Whether it’s off-grid living, prepping, or an SHTF scenario, nature is your last recourse for healing and keeping healthy. That’s why whether in your daily life or in anticipating these scenarios, it pays to know more about these medicinal essential oils.
Essential oils from peppermints come as one of the most popular. How often have you come across gum, toothpaste, mouthwash, breath mint, soap, and rub with peppermint?
Archaeological evidence also places its use at least as far back as ten thousand years ago. In fact, peppermint is nicknamed ‘the world’s oldest medicine.’
The use of medicinal essential oils dates ages back and is used all throughout the world. From the Bible times, Chinese, Egyptian, and Ayurvedic, all use medicinal essential oils.
Sage is common all throughout North America, so it would be a shame not to take advantage of this free stuff. As a matter of fact, it is so common that it also plays a large part in American traditional medicine.
Sage is also used in alternative medicine for common illnesses such as cough, throat fever, and asthma. In fact, it is one of the best essential oils for colds.
Yet, further studies show its potential in managing more complicated diseases. Below are some of the amazing potential for sage essential oil in medicine.
If there’s one essential oil that’s a cut above the rest, that would be the tree tea oil. Tea tree oil is often referred to as “medicine cabinet in a bottle,” as its remedies are seemingly endless.
It’s a natural indoor air purifier, disinfectant, and household cleaner, too. So if you keep away from carcinogenic chemicals in cleansers, the tea tree oil should be your go-to essential oil.
Tea tree oil isn’t native to North America though. So if you buy your tea tree oil, make sure to pick trusted organic tea tree essential oils brands.
This essential oil should not be taken in too, nor stay exposed to it for long as it has some toxic property. You can use tea tree oil on your pets and livestock, but only on the surface.
Tea Tree Oil Uses and Benefits:
All around home care and cleaning
Stops spread of bacteria, fungi, and virus
Hair, skin, and oral care
Air freshener
Cough and cold relief
Minor cuts and insect bite first aid
Pet and livestock care
Pain relief
Check out some emergency survival essential oils in this video from Lisa Capron:
Medicinal essential oils are nature’s healing wonders indeed. While we used medicinal essential oils for centuries, they aren’t as mainstream now as they should be.
In this case, it is best to always err on the side of caution, and use them with proper guidance. They are subjects of studies though, especially for their potential in treating diseases such as cancer.
Ancient survivalists knew beforehand and as present-day preppers and survivalists, it pays to know all about medicinal essential oils!
How are you using these medicinal essential oils? Let us know what home remedies you’ve tried with these medicinal essential oils by posting them in the comments section below!
People used essential oils for healing and medicinal purposes for many centuries now. Most certainly long before we had pills, capsules, and big pharma to take care of our medical woes.
And while there is a place for manufactured pharmaceuticals in our survival medicine kit, there exists the possibility of supplies running out. In such cases, they should be reserved for only the direst of circumstances and sometimes, sadly, comes with a cost.
It is even worse in survival situations of post-apocalyptic proportions where supplies are totally cut off. To get these meds, you need to scavenge or risk your life to get them.
For this reason, many preppers and individuals seeking self-reliance are learning to use essential oils to manage both routine and not-so-routine maladies that occur in daily life.
There are about a dozen or so essential oils that belong in every survival kit. This includes lemon, peppermint, lavender, clove, rosemary, and Melaleuca or tea tree among others.
All of these essential oils have healing properties but today I would like to focus on just one, tea tree oil.
A Brief History Of Tea Tree Oil
It is believed the Aborigines of Australia have been using the leaves of the indigenous Melaleuca Tree (whose leaves are used to make tea tree oil) in their medications for centuries.
They inhaled the oils from the crushed leaves to treat coughs and colds, sprinkled crushed leaves on their wounds and used an infusion of soaked leaves to treat sore throats or skin ailments.
Use of the oil itself, as opposed to the unextracted plant material, did not become common practice until researcher Arthur Penfold published the first reports of its antimicrobial activity in a series of papers in the 1920s and 1930s. In evaluating the antimicrobial activity, he found tea tree oil was 11 times more active than phenol.
The commercial tea tree oil industry was born shortly thereafter although interest in tea tree oil ebbed after World War II. This is presumably due to the development of effective antibiotics and the waning image of natural products.
Interest was rekindled in the 1970s as part of the general renaissance of interest in natural products.
80 Uses of Tea Tree Oil for Survival
For thousands of years, the derivatives of the Melaleuca Tree have been effective in treating a wide variety of ailments. Here are 80 reasons why you should use it, too!
1. Abrasions and Minor Cuts
After cleaning the area well, apply a few drops of the oil directly. If a bandage is needed, allow a few drops of the oil to penetrate a cotton ball, then lay it face down on the wound with a bandage on top.
2. Tea Tree Oil Acne Treatment
Add a drop to your normal cleansing routine or dab a very small amount on acne breakouts.
You can also add 20-40 drops of the oil to your regular face wash.
3. Air Freshener
Keep a supply of cotton balls soaked in tea tree oil packed away in a plastic bag or tin. When confronted with foul smells from cooking, musty orders from dampness, or even the medicinal smell in a sick room, take a few out the freshen the air and remove the nasty smell.
4. Allergies
Use topically by massaging into the chest, abdomen, or the reflex points of the feet.
5. Arthritis
To help reduce pain associated with the swelling of arthritis, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to two ounces of grapeseed or other carrier oil. Massage into the affected area two to three times a day.
6. Tea Tree Oil Remedy for Asthma
Add a few drops of oil to a pan of water and heat on the stove.
When cooling, drape a towel over the head, and breathe in for a few minutes.
7. Athlete’s Foot
Clean feet thoroughly, especially between toes. Add oil directly to feet every two weeks, dusting with corn starch after.
You can also add 10 drops of oil to a tablespoon of grapeseed or other carrier oil and massage on your feet and between your toes daily.
8. Baby Care
Keep your diaper pail clean and fresh with a spray of tea tree oil mixed with water.
9. Bacterial Infections
Use topically, either massaging into the reflex points of the feet, adding several drops to a bath or cautiously applying over an infected site.
10. Bad Breath
Rinse with an ounce of water and a drop of tea tree oil. Do not swallow!
11. Bladder Infection
In a shallow bath, add 10 to 15 drops of oil. Sit and wash the area carefully.
12. Blisters
Wash the wounded area carefully, then directly apply tea tree oil to cuts and wounds.
13. Boils
Apply a warm washcloth for a few minutes, then apply a drop or two of oil to the area. The infection should rise to the surface and eventually be released.
