With today’s economy, we all need to cut a few corners where possible. One of the easiest ways to do that is to start manufacturing your own common household products. This will not only help your household budget but quite possibly the environment as you will be driving to the stores less and using less prepackaged items that produce more garbage for the local landfill. Here are just a few of my favorites.

Antibacterial wipes — Cut worn out, thinned sheets into small squares, seal in sandwich bags, pour in isopropyl alcohol. These washable, reusable wipes also disinfect your washer when you wash them. Keep out of reach of children.

Cleaning rags — Any old clothing or materials that are stained or unusable make great cleaning or shop rags. A good friend advises that old underwear makes perfect lint-free dustcloths.

Dish soap — Mix 2 cup castile soap, 1/2 cup water, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, a few drops of an essential oil and 1/2 cup white vinegar.

Dishwasher cleaner — To remove iron deposits inside your machine, dump a packet of unsweetened lemonade Kool-Aid in to your soap drawer and run through a hot-water cycle. Leaves your dishwasher sparkling clean!

Dryer sheets — Mix three parts water to one part fabric softener. Soak half of a sponge in the liquid. Squeeze out excess. Toss in dryer. Repeat. Also expands the life of your fabric softener.

Makeup remover — Why purchase expensive makeup removers when your bathroom most likely already holds perfectly good substitutes? Hair conditioner quickly and easily removes eye makeup. Likewise, baby oil removes makeup while softening the sensitive skin around your eye. Both of these options are less expensive than traditional eye makeup removers.

Microwave cleaner — Place 1 cup water and one fresh sliced lemon in a microwave safe bowl. Boil in your dirty microwave for 20 seconds. This will loosen the hardened food particles inside. Simply wipe to remove and your microwave will look brand new.

Stainless steel cleaner — Pour club soda directly on stainless steel countertops, ranges and sinks. Wipe with a soft cloth, rinse with warm water and wipe dry.

Window cleaner — Combine 1/4 cup vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon liquid soap or detergent (to eliminate streaking) and 2 cup water. Pour into a spray bottle and wipe with a used newspaper, after you’ve clipped this article out first of course.

If you have an item you are currently creating versus buying, share it via posting on my blog.

EDITOR’S NOTE — Tara Roark conducts Coupon Boot Camps training consumers how to save hundreds on their groceries, shopping, dining and entertainment through couponing. To contact her, visit www.couponbootcamp.com, follow her blog at http://mommysgotworktodo.blogspot.com, or on Twitter, couponbootcamp, for exclusive deals and tips.