5 MORE Things You Should Make (Not Buy)

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5 MORE Things You Should Make (Not Buy): BrownThumbMama.com

“Why make something when you can buy it?” My husband asks every time I start another “wacky project” in the kitchen.

There are lots of good reasons! Making my own stuff helps us avoid harmful chemicals, saves time and money, plus I like experimenting to see what I can do.

Read the original list of 5 Things You Should Be Making (Not Buying) here.

Vanilla Extract
We go through lots of vanilla since we make our own granola bars–and homemade vanilla is one-fourth the price of store-bought. Score!

5 MORE Things You Should Make (Not Buy): BrownThumbMama.com

Odor Eliminator Spray
I keep a bottle in Little Peanut’s room and one in the bathroom. No dangers from hazardous chemicals, and you can mix your own scents or leave it unscented.

5 MORE Things You Should Make (Not Buy): BrownThumbMama.com

Soft Pretzels
Don’t panic! If you can make cookies, you can make these. Add some shredded cheddar cheese to the dough for extra yum.

5 MORE Things You Should Make (Not Buy): BrownThumbMama.com

 

Hand Sanitizer
Reduce your family’s sniffling, sneezing, coughing and aching with a simple, natural hand sanitizer that doesn’t contain alcohol.

5 MORE Things You Should Make (Not Buy): BrownThumbMama.com

Insect Repellent
If you’re worried about spraying DEET or other chemicals on your kids, mix up a batch of this natural bug spray. A friend told me it kept the rabid Seattle mosquitos away from her son at Scout camp!

5 MORE Things You Should Make (Not Buy): BrownThumbMama.com

 What do you make (and not buy)? Share with us in the comments!

Hi, Im Pam!

I created Brown Thumb Mama to share my natural living journey, and help you live a greener life. Thanks for being here!

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40 thoughts on -5 MORE Things You Should Make (Not Buy)-

  1. Great ideas.
    However I am a believer in supporting others in what they are good at. That means paying them to do something. Self sufficiency is not really the answer. I could be if I wanted to, but then I would spend the whole time providing for myself and the family. That is all very well, but you see, I am an artist – composer, teacher, sculptor, toy maker, instrument maker…. Looking after myself is ok, but doing things for others gives me more satisfaction in the long run…

  2. I really like your site, just found you today. In the past I enjoyed making and gifting essential oils, herb flavored vinegar and cooking oils. Also, I made many innovative herb jellies, for cooking or just spread on your favorite cracker. Anyways, thank you for allowing the access all the wonderful ideas you share.

  3. I make my own peanut butter. Its so easy to make and it tastes way better than the store bought stuff. I use honey roasted peanuts because we always used to buy honey peanut butter. It takes about 4 cups of peanuts to make 1 pint. Put peanuts into food processes and turn it on high. Once you get to the clumpy stage add some peanut oil. I drizzle it in until the peanut butter gets to the right consistency. Add the oil slowly a little at a time so your peanut bitter doesn’t get too thin. I have also made cashew butter and almond butter both of which came out great!

  4. I make spray cleaners. One amonia based, one bleach based. Fill 1/4 of tge container with amonia or bleach, squirt in som dish soap, fill with water. Much less spent the if you bought Fantastic or some other spray cleaner!

  5. I no longer use any type of glass cleaner. I just use microfiber towels and hot water- dunk it, wring it out, and clean even the dirtiest outside windows!
    I do make my own powdered laundry detergent, but I don’t add the Fels Naptha to it. I use that to pre-treat stains.
    I love this blog!

  6. Avatar photo
    P J Kielberg-McClenahan

    Instead of using vodka, why not use Rum? I like Sailor Jerry’s. It is made from sugar cane, and tastes one whole lot better than nasty vodka. I also use a high-end Bourbon for my home-made vanilla. Tastes like pure ambrosia. I promise.

  7. i make my own mayonnaise! some salad dressings ans seasonings.
    im slowly but surely making my way to making all our condiments.

  8. I make bread(gluten freefor my oldest & gluten filled for my hubby) so much cheaper! I also refuse to buy cookie dough, cake mix or biscuits. I like knowing what’s in the food my family eats!

  9. I make my own Laundry soap. Saves TONS of money and works just as well as the store-bought stuff. 1 bar of soap (WITHOUT lotion!!), 1 cup of Borax and 1 cup Washing Soda. Grate the soap and mix well. I use 4 TBSP per load, but I have an extra-capacity washer. The recipe actually says to use 1-3 Tablespoons. You can also add 1 cup each Baking Soda and/or Oxyclean. And it’s safe for ALL washers! (No suds!)

  10. I home brew my own kombucha. It was insanely easy to grow my own SCOBY from scratch. Now I can make a gallon of kombucha for the cost of 6 teabags and a cup of sugar; store-bought runs about $4/16 oz. here. I have arthritis and go through kombucha like crazy, so this is a huge savings for me!

  11. I make soft pretzels but they come out looking like awareness ribbons because I can make the pretzel shape. I make “paper towels” by cutting and hemming old bath towels to paper towel size.

  12. I love to make things instead of buying them, so take heart, you are not alone. I make almost everything from scratch, but I like to focus on not wasting anything and repurposing things. I like to make convenience foods from scratch, like graham crackers, granola bars, cereal ~ things like that. I found you through Small Footprint Friday. Now I’m off to check out the rest of your blog ~April@ 5kidsonanacre.blogspot.com

  13. I LOVE IT! I have recently began making all of my own cleaning supplies and bread! This weekend…It maybe whole wheat pretzels!!! Thank you for the recipe! I found you through the Small Footprint Friday blog hop! I am hosting one today and Monday at my site http://www.frugalfitfamily.com – hop over and link in if you get a chance! i can’t wait to spend more time on your site!

  14. Hi, I’m Anne from Life on the Funny Farm (http://annesfunnyfarm.blogspot.com), and I’m visiting from the Farmgirl Friday Blog Hop.

    These are some great ideas! I like making things from scratch, too. This post has given me some good ideas for new things to try!

    Anyway, thanks for posting this. If you ever get a chance, stop over to my blog to say hi! Have a great day…