Note: Scroll down to skip to recipes & links for my favorite natural products
We strive to live simply, naturally, and healthy. Part of this includes avoiding some commercial products with chemicals and other ingredients that may not be best for us. While I don’t do homemade “everything,” I do use a few homemade recipes that fit our family well. In deciding whether to take on the responsibility of making something myself, I consider four things:
- Is it easy? I’m a busy mom. Maybe you are, too. I don’t think such a thing exists as a NON-busy mom. I also have a large family and we go through household and personal care items faster than most. If we are running out of something, I’m willing to make more if I can prepare it in a few minutes. If it’s an hour-long process, it’s just not going to happen.
- Is it frugal? My husband’s a busy man. He is the provider for our family, and I don’t want to spend massive amounts of his hard-earned dollars on expensive ingredients. I’m willing to make something if it’s affordable.
- Is it convenient? I’m willing to make something if the ingredients are generally on-hand. If I have to special-order an item or make a special trip to the health food store for some unusual ingredient, it’s probably not going to happen. To be clear, we have changed our shopping habits to some extent, but I don’t consider this an inconvenience. For example, instead of buying deodorant, moisturizers, and diaper cream, I buy a gallon of coconut oil so it’s always on hand. Instead of floor cleaners, all-purpose cleaners, and handsoap, I buy a gallon of liquid castile soap, which will last us for years. Both of these items were previously not kept in our home, but now they are always on-hand and convenient.
- Do we like it? If the recipe is ineffective or unpleasant to use , it doesn’t matter how easy or inexpensive it is; it’s a waste of time and money. I’m willing to make something only if it gives great results.
All of the recipes listed below fit those four qualifications: easy, frugal, convenient, and great-quality.
- Deodorant
- Diaper Cream
- Moisturizer
- Hand Soap
- Body Wash
- Baby Shampoo and Baby Wash
- Lip Balm
- All-Purpose Cleaner
- Floor Cleaner
- Window Cleaner
- Dishwasher Detergent
- Liquid Laundry Detergent
The following are links to my favorite green, inexpensive, great quality products that are not homemade:
Baking soda on a wet toothbrush is great for brushing teeth. For adults and those who won’t swallow, wetting the toothbrush with hydrogen peroxide is excellent! And it’s extremely budget conscience. (:
Thank you, Alisha. :-)
I meant wetting the brush with hydrogen peroxide and adding baking soda for those who won’t swallow.