14. Bronchial Congestion
Use as directed for Asthma. Add 5-10 drops to an ounce of carrier oil, and massage into the chest and throat two to three times daily.
15. Bronchitis
Add one to two drops to a pan of hot water and breathe in the steam or massage the oil over the chest.
16. Bruises
After icing, apply oil as directed for Arthritis.
17. Bunions
Massage the area with five drops of oil to a tablespoon of carrier oil.
18. Burns
Run icy cold water on the area. After a few minutes, add a mix of five drops oil with a teaspoon of raw honey.
Repeat three to five times daily.
19. Calluses and Corns
Massage the area with five drops of oil to a tablespoon of carrier oil. Repeat two times daily.
Once the corn or calluses have become soft use tweezers to remove them. Apply a few drops of tea tree oil and cover with a bandage.
20. Canker Sores
Apply a drop or two of oil directly to the infected area with a cotton swab, two times daily. Also, rinse as directed for bad breath.
21. Carbuncles
Add a drop or two of oil to a cotton swab and apply directly to the carbuncle. Repeat twice daily.
22. Chapped Lips
Add one or two drops of oil to lip balm. Apply to lips as necessary.
23. Chicken Pox
Apply a drop of oil directly to the blisters. Allow to dry, then dust with cornstarch.
Repeat every few hours or until blisters disappear.
Apply a drop or two of oil directly to the sore with a cotton swab. Re-apply two to three times daily.
26. Tea Tree Oil Cough Relief
Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to the steamer and leave for 5-10 minutes.
27. Homemade Tea Tree Oil Anti-Dandruff Solution
Add 20-30 drops of oil to any shampoo. Apply a few drops to the scalp and massage after washing.
28. Dermatitis
Add 10 drops of oil to a tablespoon of grapeseed or other oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat two to three times daily.
29. Tea Tree Oil Uses for Skin
Add five drops of tea tree oil to a tablespoon of sweet almond oil. Massage into dry skin to moisturize.
30. Earache and Infection
Add two to three drops of oil to two tablespoons of warm olive oil. With a dropper, drop a small amount into the aching ear, tilting head to one side for a moment.
Use a cotton swab to absorb oil then, repeat two to three times daily.
31. Eczema
Add 10 drops of oil to a tablespoon of grapeseed oil or coconut oil and massage into affected areas.
Remember to spit the tea tree mouthwash and rinse with water because tea tree oil is toxic when ingested.
39. Household Cleaning
Can be used aromatically or added to homemade cleaners to kill germs and prevent the spread of colds and flu. You can make a general tea tree cleaner by combining two teaspoons of tea tree oil with two cups of water in a spray bottle.
Shake to blend and use for household cleaning tasks. This is especially good in the bathroom and in toilets.
40. Immune System
To stimulate the immune system, diffuse through the air on a regular basis, and massage into the soles of the feet to increase your immune response.
Adding the oil to steaming water, hold the infected area over the steam. You may also dilute a drop of tea tree with a cup of water, then rinse the infected area one to two times a day, as needed.
42. Inflammation
Massage over the inflamed areas, gently and always toward the heart, or diffuse and inhale the tea tree oil directly or indirectly.
43. Ingrown Hairs
Add one to two drops of oil directly to the area. Repeat every two hours or until signs of infection disappear.
44. Insect Repellant
Add 15 drops to a quart of water and use as an effective insect repellent.
45. Jock Itch
Apply 10 to 15 drops of oil to two tablespoons of carrier oil. Apply two times daily.
Dust with corn starch, to reduce chapping.
46. Laryngitis
Add 5-10 drops of oil and a pinch of sea salt to a cup of warm water and gargle two to three times a day. Do not swallow!
47. Laundry Helper
Add half of a teaspoon of tea tree oil to your laundry for towels and other fabrics prone to getting moldy.
48. Mildew and Mold Remover
Spray an all-purpose cleaner made with two teaspoons of tea tree oil and two cups of water on growing mold and mildew. Shake well before using and do not rinse.
49. Mosquito Bites
Apply a drop of oil directly to bites.
50. Muscle Aches and Pains
Add 10-15 drops of oil to half a cup of Epsom salts, and dissolve in a bath.
Add 10 drops of oil to two tablespoons of carrier oil, then massage well.
51. Mumps
Massage over the body and into the feet, and diffuse through the home.
52. Nail Fungus
Add one to two drops of oil directly to the nail and the surrounding tissue.
Allow it to dry completely on your hands before touching anything. Repeat morning and night for a week.
53. Pest Control
Household ants and other pests dislike tea tree oil, so a few drops put at the point of entry will deter them. Wipe cupboards out with an oil and water solution to keep ants away.
54. Plantar Warts
Apply oil undiluted to the affected area two to three times daily.
55. Psoriasis
Add 10 drops of oil to a tablespoon of carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat two to three times daily which you can also apply undiluted.
56. Rashes
Mix with coconut oil and massage over the affected areas.
57. Rheumatism
To help reduce pain associated with rheumatism, add 20 drops of tea tree oil to two ounces of carrier oil. Massage into the affected area two to three times a day.
58. Ringworm
Apply a drop or two of oil undiluted, repeat two times daily. Can also mix a drop of tea tree oil with a drop of lavender oil for added benefit.
59. Rubella
Dilute as needed and massage into the affected areas.
Apply one to two drops of oil directly to the area in the morning and at night.
61. Sciatica
Add 10 drops of oil to a tablespoon of carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat two to three times daily. You can apply it undiluted.
62. Seborrhea
For skin: Add 10 drops of oil to a tablespoon of carrier oil and massage into affected areas. Repeat two to three times daily.
For the scalp: Add 10 drops of oil to two tablespoons of shampoo. Massage into scalp and hair then leave on for 10 minutes then rinse. Repeat three to four times daily.
Bath: Add 10-15 drops of tea tree oil to your bath.
63. Shingles
Add 10-15 drops of oil to a half cup of Epsom salt, and dissolve in a bath. Add 10 drops of oil to two tablespoons of grapeseed oil or coconut oil and massage well.
64. Shock
Massage tea tree oil into the soles of the feet as needed.
65. Sinusitis
Use as directed for bronchial infections. For a vaporizer, add 10 drops to steamer and leave on for 5-10 minutes. You can also add two drops to a neti pot.
66. Sore Muscles
Fill your bathtub with warm water. Add a few drops of tea tree oil to the water to relax tight muscles.
