Stop Buying These Household Items—You Can Make Them Better for Less

Some store-bought products are totally worth the convenience. But others? You’re paying extra for things you can easily make yourself—for pennies on the dollar.

Stop Buying These Household Items

From overpriced cleaning supplies to kitchen staples, plenty of everyday household items can be made at home for less, using simple ingredients you probably already have. The best part? They often work better than the store-bought versions.

I make my own:
butter: 1 ingredient – if you don’t count salt
BBQ sauce: no sugar
mayonnaise: 2 ingredients plus salt and a shake of lemon juice
whipped cream: 2 ingredients
rug cleaner – 3 ingredients
laundry tablets – 4 ingredients (optional essential oils for scent)
and a lot more – cheaper and healthier.

If saving money and cutting down on unnecessary chemicals sounds good, start with these easy DIY swaps!

1. All-Purpose Cleaner

Why store-bought is a waste:
Most commercial cleaners are mostly water, plus artificial dyes and fragrances. A simple DIY version costs less and works just as well.

🧼 Make it yourself:
✔ 1 cup white vinegar
✔ 1 cup distilled water
✔ 1 teaspoon dish soap
✔ 10 drops essential oil (optional, for scent)

💡 How to use it: Spray on countertops, sinks, appliances, and more. Avoid stone surfaces (vinegar can damage granite and marble).

Cost comparison: DIY = ~$0.50 per bottle vs. Store-bought = $3–$5 per bottle.

2. Foaming Hand Soap

Why store-bought is a waste:
That fancy foaming hand soap? It’s just watered-down soap in a special pump bottle.

🧴 Make it yourself:
✔ 1 tablespoon liquid Castile soap (or dish soap)
✔ 1 cup water
✔ A foaming soap dispenser (reuse an old one!)

💡 How to use it: Shake before each use, pump, and wash as usual!

Cost comparison: DIY = ~$0.25 per bottle vs. Store-bought = $4–$6 per bottle.

3. Fabric Softener & Dryer Sheets

Why store-bought is a waste:
Commercial fabric softeners leave a residue on clothes that can reduce absorbency (bad news for towels!). Dryer sheets? They’re single-use and full of artificial fragrances.

🧺 Make it yourself:
✔ ½ cup white vinegar (for liquid softener) – add to the rinse cycle
✔ DIY dryer sheets – soak a few fabric scraps in white vinegar, wring them out, and toss them in the dryer

💡 Bonus tip: Add a few drops of essential oil to vinegar for a fresh scent.

Cost comparison: DIY = ~$0.10 per use vs. Store-bought = $5–$8 per bottle/box.

Bonus: DIY Laundry Tablets

DIY laundry tablets are way easier than they sound.
Start with a mix of grated soap, washing soda, and Borax—equal parts of each. Stir in enough white vinegar to make it clump together (½ to ¾ cup should do the trick), and add some essential oil if you’d like a fresh scent.

Once the texture is right—moist, but not wet—press the mixture into trays or molds. Let them air-dry for a full day, then transfer them to a sealed container. You’ll have a stockpile of powerful, homemade tablets ready to go.

4. Air Freshener Spray

Why store-bought is a waste:
Most air fresheners just mask odors instead of eliminating them, and they’re packed with synthetic chemicals.

🌿 Make it yourself:
✔ 1 cup water
✔ 2 tablespoons rubbing alcohol or vodka (helps it evaporate)
✔ 10–15 drops essential oil (lavender, citrus, or peppermint work great!)

💡 How to use it: Spray in rooms, on fabrics, or in the car for a natural, non-toxic freshener.

Cost comparison: DIY = ~$1 per bottle vs. Store-bought = $5–$10 per bottle.

5. DIY Disinfecting Wipes

Why store-bought is a waste:
Disinfecting wipes are convenient, but expensive—and the chemicals they contain aren’t always safe for food surfaces.

🧽 Make it yourself:
✔ 1 roll of reusable cloths or cut-up old T-shirts
✔ 1 cup rubbing alcohol
✔ 1 cup water
✔ 1 teaspoon dish soap
✔ A sealable container

💡 How to use it: Store cloths in the mixture and grab one whenever you need to wipe down surfaces.

Cost comparison: DIY = ~$2 per batch vs. Store-bought = $5–$8 per container.

Final Thoughts: Small Swaps = Big Savings

DIY household products aren’t just cheaper—they’re healthier, more customizable, and often work better than store-bought versions.

✔ They cost pennies to make.
✔ They use simple, safe ingredients.
✔ They reduce waste and unnecessary chemicals.

Ready to take your DIY routine even further? The Home Essentials DIY Kit includes printable recipes, spice blends, laundry guides, bottle labels, and cheat sheets—so you can clean, organize, and simplify without the overwhelm.

Start with just one swap, and before you know it, you’ll be spending less on store-bought products—and loving the DIY versions even more.

📌 Have you tried making any household products yourself? What’s your favorite DIY swap? Let’s chat in the comments!