64 Super Smart DIY Kitchen Hacks on a Budget

Looking for the best DIY kitchen hacks on a budget? These are the best kitchen hacks for a clean and organized space!

Hello there!

I’m Chantal – welcome to Ironwild Fitness. 🙂

You may be wondering what a post about DIY kitchen hacks is doing on a fitness website.

I get it.

But if you give me a chance to explain, I’d be more than happy to.

Why DIY Kitchen Hacks?

Every single article that I write for any of my websites (I may have a few) has a backstory, and it’s almost always pretty personal.

In this case, one of the most important things you should know is that I write primarily for an audience of moms and homemakers.

Although this is a fitness website, it actually began as sort of an accountability journal for my personal postpartum fitness journey.

I really struggled in the years following having babies, and because of that, I have been able to connect with thousands of women who can relate.

On top of that, I have been a stay-at-home mom (I guess I work from home technically now since this blog is a small business) for nearly ten years now.

I have learned that although moms need health and fitness tips, my audience also benefits from homemaking hacks and support as well.

But it’s really much more than that.

Over time, my fitness philosophy has changed a great deal. Although I’m a certified personal trainer and nutrition coach, I’m also kind of a borderline hippy with a bone to pick with the American lifestyle.

Now I am focused less and less on cut-and-dry fitness tips and more focused on a holistic approach that addresses the needs of the whole human.

In other words, I believe that health & fitness are significantly more complex topics than most people could ever imagine.

For many people, but especially women and moms, all the workout and nutrition tips in the world mean nothing if you aren’t in a good place mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and beyond.

When it comes to moms, there are many levels of health and self-care, and oftentimes that includes the state of our homes and the health of our families.

The state of your home is often a reflection of your overall health.

Staying healthy while keeping a home and raising kids is something that’s easier said than done.

I know that this is something that I personally struggled with for many years, and many women need extra support in that area.

So, I share these DIY kitchen hacks with that in mind.

I’m here to support healthy homemaking in addition to all of the typical fitness stuff.

The story of how I got here really is quite long, but if you’d like to read more about me, here’s a good place to start.

If you’d like to read more about healthy homemaking, I have many more articles on the subject. Here are a few you might find helpful:

• 7 Must-Read Homemaking Tips For Beginners
• 15 Most Inspiring Books About Homemaking
• 13 Tips On How To Keep a Healthy Home
• What is Ironwild Fitness?

Anyhow.

Back to the best kitchen hacks to DIY on a budget!

I am a sucker for a good life hack, and kitchen hacks are absolutely no different.

To be clear, I am the type of girl who gets excited to deep clean and organize things. I also love planning. And with planning comes brainstorming.

(If planners and new pens and highlighters are exciting to you, let’s be friends.) 🙂

So when I sat down to write this post about the best DIY kitchen hacks, I knew that I wasn’t going to make it through without actually trying a whole bunch of them myself.

And I’m super glad I did because I have discovered some truly helpful tips and tricks. Onto the best kitchen hacks that you can DIY on a budget!

64 Super Smart DIY Kitchen Hacks on a Budget

Here’s a list of DIY kitchen hacks that can help you save money while improving your cooking and organization skills:

1. Homemade Spice Blends

Create your own spice blends like taco seasoning, curry powder, or Italian seasoning.

It’s often cheaper than buying pre-made mixes and it’s actually really easy! (These make great holiday gifts, too. My family makes big batches of seasoning blends and then gives them out in cute jars.)

There are recipes for homemade spice blends all over Pinterest, but here’s a great one just for taco seasoning and another for Italian seasoning.

2. DIY Flavored Oils and Vinegars

Here’s another great DIY kitchen hack! Just like you can DIY your own spice blends (it’s healthier and often cheaper!), you can also make your own flavored oils and vinegars.

Infuse olive (or avocado) oil or vinegar with herbs, garlic, or chili flakes for custom flavors. This is a cheap way of feeling fancy and adding variety to your meals when you’re on a budget. Here’s an article about how to DIY some basic herbal olive blends!

P.S. (These also make great gifts!)

Related Reading: 23 Best Gifts For Stay At Home Moms

3. Repurpose Glass Jars

This is one of the most classic, best kitchen hacks there is. (If you aren’t already doing this, what are you even doing?)

Reuse glass jars from pasta sauce, jam, or pickles as storage containers for grains, beans, and leftovers. It’s better for you than storing food in plastic, and there are tons of other things you can use extra jars for.

(As vases, for office supplies, laundry detergent, crayons, etc.)

Get creative with it!

4. DIY Fruit Fly Trap

Right now it’s autumn for me, and the fruit flies are just starting to show up out of thin air. (How do they just magically appear one day?)