67. Sore Throat
Add two drops of oil to a cup of warm water with a pinch of sea salt, then gargle two to three times a day. Do not swallow!
68. Staph Infection
Best used topically, and rubbed into the soles of the feet to increase the immune response and fight infection.
69. Tea Tree Oil Remedy for Stye
Add five drops of oil to a pan of steaming water. Drape towel overhead and steam for five minutes.
Apply warm compresses directly to the stye.
70. Tea Tree Oil Sunburn Solution
Mix a tablespoon of coconut oil with a drop of tea tree and a drop of lavender and gently apply to sunburned areas.
71. Tattoos
Apply after tattoos to avoid infection. Use undiluted, diluted with coconut oil, or as a spray with purified water.
72. Thrush
Gargle with sea salt, warm water, and a drop of tea tree oil.
Depending on the wound and your own sensitivity you may be able to apply directly.
A Note About Carrier Oils to Dilute Tea Tree Oil
In order to effectively use essential oils – not just tea tree oil – it is often necessary to dilute the essential oil in another oil. This is important so it can be easily spread or massaged on the affected area.
These oils are called “carrier” oils. Common carrier oils include coconut oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, and others.
Fractionated coconut oil and grapeseed oil are favorites because they are odorless and in the case of fractionated coconut oil, immune to rancidity.
In practical use, any oil can be used if you do not have one of these more therapeutic oils on hand.
The properties of the various carrier oils are beyond the scope of this article but my favorite? Easy. Fractionated coconut oil. It is relatively inexpensive, odorless and has a long shelf life making it perfect for the survival kit.
Another Word About Essential Oils
After a ton of research, for wellness purposes, I am now using essential oils from Spark Naturals. There are a lot of reasons the most important being their commitment to both quality and value.
I am satisfied with the knowledge the raw materials used in Spark Naturals products are tested and authenticated to be of pharmaceutical-grade purity.
Plus, unlike other companies, they are open about the fact there is no official system that grades essential oils as A, B, C, or Therapeutic grade. It is bogus.
If you see a site that makes this claim, it is marketing hype and not fact.
You can purchase Melaleuca (Tea Tree) oil from Spark Naturals and receive a 10% discount when you use the discount code “BACKDOORSURVIVAL” at checkout.
The Final Word
My first experience with tea tree oil occurred in the 80s when I was faced with a nail fungus that would not go away. The pharmaceutical solutions at the time (and for all I know, even now) were harsh and required frequent monitoring of liver enzymes.
For a simple, non-life-threatening nail fungus, I chose to pass. After using a topical application of tea tree oil for three months, the fungus was all but gone.
I then became interested in aromatherapy (which uses essential oils). I read every book I could get my hands on and dabbled at creating synergy.
The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy
It is a combination of two or more oils that create a chemical compound greater than the sum of its individual components. My bible then, and even now, is The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood.
Since then I have used essential oils off and on for a variety of woes and have never been disappointed. My recommendation is, pick up a few essential oils, especially some tea tree oil. Then, start to use them to supplement any other remedies you are using to keep your family and your home in tip-top shape.
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
In this video, Dr. Josh Axe shares some benefits of tea tree oil:
Although these amazing uses for tea tree oil are time-tested, the effect varies in different people. Tea tree oil side effects may even be experienced by some.
If it works for you, well and good. If not, discontinue use and seek your Doctor’s advise.
Did we miss out on any uses for tea tree oil? Sound off at the comments section below!
I have had my Kindle Fire for a little over a year and I felt that enough time had passed that a review was in order.
Amazon Kindle Review
From the standpoint of an average reader, I’d have to say that the Kindle more than serves its purpose.
From the standpoint of a tech geek, the Kindle Fire is a little slow when compared to a powerhouse like the iPad.
When it comes to Survival, the Kindle has some major ups and downs.
The good:
Instant access to over 1 million books, and that number is continually growing.
100’s of books are available for free every day, and many sites are available that have daily updates on what books have been made free. My favorite one is freedigitalreads.com
The Kindle Fire is a tablet computer that offers reading as well as video and games that can provide entertainment for yourself as well as your children. This is a great thing to have in both disaster situations and long road trips.
Most books have a ‘Preview” feature that allows you to get a good look inside before you make a purchase.
Libraries are now offering free online rentals of books. This has saved me from having to spend a ton of money on books that end up not being that good.
Books are stored directly on the device as well as in the cloud. This lets you read even without an internet connection.
The Bad:
It is Wifi only which leaves you tethered to a wifi hotspot when you want to make a download.
The most obvious drawback to the Kindle for a survivalist is that when the battery runs out, you are cut off from accessing your library.
The Kindle is tough, but in a survival situation, you will have to take extra time to make sure that the tablet doesn’t get broken.
Using it for anything other than reading or watching videos will quickly show you just how watered-down a tablet is compared to the iPad.
The bottom line:
If you are an avid reader and want to have total access to an ever-increasing library of books, then you need a Kindle.
I realize that it is nowhere near the same as having an entire library filled with books that entertain you as well as improve your skills.
While it is true that you are out of luck when it runs out of juice, you can still use it during normal circumstances to increase your knowledge right up until the lights go out.
If you don’t care about apps and only want to use the Kindle for reading, the new “paperwhite” version of the Kindle takes a major leap in the right direction for survivalists. It boasts up to 8 weeks of battery life on a single charge.
It is becoming harder and harder to find an actual bookstore to browse and at any used bookstore you are never guaranteed that the book you want will be in stock. With the Kindle you can preview almost any book before you buy the digital version and most books also offer physical copies for purchase.
A Kindle won’t feed you or provide fresh water, but it will provide a wealth of information and entertainment that is instantly available at the push of a button, in a package that will fit in your back pocket.
The time has come once again to begin shopping for Christmas gifts and stocking stuffers. Do you have a prepper in your life who is always looking for the latest survival gear?
Or maybe someone who is new to the whole survivalist thing and needs a couple of essential items to get started?
We all know Christmas shopping can be stressful, especially when dealing with crowds at the mall or in big department stores.
I’ve heard so many stories about fights breaking out and people getting trampled for Black Friday deals that it makes me want to skip the whole thing altogether. Shopping online is so much easier.
Stocking Stuffers for Survivalists
We’ve scoured the web for the best survival gifts and stocking stuffers for the prepper on your list. Whether it’s tools, weapons, tactical gear, food or even gag gifts, these stocking stuffers are sure to please all the survivalists on your Christmas list.
Check out the list below for some great gift ideas and stocking stuffers.
