Written by Diana Robinson, MBA, Esthetician, lecturer, and Professional Blog Writer.
In today’s world, where sustainability and environmental consciousness are becoming increasingly important, it’s essential to find ways to reduce our carbon footprint and make eco-friendly choices. One great way to do this is by creating your DIY eco-friendly products. Not only will you save money, but you’ll also contribute to a greener planet.
Here are 20 innovative ideas for DIY eco-friendly products you can easily make at home.
1. DIY Natural Cleaning Solutions:
Replace store-bought chemical cleaners with homemade alternatives using ingredients like white vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils such as tea tree oil or lavender oil. These clean effectively and are safer for you and the environment. Cleaning products are essential in every household, and that’s why it is important to start eco-friendly DIY projects that are beneficial to your household, This mixture is healthier and great to store in glass jars for up to 3 weeks.
2. Upcycled Fabric Shopping Bags:
Transform old clothes or fabric scraps into stylish and durable shopping bags. By using these reusable bags, you’ll eliminate the need for plastic bags and reduce waste. There are many easy ways to make a jeans bag than to purchase. You can use old materials or just an old jeans skirt, by cutting about 3 inches at the bottom of the skirt. Use this part to fold and make handles or straps. Then just sew together the open end.
3. Beeswax Wraps:
Say goodbye to single-use plastic wrap by making your beeswax wraps. These reusable, biodegradable wraps are perfect for storing food and reducing plastic waste.
4. Homemade Laundry Detergent:
Make laundry detergent using natural ingredients like soap flakes, washing soda, and essential oils. It’s gentle on your clothes, your skin, and the environment.
5. DIY Soy Candles:
Instead of buying conventional candles made from paraffin wax, create your soy candles. Soy wax is renewable, biodegradable, and produces less soot.
6. Natural Body Scrubs:
Utilize ingredients from your pantry like sugar, coffee grounds, and coconut oil to create delightful DIY body scrubs. These exfoliating scrubs are gentle, affordable, and eco-friendly. Body scrubs have been the new hype on the market, eliminate the extra cost and use natural materials to get sustainable, healthy body scrubs.
7. Herb and Vegetable Gardens:
Start your herb or vegetable garden to grow fresh produce at home. Not only will this reduce your carbon footprint, but it’ll also provide you with organic and healthy ingredients. The best part of this is eating fresh daily.
8. DIY Compost Bin:
Turn kitchen scraps into nutrient-rich compost by building your compost bin. It’s an excellent way to reduce waste and create natural fertilizers for your garden.
9. Reusable Beeswax Food Wraps:
Like beeswax wraps, these wraps are perfect for wrapping sandwiches, snacks, and leftovers. Get creative and make a variety of sizes to fit your needs.
10. Homemade Natural Insect Repellent:
Protect yourself from bugs without harmful chemicals by making your natural insect repellent using essential oils like citronella, peppermint, or eucalyptus.
11. Biodegradable Seed Starters:
Give your plants a sustainable head start by creating biodegradable seed starters using recycled materials like newspaper or eggshells.
12. Upcycled Furniture:
Transform old furniture pieces into stunning, unique creations. Sand, paint, or repurpose them to reduce waste and breathe new life into your living space.
13. DIY All-Purpose Cleaner:
Make a versatile and eco-friendly cleaner by mixing distilled water, vinegar, and lemon juice. This simple solution is effective for various surfaces in your home.
14. Homemade Toothpaste:
Ditch the store-bought toothpaste with artificial ingredients and create your natural toothpaste using baking soda, coconut oil, and peppermint essential oil.
15. DIY Natural Room Fresheners:
Say goodbye to chemical-laden air fresheners and create your own using essential oils, water, and vodka. Enjoy a fresh and inviting atmosphere in your home.
16. Reusable Cloth Napkins:
Reduce paper waste by sewing your cloth napkins. They’re eco-friendly and add a touch of elegance to your dining table.
17. DIY Organic Face Masks:
Treat your skin to the goodness of homemade face masks using ingredients like oatmeal, honey, and yogurt. These masks are free from harmful chemicals and leave your skin rejuvenated.
18. Upcycled Planters:
Give old containers a new purpose by transforming them into stylish planters. Get creative with repurposed cans, jars, or wooden boxes for a unique touch. It’s said that the best way to grow a garden in a small space is to turn it upside down so it grows in that specific direction rather than branching all over the house or backyard.
19. DIY Natural Hair Products:
Create your own shampoo, conditioner, or hair treatments using natural ingredients like coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, and aloe vera. These homemade alternatives are gentle on your hair and the environment.
20. Reusable Cloth Diapers:
For parents looking to reduce waste, making cloth diapers is an excellent option. Not only are they better for the environment, but they’re also softer on your baby’s delicate skin.
SKINCARE – Makeup remover – in a small jar, add cotton pads, 1/4 cup coconut oil,1/4 cup olive oil, and 4 tablespoons witch hazel. Use this to mixture to remove makeup and wash and rinse the face with a normal face cleansing regimen and warm water.
Weekend DIY
DEODORANT – Baking soda, essential oils, and a few more ingredients. Here is a place to find some deodorant recipes
REUSABLE STRAWS – spend a weekend switching out straws. you can get cheap ones at TJMax and Burlington. adopting reusable straws is one of the easiest ways to start on the path of sustainable living.
Old cotton t-shirt project – turning old t-shirts into tye and dye reusable shirts is perfect for a weekend simple DIY project. apart from being simple, it encourages children and adults to be more involved in doing fun sustainable crafts
By incorporating these 21 DIY eco-friendly products into your daily life, you’ll not only save money but also contribute to a more sustainable future. Start small, experiment, and see the difference these homemade creations make in reducing waste, minimizing environmental impact, and living a greener lifestyle.
