Ditch the Store—What’s Your Favorite DIY Swap?

[SS Project Manager]

There’s something incredibly satisfying about making your own version of something you'd normally buy at the store. Whether it’s homemade laundry detergent, DIY toothpaste, natural cleaners, or your own herbal remedies, creating these alternatives saves money, reduces waste, and puts you in control of the ingredients.

So let’s swap ideas! What’s your favorite homemade alternative to a store-bought product? What works like a charm, surprised you the most, or has become a must-have in your routine? Share your recipes, wins, and even flops—we’re all here to learn!

 

[CrealCritter]

Crickets

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Speaking of crickets...

I did try to raise my own crickets for fish bait. I purchased some at my local pet store and set them up a little habitat. They lasted about 6 weeks, but eventually died off. Guess I can't ditch the store when I want to fish with crickets.

However, the tub o' worms is still working well.

 

[flowerbug]

since most lip balms are not compatible with me i had to make my own by using vaseline and vanilla extract. takes a bit of mixing to get it blended enough but it is better than plain vaseline... i don't need it very often but on windy dry days it helps. also helps a lot to make sure to drink enough water.

for deoderant i spray on some apple cider vinegar and then put a dab of aloe vera gel on and spread it all around together. it lasts two or three days and i don't get any rashes or get itchy. with commercial deoderants by the end of the day i smelled worse than when i started and often would develop a rash - same with the mineral stick (i think is alum, but not sure).

for foot fungus tea tree oil as a preventative after every shower, just about half a drop per foot is enough between the problem last two toes (i use the tweezers to get just a bit of the oil and then spread it around between the toes) and if i trim nails on the feet a few more dabs around the nails trimmed. if the fungus is really bad clean feet well and then use full strength bleach on them a few times and that usually knocks it back enough then where the tea tree oil will do the rest. change socks and keep feet as dry as possible. i hate going barefoot though so it's just making sure i don't go around in damp socks too much.