Looking to save money and reduce your plastic waste? DIYing your own household and beauty products is one of the most satisfying ways to be both savvy and sustainable. You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine overnight—starting small with a few go-to recipes can make a big difference. Plus, most DIYs use ingredients you probably already have at home.
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Here are some beginner-friendly recipes and tips to get you started:
🧼 1. All-Purpose Cleaner
What you need:
- 1 part white vinegar
- 1 part water
- A few drops of essential oil (lemon, lavender, or tea tree)
How to use:
Combine in a glass spray bottle and shake. Great for countertops, sinks, and glass. Avoid on natural stone surfaces.
Savvy Tip: Reuse an old spray bottle to avoid new plastic—and always label your mix!
💄 2. DIY Lip Balm
What you need:
- 2 tbsp organic coconut oil
- 1 tbsp beeswax pellets
- 1 tbsp shea butter
How to make:
Melt in a double boiler, stir, and pour into small tins or tubes. Let cool before use.
Savvy Tip: These make great eco-friendly gifts and help avoid waste from single-use tubes.
🧖♀️ 3. Oatmeal Face Mask
What you need:
How to use:
Mix to form a paste, apply to skin, leave for 10–15 mins, and rinse off.
Savvy Tip: Oats calm inflammation—great for sensitive or stressed skin.
🧺 4. Natural Fabric Softener
What you need:
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 10–15 drops essential oil (optional)
How to use:
Add 1/4–1/2 cup per laundry load during the rinse cycle.
Savvy Tip: Say goodbye to bulky plastic jugs—this softens clothes and reduces static naturally.
🧼 5. Foaming Hand Soap
What you need:
- 1/4 cup Castile soap
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 tsp coconut or almond oil (optional)
- 5–10 drops essential oil
How to make:
Add ingredients to a foaming soap dispenser, swirl gently to mix.
Savvy Tip: Refill your dispenser instead of tossing it—buy Castile soap in bulk to save even more.
💨 6. Natural Air Freshener Spray
What you need:
- 3/4 cup water
- 2 tbsp rubbing alcohol or vodka
- 10–20 drops essential oil (try citrus, eucalyptus, or lavender)
How to make:
Combine in a small spray bottle and shake before each use.
Savvy Tip: Mist in rooms, on fabrics, or in the car for a natural scent boost—no synthetic fragrances needed.
🧴 7. Coffee Grounds Body Scrub
What you need:
- 1/2 cup used coffee grounds
- 1/4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tbsp brown sugar (optional)
How to use:
Massage onto damp skin in circular motions, then rinse off.
Savvy Tip: Caffeine may help improve circulation and exfoliation—plus, it smells amazing.
🛁 8. Relaxing Bath Soak
What you need:
- 1 cup Epsom salts
- 1/2 cup baking soda
- A few drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil
How to use:
Add to a warm bath and soak for 20 minutes.
Savvy Tip: Store in a glass jar for a plastic-free spa night at home.
🌿 9. Herbal Hair Rinse
What you need:
- 1 tbsp dried rosemary or chamomile
- 1 cup boiling water
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar (optional)
How to make:
Steep herbs in boiling water for 15–20 mins, strain, and let cool. Pour over hair after shampooing. Use tea steep bags for an easy clean up.
Savvy Tip: Rosemary is great for scalp health; chamomile brightens blonde tones naturally.
Final Thoughts
DIYing is about more than just saving money—it’s about reclaiming control over what you use on your body and in your home, while cutting down on waste. Start with one or two recipes, use what you have, and grow from there. Before you know it, you’ll have a low-waste routine that’s budget-friendly and totally personalized.
