Inside: a list of household staples that you (yes, you) can remove from your shopping list and make yourself. DIY is almost always cheaper, no matter what the haters say. Really.
You can stock a pantry with lots of bulk items, invest in some oocnut oil, lye, and a scale, and open up a whole new world of homemade breads, soaps, snacks, and much, much more. This won’t only save you money at the grocery store, but it will change how you see yourself and your household. You aren’t just a person attached to phone “hitting add to cart”. You’re productive and thrifty. And it all starts with a batch of granola.
Granola
This is a fortune to buy, and so cheap to make. And MUCH better!
Lip Balm
Melt 2 parts beeswax, 2 parts coconut oil, 1 part shea butter. Add a few drops of essential oil if desired.
Apple Syrup
Use this instead of maple syrup on your waffles and pancakes. Uses scraps so it costs you hardly anything but your time.
Laundry Stain Remover
Mix 1 part hydrogen peroxide, 1 part blue Dawn dish soap. Store in dark bottle (light degrades peroxide). The most effective stain treatment I’ve found – even on set-in stains.
Bar Dish Soap
A homemade bar soap that leaves dishes sparkling clean.
Drain Cleaner
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down drain, follow with 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover drain, let fizz 15 minutes. Flush with boiling water. Monthly maintenance prevents clogs without harsh chemicals. This doesn’t work well if your drain is already clogged, but it’s great for prevention.
Pizza Sauce
From the kitchens of Italian grandmothers to your modern home, this timeless pizza sauce recipe is perfect for canning.
Window & Glass Cleaner
Mix 2 cups water, 1/4 cup white vinegar, 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol. The secret ingredient your great-grandmother knew about? A tablespoon of cornstarch – it prevents streaking.
Chicken/Vegetable Stock
Save vegetable scraps and chicken bones in a freezer bag. When full, simmer with water and herbs for 4-6 hours. Free, zero-waste, and far more flavorful than boxed.
Paste Cleaner (like Soft Scrub)
Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with just enough liquid castile soap to form a paste. Optional: 5 drops tea tree or lemon oil. The consistency of cake frosting works best. Far gentler on porcelain than commercial alternatives.
Ranch Seasoning Mix
Basic ranch: Mix 1/4 cup dried parsley, 1 tbsp dried dill, 1 tbsp garlic powder, 1 tbsp onion powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, 1/2 tsp salt.Â
Apple Cider Vinegar
A homemade vinegar that turns apple scraps into a useful pantry staple. Makes 1 gallon.
Herbal Tea
Dry mint, lemon balm, or chamomile from your garden. Mix and store in jars. Especially good: 2 parts chamomile, 1 part lavender, 1 part mint for an evening blend.
Refrigerator Pickles
The crispest and most delicious refrigerator pickles with garlic, dill, and a hint of spice. This recipe makes a small batch and is ready in just a few minutes. No canning required.
Vanilla Extract
Split 3-4 vanilla beans lengthwise, submerge in 8 oz vodka. Store in a dark place for 3-6 months. Infinitely cheaper than store-bought and gets better with age.
All-Purpose Cleaner
Fill a spray bottle with 1 part white vinegar, 1 part water, peels from 2-3 citrus fruits. Let sit 2 weeks. Strain. Natural, effective, and pennies per bottle.
White Sandwich Bread
Bread on a budget. No expensive ingredients, nothing weird you have to buy, and you'll get a loaf that your family and your bank account will love.
Start small. Try just one thing from this list. Maybe make some vanilla extract for your Christmas baking, or mix up that cleaning spray that costs next to nothing. Once you make one thing yourself, you’ll probably start wondering what else you could make instead of buy
No logins, No guilt, no Overwhelm
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Such a great list! I already make a lot of these. I can’t wait until apple time. I’m definitely making the cider vinegar and syrup.