof! I need MORE ways to save. We already buy bulk foods, generics, use coupons, and watch for big sales. We eat lots of beans, rice, potatoes, etc. The basics are covered.

But, I still need MORE ways to save! I need to start making cleaners, toiletries, food stuffs, etc. at home! Basically anything that you have to buy/replace regularly. I want to start making these items more cheaply than it costs to buy them at the store. I also want any creative ways to recycle trash, and old otherwise unusable items, to make things that can be used again to save even more money.

For example: I heard that making your own household cleaners helps. We’ve been buying generic cleaners, but even these are really too expensive. I use bleach water solution for sanitizing, bathrooms and floors, and that’s been saving some. I’ve heard vinegar and baking soda work too, but I’m not sure for what and what concentrates to use.

Any other ideas/tips for making your own cleaners, toiletries, food stuffs, etc. or reusing/recycling tips to help save us more money would be most appreciated.

BTW: For those of you who don’t know we are only two people. So making bulk quantities of perishable items won’t do. But everything else is fair game.

God bless you and thanks for any advice/tips you have to offer!

**

 

[KCT]

There are websites that have recipes for household cleaners. I didn’t bookmark them, but they’re out there! —KCT

 

[elliskev]

Here is an extensive homemade cleaner list.

 

[Truly_Beloved]

My DH and I use a lot of advice from the Queen of Clean. She has many cleaning tricks where she uses water, vinegar, baking soda, etc.

queenofclean.com/

I also wish I had the time to make homemade soaps. That sounds like a fun thing to do (I don’t know if it’s any cheaper than buying them, though).

 

[ReConvert]

Hi. You can use straight vinegar in a spray bottle on your windows and about 1/2 - 1 cup in a bucket for your floors.

Also, here is a great recipe for homemade laundry detergent.

1 bar Sunlight laundry soap (2 bars per package usually)
1 cup Borax
1 cup Arm & Hammer (or other brand) washing soda

5 gallon bucket.

Grate the Sunlight bar into a pot and fill it with water (doesn’t matter how much water). Melt over medium heat until dissolved.

Add melted water mixture, Borax and washing soda into 5 gallon bucket with enough water to blend. Once blended fill bucket with water. Let sit overnight or up to 24 hours to set. Once it is set it looks like sloppy jello. There will probably be a film of water on top - don’t worry about it.

Once this is set just use about a 1/2 cup / load of laundry. It also works great as a pretreater. This will last you a looooooooong time!

Also, if you really like fabric softener you can take a j-cloth and dip it in a mixture of about 50/50 softener and water, ring it out and throw it in the dryer with your clothes - you use hardly any fabric softener with the same effect. I wouldn’t do this with whites though as the softener might leave a blue mark on them in the dryer.

CC

 

[Feanaro_s_Wife]

**We use vinegar and baking soda A LOT, lol. And if you make up 2 separate spray bottles with one of straight vinegar and one of straight hydrogen peroxide (the kind you buy in the first aid aisle) they can be used as a great disinfectant. If you google the two together you should find the info. I won’t use bleach so this is a great alternative (and it doubles as a great fruit/veggie wash).

Also, we don’t make our own soap, but I use Sunlight dish washing liquid not only for dishes but as our hand soap.

Malia
**

 

[aloejamb]

My dd has asthma so we have used the home made cleaners mentioned. I have wood end and coffee tables. My kitchen table is wood also. So we used furniture oil to keep the wood healthy. I have now made my own and it works just as well. I use olive oil (or you could use any cooking oil) and I put lemon zest in it. It smells really good and is all organic…no fumes but what nature created…very cost effective (if you can find olive oil on sale in bulk).
I also buy rubbing alcohol (pretty cheap) to clean the phones and computer mouse etc… It does good on chrome too.
Instead of Mr. Clean, I now use dish soap and lemon zest in hot water for small jobs.
I was told that vinegar (white) and hot water is great to run along your baseboards to kill the dust mites (a big asthma trigger). I have also heard that if you get ants to pour vinegar wherever they are coming in and they won’t cross the vinegar line. I haven’t had to use this yet but I am curious to see.

As far as groceries go…I make my meals for the week according to what is on sale. Also if they have 10 for $10 sales, I usually stock up on non-perishable items…that way next month when I am out I am not paying almost $2 for the same item that was on sale for a dollar cheaper. I buy meat in bulk and then package it myself for the freezer. Many times if you buy a pork tenderloin on sale, they will slice it for you for free if you ask.

There are many ways. Make it an adventure to find cost effective things.

 

[maria29]

I use a mix of vinegar and water to clean counters. And hydrogen perixode to kill germs as well. Lime/lemon juice with baking soda works well too.

I use honey to wash my face sometimes with baking soda as well. If you’ve got really dry skin, it might be a little harsh.

