What are some things you make instead of buy?

[jaynorth]

Re: What are some things you make instead of buy?

I have lots of things which i can do like Pet food, coffee creamer, dishwasher soap, dry shampoo, Hair rinse and Herbal Tea Bags etc.

[rob62521]

Like many who already posted, I do a lot of food from scratch. I use leftover stuff to make broth. For example, I trim the fat and gristle from chicken and use that with vegetables that I have on hand or have cut from with some herbs (grown at home and either fresh or I dried them) and spices and water. I freeze it in small containers and can use whatever I need.

If you don't have a bread machine and like homemade bread, look up a recipe for No Knead Bread. Unlike the recipe, I put the stuff in a bowl and let it rise, then put it in a greased Dutch oven and let it rise again. I switch it out by adding herbs and different flours. I might add a little more water if I use a lot of whole wheat flour, but it is an economical way to make artisan bread.

[George707]

Furiture

I have always made a lot of my own furniture.

this not as an expert carpenter, but as a man who can do the basics.

My wardrobe is an old broom handle and curtain. My desk is make from a cabinet and old tabletop I found on the street. My kitchen cabinet is a self- build.

So ok, if you want perfection this might not be the route for you. But my flat has character ;-) and the money savings at the time when I moved in were immense.

[wjcalderon]

Swiffer sweeper refills

I make washable and re-usable refills for my Swiffer sweeper. It's super simple.

Buy 1/4 yard of soft fleece at your local fabric store or WalMart or wherever you can find it. Check the clearance section for the ugly stuff that didn't sell! These don't need to be pretty unless you want them to be.
Using a Swiffer refill sheet as a pattern, cut out rectangles - you should be able to get 5 rectangles from this amount of fabric.
If you don't have any more refills available to use as a pattern, cut out 10.5x8 inch rectangles.
Use just like the expensive, disposable refills.

EXCEPT:
1. They are softer and pick up more dust and dirt than the originals.
2. When one side is dirty, you can flip it over and use the other side.
3. When both sides are dirty, throw them in the washer, then the dryer.

Now I just need to figure out a homemade refill for the Swiffer dusters!

[lost]

I make it all. Clothing,cleaning solutions, laundry soap, noodles, swifter pads and solution, cake, breads, pies, sauces, canned fruits and veggies, pizza and speg sauces, syrup, pillowcases, curtains, doll clothes and a few dolls and stuffed animals, candles, candy, air freshners, window cleaner, herbs (I grown and dry my own), kids coloring sheets, toddler toys, wooden blocks, solar hot water heater for camping.....thats a few I can think of.

[maryadavies]

Me, at this point it's dishcloths (I handknit those) and floor mop with vinegar.

I'd proly make more cleaners if I didn't live communally with some of my siblings.

[dogcat200]

furniture!

[couponkingpeter]

I make my own soap
scented candles
carpet cleaner
dog food
skin care products

[wenice]

I love to make curtains and other home decors. The more personalized they are, the more attractive they are for me. I also sew some clothes that I can use at home. It can really save me a lot! Making my own rugs can also free me from additional expenses.

[28andlearning]

Make my own soap, dish detergent, washing machine detergent, deodorant, kombucha, practically everything I eat I make from scratch or have killed myself. (I live in Alaska). I still buy my clothes from the store as they can make them cheaper than I can get materials for. But anything and everything I can to save cash. You would be suprised how much savings laundry detergent, soap, etc saves me. I also make my own cold medicine, allergy meds etc.

Lots of natural remedies and they are better for you.

[Miz Pat]

Stuff I make instead of buy

I make soap in a silicone mold with glycerine and henna - no skin residue and very gentle on my skin

I make taco seasonings from a receipe from the Tightwad Gazette

I make a comfrey tincture from cheap vodka and comfrey root that I use as a rub on painful or inflamed muscle (not for internal use). I learned how to do it when I was doing swedish massage.

I cook a lot of things from scratch and I use a bread machine.