Paracord Grenade
The Paracord Grenade is the ultimate paracord survival kit! Modeled after the famed M-67 hand grenade, the Paracord Grenade is stylish, yet also provides assurance that you’re prepared should you find yourself in an emergency situation. A must-have for every bug out bag!
image via survivethecrisis
Urban Survival Playing Cards
They include 52 insider secrets from the $47 SurviveInPlace.com Urban Survival Course and cover operational security, psychology, field expedient medicine, basic survival skills, field tested tactical skills to help you not only survive, but thrive after disasters and breakdowns in civil order in urban areas, and much more.
Written by a government insider, these books give a realistic look at the slow and partial collapse of the United States. I flew through the first book in just a few sittings!
image via amazon
Survival Dog Pack
This kit includes the following:
Food and Water: Package of emergency dog food, three 4oz water pouches and ten water purification tablets
Light and Communication: 12-hour emergency bright sticks
Shelter and Warmth: 16-hour hand warmer and Mylar emergency blanket
Tools and Pet Supplies: Water/food feeding bowl, extra collar and leash set, reflective dog vest, metal stake with 15ft tie-down leash, can opener, dog toys, nylon rope and 50 pet waste bags
First Aid: 47-piece first aid kit for pets
The Avenger Blowgun
The Avenger Blowgun is a totally decked-out hunting model with 4 kinds of darts, a sewn sling, and loaded with dart holder quivers. Looks awesome! Shoots great!
Tactical Hydration Bundle
This isn’t your ordinary Hydration Pack…
Unlike any other hydration pack on the market the Geigerrig has a unique and innovative design that allows you to pressurize your water source. CSI Combo Kit
It’s hard to expect the unexpected…
That’s why you need to prepare for the worst by incorporating it into your daily routine.
Check out the UZI CSI Combo set.
This is the perfect kit to enhance your ability to escape, evade, and defend yourself in any situation.
Gag Gifts for Preppers
Add a little humor to your life and the lives of your friends and family this Christmas with these hilarious gag gifts for preppers. Whether it’s “unicorn meat” or an 85-function Swiss Army knife, there’s a little something for every survivalist on your list. Here are just a few:
85-Function Swiss Army Knife If a few are good, a lot are better right? That’s what the makers of this 85-function Swiss Army knife have always known. Thankfully, you can now benefit from their ingenuity, and own it for yourself.
image via gentlemint
Duct Tape T-Shirt…(sort of) Is there anything this stuff can’t do? This gift from the prepper gods has saved your butt so many times, it’s only right that in turn you pay your respects.
image via realcountryladies
Tactical Grilling Apron Get your tactical on even harder with this gnarly apron. This mollified wonder is the perfect housing for your instruments of battle… and the grill. Being an operator isn’t easy, but it’s your life.
image via amazon
Click here for the full list of hilarious gag gifts for preppers.
Click the banner below for more awesome stocking stuffers for survivalists:
Want to know more? Check out these related articles:
How many aluminum foil survivaluses do you know? Keep reading to find out the various uses of this unsung hero for emergency preparedness!
Aluminum Foil Survival Uses and Hacks for Preppers
A Great Survival Tool
In a crisis, you make the most of everything you have, which means you might need to get a little creative. Things like paracord and duct tape have fairly obvious uses, but other items may require a little more critical thinking. Let’s take a look at one of the most common items you have in your kitchen—aluminum foil.
Aluminum foil can be used for so much more than preparing and serving food; it can be an indispensable survivaltool that should always be included in your survival kit. You see, it’s more than just a food wrapper. There are actually plenty of survival uses for aluminum foil that will come in handy when you need it most.
1. Boiling Water
In any survival situation, it is important to stay hydrated. However, water acquired from any “untrusted” source needs to be made safe for consumption.
Aluminum foil can be a substitute for pots and pans by creating a makeshift bowl. Bring your water to a rolling boil for a minimum of one minute. This will make your water safe to drink.
2. Signal for Help
Since aluminum foil is reflective, it is great for signaling purposes. Place along with branches or any other areas where it will be clearly visible from the air or a road close by.
You can also use aluminum foil to make a makeshift mirror, which is great for signaling for help, as well.
3. Make Fishing Lures
Fish love shiny lures. If you do not have bait, wrap aluminum foil around the weights as it will act as an effective flasher attracting fish that are more reluctant to bite.
When the fishing gets a little bit tough, all you need is a square tin foil to improve the catch.
4. Water Bottle Repair
Pine sap and aluminum foil will act as a temporary patching solution for cracks in water bottles or small piercings in hydration packs.
It will not hold up to a lot of water pressure, but it will help with drips and small seeps temporarily.
5. Sharpen Dull Scissors
I keep a multi-tool on me at all times. The scissors are my most used tool, so they can be dull from time to time.
To sharpen scissors using aluminum foil, fold the foil over two or three times and cut the foil with your scissors. This will help sharpen the scissor blades.
6. Fix Loose Batteries
If batteries become loose, the most common reason is the springs inside the battery compartment have lost some of their tension over time. Loose batteries can cause glitching.
To remedy this problem with aluminum foil, fold a small piece just big enough to fill in the gap, and you’re good to go.
7. Keep Your Matches Dry
Wrapping your matches with aluminum foil will keep them dry as long as you don’t go underwater! Waterproof matches and lighters are available in the market, but you don’t have these readily available most of the time.
Aluminum foil is a great alternative since you can simply tear a piece of it from your kitchen drawer.
8. Scrub Dirty Pots and Pans
Do you have dirty pots and pans but forgot to pack the scrub pads? Not to worry. Crumble up a piece of aluminum foil and scrub your dirty pots and pans and rinse.
Remember, it is important to keep the smell of food away from your shelter area or a campsite. Having clean pots and pans will help prevent predators (such as bears) from snooping around at night.
9. Create a Quick Windbreak Around Your Campfire
Building a wall out of aluminum foil around your campfire will help protect it from the wind. This will also help reflect heat to help you stay warm at night. Campsites in the uplands can be very cold at night so the more warmth you can generate, the better.
Bonus: If you’re cold at night wrap up in heavy-duty aluminum foil, it can act as a space blanket and help insulate you.
Space Blanket Definition: Also known as an emergency or thermal blanket, it is a thin plastic sheet that reflects heat, helping the user stay warm.
10. Collect Rainwater
Remember the makeshift bowl you made to boil water? Make about 3 or 4 times that size (or just make several of them) to collect rainwater.
