40 Things Frugal People Make At Home
Things frugal people make at home? Let’s find out! Frugal living enthusiasts and homemakers know the value of creating things from scratch—not only does it save money, but it often results in healthier, more sustainable lifestyles.
Things Frugal People Make At Home
Of course, not everything on the list frugal people make at home, and also, if you don’t make these items below, it doesn’t make you frugal as frugal is more than making things at home.
Here are 40 items to start making home to cut costs and elevate your frugal living game.
Home Cleaning Products
Before we dive into the extensive list of goods that you can easily make at home, it’s important to remember that the essence of frugality isn’t just about cutting costs—it’s also about adopting a mindset of minimalism and sustainability.
Making your own home cleaning products, for instance, not only reduces your grocery bill but also lessens your environmental footprint. This shift towards homemade items encourages a more mindful consumption pattern, where quality and utility take precedence over quantity and convenience.
1. All-Purpose Cleaner
A simple mix of vinegar, water, and essential oils can create a powerful and natural all-purpose cleaner, eliminating the need to purchase commercial cleaning products that often contain harsh chemicals.
2. Laundry Detergent
Homemade laundry detergent, using washing soda, borax, and a bar of soap, can be both cost-effective and gentle on clothes, offering an excellent alternative to store-bought varieties.
3. Dish Soap
A concoction of castile soap, water, and lemon juice yields an effective dish soap that cuts through grease and leaves dishes sparkling without the use of synthetic fragrances or dyes found in many commercial brands.
4. Window Cleaner
For streak-free windows, a homemade cleaner made from vinegar and water is simple and effective, eliminating the need for ammonia-based cleaners.
5. Air Freshener
Mixing water, alcohol, and essential oils of choice can create a customizable air freshener that avoids the potentially harmful aerosols and chemicals in commercial products.
6. Disinfectant Wipes
By soaking reusable cloth squares in a solution of water, vinegar, and a few drops of essential oils, you can create disinfectant wipes that are both eco-friendly and effective for quick cleanups around the house.
7. Fabric Softener
A natural fabric softener can be made by mixing vinegar with essential oils, providing a chemical-free way to soften clothes and add a fresh scent during the washing cycle.
8. Carpet Cleaner
A homemade carpet cleaner consisting of baking soda and vinegar can tackle stains and odors without the need for commercial carpet cleaning solutions, offering a safe and cost-effective alternative for maintaining clean and fresh-smelling carpets.
Beauty and Personal Care
Transitioning from home cleaning products to beauty and personal care items, frugal living extends into how we take care of ourselves. Making your own beauty and personal care products not only continues the savings but also ensures you’re using natural and gentle ingredients on your body. Here’s how to transform your personal care routine with homemade alternatives.
9. Shampoo
Creating your own shampoo using ingredients like castile soap, water, and essential oils allows for a customizable hair care product free from sulfates and parabens, promoting healthier hair and scalp.
10. Conditioner
A homemade conditioner, often made with natural oils and aloe vera, provides nourishment and moisture to hair without the silicones found in commercial products, enhancing hair’s natural beauty and strength.
11. Toothpaste
Mixing baking soda, coconut oil, and peppermint oil can produce an effective toothpaste that cleans teeth naturally without the need for synthetic flavors or fluoride.
12. Deodorant
A blend of coconut oil, baking soda, and arrowroot powder creates a natural deodorant that effectively combats body odor without using aluminum or other harsh chemicals found in many antiperspirants.
13. Lip Balm
Using a simple mixture of beeswax, coconut oil, and essential oils, you can craft a moisturizing lip balm that soothes and protects lips from the elements, free from artificial additives.
14. Shampoo Bars
Shampoo bars are a zero-waste alternative to traditional liquid shampoos, offering a concentrated formula free from plastic packaging. By combining lye, natural oils, and essential oils, you can create a variety of shampoo bars tailored to different hair types and needs, reducing environmental impact while maintaining clean and healthy hair.
15. Face Masks
Homemade face masks can be crafted to suit various skin types using common kitchen ingredients such as honey, oatmeal, avocado, or clay. These natural concoctions provide a chemical-free way to nourish, exfoliate, and rejuvenate your skin, eliminating the need for expensive, store-bought face care products.
16. Soap
Creating your own soap at home allows for complete control over the ingredients, ensuring a natural and gentle product for everyday use. With a basic process of saponification involving lye and a selection of oils, you can customize your soap with colors, scents, and additives like herbs or exfoliants, offering a personalized cleansing experience.
Food and Beverages
Expanding on the essence of self-sufficiency in the kitchen, making your own food and beverages can significantly elevate the quality of what you consume while reducing waste and dependencies on processed products. Here are more homemade items that not only enrich your culinary skills but also contribute to a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.
17. Bread
A staple that’s easy and satisfying to make, homemade bread fills your home with an aroma that is both comforting and inviting. It allows for customization in flour types and additions such as seeds and nuts.
