26 Things You Should Make at Home

You don’t have to be a homesteader to enjoy the benefits of making everyday items at home. From food to cleaning supplies, plenty of things are cheaper, healthier, and often easier to make than you think.

I had the idea to write this article when my wife started making yogurt. I didn’t realize our entire family had a preservation approach to yogurt, meaning we didn’t eat too much or too often because we knew Greek yogurt was expensive. Now, we buy a gallon of whole milk each week specifically for yogurt, and we eat the entire gallon in a week.

This is a fairly exhaustive guide to 26 things you can (and should) make at home, broken down by category. Each section explains why it’s worth doing, how much you can save, and a step-by-step recipe so you can get started today. The more you can do, the more you save!

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1. Yogurt

Why make it? Store-bought yogurt is loaded with sugar and comes in plastic containers. Homemade yogurt is cheaper, customizable, and healthier.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
1 quart	$4–8	$1.50	~$3-4 per quart

How to Make It:

1. Heat 1 quart of milk to 180°F, then cool to 110°F.
2. Stir in 2 tablespoons of plain yogurt with live cultures.
3. Pour into a clean jar, wrap in a towel, and keep warm for 6–8 hours.
4. Chill and enjoy.

We use our Instant Pot’s yogurt setting, and it’s so easy. We also use the yogurt we made this week as the culture for next week, so we never have to buy store-bought anymore. If you’re unsure about how easy it is, here’s a full recipe.

2. Granola

Why make it? It’s mostly oats, yet stores charge a premium. Homemade gives you control over sweetness and flavor.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
1 lb	$6–10	$3–4	~$5

How to Make It:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Mix 4 cups rolled oats, 1 cup nuts, ½ cup honey or maple syrup, and ¼ cup oil.
3. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 25–30 minutes, stirring halfway.
4. Add dried fruit if desired.

To save even more, increase the oats and decrease the nuts and honey. Here’s the specific recipe I use (with my own modifications).

3. Bread

Why make it? A bakery loaf costs $4–6. A homemade loaf costs less than $1. Plus: fresh bread is unbeatable.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
1 loaf	$4–6	<$1	$3–5

How to Make It:

1. Mix 3 cups flour, 1 packet yeast, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp sugar, and 1 cup warm water.
2. Knead 10 minutes, then let rise 1 hour.
3. Shape into a loaf and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes.

Bread is easy enough to make, but if you want a full recipe, here’s the easiest. If you make it often, consider a bread maker machine, which also makes yogurt (if you don’t have an Instant Pot).

Now you can get flour made from almost anything.

50 Kinds of Flour

I’m pretty sure anything can be flour now. These are 50 options for all types of lifestyles:

You can find high-quality flours like:

1. All-purpose
2. Bread flour
3. Buckwheat
4. Gluten-free
5. Self-rising
6. Unbleached white
7. Whole-wheat

Or you can use an alternative flour:

You can find almost any nut flour:

40. Acorn
41. Almond
42. Cashew
43. Chestnut
44. Hazelnut
45. Pecan
46. Pistachio
47. Tigernut
48. Walnut

49. Banana flour is a thing. Seriously, anything can be flour now.

50. You can even find cricket flour (yes, as in actual crickets).

4. Pasta

Why make it? Homemade pasta is fresher, tastier, and costs pennies compared to specialty pasta at the store.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
1 lb	$3–5	$1	$2–4

How to Make It:

1. Combine 2 cups flour and 3 eggs. Knead into a dough.
2. Rest 30 minutes, then roll thin.
3. Cut into noodles and boil for 2–3 minutes.

5. Salad Dressing

Why make it? Store-bought dressings are pricey and full of preservatives. Homemade is healthier and customizable.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
16 oz	$4–6	$1–2	$3–4

How to Make It (Basic Vinaigrette):

1. Mix ½ cup olive oil, 3 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsp mustard, 1 tsp honey, salt, and pepper.
2. Shake in a jar until blended.

Don’t care for vinaigrette? Here are 15 easy dressings you can make.