Luckily, one of my favorite cheap DIY kitchen hacks is to make my own fruit fly trap. All you need is something sweet and/or fermented smelling (I use apple cider vinegar but have also used hard cider and beer), some water, a jar, and some liquid dish soap.

Take a small glass jar and mix together a few drops of soap (I use blue Dawn) with a little bit of water and your apple cider vinegar.

Place the jar somewhere safe in your kitchen so it doesn’t spill and watch the fruit flies come flyin’!

The vinegar attracts them, the soap kills them, and then they collect in the jar nicely.

Pro Tip: Switch out your jar with a fresh batch about once per week or if you notice the smell of the mixture has weakened.

5. Homemade Cleaning Supplies

Here’s another great DIY kitchen hack, and once you learn how to do it, you’ll never look back!

Did you know that vinegar kills about 80% of common household germs? (And it’s super cheap!)

Make your kitchen cleaner by mixing vinegar and baking soda for an eco-friendly and cost-effective cleaning solution. Use essential oils to make it smell good, and you’ll have a cheap DIY cleaner that’s safe for little people and easy to make.

Here’s a recipe for a vinegar cleaning solution that uses up your citrus peels for a lemony-orange scent!

6. Freeze Fresh Herbs

If you have a garden or like to buy things in bulk, this can be a great DIY kitchen hack.

Chop fresh herbs and freeze them in ice cube trays with water or olive oil to preserve their flavor. Then, anytime you need to add a little something extra to your meals, you’ll have a quick and convenient way to do so!

7. Use Vinegar to Clean Appliances

We talked about vinegar for a kitchen spray, but white vinegar can also help clean your microwave, coffee maker, and dishwasher effectively without the need for expensive cleaning products.

It’s especially good for descaling (removing hard water deposits), so use it on your showerheads, faucets, and even your espresso machine!

Just be sure to test on a small area before getting too crazy with it, because vinegar is corrosive to some materials.

8. Homemade Salad Dressings

If your focus is healthy homemaking, here’s another great DIY kitchen hack to add to your list.

Create your salad dressings using basic ingredients like olive oil, vinegar, mustard, honey, and herbs. It’s tastier, healthier, and cheaper than store-bought versions.

9. Repurpose Stale Bread

Turn stale bread into homemade croutons or breadcrumbs by baking or pulsing in a food processor. You can also make French toast with bread that has gotten too hard.

10. DIY Dish Soap Dispenser

Refill a used hand soap or dish soap dispenser with a mixture of water and a few drops of dish soap to make it last longer. You can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to make it even better.

(I personally like to reuse the foaming hand soap dispensers the most!)

11. Make Your Own Stock

Collect vegetable scraps and chicken bones to make homemade broth or stock, reducing the need for store-bought versions.

This is a super healthy way to boost collagen intake, get a ton of vitamins and minerals in, and reduce waste too!

12. Reusable Beeswax Wraps

Instead of disposable plastic wrap, use DIY beeswax wraps to cover food items. Or, if you’re talented with a sewing machine, you can make stretchy bowl covers from a few scraps of fabric. Make different sizes for different bowls, and you’ll reduce your need for cellophane.

13. Cook in Batches/Freezer Meals

This is one of the best DIY kitchen hacks of all time. If you’re frugal (or need to be more frugal), it’s a must. Prepare large batches of meals and freeze them in portions to save time and money on busy days.

This is a great way to save money and time, and it’s really a lifesaver on busy nights. Here’s a big list of freezer meals you can make in big batches.

14. Homemade Yogurt

Homemade yogurt is surprisingly easy to make. (I’ve done it a couple of times and the result actually surprised me – yum!)

Make yogurt at home using milk and yogurt culture. It’s sometimes cheaper than buying individual containers, but the real value is in the clean, healthy ingredients.

Here is a picture of my very own yogurt that I store in cute little glass jars (surprise, surprise)!

15. DIY Fruit and Vegetable Cleaner

Did you know that it’s super easy to make your own fruit & veggie wash at home? (It helps to remove pesticides, herbicides, dirt, and bugs!)

It’s easy – just mix water and vinegar in a spray bottle to make a natural produce cleaner.

If you want to go the extra mile, sprinkle baking soda onto your produce while soaking in the water/vinegar mixture. The fizz helps to really get things out!

16. Sharpen Knives at Home

Here’s one of those helpful yet underrated DIY kitchen hacks. Invest in a knife sharpening tool and learn how to maintain your kitchen knives, extending their lifespan. This will save you money over time, and the sharpeners can last for several years!

17. Compost Kitchen Scraps

Use vegetable peels and scraps for compost to reduce waste. Or, if you’re inclined, use them to feed chickens or pigs!

If you don’t have backyard chickens, it’s pretty easy to find people who will come get your “extras” to feed their animals. (I see people looking for these types of things on Craigslist, NextDoor, and other community websites!)

