What homemade products do you make to save money?

[dee27]

In season, I grow my own herbs and dry them on a aluminum grill rack (the one with small holes). This method works well for basil, dill, parsley, thyme, and oregano. Letting the herbs dry naturally in a warm place works better than using the oven at a low temperature. When they are dry enough, I strip the leaves off of the herbs and store them in small glass jars. For rosemary, I dry the entire sprig and store the sprigs in an airtight container.

I can broth, salsa, tomatoes, spaghetti sauce, applesauce, jam, beets, green relish, pickles, and broth based soups. I freeze the thicker soups like potato leek and broccoli with cheese. Once per year, we make Italian sausages and vegetable egg rolls which I store in the freezer. Also, I freeze baked, breaded eggplant slices in season. I freeze quick breads, cinnamon rolls, and dinner rolls. It is more expensive to make these foods, but I can control the salt or sugar content, and they are chemical-free except for the use of powdered, citric acid in the tomato products.

[gooddecisions]

Dec 11, 2016 13:35:55 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Oh how I wish I could stop buying napkins and PT.  But my kids are pigs and we are home all day and the messes they create.....I will either be doing laundry 10 times/day or clogging our pipes with all the stuff that I need to clean.

Kleenex did not exist where I am from and my Dad used TONS of handkerchiefs.  My mom washed them weekly, by boiling them in hot water and baking soda.  Same for diapers and towels and other "paper" products.

I just looked at our 2016 numbers - I spent $153 on paper towels.  I don't know if I would have saved a lot of money using cloth and doing 10x  more laundry....

If you want to explore the option, I use 7"x7" two sided flannel squares. I have a hanging wet bag on my oven door they go in. Anytime I do a load of laundry, I throw them in. They are so small that it doesn't add any laundry to my routine. You can either make them yourself or find them on etsy. These things clean up spills, fingers and noses so much better than paper towels and they are much smaller and simpler than a normal dinner napkin. Plus, when we're outside, they don't fly away in the wind. I keep a stack of them on my kitchen table, kitchen counter, by the doors and in the car. Convenience is everything.

[phil5185]

If you want to explore the option, I use 7"x7" two sided flannel squares. I have a hanging wet bag on my oven door they go in. Anytime I do a load of laundry, I throw them in. They are so small that it doesn't add any laundry to my routine. You can either make them yourself or find them on etsy. These things clean up spills, fingers and noses so much better than paper towels and they are much smaller and simpler than a normal dinner napkin. Plus, when we're outside, they don't fly away in the wind. I keep a stack of them on my kitchen table, kitchen counter, by the doors and in the car. Convenience is everything.

Interesting idea, thanks.

5 Double Ply Flannel Cloth Wipes Foxes and Apple Trees Print
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[Shooby]

  I don't can anything.  That is a big thing around here but just not something my mother did so i never really got into that.   

[whoisjohngalt]

Dec 11, 2016 16:23:44 GMT -5 gooddecisions said:

Dec 11, 2016 13:35:55 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Oh how I wish I could stop buying napkins and PT.  But my kids are pigs and we are home all day and the messes they create.....I will either be doing laundry 10 times/day or clogging our pipes with all the stuff that I need to clean.

Kleenex did not exist where I am from and my Dad used TONS of handkerchiefs.  My mom washed them weekly, by boiling them in hot water and baking soda.  Same for diapers and towels and other "paper" products.

I just looked at our 2016 numbers - I spent $153 on paper towels.  I don't know if I would have saved a lot of money using cloth and doing 10x  more laundry....

If you want to explore the option, I use 7"x7" two sided flannel squares. I have a hanging wet bag on my oven door they go in. Anytime I do a load of laundry, I throw them in. They are so small that it doesn't add any laundry to my routine. You can either make them yourself or find them on etsy. These things clean up spills, fingers and noses so much better than paper towels and they are much smaller and simpler than a normal dinner napkin. Plus, when we're outside, they don't fly away in the wind. I keep a stack of them on my kitchen table, kitchen counter, by the doors and in the car. Convenience is everything.