 

[whatevergirl]

Convert…I hear ya–it seems like every time I go grocery shopping, I pay $20 more? It’s like up to the tune of $800 monthly for a family of four? Are we eating too much?

Here is something that works on stains. Use carbonated water, and pour it on the spill. Then, pour salt all over the stain on the carpet…then, dampen it with a towel or wait, do you dampen the carbonated water with a towel? lol Ok…whatever. I think you will figure it out…lol But, all I remember is that the salt should stay over the stain like for several hours, I think? And the stain is totally gone.

 

[Mommy_G]

There isn’t much that can’t be cleaned without vinegar and baking soda.

www.vinegartips.com

and

www.heloise.com

have great tips.

I can’t imagine spending money on ready made cleaners that don’t work any better. And my house is clean.

 

[puzzleannie]

I never tried mixing household cleaners myself, because that can be dangerous (never mix bleach and ammonia, you don’t want to know how I learned that one).

I seldom use anything other than vinegar, baking soda, clorox in limited ways not as an all purpose, bon ami, laundry detergent, peroxide, murphy’s oil soap, etc. We steam clean floors (we have ceramic tile, and this is the best thing I have ever found for asthma) and I experimented with my DDs portable steamer for other surfaces, and think I will get it–this is cleaning with water only, but can’t believe how well it works.

I can’t use anything with scent added so that cuts out most cleansers

I also stopped buying many paper products years ago (except TP, sanitary naps, and tissue). I buy cloth table napkins whenever I see them on sale (4 for a dollar or less is a sale) and cheap terry washcloths and dishtowels instead of paper napkins and paper towels, and make cleaning rags from old t-shirts etc. so I can just throw them away if they can’t be easily cleaned (wax, paint etc). cost of paper towels etc is astronomical. I also try not to use ziploc bags etc when a permanent reusable washable container will do.

 

[Mommy_G]

sanitary naps,.

Have you tried menstrual cups? They need to be changed less, less mess (than leaky pads, etc), cheaper in the long run, better for the environment and make that “time of the month” so much more CONVENIENT for me!

 

[queen_anne78]

LOL Ok well I have been doing a fair bit of research, esp. in the beauty products department…so if you are interested in all that…here you go:

Natural Face Carewitch hazel is great for astringent and does a great job. You can also dilute apple cider vinegar (1/2 water, 1/2 apple cider vinegar) as an astringent and skin deep-cleaner (after you’ve washed your face). I’ve had better luck with the apple cider vinegar to even out the tone of my skin. Apple Cider Vinegar acts a lot like alpha hydroxy acid - it keeps your face looking young by removing old cells, evening out your complexion, and it kills acne bacteria too.

It’s been researched that green tea is great for acne too, both topically and internally. You can drink green tea to rid the body of toxins, extra estrogens, and flush the liver in general to help with clearer skin. When you’re done with drinking the tea, save the tea bag and squeeze the liquid out on a cotton ball and swab your face with it. Green tea has been as effective as 4% Benzoyl Peroxide, without the nasty effects (drying, peeling, wrinkling). Green tea is also anti-aging, anti-wrinkling. Lots of good stuff in green tea!
I have been using baking soda as a mild exfoliant and even as a face mask at times (make a paste and let it dry into this hard plaster on your face, then wash off). It helps with blackheads, whiteheads, and with general oiliness. It smooths out your skin as well. If you make a paste of it with water and pack it on a pimple, it’ll dry it out. I’ve used baking soda by itself in a paste with water, or I mix a little baking soda with Cetaphil gentle cleanser, and that’s been a real treat to wash my face with at night. I haven’t had any open pimples, but I hear that if you have lesions on your face, baking soda can sting. I don’t have open wounds, so I don’t feel a thing. Just rub the baking soda mixture in circles all over your face and don’t ‘force’ the baking soda.

Tea tree oil is good for clearing up acne. You have to dilute it or else it burns or dries your skin out. You can put a drop of the tea tree oil into your Cetaphil and wash your face with that - or - you can moisten a cotton ball with some water and put a drop of tea tree oil on the cotton ball and swab your face with that. Don’t rinse and keep it on all night. The smell is rather like Pine-Sol, but it’s natural. I would use the Tea Tree Oil sparingly.

1. Wash face thoroughly - (Use your favorite cleanser or Cetaphil)
2. Exfoliate - (Use the baking soda - you can just mix it in with water or Cetaphil)
3. Tone - (Use apple cider vinegar, green tea, or sometimes Tea Tree oil)
4. Moisturize - use a lightweight facial moisturizer. My favorite is Oil of Olay Sensitive with sunscreen.