6. Hummus

Why make it? Store-bought hummus costs a lot for a small container. Homemade is fresher, cheaper, and versatile.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
8 oz	$4–5	$1.50	$3

How to Make It:

1. Blend 1 can chickpeas, ¼ cup tahini, 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 clove garlic, juice of 1 lemon, and salt.
2. Add water until smooth.

7. Nut Butters

Why make it? Peanut butter and almond butter are expensive. At home, you get pure nuts without additives.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
16 oz almond butter	$8–12	$4	$4–8

How to Make It:

1. Roast 3 cups nuts at 350°F for 10 minutes.
2. Blend in a food processor until creamy.
3. Add salt or honey if desired.

8. Pizza Dough

Why make it? Frozen dough or delivery adds up. Homemade dough is cheap and easy.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
Dough for 2 pizzas	$6–10	$1.50	$5–8

How to Make It:

1. Mix 4 cups flour, 1 packet yeast, 1 tsp sugar, 2 tsp salt, 1.5 cups warm water.
2. Knead, let rise 1 hour, roll out, and bake with toppings at 475°F.

9. Soup Stock (Broth)

Why make it? Using kitchen scraps (bones, veggie ends) makes broth almost free, versus $3–5 per carton at the store.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
1 quart	$3–5	<$0.50	$2–4

How to Make It:

1. Collect vegetable scraps and/or bones.
2. Simmer in water with salt, pepper, and herbs for 4–6 hours.
3. Strain and store in jars.

Homemade bone broth has a lot of benefits. Here’s a more in-depth look at it.

10. Jam or Jelly

Why make it? Store-bought jams are full of sugar. Homemade versions are cheaper and customizable.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
12 oz	$4–6	$2	$2–4

How to Make It:

1. Combine 2 lbs fruit, 2 cups sugar, and juice of 1 lemon.
2. Cook over medium heat until thickened.
3. Pour into jars and refrigerate.

This is a great way to use fruit that is nearing the end of its life.

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11. Laundry Detergent

Why make it? Store-bought detergent is expensive and full of chemicals. Homemade detergent is cheap, effective, and eco-friendly.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
100 loads	$15–20	$2–3	$12–17

How to Make It:

1. Grate 1 bar of soap (Fels-Naptha, Castile, or Ivory).
2. Mix with 1 cup washing soda and 1 cup borax.
3. Store in an airtight container.
4. Use 1–2 tbsp per load.

We use Fels-Naptha. You can get the complete kit on Amazon.

12. All-Purpose Cleaner

Why make it? Most cleaners are just vinegar or alcohol with fragrance. Homemade saves money and reduces plastic waste.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
16 oz spray	$4–6	$0.50	$3–5

How to Make It:

1. Mix 1 cup distilled vinegar, 1 cup water, and a few drops of dish soap in a spray bottle.
2. Add essential oils (like lemon or lavender) if desired.

13. Glass Cleaner

Why make it? It’s essentially water, vinegar, and alcohol. Store brands overcharge for what’s basically pennies.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
16 oz	$3–4	$0.25	$3

How to Make It:

1. Mix 1 cup water, 1 cup rubbing alcohol, and 1 tbsp vinegar.
2. Store in a spray bottle and use with a lint-free cloth.

14. Dish Soap

Why make it? Many dish soaps contain harsh chemicals. Homemade soap is natural and gentle.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
16 oz	$4–5	$1.50	$2.50–3.50

How to Make It:

1. Grate 1 bar Castile soap.
2. Melt with 2 cups hot water until dissolved.
3. Add 1 tbsp washing soda and 1 tbsp glycerin.
4. Stir and let cool.

If you want more specifics, check out this recipe for homemade dish soap.

15. Fabric Softener

Why make it? Store-bought softeners are pricey and full of unnecessary chemicals. Homemade is safer and costs pennies.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
32 oz	$6–8	$1	$5–7

How to Make It:

1. Mix 2 cups white vinegar, ½ cup baking soda, and 1 cup water.
2. Add 10–15 drops essential oil if desired.
3. Use ½ cup per load.

If you want to move away from chemicals entirely, check out Norwex. Their products are pricey, but worth it if you don’t want chemicals in your home. We’ve used Norwex products for many years.