Did you make them yourself?  I just looked on etsy and they are selling for over $1/piece

Also, how many do you think you have, in total?  I'll probably need to triple that number

[phil5185]

Also, how many do you think you have, in total? I'll probably need to triple that number

We have king-sized flannel sheets (with little moose, bears, pine trees).  If we 'repurposed' a sheet we would have bejillions of 7" x 7" squares.  If we didn't hem them, what happens, do they just wear out sooner?

[mamasita99]

Dec 11, 2016 17:33:12 GMT -5 phil5185 said:

Also, how many do you think you have, in total? I'll probably need to triple that number

We have king-sized flannel sheets (with little moose, bears, pine trees).  If we 'repurposed' a sheet we would have bejillions of 7" x 7" squares.  If we didn't hem them, what happens, do they just wear out sooner?

If you don't want to hem them, they would probably be fine, just look a little more worn. I cut worn out t-shirts into squares for cleaning cloths, to cut down on the paper towels and napkins I use for clean ups. They are great, no fraying or anything.  I keep a large container behind our dish rack fro the used cleaning cloths, and toss them into the wash on towel day.

I bet flannel sheets would be even better, I will have to give this a try.

[Deleted]

Dec 11, 2016 10:21:17 GMT -5 Lizard Queen said:

Dec 11, 2016 9:39:29 GMT -5 ilovedolphins said:

The past few weeks I have been thinking more about making homemade products.  My laundry soap is about empty and I cringe to think of paying the high prices at our store when I could make some for about 5 cents a load.  I am also looking into making cleaning products.

Toilet paper and kleenex are two items that I just hate to buy.  I use a lot of kleenex so I thought I could always try handkerchiefs.  I bought a pack of double roll toilet paper 12 count the other day for almost $11 and it is half gone.  But that is an item that is a necessity.

I am going to look into making lotions and soap.  I don't know if I could do the homemade deodarant but I could always try it for the days I stay home.  I don't know how effective it would be working out at the gym and getting really sweaty.

I wanted to try making dog food.  I have already made dog snacks.  And I try to cook as many meals from scratch that I can and have time for.

What have you tried making that you think works out well to save money on?

Good topic.  I don't make any homemade products, but I should.  I was just thinking the other day what a racket those packs of taco seasoning are:   $1 for a little bit of spices to use once.  I'm going to look into making my own.

As to the bolded part--damn!  My DH just bought some 12ct double rolls for $4.49!  Granted, that was a great price, but still.  His guideline is $0.40/roll in a good sale.  Can't always find it quite so cheap, but when you do, stock up!

You can also buy a container of taco seasonings . . . it's a little fatter and a little taller than a disposable shaker.  This makes dozens of taco dinners and is maybe $4 at most without a coupon.  We are talking about a national brand although I forget which one.  I also buy my Zaterain's like that for red beans and rice, etc.

[Deleted]

Dec 11, 2016 13:35:55 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Oh how I wish I could stop buying napkins and PT.  But my kids are pigs and we are home all day and the messes they create.....I will either be doing laundry 10 times/day or clogging our pipes with all the stuff that I need to clean.

Kleenex did not exist where I am from and my Dad used TONS of handkerchiefs.  My mom washed them weekly, by boiling them in hot water and baking soda.  Same for diapers and towels and other "paper" products.

I just looked at our 2016 numbers - I spent $153 on paper towels.  I don't know if I would have saved a lot of money using cloth and doing 10x  more laundry....

We use kitchen towels a lot.  I have tons of them so I put a fresh one out every day for my husband to dry his hands on and a fresh one to dry stuff with.  I hang them on a peg in the laundry area to dry out when I change them and then toss them the next day in the laundry basket.  I do them every week with the bath towels.  There are only two of us, and we hang our towels up to dry each time we use them.  So there is plenty of room for the other stuff.

We also cut paper towels in half.  Some of the brands come already perforated for half-sizes, and I buy those whenever possible at Costco.  But sometimes we end up with the others.  DH will tear off a stack and cut them in half for me.  I do like a fresh piece of paper towel to wash out the dishes with instead of a dish cloth or sponge.  Those get too wet to dry out quickly so they can breed bacteria.  