I usually do the above regimen everyday with the ‘facial’ of cleaning my face with Cetaphil and baking soda, then toning with apple cider vinegar, and then moisturizing a little.
No-pooing/Natural Hair Care
TRESemme Conditioners - Vitamin E Moisture Rich or Pro Vitamin B5 & Aloe Remoisturizing or Vitamin E & Aloe Colour Revitalizing
A curly girl favorite–comes in a big bottle at a great price!
Extra-Special Care for your Curls
(look for detailed recipes and directions in the Curly Girl book)

Brown Sugar to exfoliate your scalp and “candy” those curls
(mix equal amounts brown sugar and conditioner and massage into scalp & rinse well–it smells so good we call it “Boy Bait”!)

Pure Lavendar Essential Oil for a Lavendar Mist that will revitalize, moisten, and cleanse those curls (found at health food stores or Bath & Body Works)
(boil 5 drops Lavendar with 1/2 gallon water for 1 hour ) Pour into spritz bottles & spray your hairto rejuvinate curls & tame frizz.

Baking Soda to make your hair feel squeaky clean
(rinse curls with 1 Tbsp. Baking Soda to 1 cup warm water) Combine ingredients in a spray bottle. Wet, condition & blot dry as usual. Spray hair with BS mixture. Allow to sit for a minute, then rinse with cool water. Blot dry again, style as usual.

If you have a dry scalp try this therapy
1 cup heavy cream, beaten until fluffy (or reddiwhip)
Pour into palms of hands & massage into scalp. Wait 5-10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

 

[queen_anne78]

CONTINUED
Olive Oil to deep-moisturize your curls
(mix with equal part of conditioner, distribute through hair, leave on for a few hours or overnight, then rinse well with vinegar & lemon juice)

Vinegar & Lemon Juice to cleanse and clarify your curls
(mix equal parts with some conditioner, distribute through hair, & rinse well)
The preliminary steps I recommend are:

1. Baking soda and simple shampoo, used over a few weeks, takes care of getting rid of silicones from your hair. I recommend people wean off their current products and use more and more baking soda and less and less shampoo. This helps them perfect the scalp scrub (which is key to no-pooing), and it helps all the old product buildup come out.
2. Get a haircut too before no-pooing, but after the clarifying process (getting rid of all the silicones in your hair). It will get rid of the dry, split ends and shape up your hair so it doesn’t look all choppy like a scarecrows. It provides a healthy set of hair to work with for no-poo.
3. Change your conditioner set to ones without silicones. Get the cheap and lightweight, and silicone-free conditioner for the no-poo base for baking soda to cleanse hair. Use that same conditioner or another one that is a bit heavier to moisturize the ends of your hair. You may or may not need to use ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar), though curly hair loves acids and curls even better with an acid rinse, or acid and conditioner mix (a cheap version of a super expensive “acidifying conditioner” that you see in salons).

As you go through the no-poo process, you’ll learn how to add more fun stuff to your no-poo cleansing solution, like essential oils, honey, brown sugar, and other stuff. These all help keep curls nice and soft, shiny, and keeps the curls together, versus frizzed out and all over the place. Don’t EVEN try to put all the goodies in your hair on the first try - your hair and scalp adjusts to the new ingredients slowly, and the RECIPES AND PROPORTIONS differ by person, by season, and by hair needs. So even though it’s easy to give up and say your hair looks like **** - it’s a temporary thing, and if you need help, come back on the boards here and let us help you troubleshoot.

Once you figure out your hair and learn the art and science behind all the different ingredients for making your own no-poo hair cleansing method, it’s really worth it and your hair looks great. You will see that you’ll need less products to make your hair look good - if you eliminate frizz, dryness, poofiness, crazy stuff - you will automatically need less gel, styling lotions, hairspray, straighteners, curl serums, etc. and you will spend less time yanking your hair straight with a blow dryer because LO AND BEHOLD your hair actually looks NICE curly for once and you don’t HAVE to resort to yanking it straight.
In Place of Styling Gels, etc
You can add brown sugar or honey (small amounts) to your ACV rinse. Or you can make a spray bottle (travel sized one - it’s about a cup’s worth of liquid) of lavender essential oil (about a bottle capful or less, depending on how strong it smells to you) and distilled water. For extra moisturizing, add some drops of jojoba oil or coconut oil in your spray water. Spray on hair after you shower. Style hair as usual.

