I wanted to do a little poll with my readers…what things do you make at home that you would say the “average” American purchases from the store? I’m interested in hearing your answers because there may be other “easy” things that I’m missing out on and could try doing at home!! Whether it is to save money or to get rid of chemicals in your home…homemade is always better right? 🙂
Here is my list of homemade items!
~ Bread, with freshly ground whole wheat, too
~ Granola
~ Dishwasher detergent (2T baking soda in detergent compartment, 1 cup – or more – vinegar in bottom of dishwasher)
~ Mopping solution, floor cleaner (1/3 vinegar, 1/3 water, 1/3 alcohol, few drops dishsoap)
~ Standard cleaner (vinegar and water)
~ Baked goods, any and all (muffins, pancakes, waffles, quick breads, cookies)
~ Smoothies, slushes
~ popsicles
~ when my kids were babies I made their babyfood and their baby wipes (sigh…my kids are getting so big!) 🙁
What about you? What are your favorite homemade goodies and recipes? Please share!
Candace,
I make many things from scratch and I am always looking for more ideas! Here is my list:
bread, muffins, most baked goods.
I recently made my own granola bars which were a hit.
window cleaner
foaming hand soap
spray hair gel
granola
popsicles, smoothies
my own swiffers~really just rags cut up to the size of my swiffer that I can use wet or dry. When they are dirty I throw them in the wash
cinnamon buns~think cinnabon
Things I want to try:
my own wantons
tortillas
english muffins
I know there are more, but my brain is tired right now! 🙂
Hi Candace….it’s me (ivy) Michele from FIAR… here’s my list:
fabric softener
glass cleaner
soft scrub (baking soda, vinegar, dish soap)
bird seed (yes, the actual seed)
jam
peasant bread
air freshener
freezing all of our garden vegetables
furniture polish
all purpose cleaner
taco seasoning
tea mix
(go to budget 101.com) they have bazillions of homemade mixes you can make ahead of time and store!
chemical free garden spray for deer and insects
made my own trellis for peas
If you go to Heinz.com and Arm & Hammer.com, you can print out coupons for soda and vinegar… find a store that doubles and save even more.
gift tags
cards
My latest project? I found a sweet yellow-gingham pillow case for .80 cents at Goodwill, washed it, pressed it and am making little draw string bags for lunches on the road, picnics and lunch at our homeschool co-op.
I save the big wad of napkins you get at drive up windows and use them in place of paper towels.
Great post! I’ll be watching and hoping for other ideas!
Michele/ivy
smile, wink, nod.
We make laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, all purpose cleaner, granola (occasionally), and sometimes bread in the bread maker.
bread, baked goods, laundry detergent, normally cook dried beans instead of buying canned beans, hot cocoa mix, chai tea mix, and…
baby wipes and baby food when the boys were little
Okay, I feel very undomestic right now. 😉
I often cook from scratch, and I have been known to make granola, bread, etc., but not always. I also used to make my own laundry detergent, but I don’t do that any more.
🙂
Well you know we are kinda displaced but once we are back in a larger place I make…
Bread
crackers
ranch dressing mix
baking mix (think bisquick)
all baked goods
I want to try,
choc. syrup
laundry soap
cleaning products
corn and flour tortillas