18. Mason Jar Meals

Create salads, overnight oats, or layered parfaits in mason jars for a portable and budget-friendly meal prep.

19. Freeze Leftover Wine

Pour leftover wine into ice cube trays and freeze it to use for cooking instead of buying wine for recipes. We LOVE to save any white wines for our fondue nights, but red wine is great for roasts and other meats.

20. DIY Kitchen Decor

Craft your own kitchen decor using materials like chalkboard paint, wooden pallets, or mason jars to add a personal touch without spending much.

21. Homemade Bread

This is a seriously easy DIY kitchen hack once you try it a few times.

Experiment with making your own bread at home, which can be both cost-effective and satisfying. If you’re health conscious, give it a go with this beginner wheat sourdough recipe!

22. Homemade Granola

Make your own granola with oats, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit for a healthy and economical breakfast option.

23. DIY Tea Blends

Another one of my favorite DIY kitchen hacks is to mix loose tea leaves, herbs, and spices to create your own custom tea blends.

With a pinch of creativity and a dash of herbal knowledge, you can craft unique teas that cater to your taste preferences and specific needs. Start by selecting a base tea, such as black, green, or herbal, and then experiment with a medley of herbs, spices, and botanicals.

Whether it’s a soothing chamomile and lavender blend for relaxation or a zesty ginger and lemon concoction to invigorate your senses, the possibilities are endless. Personalize your tea blends, share them with loved ones, and savor the joy of a warm, comforting cup brewed just the way you like it!

24. Reusable Coffee Filters

Use a reusable coffee filter instead of disposable paper filters to save money and reduce waste.

25. Kitchen Garden

Grow herbs, vegetables, or small fruit plants in your kitchen or on a windowsill to have fresh produce at your fingertips.

Related Reading: 7 Ways Starting a Vegetable Garden Can Help You Lose Weight

26. DIY Ice Packs

Fill and freeze resealable plastic bags with water or use a sponge to create homemade ice packs.

27. Homemade Salsa and Dips

Prepare your own salsa, guacamole, or hummus using basic ingredients for a cost-effective and tastier snack.

28. Clean with Lemons

If you have wooden cutting boards, you know that they can get stinky and stained pretty easily.

Cut a lemon in half and squeeze a little juice out over your cutting boards. Next, rub the open side of the lemon all over the cutting boards and let sit for a few minutes. Rinse off and your boards will be as good as new!

29. Repurpose Egg Cartons

Don’t toss those old egg cartons into the trash just yet!

Repurposing them can be both eco-friendly and creative. These versatile containers can find new life in various ways.

Use them as seed starters for your garden, providing a perfect environment for young plants to thrive. Alternatively, they make excellent organizers for small items like beads, screws, or jewelry.

Or, get crafty and transform them into colorful succulent pots, adding a charming touch to your decor. And for the little ones, egg cartons are fantastic for arts and crafts projects, encouraging creativity while reducing waste.

30. Homemade Nut Butter

Blend roasted nuts to make your own peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter without added preservatives.

31. DIY Food Dehydrator

Dry fruits, vegetables, and herbs in the oven on low heat to preserve them for longer periods.

32. Homemade Pizza Dough

Skip store-bought pizza dough and make your own with flour, yeast, water, and a pinch of salt.

33. Upcycled Utensil Holder

Repurpose old cans, jars, or wooden boxes to create a unique utensil holder for your kitchen.

34. Homemade Candles

Make homemade candles using leftover wax or create scented candles by melting crayons.

35. DIY Drawer Organizers

Cut cereal boxes or cardboard to size and use them as drawer dividers to organize utensils and kitchen tools.

36. Homemade Baby Food

If you have a baby, make your own baby food by pureeing fruits and vegetables, saving money, and ensuring quality ingredients.

You don’t need a fancy baby food machine – just steam and then blend foods with a little water. Store cooled food in glass jars to keep them fresh longer.

37. Homemade Popsicles

Blend fruit juice, yogurt, or pureed fruit and freeze in molds to create your own healthy popsicles. It’s super easy and you get to skip all of the added sugar and artificial colors that storebought popsicles usually have.

All you need is a cheap popsicle mold (I have this one) or you can use ice cube trays & popsicle sticks for mini popsicles! Take a look at the popsicles we made this last summer with fresh strawberries and coconut water:

38. Homemade Ice Cream

Make ice cream at home using a basic ice cream maker or the no-churn method with condensed milk and whipping cream. If you’re really into it, you can buy a 30-minute frozen yogurt and ice cream maker, but it’s totally not necessary.

If you’re looking for a good recipe to start with, this healthy blackberry frozen yogurt I make is a summertime favorite.

39. Clean Up Your Baseboards and Blinds with Tide

I learned this hack from GoCleanCo, but it really has been a game-changer. Mix warm water with Original Tide powder to clean walls, baseboards, white doors, blinds, and so much more!

