The Reading Warehouse

Here are low-cost, all-natural replacement recipes for more than 700 name-brand products that you buy week in and week out at the supermarket, pharmacy, or discount store. Save a fortune making your own everyday cooking, cleaning, and toiletry products At the same time, you'll fill your cabinets with fresh, super high-quality products that work or taste great--without all the chemicals and preservatives of store-bought versions. Plus, 'think green"--you will greatly reduce the amount of useless, environment-damaging waste and garbage--spray bottles, jars, and cans. For cleaning, laundering, and polishing, the compounds are much gentler and less damaging to drains, sewage, and septic systems.

The ingredients in most brand-name products account for only pennies of the purchaser's dollar and rest of what you spend covers advertising, packaging, shipping, and the retailer's overhead.

Try these easy to make recipes:

Food Staples: mayonnaise, peanut butter, breakfast cereals, soft drinks, pasta sauce, pickles, and jellies--save 50% on homemade salsa

Beauty and Health Supplies: moisturizers, facials, lip balm, aftershave, decongestant, foot powder, and PMS tea--save 90% on aftershave

Household Compounds: glues, wood stains, ant traps, and houseplant food

Cleaning Supplies and Polishes: carpet fresheners, cleaners, mildew remover, dishwasher detergent, and fabric softener--save 95% on homemade bathroom cleaner

Pet Supplies: liver snaps, dog shampoo, flea dip, cat litter, pet bird honey treats, and hamster fruit cup--save 73% on cat treats

Garden Products: fertilizer, soil conditioners, weed killer, deer repellents, and snail traps

And much more

Making low-cost, more natural versions of your favorite name brand grocery items is simple when you know the secrets. Homemade is your guide to saving a small fortune by making everyday household items yourself.