A tarp is also good for collecting rainwater, but it’s quite heavy to bring when camping. Aluminum foil is a more useful material for light travel.
11. Remove Rust
Crumple up a piece of aluminum foil like you would a piece of paper. Use the crumpled foil to remove rust from metal objects.
It’s not going to be a magical thing wherein the rust comes off with a little rubbing. You have to be a little bit patient to make it work.
Save this infographic for later!
Here’s a quick tip about aluminum foil survival kits from CommonSenseOutdoors:
It’s amazing how such a simple thing can be so useful for wilderness survival. My whole life, I couldn’t even remember anyone asking me for an aluminum foil if not to wrap food, now it’s one of your many significant survival tools for any outdoor emergency.
Kudos to the brilliant minds who gave birth to these ideas. It may be an unusual prepper gear, but it can also be utilized as mylar blankets or an emergency blanket, an alcohol stove, and a whole lot more. Nevertheless, creativity is the key to survival and learning any new skill will always be a plus for preppers!
Which of these aluminum foil survival uses have you tried? Share your experience with us in the comments section below!
Apparently, someone was listening to me and reading the comments left on Survival Life. On Christmas morning I opened a small white box that contained a neat-looking little tool, the CRKT Guppie.
I had seen the Guppie a few times but after my experience with the Shard, I was a little hesitant to make another purchase on a useless tool.
I have been carrying the Guppie, off and on for the last few weeks to try it out and so far it’s OK.
It’s far from perfect but infinitely better than the shard.
The Good
It has an adjustable wrench built into it, which is something I had not seen before. It opens up to ½”, so it could be useful for some small home projects or light-duty tightening.
The entire tool is built into a carabineer, which makes the Guppieis easy to carry on a belt loop, D-ring, pack, or rope.
The stainless steel blade comes from Razor-Sharp out of the box and opens pretty easily with one hand.
It has a removable magnetic bit holder equipped with standard sized screwdriver heads (unlike the flat, useless “screwdriver” on the Gerber Shard
If you don’t want to hang it by the carabineer it also has a clip on the back side that will hold it on your pocket or it could double as a money clip.
And of course, no pocket tool would be complete without the obligatory bottle opener.
The Bad
While it makes for a neat look, the teardrop shape of the tool makes it a bit awkward to hold.
On the same note, the carbineer‘s spring clip makes it tough to put any torque on the wrench without pinching your fingers.
The magnetic bit holder makes carrying the tool a little more stressful, I found myself constantly checking it to make sure the holder was still attached.
The carabineer is not load-bearing. Do not attempt to use it for climbing.
After only a few weeks of use, the bit holder already feels like it is loosening its grip on the bits. I see myself losing at least one of them in the near future.
They made the bit holder magnetic, but the place where you actually attach the bit is not. Couple that with the fact that it is extremely shallow and that makes it easy for the bit to fall out and get lost. I have already dropped the Phillips head several times.
The knife blade opens easily…. A little too easily. It also hangs with the point of the knife sticking up, making it extremely easy to jab yourself with it.
The Bottom Line
CRKT never fails to produce a solidly built product. I think that this is a great addition to keep in a small car kit, glove box, or inside a pocket. The fact that it has an adjustable wrench as well as standard-sized screwdrivers, makes the Guppie invaluable in a pinch.
But the magnetic bit holder non-magnetic drive attachment makes me hesitant to carry it anywhere that it may get knocked loose. While it is much better than the Gerber Shard, it still leaves a little to be desired.
Want more? Check out these related articles from our site:
Survival Uses For Trash Bags You Should Know By Now!
Practical and Survival Uses for Trash Bags
Deciding how to spend available funds in a preparedness budget, especially for a bug out bag is not an easy task. Multi-use items and under $5 survival items are always a favorite of wallet-conscious preppers.
Trash bags, even the brand-name sturdy ones definitely fall within the “reasonably priced” category, but when we look past the obvious uses for plastic bags, they become an even more advantageous contribution to our preps.
These hacks and uses for trash bags will fix it as one of your top essentials in an ultimate bug out bag!
1. Use as a Poncho
Simply cut or carefully tear a hold for the head and even the arms, and one poncho is coming right up!
2. Emergency Trash Bag Shelter
Packing a tent or tarp for an emergency shelter is, of course, optimal–but such items take up a lot of space and are heavier as well. Even a one-person tent will not fit in a child’s backpack, but trash bags and some duct tape surely will.
You can make a garbage bag lean-to with some sticks for use in the desert or in any open and shadeless area.
3. Keeps Your Feet and Shoes Dry with Garbage Bag Shoes
Trash bags are also useful in keeping your shoes and feet dry. Open a trash bag, step inside and tie or secure with duct tape and keep rain and snow at bay.
Storing several trash bags for emergency booties and a poncho inside a get home bag or bug out bag takes up very little space and adds virtually no weight to the pack.
4. Reusable Water-Proof Storage Bags
Keep your spare socks, change of clothes, and blankets dry with trash bags. The trash bags used to store these items can be turned into a poncho, bootie, or emergency shelter in mere minutes.
5. Septic Disposal Containers
During either a short or long-term disaster, trash bags can be used to safely store waste when commodes are not working. The bags work equally well for sharps and bloody cloth or bandages used to treat wounded.
Preventing the spread of disease becomes even more important during a TEOTWAWKI scenario.
6. Makeshift Hats
Keep the rain off or your head with a makeshift trash bag hat. Simply wrap the trash bag over your head like you would a bandana.
7. Fly Screen/Bug Repellant
Make a fly screen for the front of your shelter with a trash bag — or two. Cut the trash bag into a sheet type form and then cut slits within a few inches of the top of the bag and you have a protective screen to keep the bugs away.
8. Ground Cover
Trash bags also make a great ground cover. If you are using a tarp, or another trash bag for shelter, placing another plastic bag onto the ground will prevent dampness from impacting your clothing.
The trash bag also offers another layer between you at bugs which will come out of the ground seeking food during the evening and early morning hours.
9. Thermal Underwear
Although not exactly soft, trash bags can make great thermal underwear under your clothing. Tape or tie piece of the bag around your legs, arms, and stomach beneath your clothing to prevent body heat from escaping quite so easily.
10. Container for Food Preparation
Sure, they will be a bit flimsy and perhaps messy, but you can use trash bags to mix food or drink ingredients. Only avoid using sharp objects in this business because you know what happens next.
11. Solar Water Still Accessory
You can also use trash bags as part of solar water still. A trash bag, a container, and greeneries will give you water in an area where there is none.
