Making Your Own Products: It’s Not As Difficult As You Think
Whether you’re part of the organic movement or just want to save some money; making your own household products is much easier than you might think. From shampoo and soap to beard oil and candles, making your own products is as much as a hobby as it is a way of life.
Many practitioners of the minimalist lifestyle embrace the opportunity to create their own clothing, furniture, household products, and more. What’s more, you don’t need a degree in chemistry or woodworking to be successful.
There are numerous benefits to creating your own products. If you’re still not convinced, here’s a few things to consider.
You’ll Save Money
You will of course have some shopping to do no matter what you’re choosing to make. Raw ingredients for soaps, shampoos, or toothpaste may cost a little bit more than just picking up a bottle at the local pharmacy. However, you’ll also be able to make far more than a normal tube or tub you’d purchase. In the not-so-long run, you’ll save money by creating your own.
You May Actually Make Money
Though this is not the point of this particular article, many DIY-ers have created successful side businesses by making their own soaps, candles, or beauty products and selling them within their community. Local farmer’s markets, swap meets, or even online via Etsy (or similar sites) can be a great outlet.
You don’t have to go this route, of course. However, if you find you have a knack for making your own, there’s nothing wrong with starting a little side gig in the process. Who knows where it might lead?
They Make Great Gifts
A homemade gift is always a special, thoughtful idea. Creating something with your own hands as opposed to buying something at the store takes an extra step of thoughtfulness, creativity, and initiative. Plus, your mom will love it.
You’re Not Alone
Millions of people worldwide embrace the opportunity to make their own products. From pomade to toothpaste, you don’t have to look very far to find individuals who enjoy the simple things in life, including a nice homemade soap.
It’s Not As Difficult As You Think
Depending on what it is you’re making, your mileage may vary. However, making your own toothpaste, for example, requires only a handful of household ingredients. You may have some of these items on hand already and you can whip up a batch of toothpaste in just a few minutes. Making your own soap can be a more involved process but is likewise relatively easy to do in just a short amount of time.
You’ll Feel Accomplished
Let’s face it, most of us these days don’t know how to make anything. We look at a tube of toothpaste, for example, and don’t feel as though we could make that product from scratch if our life depended on it. We’re thankful that we live in a time where it doesn’t.
There is, however, a certain sense of accomplishment that comes from creating a useful product that you and your family can use on a regular basis. Our ancestors were adept at creating their own food, medicine, shelter, and more. Surely we can reconnect in a small way with a little jar of toothpaste.
Reduce Waste
Waste reduction is at the heart of the minimalist movement. When creating your own products, you help contribute to an overall effort at reducing waste. Think of the pounds upon pounds of paper or plastic packaging you aren’t creating and wasting just from, for example, toothpaste tubes alone.
From a global perspective, the impact of less waste is obvious. From a personal view, you’re also reducing your own consumption and waste. Creating your own soap or toothpaste means you are in the driver’s seat of the products you are consuming. There’s no need to experiment with different brands, flavors, scents, etc.
You create a product that you want to consume. There’s no need to go out and keep buying new ones. You’ll save time, save money, reduce waste and consumption, declutter your life and bathroom, and oh by the way; you’ll receive the satisfaction of deftly creating the perfect product that you want for you and your family.
Where’s the downside?