DIY on Your Mind?

When I’m able to find some free time in my schedule, one of the things I love doing is DIYing. From picture frames to kitchen hangers and beyond, count me in. Over time, there have been a few things I haven’t gotten around to making.

Now, I’ve put some of them on a list and added a few other useful stuff I found on the internet. So, are you tired of buying everything like me? Or you just take pleasure in saying “Yeah, I made that?” Then, you might appreciate this list of 12 household items you can make from the comfort of your home.

1. Dishwasher Soap

Washing soda, borax, salt, and citric acid should all be combined in a 1:1 ratio. Store in a jar with the lid on securely. Use a tablespoon for every load. For optimal results, add a few drops of vinegar to the rinse dispenser before using it.

2. Plant Fertilizer

It’s fine if the thought of composting continues to give you the creeps. Things that have decayed may be very unsettling. Do you still have some coffee grounds left over? You just need to toss them onto the ground next to the plants you cherish the most. Eggshells should be ground up and used in the same manner. The stale green tea should be poured over them. Do the children have fish? Dump the old fish tank water. Take a garden tool with a pronged end out to the area once in a while and scrape about in order to stir things up. Your plants will thank you.

3. Weed Killer

Vinegar works well as a weed killer. Fill a spray bottle halfway with vinegar and spray it on anything that won't come out by the roots. It's one of the only things that can keep noxious plants like Canadian Thistle at bay. Because all kinds of vinegar are diluted, get the most concentrated bottle you can find at the grocer.

4. Furniture Polish

Pour the juice from five lemons and one cup of olive oil into a spray bottle. Before using it, give it a good shake. To make your wood furniture shine, spray the polish on a clean cloth and wipe it down.

5. Wrapping Paper

Go down to your local newspaper printing press and request a "remainder" roll of newsprint. Because the machines can't work correctly once the roll drops below a particular width, there's generally a lot of paper remaining on it. Use this paper to wrap gifts and have the kids customize them with drawings. Stamp it and tie a matching ribbon around it. Wrapping paper- voila!

6. Art Paints

Combine 3/4 cup flour, 1 tablespoon corn starch, 1/4 cup salt, and your preferred color in a glass mixing dish. Stir until everything is well combined. Bring 1 1/2 cups of water to a boil, then turn off the heat. Directly into the dry ingredients, pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water and 2 teaspoons vinegar, and whisk until well blended. Allow mixture to cool to room temperature before covering loosely. Use it with paint brushes, finger paints, or other creative materials to apply paint to paper.

7. Glue

In a saucepan, combine 1 cup flour, 1/3 cup sugar, 1 1/2 cups water (somewhat), and 1 teaspoon vinegar. If it begins to clump, stir it with a whisk. Stir periodically for 5-10 minutes, until the glue has thickened. Remove from the heat, cool, and store in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Glue has a two-week shelf life.

8. Greeting Cards

Cards made from old construction paper and magazines from the recycle bin are always a hit. You may be smart and make a short poem to go along with your photo, or just find something pretty. Simply looking at the photographs will spark your imagination. As a binder, use your own glue. You're out of ideas? Look through the card department of a store and be inspired.

9. Cockroach Killer

An excellent roach killer is equal parts baking soda and powdered sugar. Simply scatter over the roach-infested area, and the pests will go quickly.

10. Play Structures

Don't bother with plastic. Cardboard boxes may be used to make planes, automobiles, houses, and puppet show theatres. The construction stage is a parent's opportunity to shine. The kids may then use crayons or the homemade art paint in Number 6 to embellish. Using cereal box paperboard and the above-mentioned homemade glue recipe, add details like steering wheel, doorbell, puppets, etc.

11. Shopping Bag

Turn an old t-shirt inside-out. Sew the bottom shut and then flip it right side out. Take a pair of scissors with you. Chop off the neck and cut off the arms (save for cleaning rags). You've got two handles and a rather nice shopping bag now. Using a concert T-shirt from a favorite band can earn you extra style points.

12. Mouthwash

Bring 2 1/2 cups distilled water to a boil, then add 1 teaspoon mint, rosemary, and anise seeds to taste. Allow the herbs to soak for 20 minutes after turning off the heat. Strain into a glass container and preserve.