12. Trash Bag Life Jacket
Although US Coast Guard does not approve of it, there are reports of trash bags as effective life jackets — it is at least worth a shot during an emergency.
Tie the ends of the trash bag together and blow air into it to inflate, then secure the open ends together as well. Tape or tie the back into a life jacket shape and use it to help keep your, your pets, or your get home bag afloat.
13. Food Storage and Transport
You can also use trash bags to store and transport food. When you’re caught in a flood or crossing a body of water, you can keep your food dry and afloat with trash bags.
14. Pillow
Give your head a somewhat soft place to rest during an overnight hike home by inflating trash bags and using them as a pillow.
Josh is a great friend letting me use one of his trash bags as a pillow. Living lavishly pic.twitter.com/VcdH9qwruJ
Trash bags also make great emergency water container. Trash bags will hold a decent amount of weight but will need to be carried carefully so the plastic does not tear and the water spill out onto the ground.
16. Water-Proof Your Sleeping Bag with Trash Bags
Keep your sleeping bag and yourself dry and a little warmer by using trash bags as cover. To stay extra dry, slip into a sleeping bag like you would a potato sack for a race before getting into the sleeping bag as well.
17. Emergency Blanket Substitute
I want fuzzy socks, Thai food, and a warm blanket now. Instead I’m out here rocking this trash bag in soaked socks pic.twitter.com/a5UvLIIC4j
Mylar emergency blankets are inexpensive, lightweight, and take up little space, but trash bags make a good temporary substitute.
18. Sun Shade
Hook trash bags to branches, or taped into place, to make a temporary sun shade. After taking the hiking break, carefully fold the trash bag into a small square so it can be used again during the next break period.
19. Pressure Bandage for First Aid
Make a pressure bandage or a triangle bandage with trash bags. The trash bags can also simply be used to cover a traditional bandage to help protect the wound from exposure to dirt or the bandage from exposure to the rain.
20. Splinter Support for First Aid
Tie a splint with a trash bag, double the bag, or tape two together to make a sturdier splint.
21. Catch Basin for Water
In addition to being used as a makeshift water carrier, trash bags can also be used as a catch basin for water. Tie the bag to something mildly sturdy in an area exposed to the sky, or line a bucket or similar item with the bag, and capture enough water to keep yourself hydrated.
22. Patch
Trash bags can also be used as patching for leads in other food and water containers. The plastic bags can be taped to cover worn spots or tears in a bug out or get home bags too.
23. S.O.S. Signs
Use trash bags to signal help. Tie or secure a white trash bag to a rock in a visible spot to let others know where you are. It is always a good idea to carry a permanent marker and spray paint to write messages.
24. Disposable Plates
You can use trash bags to eat from. Find the most smooth and flat rock in the near vicinity and place a piece of the trash bag onto the rock for a clean eating surface.
25. Trail Markers
Use trash bags to tie onto trees for trail markers. This is one way to reuse trash bags which you have previously used for food storage, sleeping bag, and some of the items mentioned here.
26. Windsock
Make windsocks with trash bags. It could serve a couple of emergency functions other than telling the wind direction.
You can also use it as an S.O.S. sign or as hazard markers.
27. First Aid Liter
If an injured person, pet, or heavy gear needs to be moved, make a liter and line it with several trash bags.
28. Hazard Markers
Make a banner with trash bags to leave warning notes for others or to mark unsafe buildings. Tape, string, and marking materials will also be required.
29. Hot Shower
Fill trash bags up with water, set it in the sun for a while and then hang it from a sturdy branch to use for a shower. Heated water is also useful for cleaning wounds.
30. Temporary Backpack
Make a temporary backpack with trash bags so the non-prepared person you come across during your trek home can help you carry the load.
Remember, the person could run off with your stuff, but if they’re scared and unaware and you appear full of knowledge, the person will likely stick to you like glue.
This video from History will show you more uses for trash bags:
Trash bags are one of the most economical preppers’ “to-do” list finds and literally, dozens of potential disaster uses. In addition to being easy on the budget, trash bags are lightweight yet durable and take up very little space in a bug-out bag, INCH bag, and get-home bag.
People underestimate just how quickly a bright, sunny day can turn into a dangerous situation.
That short hike through the woods could turn into a life threatening situation in a matter of minutes.
Did you know that temperatures as low as only forty degrees can lead to hypothermia when high wind and rain are factored in)?
In a survival situation, having the proper shelter can mean the difference between life and death.
We must evaluate how soon you want to build your shelter. The rule of three states that without shelter, you can be dead in as little as 3 hours.
If we are dealing with rain and wind, that number drops to minutes.
Rapid loss of body heat can lead to impaired motor movement.
When our clothing becomes wet, it loses its insulating properties.
Imagine trying to start a fire while shaking, fumbling around and unable to use your fingers properly.
If you find yourself in a situation where you are lost or disoriented there is one Acronym that you need to remember to improve your survival chances.
S.T.O.P.
Stop and Think about the situation.
Observe the area and then Plan your actions.
Ask yourself things like as: Am I in immediate danger?
Are there enough building and fire materials in the area?
Am I somewhere that can be easily seen by rescuers?
The worst thing you can do is allow fear to cause you to act irrationally.
If you get the slightest inkling that you are off course and lost… STOP!
Walking any further will only increase the distance from your last known position and can significantly reduce the chances of being found by rescue.
Immediate shelter could be found under a spruce tree, or some form of natural cover, but sometimes that just isn’t an option…
If that is the case, you need to know how to effectively and efficiently create shelter from your surroundings.
Contrary to all of the popular Survival shows, building a primitive shelter from scratch isn’t something that can be done in just a few minutes.
Crafting a proper shelter that takes care of your needs, takes time, training and effort.
In fact, my buddy J.J. from Reality Survival has 10 key points that you need to know about building a primitive shelter:
By the way, have you ever wondered exactly how much work really goes into building one of these shelters?
Check out the video below to find out:
1. Building a natural shelter requires a lot of work! If you need to build one of these in a wilderness survival situation plan to spend several hours of time working on it, if you want a shelter that will be water proof.
2. In some environments a natural shelter can be constructed without using any manmade materials, including cutting tools or cordage. But that is generally the exception and not the rule. In most of the continental United States you will likely want/need to have an axe, saw or machete in order to build a good reliable natural shelter.
3. You should start with a solid frame work for your natural shelter. Ensure the frame work that you build is heavy duty enough to be able to hold your own body weight at a minimum.
