With food prices rising and everyday costs climbing in Cape Town, many families are looking for practical ways to save. One of the easiest places to cut costs – without sacrificing health – is in your cleaning cupboard and bathroom cabinet.
Many commercial products are filled with synthetic fragrances, harsh chemicals, and unnecessary additives. Making your own can be cheaper, healthier, and surprisingly simple.
Below are easy, affordable recipes using ingredients you can find at most local supermarkets or pharmacies.
1. Homemade Washing Powder
Youโll need:
1 cup washing soda
1 cup bicarbonate of soda
1 bar grated natural soap
How to make it:
Mix well and store in an airtight container. Use 1โ2 tablespoons per load.
Why it works:
Washing soda lifts grease, bicarbonate removes odours, and natural soap cleans without harsh chemical residue.
2. Natural Dishwasher Liquid
Youโll need:
1 cup liquid castile soap
1 tablespoon washing soda
10 drops lemon essential oil (optional)
1 cup warm water
Mix gently and store in a reused bottle. Shake before use.
Tip: For extra shine, add a splash of white vinegar to your rinse cycle.
3. Simple Body Soap (Liquid)
Youโll need:
1 cup liquid castile soap
1 tablespoon coconut oil
5โ10 drops lavender or tea tree oil
Stir gently. Coconut oil moisturises, while tea tree oil naturally fights bacteria.
4. Natural Deodorant
Youโll need:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 tablespoons bicarbonate of soda
2 tablespoons cornflour
Mix into a paste and store in a small jar. Apply a pea-sized amount.
If you have sensitive skin, reduce the bicarbonate and increase cornflour.
5. Homemade Toothpaste
Youโll need:
2 tablespoons coconut oil
1 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda
A few drops of peppermint oil
Mix and store in a small glass jar.
Note: Use lightly โ a little goes a long way.
6. Multi-Purpose Cleaner
Youโll need:
Equal parts white vinegar and water
Lemon peel (optional)
Let the lemon peel soak in vinegar for a week for a fresh scent. Use on counters, tiles, and glass.
Why Itโs Worth It
Cost savings: Most ingredients are multipurpose and last for months.
Health benefits: Fewer synthetic fragrances and irritants.
Environmental impact: Less plastic packaging and fewer harsh chemicals entering waterways.
Empowerment: There is something deeply satisfying about knowing exactly what touches your familyโs skin and home.
Start small. Replace one product at a time. You donโt need to overhaul your entire cupboard overnight.
In uncertain economic times, returning to simple, homemade basics isnโt just about saving money – itโs about reclaiming control, protecting your health, and living more intentionally.
Sometimes the healthiest choices are also the simplest ones.