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16. Toothpaste

Why make it? Most brands contain artificial sweeteners, dyes, and microplastics. A homemade version is natural, effective, and dirt cheap.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
4 oz tube	$3–5	$0.50	$2.50–4.50

How to Make It:

1. Mix 2 tbsp coconut oil with 2 tbsp baking soda.
2. Add 10 drops peppermint essential oil for freshness.
3. Store in a small glass jar.
4. To use, scoop a pea-sized amount with a clean spoon or spatula.

17. Deodorant

Why make it? Store deodorants often contain aluminum and parabens. Homemade deodorant is natural, customizable, and effective.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
Stick	$4–8	$1.50	$2.50–6.50

How to Make It:

1. Mix ¼ cup coconut oil, ¼ cup baking soda, and ¼ cup cornstarch (or arrowroot powder).
2. Add 10 drops tea tree or lavender essential oil.
3. Store in an empty deodorant container or jar.

18. Lip Balm

Why make it? Buying lip balm adds up, but homemade versions are cheap, natural, and easy to customize.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
Tube	$2–4	$0.25	$1.75–3.75

How to Make It:

1. Melt 2 tbsp beeswax pellets with 2 tbsp coconut oil and 1 tbsp shea butter.
2. Stir in 10 drops peppermint or vanilla extract.
3. Pour into empty lip balm tubes or tins.

19. Shampoo

Why make it? Commercial shampoos often strip natural oils. Homemade options are gentler and eco-friendly.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
8 oz	$6–12	$2	$4–10

How to Make It:

1. Mix ½ cup liquid Castile soap, ¼ cup coconut milk, and 1 tbsp honey.
2. Add 10 drops lavender or rosemary essential oil.
3. Shake before each use.

20. Face Scrub

Why make it? Store scrubs can be overpriced and filled with microbeads. Homemade scrubs are natural, safe, and cheap.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
4 oz	$10–20	$1	$9–19

How to Make It:

1. Mix 2 tbsp sugar (or finely ground coffee) with 1 tbsp honey.
2. Add 1 tbsp olive or coconut oil.
3. Massage gently onto damp skin, rinse, and pat dry.

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21. Air Freshener

Why make it? Store-bought sprays are costly and loaded with synthetic fragrance. DIY versions are natural, customizable, and safe.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
8 oz spray	$5–7	$1	$4–6

How to Make It:

1. Mix 1 cup distilled water with 2 tbsp vodka or rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle.
2. Add 20 drops essential oil (lavender, lemon, eucalyptus, etc.).
3. Shake and spray as needed.

22. Candles

Why make it? Buying candles is pricey, and many contain paraffin that pollutes indoor air. Homemade soy candles are cheaper, safer, and fun to make.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
8 oz candle	$15–25	$3–5	$12–20

How to Make It:

1. Melt 1 cup soy wax flakes using a double boiler.
2. Add 20–30 drops essential oil for fragrance.
3. Place a wick in a jar, pour in the wax, and let harden.

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23. Granola Bars

Why make it? Store-bought granola bars are expensive and often loaded with sugar and preservatives. Homemade versions are healthier, customizable, and far cheaper.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
12 bars	$6–8	$3	$3–5

How to Make It:

1. Mix 2 cups rolled oats, 1 cup chopped nuts, and ½ cup dried fruit.
2. In a saucepan, heat ½ cup honey and ¼ cup peanut butter until smooth.
3. Stir wet and dry ingredients together, press into a greased pan, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
4. Cut into bars and wrap individually.

24. Kombucha

Why make it? A trendy drink that costs $4–6 a bottle, kombucha can be brewed at home for pennies while giving you probiotics and flavor variety.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
16 oz	$4–6	$0.50	$3.50–5.50

How to Make It:

1. Brew 8 cups black tea and stir in 1 cup sugar. Cool completely.
2. Pour into a glass jar, add a SCOBY (symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast).
3. Cover with cloth and ferment 7–10 days.
4. Flavor with fruit juice if desired, then bottle and refrigerate.

25. Iced Coffee

Why make it? Daily café iced coffee costs $3–5. Making it at home saves big money and lets you tweak sweetness and strength to your taste.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
16 oz cup	$3–5	$0.50	$2.50–4.50

How to Make It:

1. Brew strong coffee (2 tbsp grounds per cup water). Let cool.
2. Fill a glass with ice, pour coffee over it.
3. Add milk, cream, or sweetener to taste.
4. Optional: freeze coffee cubes to avoid dilution.