18. Yogurt
Good quality, homemade yogurt requires just milk and a starter culture. It’s a simple process that yields a creamy, tangy result, far superior to many store-bought options and customizable to your taste preferences.
19. Granola
Oats, honey, nuts, and dried fruit, baked to crunchy perfection, provide a healthier, less processed alternative to commercially available granola, perfect for breakfast or snacking.
20. Almond Milk
Almonds and water blended together and then strained result in a fresh, preservative-free alternative to dairy milk, ideal for those following vegan or lactose-free diets.
21. Pasta Sauce
Ripe tomatoes and a selection of fresh herbs can create a simple yet tasteful sauce, free of the excessive sugars and preservatives often found in jarred versions.
22. Fermented Foods
Homemade fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and pickles offer a wealth of probiotics for gut health, and they’re surprisingly simple to make, adding unique flavors to your meals.
23. Jam
Seasonal fruits, sugar, and pectin combined create delicious jams, preserved for year-round enjoyment, capturing the taste of summer in every jar.
24. Bone Broth
Made from kitchen scraps like bones and vegetable ends, bone broth is a nutritious base for soups and stews, rich in minerals and collagen.
25. Ice Cream
A treat easily made at home with just a few ingredients, homemade ice cream allows for endless flavor experimentation without the additives found in commercial brands.
26. Kombucha
Fermented tea, known as kombucha, is a fizzy, healthy alternative to sugary drinks, customizable with various flavorings during its secondary fermentation.
27. Pizza Dough
Simple to make and freezes well for quick meals, homemade pizza dough offers a fresh, tasty base for your favorite toppings.
28. Salad Dressing
A mixture of olive oil, vinegar, and your choice of seasonings, homemade salad dressing elevates greens with fresh flavors, devoid of the thickeners and preservatives in bottled dressings.
29. Vegetable Broth
Made from scraps and ends, this broth is perfect for enriching soups, stews, and cooking grains, embodying a zero-waste approach to cooking.
Household Cleaning Products
In addition to personal care and food items, you can also reduce the use of harmful chemicals in your home by creating your own cleaning products. Here are a few simple homemade alternatives to common household cleaners.
30. Candles
Soy wax and essential oils combine to create homemade candles, offering a cozy ambiance while avoiding the toxins often found in commercial candles.
31. Wrapping Paper
Repurpose old maps, newspapers, or fabric to create unique and eco-friendly wrapping paper, adding a personal touch to gifts while reducing waste.
32. Notebooks
Creating notebooks from bound paper allows for a customizable approach to note-taking and list-making, giving a personal touch to everyday stationery.
33. Vegetable Garden
Growing your own produce in a vegetable garden ensures fresh, organic food is always at hand, promoting a healthier lifestyle and reducing grocery bills.
34. Cleaning Rags
Old T-shirts and towels can be repurposed into cleaning rags, offering an effective and environmentally friendly alternative to disposable paper towels.
35. Compost
Turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into compost to enrich your garden soil, turning waste into a valuable resource for growing healthy plants.
36. Furniture Polish
A simple mixture of olive oil and lemon juice can be used to create an effective furniture polish, keeping wood surfaces shining and healthy without harsh chemicals.
Homemade Meals
Finally, incorporating homemade meals into your routine can significantly improve your health and well-being while also promoting sustainable living. Here are some ideas for homemade meals that you can easily make at home.
37. Soups and Stews
Economical and can be made in bulk for freezing, soups and stews offer comfort and nutrition, providing a great way to utilize a variety of ingredients while also being mindful of budget and storage.
38. Casseroles
Great for using up leftovers and easy to freeze, casseroles are the quintessential comfort food, combining simple ingredients into filling and satisfying meals.
39. Baked Goods
Muffins, cakes, and cookies for less than store-bought, baking at home allows for healthier options and is a delightful way to indulge in sweet treats without the additives found in commercial products.
40. Homemade Pizza
A fraction of the cost of takeout and fully customizable, homemade pizza presents a fun and flavorful way to gather around the table, experimenting with different toppings to suit everyone’s taste.
41. Meal Prep
Cooking meals in bulk saves time and money throughout the week, ensuring that there is always a healthy and homemade option ready, reducing the temptation to order out or eat processed foods.
42. Smoothies
Cheaper and healthier when made at home, smoothies are perfect for using up overripe fruits and incorporating more vitamins and minerals into your diet, easily adaptable to whatever ingredients you have on hand.
Conclusion
Embracing homemade products, whether it be food items, cleaning solutions, or even personal care products, not only has the potential to significantly improve your overall health and well-being but also serves as a step towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle.
By incorporating these homemade alternatives into your daily routine, you’re not just reducing your environmental footprint but also gaining control over the ingredients and materials used in your household. This guide has offered a plethora of options to get started on this rewarding journey.
Remember, every small step counts towards a healthier planet and a healthier you. Making the switch to homemade doesn’t have to be overwhelming; start with one or two items and gradually expand your repertoire. The benefits are well worth the effort, promising a fulfilling and conscientious lifestyle.
