Making your own products from scratch can be so much fun! Yet, there is no need to make everything. Give yourself a bit of grace and maybe consider buying a few items. I do that too!
Autumn will soon be here!
Routines are finally established again, you find yourself with a bit of extra time to dive into making more of your household cleaning products and toiletries from scratch. Or you may have just decided that now is the time to dive in.
Making cleaning products and toiletries can be fun and save you a lot of money. An added bonus is that you know exactly what is in them.
The skin is your largest organ, making what you put on your body just as important as what you put in it.
Before you dive in and make everything from scratch, remember that not everything needs to be made by you. Made from scratch living is possible with a measure of grace. It’s not an all or nothing deal. There are actually some products not to make from scratch.
Making your own products is like the 80/20 rule. Make some, buy others, and buy the “cleanest” ones your budget allows. It’s all about grace.
You do not have to make all.the.things.
There are actually some things that you don’t want to make, ever, in my opinion.
5 Products Not to Make From Scratch
1. Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergent is just that, a detergent. Most recipes you find online are for laundry soap. Soap leaves a film and residue that can build up over time. Not only on your clothes but in your machine as well.
Options to buy:
2. Fabric Softener
Fabric softener has a few strikes against it. For starters, most fabric softeners are full of artificial fragrances. Secondly, they expire, if you keep it around for too long, it separates and can leave grease spots all over your clothes, just ask me how I know… Lastly, it’s not really necessary. Homemade versions can be messy and aren’t worth the effort to make.
There are a few routes you can take:
- Adding 1/4 white vinegar to the rinse cycle
- Wool dryer balls
- 1/2 cup of baking soda to the wash
3. Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are really not *that* necessary. Their purpose is to break of the static electricity in the dryer so that your clothes don’t cling to each other.
There are homemade versions out there but really all you need is wool dryer balls. If really want a scent, sprinkle an essential oil on them before you throw them in the dryer.
4. Dish Soap
You can make your own dish soap, there are some good recipes out there, but most take quite a bit of time to make. Castile soap, while great for diluting for to wash your hands and body, does not make a good dish soap. Your dishes and skin will be covered in a film, which means you have to wash them all over again.
Just make it easier on yourself and buy a more natural option:
- Mrs. Meyer’s
- Sal Suds (I have yet to try this)
- Seventh Generation
5. Shampoo
No-poo, Castile soap mixed with an herbal infusion, and eggs are just a few of the more natural made from scratch routes you could take. Yet none of them are really that awesome.
No-poo, while touted for its amazing short-term results can often lead to severe damage to your hair. Leaving you with a head of split ends.
Castile soap based recipe sometimes work well for those with dry hair but if your hair is normal to oily, it is a no go. Your hair acts like a sponge, absorbing the oils used to make the soap. It can take several washings to remove it.
Eggs can actually be a good occasional hair treatment to get rid of the filth and grime. Yet generally speaking they aren’t ideal for long term maintenance. Plus if you use them while taking too warm of a shower you may end up with scrambled eggs in your hair.
*Sadly, all three of these examples are from first-hand experience. Well, actually the scrambled eggs in the hair was kind of funny…
Options to buy:
- Acure Organics
- Alba
- Jason
- Shampoo bar
5. Conditioner
A conditioner is a must for many people, especially for those with dry or curly hair. Many homemade versions leave your hair a mess or might even clog your sink.
Options:
- Not using it
- Diluted apple cider vinegar rinse
- Alba
- Acure Organics
- Jason
What are you waiting for? Grab your free fall seasonal set now:
- Sign up for Grove Collaborative here. You will receive the fall set for free when you sign up!
- To receive this offer, your order needs to be a minimum of $20 which is easy when you buy that laundry detergent and shampoo that you aren’t going to make any more, along with wool dryer balls. Choose the combination of products and scents you love and receive your first box within a few days.
- You made it! Click Finish & Pay and place your order.
Tried the no-poo and it totally destroyed my hair. A year in, my hair split and broke off in various lengths. Had to cut it short. The egg thing…ha ha, don’t get me started! Took me days to get it all out. Pam
I still regret trying the no-poo method. Oh yes, egg in the hair…
I especially agree with the laundry soap. it did leave a film in the washer that I had to scrub our and my husbands clothes never smelled clean. So I am back to other laundry soap.