I like cloth napkins, but I don't use them.  I am not sure why.  It's not the laundry aspect.  Maybe they stained too easily or something.

[gooddecisions]

Dec 11, 2016 17:02:15 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Dec 11, 2016 16:23:44 GMT -5 gooddecisions said:

If you want to explore the option, I use 7"x7" two sided flannel squares. I have a hanging wet bag on my oven door they go in. Anytime I do a load of laundry, I throw them in. They are so small that it doesn't add any laundry to my routine. You can either make them yourself or find them on etsy. These things clean up spills, fingers and noses so much better than paper towels and they are much smaller and simpler than a normal dinner napkin. Plus, when we're outside, they don't fly away in the wind. I keep a stack of them on my kitchen table, kitchen counter, by the doors and in the car. Convenience is everything.

Did you make them yourself?  I just looked on etsy and they are selling for over $1/piece

Also, how many do you think you have, in total?  I'll probably need to triple that number

I have at least 60 and I never run out because I do a load of laundry every other day. If you don't have a sewing machine, a hand-held serger will do the trick nicely. Double-sided makes a huge difference. I wouldn't recommend cutting up a blanket without serging two squares together. It will be too flimsy and you won't want to use them. They should be sturdy and soft. I mention etsy because I don't think I've seen this style of cloth napkins/wipes sold anywhere else and they are so much easier than large dinner napkins, rags, dish towels or wash cloths. I like mine to look decent and uniform enough for company to use. So, a big stack of stained and dingy rags just won't do. 

[steff]

Dec 11, 2016 15:18:05 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I cannot buy canned soup. I look at the can, and the price, and every soup imaginable - you can make 1/2 to a gallon for the cost of the can. So - I started down the soup path about 20 years ago, and now I make soup so good the cans would be inferior on every level.

I cab buy brand name chicken noodle soup, it costs me a buck or two.
When I make it from scratch. I have to buy chicken legs, carrots, celery, parsley. dill, parsnips, etc., so it's not really cheaper.
Better, but not cheaper.

I wish there was a way to store fresh parsley, dill and coriander. I throw so much away because the bunches are so big.. I tried freezing it, but it it's slimy and nasty.

It won't work for wanting "fresh" herbs, but you can chop up herbs & freeze them in cubes of stock. 

[dee27]

Great idea, Steff. Her suggestion for freezing herbs works well in stews and soups.

Weltz, I cut the end of the parsley with a sharp knife and store the bunch in a glass of water in the fridge. I change the water every other day and it will last a week to ten days refrigerated. Dill is so delicate that this method will not work, but it should be okay for coriander.

[Regis]

I make beer to save money - at least that's what I tell my wife.

I make her hard cider so she doesn't ask any questions about my brewing costs.

[Deleted]

I'm going to sound like a broken record with the Sam's Club recommendations, but for cleaning rags, they have 36 packs of 16"x16" microfiber towels for $15.  I got several packs all in different colors and each color is for a different purpose.  Trumps are for the kitchen, the blue for the bathrooms and green I keep in the garage for outside stuff like cleaning the cars.

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Dec 11, 2016 15:28:23 GMT -5 nlt said:

Rukh-
If you have your GF bread recipe handy, would you post it? The last time I tried to make a GF recipe in my bread machine it was a disaster! It takes ALOT of experimenting with GF to get things edible sometimes 😀
thanks!

May depend on machine, but....

Into container, 1.5 cups water, splash apple cider vinegar, 3 -4 Tsp margarine

Mix in bowl 2.5 cups flour - bobs red mill gf flour works pretty good, 2-3Tsp zantham gum, 2tsp salt, ~3 Tsp brown sugar. Mix well and pour over the liquid stuff on the container.

Put 2.25 tsp yeast on top, and start.

My machine goes to warm after baking, and I leave it in for 30 ish or it can have a bit of uncooked at the bottom.

