14 Home Essentials You Never Need to Buy Again

Cross store-bought window cleaner off your shopping list and make your own with items already in your home. Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar and 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol with 2 cups of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle, shake it well, and use it just like any other glass cleaner. For an fresh scent, add about 10 drops of essential oils.

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Don’t buy caustic drain cleaners at the store. You’ve already got what you need to clean a stopped up drain. Pour a cup of baking soda into your drain. Then pour about 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain and cover it with a plate. The baking soda and vinegar will combine to create a foaming effect, and the plate will prevent any bubbles (and gunk) from rising into the sink. Let the mixture sit for half an hour, and then flush it with hot water for several minutes until the drain runs clear. When performed regularly, this method works as a preventative measure against clogs and build-up.

Related: No Plunger Needed—7 Easier Ways to Clear a Clog

For an all-purpose cleaner you can use every day, pour 1/2 cup of vinegar into a spray bottle and add a couple tablespoons of baking soda to it. Add 10 drops of tea tree oil and fill the bottle the rest of the way with water. Shake it thoroughly to mix, and it’s ready to use on your counters, floors, and whatever else needs spiffing up.

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If trails of ants find their way into your house each spring, mix up this quick and easy bug repellant to keep them at bay. Fill a small spray bottle with half a cup of witch hazel. Add 20–40 drops of peppermint oil and shake it to mix. Spray the solution on window sills, baseboards, or wherever you see ants entering your abode.

Related: A Dozen 10-Minute DIYs for a Pest-Free Home

If you make yourself a few mason jar oil lamps, you’ll never need to buy candles again. It’s a simple project that only requires you drill a hole in the top of a jar lid, and thread a small piece of copper tubing through it. Then, thread a wick through the tube and fill the jar with the oil of your choice—olive oil works great, especially if it's already in your pantry. Refill whenever necessary, and add scented oils if you like.

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Where there are pets, there are stains and smells. So when pets and carpets come together, chances are that carpet powder isn't far behind. If that's the case in your home, you could save a bundle by making your own powder cleanser. Mix a few drops of orange, clove, or lavender essential oil into a bowl of baking soda. Pour it in a shaker container and grab it whenever you pull out the vacuum.

Related: 15 Ways to Fake a Clean House

You really can DIY any household cleaner, including personal care items. Take toothpaste, for instance. Make your own by mixing baking soda and water to a paste-like consistency. Then add 1–2 teaspoons of peppermint or cinnamon extract. Your teeth will get clean and your breath will be fresh, for a fraction of the cost of commercial toothpaste.

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Cleansing wipes are so convenient for cleaning small messes or keeping kitchen counters fresh. You can make a DIY version with a coffee can and a roll of paper towels. Cut the roll of towels with a knife so that it fits into the can. Then, create a cleaning solution with 1/2 cup vinegar, and 1/4 each of rubbing alcohol and water. Add a drop or two of dish soap and your favorite essential oil and pour that solution over the towels. Remove the cardboard roll from the center and pull the center towel through a hole you create in the coffee can’s top. Then, simply reach for a wipe whenever you need one.

Related: 21 Ways to Spring Clean Your Whole House—Naturally

If you love that fresh-out-of-the-laundry scent that commercial dryer sheets leave behind, but don't want to pay for the little luxury, make your own with cloth wipes, vinegar, and essential oils. Mix a cup of vinegar with 25–30 drops of your favorite essential oils. Put some cloth wipes into a jar, and pour the solution over so that the rags become moist, but not soaking wet. Then throw a cloth in the dryer with every load of laundry. The vinegar will evaporate, but the essential oils will linger and make your clothes smell clean and fresh.

Related: 9 Things You Didn't Know Dryer Sheets Can Do

Discover and admire beautiful and innovative home architecture, from grand Victorians to quaint cabins and all the styles in between. Take a look at the latest images and inspiration!