I thought I needed specific store-bought products until years of being broke forced me to find affordable DIY alternatives.
I learned to forgo some items all together.
Deodorant
I didnt waste money on deodorant for years because I didnt need it.
Dissolve table salt into a glass of water for a mouthwash replacement. Tina Russell/The Penny Hoarder
Why buy something I didnt need?
I did need it eventually and found an inexpensive natural alternative that blew my mind.
Probably not as good as youd like.
It always seems like an uphill battle to build (and keep) a decent amount in savings.
But what if your car breaks down, or you have a sudden medical bill?
Dice up the lemon into wedges and rub the juice side of the wedge on your armpit.
Get the whole area wet.
One wedge should work for both sides.
you’re able to use fresh or overripe lemons.
Experiment to find what size works for you.
They will not stop you from sweating because theyre not antiperspirant.
Pro tip:Do not apply after a fresh shave, ladies.
Its painful and might cause irritation.
Did you know?
Try Crystal brand mineral deodorant.
One stone costs around $3 and can last for a year.
Mix table salt with warm water and you have the cheapest mouthwash around.
Or try apple cider vinegar, a common homemade mouthwash before over-the-counter mouthwashes became popular.
Use two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar and one cup of filtered water.
Another solution is right in your medicine cabinet for a fraction of the cost: hydrogen peroxide.
Look closely at the bottle, which says, oral debriding agent right on the front.
This means it is safe to put in your mouth as an oral wound cleanser.
On the back, youll find debriding instructions.
You basically dilute with water and swish for a minute.
You should use the water and peroxide mixture immediately, and dont save any leftover solution.
It helps reduce inflammation in the mouth and keep bleeding from gum disease down between visits, she says.
The burning or bubbling sensation means its working to calm inflammation.
Swishing with peroxide will yield similar results as expensive mouthwash, but it wont taste great.
I like to use essential oils, like peppermint, cinnamon bark and clove in water, she said.
Try mixing peroxide with baking soda for your ownwhitening pasteand skip buying whitening strips while youre at it.
Shaving Cream
I stopped using shaving cream years ago.
I simplysub in bar soap or hair conditioner.
Most of us have a nearly empty bottle of conditioner occupying precious shower real estate.
Use up that sad vessel next time you shave.
Youll wonder why you bought shaving cream all these years.
Conditioner and bar soap arent ideal for facial shaves, so try substitutes like shave soap or aloe vera.
One $3 bar of shave soap can last more than six months.
For aloe vera, apply directly from the plant to your face, or use an affordable gel.
It works great as an aftershave, too.
Its anti-inflammatory properties reduce razor burn and irritation.
I have a garden full of the stuff, so its a freebie for me.
Cleaning Rags
It took years before I figured out that I didnt need to buy cleaning rags.
(Dont be mad at yourself for not realizing this sooner.)
Use old undershirts, leftover fabric and any clothes unfit for donation.
Tear or cut them careful to remove any buttons into pieces.
They last longer that way, and youll have an endless supply to fit your cleaning needs.
Toss them in the wash and reuse until they reach retirement age.
As for that orphaned sock, put your hand inside and use it to remove dust.
Paper Towels
This one is really hard to quit.
My usage greatly decreased when I invested $12 in a set of 12 cloth napkins.
I use one multiple times before washing (unless Im extra messy) and always have extra for guests.
Youll be surprised at how little you need paper towels.
Jojoba, olive and coconut oil remove makeup.
These one-ingredient wonders last for months, have a multitude of uses and take up little space.
You might even have one of them in your home already.
Most oils do the trick, so try something that works best for you.
Bathtub Cleaner
I have tried so many bathroom cleaners.
None of them quite works right.
Once I tried to strong-arm tub stains by combining all the cleaners I had.
That dangerous concoction was a terribly unsafe idea that didnt work, either.
Did you know thatyou can use a grapefruit or lemon juice to clean your bathtub?
Get your tub wet.
Cut a grapefruit in half and sprinkle salt on the exposed part.
Use this technique on sinks and faucets.
Lemon juice with a scrub brush yields a similar result.
Dryer sheets
Dryer sheets are a common laundry additive that you just dont need.
Theyre a single-use product far fromwaste-free, and full of chemicals.
I stopped using them years ago and dont miss em one bit.
If you dont need them, dont use em.
Theyre good for thousands of uses, reduce static cling and wrinkles and speed up drying time.
Not to mention theyre cheap, nontoxic and chemical-free.
WD-40
You know what you have in your home and works just like WD-40?
Yup,I use cooking spray anywhere I would WD-40.
It greases sticky locks and creaky doors and unsticks gum.
Fabric Softener
Remember when we talked about that nearly empty conditioner bottle earlier?
If you dont want use it to shave, consider repurposing it as a fabric softener.
Stain Remover
Not all stains are created equal.
Removing them is an art form unless you have blue Dawn dish soap.
Thats the secret ingredient in most DIY stain removers.
Most DIY recipes have a variation of peroxide, baking soda and water.
How excited are you to try all this home?
Stephanie Bolling is a staff writer at The Penny Hoarder.
She may have reached granola status.Read herfull bio hereor say hi On Twitter@StephBolling.
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