Play with the amounts and see what works for you

 

[queen_anne78]

****OK LAST THING I promise

**EVOO/CO for face
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is used for moisture, while Castor Oil (CO) is used for cleansing. Castor Oil tends to be a bit on the thick side, so a mix of the two (EVOO/CO) is frequently used. This allows for the Castor Oil to really sink into the pores and draw out the dirt and grime to the surface. You can vary this ratio to match your skins needs. More EVOO for moisture or more CO for cleansing (25/75 EVOO/CO for Oily skin, or 75/25 EVOO/CO for dry skin). EVOO is incredibly high in antioxidants, while CO is excellent for drawing and healing. CO has been the focus of many books and medical discussion because of its seemingly “magical” healing properties. It only makes sense (after a bit of research) that one would use CO on their face to help treat blemishes and acne, or simply to make their skin look and feel better.
The Routine:
Massage a substantial amount (the cup of your palm, while hand is held open) of EVOO/CO mixture into your face and neck.
This is to be done over makeup or any visible dirt. Take this time to give yourself a facial massage. Really work the oil into your skin. Take your time, breathe deeply, and relax. Sit down to do this if it helps.
Of course, you do not have to sit and relax, but keep in mind that stress isn’t good for your skin and you should take any moment you can to destress and let tension float away.
Take a washcloth (terry cloth or flannel), and soak it in steamy hot water. Wring it out and drape it over your face.
What we are doing is steaming your face as an esthetician would, but without the steam machine. You want to open your pores. This helps release any impurities from deep within your pores.
As the washcloth begins to cool, gently wipe the oil and dirt away. This will also help remove any dead skin cells.
Rinse the washcloth out in hot water and wipe away any remaining impurities. You may have to do this two or three times more to remove any remaining dirt and oil residue, but it will come off leaving your skin with a beautiful, healthy glow. No additional cleansing is necessary.
After you have rinsed well, you can either splash your face with cool water to help tone and close your pores, or if your face feels tight, you can moisturize.
If your skin feels tight, take a tiny drop of your EVOO/CO, rub it between your clean, damp palms and pat it into your damp skin. Massage any oil residue into your skin so there is no film of oil left sitting on the surface. Being prone to breakouts myself, I’ve found that this is perhaps the most important step.

****After-Shave Balm

2 tbsp Almond Oil
1 tsp Witch Hazel
a few drops of essential oil of your choice (peppermint or eucalyptus is more cooling, patchouli is a nice scent for men)

Mix together and massage a few drops into freshly-shaved skin. Makes enough to last for a couple of weeks. Store in a squeeze-bottle, or a pretty glass bottle with a lid.

** OK. There you go I hope that’s kinda what you were looking for, otherwise that was the most obnoxious posting I have ever done. I have NOT tried these things yet, I am still in the mentally gearing up stage, plus I have about an inch left of regular shampoo. However, I look forward to employing them, to save money and to save my body from all the weird **** they put in toiletries these days.

**

 

[1ke]

So we used furniture oil to keep the wood healthy. I have now made my own and it works just as well. I use olive oil (or you could use any cooking oil) and I put lemon zest in it. It smells really good and is all organic…no fumes but what nature created…very cost effective (if you can find olive oil on sale in bulk).

It is my understanding that food based oils should **not **be used in the care of wooden furniture or wooden utensils (such as cutting boards, bowls, spoons, etc) because the oils turn rancid eventually. Only a non-food oil like mineral oil should be used.

 

[aloejamb]

1ke,

I did not think about that. I will read more about that…it was suggested by the asthma team. But oil does go rancid so it would make sense. I havent had any problems but its a fairly recent thing I have been using.
to the OP --strike that suggestion until I read more about that one. Thanks 1ke!!

 

[Brenda_V]

1ke,

I did not think about that. I will read more about that…it was suggested by the asthma team. But oil does go rancid so it would make sense. I havent had any problems but its a fairly recent thing I have been using.
to the OP --strike that suggestion until I read more about that one. Thanks 1ke!!

You can purchase straight mineral oil too so you don’t have any scents to worry about (one of my big allergy triggers as well so I go with less too).

There are some products worth making yourself and others will cost you a whole lot more. Tooth paste will be cheaper if you buy the less expensive brands, make sure they have flouride if you can tolerate it (one of my allergies so I use either baking soda or non-flouride toothpastes). Making your own soap isn’t necessarily cheaper than buying it either - I can only use Dove Sensitive skin or my homemade soap and it just doesn’t cost any more to buy the Dove than it does to make my own.

Cleaning products, the only ones I use that aren’t the basics are 409 - it is great and I found it works better than vinegar on greasy surfaces. I also use toilet bowl cleaners, that is it. Otherwise it is baking soda, vinegar, bleach.

As for Grocery bills running around $800.00 a month, mine do too and I am feeding 4 adults, two of whom buy some of their own foods and we fix just about everything from scratch!

Brenda V.

 

[Convert_in_99]

**Thanks everyone! These are some really good ideas! I can’t wait to try them out.

Wait a minute…did I just say I can’t wait to CLEAN? **

 

[Convert_in_99]

**Our budget is WAY tighter than two hundred a week. More like that a month, sometimes a little more, sometimes less!

I’ve become super-woman and MAKE things work, whether they want to or not!**** Don’t get in my way when I’m shopping and trying to discern which generic is cheapest! **** My husband has learned to just drop me off and leave me alone to shop as effective comparing can take me a GOOD hour or more!

**