[whoisjohngalt]

Dec 11, 2016 20:09:24 GMT -5 gooddecisions said:

Dec 11, 2016 17:02:15 GMT -5 whoisjohngalt said:

Did you make them yourself?  I just looked on etsy and they are selling for over $1/piece

Also, how many do you think you have, in total?  I'll probably need to triple that number

I have at least 60 and I never run out because I do a load of laundry every other day. If you don't have a sewing machine, a hand-held serger will do the trick nicely. Double-sided makes a huge difference. I wouldn't recommend cutting up a blanket without serging two squares together. It will be too flimsy and you won't want to use them. They should be sturdy and soft. I mention etsy because I don't think I've seen this style of cloth napkins/wipes sold anywhere else and they are so much easier than large dinner napkins, rags, dish towels or wash cloths. I like mine to look decent and uniform enough for company to use. So, a big stack of stained and dingy rags just won't do. 

Sewing anything myself is COMPLETELY out of the question so thanks for Etsy idea.

Today I cleaned a massive amount of ketchup from the table. Paint from the same table. Glue from a different table. In the last few days there were glitter incidents and playdoh leftovers. My guess is that I will always use some type of paper clean up products (Bounty is great and strong) but I really wouldn't mind to decrease that as much as possible.

[tcu2003]

Dec 11, 2016 12:51:01 GMT -5 thyme4change said:

I read a really interesting article about homemade laundry soap and how bad it is - for your clothes and your washing machine. I don't know if it was true, but gave what seemed like a technical breakdown of chemicals. You might want to look into it before you commit to more homemade laundry detergent.

I read a similar article...of course it was after I'd already made homemade laundry detergent. I am in the process of finishing up what I'd made, but probably will not do it again.

We also don't use fabric softener. I have wool dryer balls, and they are amazing.

[tcu2003]

I think this is the article I read on why you shouldn't use homemade laundry soap:

butterbeliever.com/homemade-laundry-detergent-soap-diy/

[tcu2003]

I also generally make my own seasoning mixes. We eat tacos fairly frequently, so Mix up a big batch and store it in a jar. I already had every spice needed for that one.

We also use cloth napkins, "unpaper" towels instead of paper towels, and old socks/towels/shirts/etc for cleaning rags. I also keep a set of baby washcloths in the kitchen specifically for cleaning hands and faces of the kiddos instead of using paper towels. We do still use paper towels for things like putting freshly cooked bacon or Chex mix on, or cleaning up cat puke, but that's about it, so we go through maybe 3 rolls per year. Similar to a previous poster, I keep a wet bag on the oven and put in dishcloths, cloth napkins, etc as they get dirty, and just throw them in with the regular laundry.

[tcu2003]

I also make most of my own cleaners. I have granite cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, window cleaner, and hardwood floor cleaner.

[weltschmerz]

Dec 11, 2016 21:10:40 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

I'm going to sound like a broken record with the Sam's Club recommendations, but for cleaning rags, they have 36 packs of 16"x16" microfiber towels for $15.  I got several packs all in different colors and each color is for a different purpose.  Trumps are for the kitchen, the blue for the bathrooms and green I keep in the garage for outside stuff like cleaning the cars.

I'm not a fan of microfiber. I don't find it absorbent.

[weltschmerz]

Dec 11, 2016 20:35:00 GMT -5 dee27 said:

Great idea, Steff. Her suggestion for freezing herbs works well in stews and soups.

Weltz, I cut the end of the parsley with a sharp knife and store the bunch in a glass of water in the fridge. I change the water every other day and it will last a week to ten days refrigerated. Dill is so delicate that this method will not work, but it should be okay for coriander.

Thanks. I'll have to try that.
I tried growing dill, so I can snip off however much I need at a time. It's really hard to grow.
I'm good with parsley, chives, rosemary, etc., but absolutely no luck with dill, no matter what I do.
I'm Russian. We eat a lot of dill.
It's the law!

[Shooby]

Dec 12, 2016 0:17:36 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

Dec 11, 2016 21:10:40 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

I'm going to sound like a broken record with the Sam's Club recommendations, but for cleaning rags, they have 36 packs of 16"x16" microfiber towels for $15.  I got several packs all in different colors and each color is for a different purpose.  Trumps are for the kitchen, the blue for the bathrooms and green I keep in the garage for outside stuff like cleaning the cars.

