I’ve been on a journey for several years towards a healthier and more frugal home. Slowly I’ve been transitioning our household cleaners, beauty products, and other personal items. As we’ve transitioned, I’ve been able to reduce the toxins in our home as well as save money by making our own DIY products (plus, it’s just fun to make your own stuff)!

But I also know that it can be difficult to know where to start. I was really confused and more than a little overwhelmed at first. Many of the ingredients in homemade products (jojoba oil, castile soap, essential oils, etc) were new to me and I had no idea where to purchase them (or how to use them).

But I think the key to making your own homemade products is starting out slow with a few simple goals to transform your home! First, start to get familiar with the ingredients, where to buy them, and then move on to some simple recipes you can master. After that you can start moving on to more recipes and have fun experimenting. 

Getting Familiar with the Ingredients

It might seem overwhelming, but once you start stocking up on natural ingredients, you will be able to make virtually any product! And don’t get overwhelmed by this list – pick one recipe to try, order those ingredients, and try it out! Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do too much.

• Baking Soda (I get mine for $4 for a huge bag at Costco)
• White Vinegar (I buy it in two gallons at Costco)
• Coconut Oil (I also buy this at Costco)
• Shea Butter (Amazon or Mountain Rose Herbs)
• Beeswax (Amazon or Bulk Herb Store)
• Essential Oils (I use doTerra)
• Zinc Oxide
• Liquid Castile Soap (I love Dr. Bronner’s and my Costco recently started carrying it for an AWESOME price)
• Cocoa Butter

Now pick one area of your home that you want to start on first, and pick just one recipe to try! When I was pregnant with my twins three years ago, I started slowly transitioning out our personal care products because I saw those as the biggest threat. This then moved to baby items for my boys and slowly this has spread throughout my whole house.

Here are some recipes to get you started! And scroll down to the bottom if you want more help on DIY products – I’ve created a FREE guide to make it as easy as possible! 

DIY Cleaning Recipes

6 Steps to a Naturally Clean Home by me over at Keeper of the Home

Using Essential Oils to Clean Everything in Your House by Purposeful Homemking

Homemade Natural, All Purpose Cleaner by GNOWFLINGS

Homemade Citrus Vinegar Cleaner by Domestic Serenity

Homemade Disinfecting Wipes by Live Renewed

Homemade Non-Toxic Disinfectant by Imperfect Homemaker

Homemade Bathtub Scrub by Nourishing Joy

A Naturally Clean and Fresh Bathroom by Smithspirations

Homemade Liquid Dish Soap by The Humbled Homemaker

The Best Homemade Dish Washer Detergent by Authentic Simplicity

DIY Personal Care Products

Make Your Own Homemade Chapstick by Young Wife’s Guide

Homemade Chemical Free Kid Toothpaste by Live Simply

Homemade Hair Shampoo: Coconut Milk Shampoo by Freebie Finding Mom

Homemade Shaving Cream by Crystal & Co

Homemade Natural Sunscreen by Crystal & Co.

Aloe Rose Skin Soother by the Nerdy Farm Wife

DIY All Natural Shampoo by Body Unburdened

DIY Organic Herbal Healing Salve by Keeper of the Home

There’s a lot more that we could cover – using baking soda and vinegar, summer time recipes, making antibacterial products (that actually work), and a personal favorite, making homemade gifts – but that’s a lot more than we can cover in one blog post!

So pick one recipe, order the ingredients, and try it out! But remember – homemade recipes are very personal, so what may work for one family, might not work for another. Experiment and have fun with it 🙂

Here are some resources to help you get started:

DIY Natural Household Cleaners

Make all your own homemade cleaning products using simple, natural ingredients. This eBook includes DIY green cleaning recipes that take the guesswork out of using essential oils so you can finally utilize their beneficial cleaning properties. Get it on Amazon HERE.

 

My Buttered Life: Summer Edition

The My Buttered Life: Summer Edition eBook features five recipes: sunscreen, tan enhancer, bug repellent bar, foot protector bar, and body skin conditioner. Each recipe has five ingredients or less. Each recipe comes with video instructions. You can get it on Amazon HERE.

Lotions, Potions, Salves, and Sprays: Natural Products for Your Home and Coop

A collection of more than twenty-five easy-to-make all-natural concoctions for the well-being of your family and feathered friends. Includes cleansers, washes, salves and ointments as well as laundry, cleaning and skin care products made with pleasant-smelling herbs and essential oils plus soothing and healing beeswax, coconut oil and other natural ingredients. You can get it on Amazon HERE.