14 Home Essentials You Never Need to Buy Again

Laundry detergent isn’t a staple you can forgo—but you don’t need to keep buying it. Make it instead, with 3 simple ingredients. Grate a bar of Fels-Naptha and mix it with 1 cup of borax, and 1 cup of washing soda. Mix it for several minutes in a blender or food processor to make a fine powdered consistency that will easily dissolve in water. Keep the mixture in a sealed container and use 1 tablespoon for every load of laundry (or 2–3 tablespoons for extra dirty loads).

Related: 8 "Zero Dollar" Laundry Room Hacks

Make your own dishwashing liquid, and never sweat a sink full of dishes again. Head to the kitchen, and add 1 tablespoon of borax and 1 tablespoon of grated bar soap (like Ivory) to 1¾-cups of boiling water. Whisk together thoroughly until the soap and borax have melted, and then allow the mixture to cool for several hours. Optional: Add 10–20 drops of your favorite essential oil for fragrance. The mixture will gel as it cools, and then you can add it to an empty detergent bottle and hide it under the sink until you need it!

Related: 10 Things You Didn’t Know Dish Soap Can Do

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

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.

Related: 12 Ways Your Home Can Save You Money This Year

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.

Related: Boring Bathroom? 7 Fixes for an Old Medicine Cabinet

Wood polish might not be something you need every week, but when you need it, you need it. Make your own by mixing equal parts olive oil and vinegar, and adding essential oils to give it your favorite scent. Keep it in a small jar and dab a rag into it as needed. The vinegar will cut through anything sticky, and the olive oil will moisturize the wood.

Related: 7 Ways You May Be Ruining Your Wood Floors

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!