26. Fruit Leather

Why make it? Packaged fruit snacks are loaded with sugar and cost more than homemade fruit leather, which is healthy and simple.

Item	Store-Bought	Homemade	Savings
10 pieces	$6	$2	$4

How to Make It:

1. Blend 4 cups fruit (berries, mango, or applesauce) until smooth.
2. Spread thinly on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
3. Bake at 170°F for 4–6 hours until firm but flexible.
4. Cut into strips and roll in parchment.

Final Words

The biggest takeaway? Making things at home isn’t just about the money — though the savings add up fast.

It’s also about control: knowing what goes into the food you eat, the products you use, and the things you bring into your home.

Plus, there’s a satisfaction in saying, “I made this.”

Further Book Reading

There are all kinds of books on making things at home, DIY items, homesteading, and much more.

Here are 20 to get you started:

Food & Cooking

1. Make the Bread, Buy the Butter by Jennifer Reese
   • A witty guide that shows which foods are worth making from scratch and which ones are better bought.
2. The Homemade Pantry: 101 Foods You Can Stop Buying and Start Making by Alana Chernila
   • A kitchen classic with step-by-step recipes for pantry staples like crackers, yogurt, and granola bars.
3. Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon Morell
   • A deep dive into traditional cooking methods with a focus on nutrient-dense, old-fashioned foods.
4. The Art of Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz
   • The definitive book on all things fermented, from sauerkraut to kombucha, written by a fermentation legend.
5. Fermented Vegetables by Kirsten K. Shockey and Christopher Shockey
   • Practical recipes and techniques to ferment everything from carrots to cauliflower at home.
6. Good and Cheap: Eat Well on $4/Day by Leanne Brown
   • A budget-friendly cookbook showing how to make delicious meals from scratch while saving money.
7. Preserving Everything by Leda Meredith
   • Covers every method of food preservation: canning, fermenting, freezing, dehydrating, and more.
8. Healing Herbal Teas: Learn to Blend 101 Specially Formulated Teas by Sarah Farr
   • A collection of recipes for teas that not only taste amazing but also support health and wellness.

Cleaning & Home Care

9. Do It Gorgeously by Sophie Uliano
   • Learn how to swap out toxic household products for safe, eco-friendly, homemade alternatives.
10. Homemade Cleaners by Mandy O’Brien and Dionna Ford
    • Simple, effective recipes for DIY cleaning products that cut costs and reduce chemicals at home.
11. Make Your Place: Affordable, Sustainable Nesting Skills by Raleigh Briggs
    • A charming, illustrated guide to making cleaning products, herbal remedies, and more.
12. Little House Living by Merissa A. Alink
    • A practical book on simple living, with recipes and projects for food, home, and personal care.

Skincare & Beauty

13. DIY Beauty by Ina De Clercq
    • Modern recipes for creating your own face masks, scrubs, and skin care products.
14. Homemade Beauty by Annie Strole
    • 150 easy recipes for all-natural skincare, haircare, and body treatments.
15. The Natural Soap Making Book for Beginners by Kelly Cable
    • A step-by-step guide to making beautiful, natural soaps safely at home.
16. Pure Skin: Discover the Japanese Ritual of Glowing by Victoria Tsai
    • A thoughtful look at Japanese-inspired skincare rituals you can recreate naturally.

General DIY & Natural Living

17. Hand Made: The Modern Guide to Made-from-Scratch Living by Melissa K. Norris
    • A modern homesteader’s guide to making everyday items and food from scratch.
18. Herbal Handbook for Home & Health by Pip Waller
    • A practical manual for using herbs in remedies, cooking, and self-care.
19. Handmade Apothecary by Kim Walker and Vicky Chown
    • Recipes for herbal remedies and natural beauty products straight from traditional wisdom.
20. Homemade Products for Your Skin, Health, and Home by Rebecca Sullivan
    • A wide-ranging collection of DIY recipes that cover food, home cleaning, and personal care.