It is super effective, safe, and leaves everything smelling quite clean.

40. Learn What You Can Freeze

I bet you’re throwing away leftovers that can be frozen! Or maybe you’re buying too much of something and it’s going bad before you can eat it. One great DIY kitchen hack is to learn what freezes well and what doesn’t. Here’s a list of surprising things you can freeze.

41. DIY Food Labels

Create your own food labels and stickers for homemade jams, sauces, and other preserves.

42. Homemade Extracts

Infuse alcohol with vanilla beans, citrus zest, or coffee beans to make your own extracts for baking.

43. DIY Reusable Snack Bags

Sew reusable cloth snack bags for packing lunches and snacks, reducing the need for disposable plastic bags.

44. Repurpose Old T-Shirts

Cut old t-shirts into rags for cleaning and wiping in the kitchen, reducing the need for paper towels. I have actually seen people cut them into nice little squares and then layer them around a paper towel holder, wrapping them up in an overlapping manner to make it easy and convenient to use clean rags. Neat, right?

Related Reading: How to Store Microgreens | Microgreens FAQ

45. Pegboard Wall

Install a pegboard on an empty kitchen wall to hang pots, pans, utensils, and even cutting boards for easy access.

46. Under-Shelf Baskets

Attach wire baskets to the underside of shelves to increase storage space for items like spices, cleaning supplies, or dish towels.

47. Magnetic Knife Strip

Mount a magnetic knife strip on the wall to free up counter space and keep your knives easily accessible and organized.

48. Hanging Pot Rack

Install a ceiling-mounted pot rack to store pots and pans overhead, freeing up cabinet space.

49. Tension Rod Dividers

Place tension rods vertically in cabinets to create adjustable dividers for baking sheets, cutting boards, or trays. (These can be found in the curtain area of your home goods or housewares store!)

50. Lazy Susans

Use lazy Susans in corner cabinets or pantry shelves to easily access items without digging through clutter.

51. Stackable Containers

Invest in stackable, airtight containers for pantry staples like flour, sugar, and cereal to save space and keep ingredients fresh.

As you purchase and use up different ingredients, consolidate them regularly for and nice and tidy pantry or cupboards! (I bought these cute and affordable containers that come with a chalkboard labeling system.)

52. Mason Jar Storage

Store dry goods like grains, pasta, and beans in Mason jars with labels for a uniform and visually appealing pantry display. You can get reusable plastic lids for them or just get some classic aluminum canning lids, too.

Related Reading: 15 Most Inspiring Books About Homemaking

53. Floating Shelves

Install floating shelves to display cookbooks, dishes, or decorative items while keeping countertops clutter-free.

54. Cabinet Door Spice Rack

Mount a spice rack on the inside of cabinet doors to free up shelf space and keep spices within reach.

55. Drawer Pot and Lid Organizer

Use tension rods or wire racks within deep drawers to organize pots, pans, and their matching lids.

56. Pantry Door Storage

Attach organizers or hooks to the back of your pantry door for storing spices, foil, plastic wrap, or cleaning supplies.

57. Baking Sheet Divider

Add vertical dividers to a cabinet to store baking sheets, muffin tins, and cutting boards upright. If you’re willing to make a small investment, they make some really handy racks that will do this for you! I have one of them and it makes it so much nicer to find and use all of my baking sheets and pizza pans.

58. Drawer Peg System

Create a customizable peg system in deep drawers to store dishes, bowls, or pots securely.

59. DIY Favorite Recipe Book

Do you have a lot of cookbooks but only use a few recipes from each one? Write out all of your favorite recipes on individual recipe cards (index cards work great) and then put them all together in one binder or a special recipe book. This helps you find your go-to recipes faster and makes it easy to pass on your favorite recipes to friends and family!

You Might Also Like: The Ultimate Declutter Checklist (Free!)

60. Pull-Out Pantry Shelves

Install pull-out pantry shelves to make it easier to access items stored at the back of deep cabinets.

61. Suction Cup Hooks

Use suction cup hooks on the inside of cabinet doors to hang dish towels, oven mitts, or measuring cups.

62. Pantry Labels

Label containers, bins, and jars in your pantry to keep everything clearly organized and easy to find.

63. Wall-Mounted Baskets

Hang wire baskets on the kitchen wall to store fresh fruits and vegetables, keeping them off the counter.

64. Cabinet Lid Organizer

Install a cabinet door lid organizer to neatly store pot and pan lids. It will keep you from having to move all those lids around to find the right one!

That’s it!

These budget-friendly kitchen hacks can help you save money, reduce waste, and enjoy a more sustainable and creative cooking experience.

I hope they inspire you to go get organized!

Until next time,

Chantal

(Don’t forget to find me on Instagram!)