Why Buy When You Can DIY?

Don’t spend your hard-earned money on cleaning products. These do-it-yourself versions are as good as the store-bought variety and much cheaper to make.

· Dishwasher Soap: Mix equal parts of baking soda and Borax (available in the laundry aisle) and store in a lidded container. Use just like commercial, powdered detergents.

· Stain Remover/Pre-treater: To make a homemade version of a spray on stain treater, like Shout, simply mix together 2/3 cup Dawn dish soap, 2/3 cup ammonia, six tablespoons of baking soda, and two cups warm water. Pour the mixture into an old spray bottle, making sure to shake well before each use. Do not use on clothes that will be bleached, because ammonia and bleach together are a deadly combination.

· Fabric Softener: Gently whisk six cups warm water with three cups white vinegar and two cups of scented hair conditioner. The conditioner can be something you got at the dollar store, but choose a scent you like. You can add a few drops of essential oil if you’d like a stronger fragrance on your clothes.

· Drain Cleaner: Forget Liquid Plumber, this trick will knock out most any clog. Pour about one cup of baking soda into the clogged drain. Then pour a half cup of vinegar into it. Immediately cover it securely. The mixture will create bubbles, so you want the gasses to force the clog out, not escape into your house. Keep covered and do not use the sink for at least half an hour, then run hot water through the pipes for a few minutes to ensure that all of the mixture has washed through.

· Carpet Cleaner: To remove stubborn carpet stains, try sprinkling the area with either baking soda or cornstarch. After ten minutes, vacuum the powder up. Next, take two cups of warm water and mix into it one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid and one tablespoon white vinegar. Make sure that you use transparent dishwashing soap. Using a white towel, blot the stain with the mixture until the liquid is completely absorbed. Sponge with cold water and then pat dry.

· Ice Pack: Mix three parts water with one part rubbing alcohol in a zip-top bag. Place it in the freezer until it is cold. It will become cold as ice, but will never fully freeze, remaining a gel so that you can ice injuries easily.

Jason Hartman has made himself a success by purchasing packaged commodities, such as real estate property, and he says you can you can do-it-yourself, too, using a fixed-rate, low-interest loan. (Top image: Flickr | foolsplay07)

The Holistic Survival Team