This way if you get a surprise snow storm the shelter frame work can bear the additional weight of the snow. I recommend having the main ridge pole or load bearing pole that is at least 4 inches in diameter made of a very solid and sturdy pole (green is best).
4. Ensure the pitch (angle) of the sides and back are at least 45 degrees. It can be tempting to build a natural shelter with a flat or slightly sloped roof. This is a huge mistake. Always make sure you have the proper pitch so that the water will run off adequately.
5. Thickness. The thickness of the natural material you are using needs to be thick enough so that when you look up through the material from the inside you can’t see any light coming through. If you see spots of light, you will certainly have rain coming through if the weather gets bad.
Want more tips? Check out these great articles on our site:
What is the best survival knife? In previous articles, we discussed choosing a folding survival knife (here and here.) As mentioned, a folding knife might not be your first choice in an emergency situation, just the most convenient to carry every day, since any knife you happen to have on you is better than no knife at all.
Because a knife is often critically useful during an emergency, let us now consider how to choose your best option, a good fixed-blade knife, for survival purposes.
That is, for inclusion in a survival kit or BOB (Bug Out Bag) or equivalent, and to be strapped on when an emergency is likely.
Your survival blade may be used for constructing shelter, making fire, and catching/preparing food, among other uses. Although not designed specifically for combat, a knife suitable for survival uses can also be used for defense.
It is both easier and harder to choose the best fixed-blade knife than it is a folding knife. On the one hand, you don’t need to worry about lock type and strength, opening/closing methodologies, or ambidextrous usage. Likewise, there is a much broader selection of sizes, as well as many more choices in each size.
How to Identify a Survival Knife
What Is NOT a Survival Knife?
Many knives are advertised as “survival” knives, and when you see that description, be extra careful. There are two features common to such knives, which tend to make them LESS suitable for survival, not more so. The first is the “hollow handle.”
The concept is, that you can keep “survival supplies” in there, which is an interesting idea, but not practical. You can’t really keep much in the handle of a knife, particularly not a lot of what you really need.
Worse, a tube is not really the best shape for a knife grip, and worst of all, such a knife blade is likely to snap off or become unglued under stress due to the necessarily weak joint between the blade and the grip.
Avoid a hollow handle knife under all circumstances, with the possible exception of a “one piece” knife such as was made by Chris Reeve until 2009. The other common “survival” feature is a “saw blade” back strap.
This was originally part of aircrew survival knives, designed to rip through the thin metal skin of a downed aircraft if no other means of escape was available.
The original designs were mostly horrid at cutting wood, and with the possible exception of a few with true offset teeth, the latest designs are a little better.
Plus, with teeth on the back of your blade, you can’t put your finger there for fine control, and it prevents the use of the knife for ‘batoning’, an important survival task. That is, using a club on the back edge to split a branch to get at the dry interior for fire starting.
If the knife does not have a “full tang,” that is, the piece of metal that includes the blade does not extend the full length of the grip, then it is not a good choice for a survival knife.
Any joint between the blade and grip is a break just waiting to happen. A narrow tang (one that is not as wide as the blade) or a skeleton tang (one that is slotted or drilled to reduce weight) generally is acceptable.
(Blade) Size
When looking for a folding knife, size is somewhat dictated by the size of your pocket, or if you can carry the knife in a pouch on your belt. In fixed-blade knives, there is no such restriction.
There are fixed-blade knives with an inch-long blade, and there are “knives” with blades a yard long or even longer. Let us consider the two most common “classes” of fixed-blade knives.
One class of interest to those in the survival community is the so-called “bush” knife. These are “medium-sized” knives, good for almost every survival task except chopping, as they don’t have the length, weight, or balance to excel at this. The other class of primary interest is the “field”, or “large” sized knives.
These excel at chopping and can be superior for combat uses. They can be used for most other knife uses, but their length, weight, and balance tend to not be convenient for such tasks.
There is a fair amount of controversy over which class is “better” for survival purposes; some experts say that a bush knife is all you need and anything bigger is a waste of space or even “too dangerous” for people in stressful situations; other experts say that a big knife is always better, and can do everything a small knife can do, as well as more.
Which side is right? Both have valid points. And neither is completely correct. Personally, I prefer to have one of each. This is because there are some things a medium knife won’t do at all well, and there are some things that are inconvenient to do with a large knife.
Field Knife vs. Bush Knife
If you prefer to have only one knife, you will need to consider the tasks you are most likely to have to do, and which class of knife is most appropriate for your circumstances.
Note that versatility equal to that of a field knife and a bush knife can be equaled by a field knife and a good survival folding knife as described in the earlier articles.
In other words, the survival folder can replace a bush knife, as long as you also have a field knife for the tasks that the folder is not strong enough or big enough to handle well.
So what is considered to be a “field” or “large” knife? As might be expected by its primary task, chopping, the blade is long, usually 9 to 12 inches, and thick (3/16″ to 1/4″), with a lot of weight forward.
The edge, at least in the chopping area, may be optimized for chopping; that is, a fairly wide-angle grind like you might see on a hatchet. For optimum versatility, the front and back couple of inches of the edge could be optimized for slicing; that is, a more narrow-angle grind.
Serrations should be avoided. In order to get that ‘concentrated weight’ over the chopping-edge, an oversized ‘belly’ (the curve between the tip and straight edge) is optimal. The Kukri-style blade is an excellent example of this sort of blade.
The standard survival optimal blade shape (drop point, spear point, or short, straight clip) is most versatile if this is your only knife; if you have multiple knives, then having a more specialized blade shape on your field knife is not only acceptable but in some cases might even be a good idea.
A “bush” or “medium” knife, then, has a shorter, thinner blade, 4 to 6 inches long and 1/8″ to 3/16″ thick. For maximum versatility, it should have a bit of belly, but a constant angle grind optimized for its primary tasks, which involve slicing.
As in folding knives, a drop point is the most versatile tip, while a spear point or short, straight clip point is usually entirely adequate as far as versatility and point strength (thickness) are concerned.
Again, serrations, although they do have their uses, are not as useful in a survival knife. If you really want serrations, a combination blade that has mostly a standard edge with serrations near the grip would be a tolerable compromise, although having a separate knife with a serrated blade would be better.
Shorter-bladed knives have their uses but are not optimal as your only survival knife. Longer-bladed knives are primarily only useful for clearing brush (“Machete”) or combat (“sword”) and again are not a good choice as your only survival knife.