I'm not a fan of microfiber. I don't find it absorbent.

Whaddya know Welts?  We agree.  I hate microfiber.  It smears and it doesn't seem to pick up water at all so i don't get what the big thrill is about it.

[Deleted]

Dec 12, 2016 7:31:45 GMT -5 Shooby said:

Dec 12, 2016 0:17:36 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I'm not a fan of microfiber. I don't find it absorbent.

Whaddya know Welts?  We agree.  I hate microfiber.  It smears and it doesn't seem to pick up water at all so i don't get what the big thrill is about it.

I dunno.  These seem to work great. 

[Rukh O'Rorke]

Dec 12, 2016 7:31:45 GMT -5 Shooby said:

Dec 12, 2016 0:17:36 GMT -5 weltschmerz said:

I'm not a fan of microfiber. I don't find it absorbent.

Whaddya know Welts?  We agree.  I hate microfiber.  It smears and it doesn't seem to pick up water at all so i don't get what the big thrill is about it.

[saveinla]

Dec 11, 2016 22:24:21 GMT -5 tcu2003 said:

I also make most of my own cleaners. I have granite cleaner, toilet bowl cleaner, window cleaner, and hardwood floor cleaner.

tcu - methods  or links please - I need a safe granite cleaner. Will it also work for other stones?

[Tiny]

I don't worry too much about laundry detergent/TP/Paper Towels/Cleaning products - I buy in bulk on sale and with a coupon as much as is possible. I figure .20 a load of laundry is OK as long as I'm not buying detergent at top dollar or having to make extra/special runs to the store for it because I ran out. same goes for TP/Paper towels.

I try to use up whatever lotions/cosmetics/personal products I have before buying more.   Same goes with cleaning products. 

I no long have dozens of  bottles/containers of 1/2 used productions.     I also cut back on the number of cleaning products.  I don't use 'speciality' products -like one thing to clean my fridge, another to clean counters, another to wipe out the microwave, etc (I have no idea if they have those individual products - but it sure seems like it.)   I dilute whatever cleaner I have (Mr. Clean? Spic and span? whatever I bought and am using) for most cleaning projects.  I also use dawn detergent - a drop or two in two/three cups of water makes for a good general purpose cleaner.  I also use vinegar and water.  (and baking soda and water).

I've made peace with what "convenience stuff that makes my life better" products that I buy and use.   I try NOT  buy 'new products'  that  Marketing People tell me I need to make life complete.   I generally don't try new products that are for something I'm NOT already buying/making a product. 

 

 

[Cookies Galore]

I can't really think of products that I regularly make myself, but I do most of my cleaning with vinegar and water, especially the hardwood floors! I don't make my own taco seasoning so much as put cumin, chili powder, etc, into whatever I am making that calls for those spices. I have an entire section of cabinet dedicated to my spice collection.
Oh, I guess I do make my own vinaigrettes. All you need is red/white/champagne/etc vinegars, olive oil, and whatever else is called for and you're good to go!

I used to use store brand paper towels. I switched to Viva a while ago and I feel like I am using less paper towels. I guess better quality means less likely to grab two towels at a time. I'd rather buy more PT than do more laundry.

[Tiny]

I found I save money by not 'making more trash' which generally occurs when I start buying a lot of stuff I don't really need -OR- one time use stuff for things I do over and over again. So no paper plates/plastic wear in my house.

I also found I save money by making things from scratch. I make my own salad dressings/marinades these days. I tend to bake from scratch. I also don't buy box mixes of rice or boxed potatoes.   I grow and dry my own rosemary and thyme and sage and parsley   I also freeze some produce during the summer. If I've gotten a bumper crop of parsley I'll prep it and freeze it (I use it in stuffing at the holidays and when I make turkey/chicken soup).    

I tend to make my own 'spice mixes' as well.   

I found I save money just by NOT going to the grocery so often - and using what I have at home. 

  

[Tiny]

I like the Paper Towels that have "smaller Size" sheets - or the "choose your size" - those rolls last me a lot longer than when I have to tear off a full sized 'towel' for every use.   I also have a lot of kitchen dish towels that get used and washed weekly.