Things I Stopped Buying and Started Making

Over the last few years, I’ve slowly swapped out store-bought products for homemade alternatives — and it has been one of the best choices I’ve ever made for my health, my home, and my wallet. What started as a curiosity turned into a lifestyle, and now I can’t imagine going back.

Here are some of the everyday products I no longer buy and instead make myself:

• Dishwasher Soap & Laundry Soap → Simple, natural ingredients that clean just as well (if not better) without synthetic fragrances or chemicals that linger on your dishes and clothes.

• Face Wash & Body Wash → Gentle, nourishing, and free of harsh detergents that dry out your skin.

• Toothpaste → No artificial sweeteners, dyes, or fluoride additives — just clean ingredients that support oral health naturally.

• Toner & Lotions → Customizable to my skin’s needs, made with fresh, pure ingredients.

• Deodorant → No aluminum, no parabens — just natural odor control that actually works.

• Dry Shampoo → Works instantly, no aerosol cans, and completely non-toxic.

• House Cleaning Products → From all-purpose sprays to scrubs, my home feels fresher without the chemical cloud.

Why I Started Making My Own Products

1. It’s So Much Cheaper Once you stock up on a few core ingredients (like baking soda, vinegar, castile soap, essential oils, and carrier oils), you can make dozens of different products. A single bottle of essential oil can last months while doing the work of five different store-bought cleaners.

2. It Reduces Waste Most products come in single-use plastic packaging. By making my own and storing them in reusable amber glass jars and bottles, I cut down on plastic waste. Plus, I offer discounts when customers return their jars — together we’re building a more sustainable cycle.

3. It’s Healthier This is the most important reason. Our skin is our largest organ, and what we put on it matters. Store shelves are filled with products containing synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulfates, aluminum, and other chemicals that can disrupt hormones and irritate skin. By making my own, I know exactly what’s inside — pure, safe, and effective.

4. It’s Surprisingly Easy I’ll admit, at first it felt intimidating to ditch the store-bought stuff. But once I got into a rhythm, it became second nature. Mixing up a batch of lotion, whipping together dry shampoo, or stirring up deodorant takes only a few minutes, and the results feel so much better.

Once You Start, You’ll Never Want to Go Back

There’s something empowering about knowing you can make your own products at home. Not only do you save money and reduce waste, but you’re also reclaiming control over what you’re putting on your body and into your home.

If you’ve ever thought about trying it, I encourage you to start with one product — maybe a face toner, a simple all-purpose cleaner, or a natural deodorant. Once you see how easy it is, you’ll be hooked.

And if you ever need recipes, ideas, or just a little inspiration, please reach out. I’d love to help you on your journey to healthier, simpler living. 🌿

— Emily at Cooper’s Cabin