Requirements for a Fixed Survival Blade
Except for the length and thickness, the fixed knife survival blade has the same requirements as a folding survival knife blade. You want a blade that is fairly wide, for maximum versatility, strength, and slicing ability.
And one with a good “belly” (curve between point and straight edge) to facilitate skinning and butchering tasks. And with a flat (V) or saber grind (flat grind starting part way down the blade), for maximum strength; hollow grinds should be avoided due to being less durable and a bit harder to sharpen than the flat grind variants…
Blade steels tend to be either high-carbon steel or one of many stainless steel formulas. Usually, high-carbon steel blades take a very good edge and are easily sharpened.
However, high-carbon steel rusts easily, so you need to store it better and maintain it better in order to avoid rust. Stainless steels tend to be rust resistant (NOT rust proof), but may not take as nice an edge, and are more difficult to sharpen.
Either one will do the job if you do your part. Note that some high-carbon steel blades are coated or have a finish to increase their rust resistance. One advantage of high-carbon steel is you can use the knife to get sparks from the flint you find on site.
Avoiding a false edge is less critical for fixed-blade knives than for folding knives. The blades are thicker, so the weakening of the tip caused by the false edge is sometimes reduced for a fixed-blade knife. Accept or reject knives with false edges on a case-by-case basis, depending on how thin and narrow the tip ends up being.
Having a “sharp” 90-degree spine is very useful. It can be used for scraping tinder and with your ferrocerium rod. If the knife is otherwise perfect but has rounded edges on the spine, you can “modify” a section of the spine to give you that aggressive 90-degree edge.
Make sure you know what you are doing, though, since affecting the heat treatment of the blade must be avoided at all costs.
Grip Requirements
Unlike with a folding knife, the grip length and shape are completely independent of the blade. So look for a grip that fits your hand well and is long enough. It should be comfortable to hold, in all useful types of grips, and be as non-slip and damage-resistant as is practical.
Although most grip materials can be made to work, a textured synthetic material is often best. Make sure the grip is strongly fastened to the tang, either by screwing or riveting grip scales (slab sides) through the tang or with a large nut on the threaded end of the tang to hold a one-piece grip firmly between the guard and the nut.
Other Considerations
Most fixed-blade knives have a “guard” either built-in or added between the grip and the blade. This is often a “half guard” extending below the blade, which keeps the hand from sliding forward onto the blade during use.
Obviously, this is an important consideration for a survival knife, so inspect this closely to be sure it is adequate. Some knives have instead, a: “full guard”, where the guard extends both below the blade and above the backstrap.
This is of use in a fighting knife, as it can block or trap your opponent’s blade, but it is in the way of some survival knife functions. I would never accept one of these on a bush knife; if I also had a bush knife or a folding knife, I would be happy to have a full guard on my field knife.
If there is not a full guard, then your fingers have good access to the back of the blade, and having some grooves on the back rear of the blade allows you to guide the knife with your forefinger for some tasks and/or prevents the thumb from slipping forward.
The length and location of the grooved area determine which of these functions is supported. A small notch (choil) at the end of the straight portion of the blade makes it easier to sharpen the whole blade; the alternative is to have the edge thickness smoothly transition from edge to grip, which is attractive but makes sharpening the last bit of the blade a challenge.
A large notch (finger choil) at the rear of the blade allows you to “choke up” on the blade for some tasks. Usually, you have only one type of choice, as it would be unsafe to have the start of the edge with nothing between it and your finger.
As with a folding knife, losing your knife during a disaster would be most unfortunate. It is important that any knife chosen has a place to attach a lanyard. Even better would be if you attach a lanyard to such a point. There are links in Part 1 of the folding knife articles showing how to make your own lanyards from Paracord:
It would be handy if the pommel (rear end of the grip) were solid and flat, to allow the knife to provide a bit of a “hammer” function.
Watch this video from Black Scout Survival on how to identify the best survival knife:
The best survival knife can be subjective as survivalists have different needs and personal favorites. But knowing the different kinds of survival knives, their uses, qualities, and specialization will help you choose wisely. We hope this series on survival knives will help you pick the right one for you.
Most preppers don`t even consider stocking olive oil, because it goes bad faster than other alternatives. Indeed, an unopened bottle of olive oil can last up to four years, while an opened bottle may start getting rancid after only 90 days.
However, olive oil has a LOT more purposes than cooking, that most people have no idea about.
I`m going to show you five ways you can use olive oil as a prepper, whether it`s around the household or when you bug out. Hopefully, you`ll see why olive oil is a great multi-purpose item that can save you a lot of money (and space) if used properly.
#1: Body care
Olive oil is an amazing 100% natural moisturizer, so you can use it as body lotion, hand cream and even as hair conditioner. If you bug out, you can use it for softening dry skin and help scratches heal faster.
Also, if it`s freezing outside, you can apply a light layer of olive oil on your hands, face and hair, to protect them from the cold.
#2: Leather care
If it`s good for you skin, then it`s good for your leather clothes, as well. Apply a thin layer of olive oil on your leather jacket to keep it in good condition. Do the same with your leather shoes. Olive oil helps them preserve their shine longer, saving you from spending money on new shoes.
Attention: Wipe the dust off your jacket or shoes before applying the oil!
#3: Lubricant
Why waste money on retail lubricant when you`ve already got some in the kitchen? If you`ve got some olive oil that`s past its expiration date, don`t throw it out. Use it on squeaking doors, on knife blades or any other metal object that needs a protective coat (or just some shine). It`s 100% natural, so it won`t attack metal. On contrary, it will protect it just like any other lubricant — only it`s much cheaper.
#4: Olive oil survival candle
This is probably the easiest DIY candle ever. I got this from GreatNorthernPrepper and I`ll share it with you, as well, because I found it very simple and useful.
Here`s what you need:
– Olive oil (it can be expired, makes no difference)
– Mason jar (ideally with handle)
– Wick (string, shoelaces, shirts strips, mop strands… anything that is cotton)
– Paperclip or ornament holder
Here`s what you`ll do:
STEP 1:
Twist the metal wire (ornament, paperclip, stray wire) to form a ‘hook” to hold onto the edge of the jar
Twist the metal wire into a semi-tight loop around the wick
STEP 2:
Pour the Oil into the mason Jar, insert Wick into the oil
STEP 3:
Make sure the wick is barely above the oil, about 1/4″
STEP 4:
You’re done. LIGHT IT!
Here`s the step-by-step youtube video, in case you need visual aid:
Can you think of any other good reasons to keep olive oil stocked up?
Want more? Check out these articles for other surprising uses of items that you need to know about:
