Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Bleach. I have been making my own laundry soap for years, and have, over time, completely cut out fabric softener, bleach, and many other either useless or toxic products in my home. 

Bleach is an excellent thing to cut out and stop buying in the store and start making your own! It is cheaper, easier, and non-toxic. 

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Have you tried making your own Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Bleach? Come on in and let me tell you about it!

Why Make Your Own Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Bleach 

Chlorine bleach is not only toxic, it can be fatal, and has a multitude of health hazards. It can damage the esophagus and stomach. It causes irritation to your skin and eyes, possibly causing burns. Inhaling bleach fumes can damage the lungs. 

Breathing in high amounts of chlorine can lead to a buildup of fluid in the lungs and severe shortness of breath that can lead to death if left untreated. 

Bleach should never be mixed with vinegar, because it will create highly toxic chlorine gas and cause severe burns both internally and externally. 

Mixing bleach with ammonia (another highly toxic chemical) causes a similar reaction and can burn the lungs. 

Mixing bleach with rubbing alcohol makes highly toxic chloroform. Mixing with hydrogen peroxide can make a potentially explosive chemical reaction. 

Chlorine bleach is corrosive to metals as well. 

This is actually really scary when you think about it! And people use this to clean something as delicate as clothing? This inspired me to find a much safer alternative to traditional chlorine bleach, and I must say, the results are incredible. I am very pleased with this Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Bleach.

Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Bleach 

To make 1 quart or 4 cups 

Distilled Water, 2 ½ cups make your own distilled water with this machine

Hydrogen Peroxide, 1 ¼ cups 

Lemon Juice, ¼ cup 

To make one gallon or 4 quarts 

Distilled water, 10 cups 

Hydrogen Peroxide, 5 cups 

Lemon Juice, 1 cup 

Directions 

Add all of the ingredients together and swirl or stir to combine. I like to put mine in a mixing bowl, but a glass jar works perfectly as well. I prefer a simple mixing bowl, because I make mine to use at that moment. I generally don’t store it long-term, or pre-make it. But that doesn’t mean you can’t make it ahead of time yourself. 

To store, store at room temperature in a dark place for a longer shelf life. For the longest shelf life, use an amber-colored jar like this. This should last for about a month in a clear jar, or 3 months in an amber colored far. Light exposure weakens the potency of hydrogen peroxide and the amber colored glass prevents light from entering the bottle. 

Because light affects the potency of hydrogen peroxide and weakens it, that is why I only make it as needed. Which has worked very well for me so far. If you are someone who has a larger household and does laundry daily, you will likely be better off making a larger batch and storing it. But it all depends on the needs of your specific household.

Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Bleach Notes 

You can use fresh lemon juice, or a store-bought bottle. I’ve done both, and they work equally well for this. I like having lemon juice in my pantry, so I always have some on hand. But I almost always have lemons to squeeze fresh as well. So it really depends on your preference and what you’ll use without wasting anything. A fresh lemon has about 3 tablespoons of juice inside of it. 

If you have fresh lemons at home, and they are in danger of spoiling, this is an excellent way to use them up and make sure that you reduce food waste and save yourself even more money that way.

For Laundry 

To whiten and brighten towels, add 2 cups of bleach over the top before running a normal cycle. 

You can also soak whatever you are washing in Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Bleach as well. I use these pads for my period, and this bleach is perfect for them. It gets everything clean, without hurting it. Which is something I love. Too many times we do more harm than good simply by trying to clean things, and it shortens the lifespan of our clothing and any type of fabric materials.

For an extra white boost 

Add in ½ of a cup of baking soda to the laundry, add it in, and then add in 2 cups of bleach. Run your laundry through a soak setting, then wash normally. 

For Cleaning 

You can whiten enamel sinks by sprinkling baking soda and this homemade bleach alternative over the top. Use a dish scrubber like this one to remove stains and scuff marks. Rinse with hot water when you’re done, and reveal a sparkling and bright sink. If you have extra tough stains that are stubborn, soak overnight and then repeat this process. 

To make a powerful cleaning scrub for tile and grout, make a paste with this homemade bleach and baking soda and then use a scrubber like this to buff away any stains or grime. 

To clean stains on countertops, simply soak a cloth in the homemade bleach and place over the top of the stain. All the bleach time to do its work and then wipe it away. I’ve never timed this one, I just start there when I’m cleaning, leave the towel on and forget about it, and then come back to it at the end of my cleaning, and it is always ready to go.

I always think “fix it and forget about it,” like the saying people use when it comes to crock pots and slow cooking foods. That’s my method, fix it and forget about it. But the point is, I can’t recommend a specific amount of time to leave the cloth or towel on the stain. 

Why I Love This 

One of the things that I love about this homemade bleach is that it doesn’t hurt colors. I’ve washed my husband’s sweat stained shirts in it, and it gets them clean. We use reusable cloth toilet paper in our house, as it is much more sustainable than traditional paper products. But they get stained, even with consistent washing. I like to soak mine in this bleach for about 15 minutes before washing, and it works perfectly. 

I’ve done experiments with this, looking for stains and color fades. Like washing a black shirt, and soaking one sleeve in the bleach. I’ve washed several cloth toilet paper pieces after soaking, and knowing where to look for the stains, and they were gone. It really does work. Which I’ll admit, I was skeptical at first, but I’ve been very pleased with the results. 

Breathing this homemade bleach in isn’t going to hurt my lungs. I smell it every time I make it, to be perfectly honest. It’s nice to know that smelling a household cleaner isn’t going to hurt me, not like chlorine bleach will. 

It also doesn’t dry my hands out or hurt my skin the same way chlorine bleach does. When I soak anything by hand, I like to get in there and move it around, agitate it, squeeze it, and so on. Just like I would if I was hand-washing my clothing instead of simply pre-soaking it. This bleach doesn’t cause any kind of harmful reactions to my skin when I do this. 

I personally don’t like anything in my home that can harm kids or pets. Because they both get into everything and something is going to happen somewhere when it comes to harmful chemicals in the home. I much prefer homemade options like this, where it isn’t toxic to simply breathe it in.

This is also a much more inexpensive option than traditional chlorine bleach, and every item is things I already have in my pantry. I love it when I can make whatever I need when I need it. Last night, I ran out of baking powder, and made more just by going to my pantry. Saving money always makes the homemaker in me very happy.

Everything that is in this Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Bleach are items I have in my pantry already, and use for many other things. As a prepper, I am a big fan of multi-use items, and every single ingredient in this homemade bleach qualifies as having multiple uses.

Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Bleach Discussion 

Have you tried making this Easy 3 Ingredient Homemade Bleach? Are you a fan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

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5 Qualities of a Successful Homesteader. Do you have what it takes to be a homesteader? If you are not sure, then this is where you need to be! 

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I love learning about homesteading, prepping, and even survival as I go along in this journey of life. All three are interconnected, homesteading, prepping, and survival. The interesting thing is that as I go, I’ve learned I’m more of a homesteader than anything else. Yes, I still prepare, but homesteading is where I find the most joy, learn the most valuable skills, and really thrive. Which area do you find you fit into the most? 

Do you have the qualities needed to homestead? If you aren’t sure, then this is the place to start. You don’t need to know everything before you start, trust me. You’ll learn plenty as you go, and that is half the fun, in my opinion. 

You might think you need to be a master gardener, butcher, goat whisperer, or food preservation expert. Those are all great skills, trust me. But those things can be learned over time. You don’t need to wait until you have those skills to start a homestead. 

But there are 5 qualities and personality traits that you absolutely need before you start. These are the essentials. 

Are you ready to learn about the 5 Qualities of a Successful Homesteader? Come on in and let me tell you about them! 

5 Qualities of a Successful Homesteader 

Persistence 

Persistence is key to the success of anything in life, and it is essential to being a homesteader as well. 

The thing is everyone has to start somewhere. You’re not going to run a 5K marathon the first time you try. Nobody walks into a gym and benches 250 pounds the first time. Everyone started small and worked their way to those things through persistence. Practice makes perfect. 

Don’t give up. Keep learning, keep trying, and keep doing it until you’re happy. I’ll tell you that I’ve spent a month developing a new recipe and remaking it repeatedly until I’ve deemed it perfect on more than one occasion. I’m still working on a yeast recipe, because I keep forgetting to feed it and have had to start over several times. 

Keep trying to make soap, learn to preserve food, make yogurt or vinegar, or whatever other project that is on your to-do list. Do it, screw it up, and learn. Persistence is how you build confidence. 

Be Self Disciplined

One of the joys of working for myself through my blogs is that I don’t have to answer to anyone but myself. Every single success and every single failure falls on my shoulders, and mine alone. No one is setting alarms for me or putting a gun to my head and telling me to go to work. 

Homesteading is the same way. Nobody is going to tell you to pull weeds in your garden or feed the chickens, or any other task you have on your list. You’re on your own there, and being able to do it requires self-discipline. 

The ability to develop a routine and schedule and stick to it is an essential part of being self-disciplined. 

At the same time as being self-disciplined, there is also the freedom and flexibility of being able to slow down, smell the roses, move with intention throughout the day. I honestly love that about both my blogs and homesteading. Being able to be self-disciplined and being able to enjoy the freedom and flexibility that comes with them.

It is a huge perk for anyone who can balance that combination of flexibility and self-discipline without letting the scales tip too far in either direction. 

Be Willing to Learn 

In this day and age, there is absolutely no reason to stop learning. Ever. Information is everywhere and more easily accessible than ever. There is no excuse to ever stop learning. 

There will always be failures along the way. It is called trial and error, and it is great. Because it is only a failure if you don’t learn from it. Keep learning and growing along the way. 

Whatever you want to learn, do it. If you want to bale hay by hand, learn how to raise chickens, or how to milk a goat, go for it! There is nothing stopping you. 

What skill do you want to learn? Take a moment and make a list. Then decide which one you want to start with, and do it. Once you’re done, check that off the list and move on to the next. If you have checked everything off your list, add new things to the list. It really is that simple. 

Be a Good Observer 

Pay attention to the details and you will never go wrong. 

When you pay attention, you’ll notice details that are easy to overlook otherwise. Maybe a goat is acting just a little “off” or a chicken is straying from the group. Or clouds are coming in at a faster rate than usual. 

When you pay attention, you know what is normal and what isn’t. It doesn’t matter what specific subject we’re talking about. It can be anything in your life. Developing that skill becomes easy as time goes on and you are always alert and observing. 

Have a Good Memory 

Or, if you don’t have a good memory, write everything down. I use this planner to literally write everything down, because I don’t always remember everything. 

This includes blog posts, social media posts, the weather, when I planted lettuce, when I pay bills, when I changed the oil in my truck, when animals are born, and so much more. Keeping records of things makes it much easier to go back and see when I did something. Because what seems like “just the other day” could be anywhere from three days to six months. If I don’t keep track of things, it is much easier to overlook them and forget to do them. 

I also do this with my homemaking tasks and cleaning schedule. Because it helps me stay on top of everything so that nothing becomes overwhelming because I forgot about it. 

Writing everything down was a trait that I inherited from my grandmother. She had notebooks upon notebooks of notes, the weather everyday, and a lot more. I keep mine confined to my planner, because one place for everything is what works best for me. It always amazed me when I was younger, because I didn’t understand why those were necessary. Now I do, because not only does it help you keep track of everything, you can track patterns and predict changes. 

5 Qualities of a Successful Homesteader Notes 

Homesteading is a lot of work, and it takes these 5 Qualities of a Successful Homesteader to even get started. But it is also one of the most rewarding lifestyles that there is out there! 

I also think these qualities are just great for life in general and not limited to homesteading. 

5 Qualities of a Successful Homesteader Discussion 

Do you have these 5 Qualities of a Successful Homesteader? Is there one you need to work on more than the others? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

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9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen. Ever since Covid and the great toilet paper shortage, I’ve been focused on living a more sustainable lifestyle. This really prompted me to start thinking about waste and how to change that. 

I found myself inspired to create this list of 9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen.

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Being a prepper isn’t just about buying and stockpiling a ton of stuff. It is so much more than that! It is a lifestyle shift, and becoming more sustainable is a great place to start. 

Switching to a zero-waste lifestyle can be intimidating. Where do you even start? Will everyone in your household accept the changes? There are a lot of questions, and it may seem overwhelming. But the best part is that it doesn’t have to be! 

Making small changes over time and creating more eco-friendly habits can help to ensure a successful transition toward a zero waste lifestyle. 

I found that the kitchen is the easiest place to start, and why I wrote these 9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen. You don’t have to do everything all at once. Start with slow and consistent changes and notice the difference. Be kind to yourself as you start the transition. Because it will feel weird at first. But creating any new habit feels weird at first. 

Are you ready to learn about the 9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen? Come on in and let me tell you all about it! 

9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen 

Compost 

Composting is an easy way to reuse scraps that would normally be thrown away. It is basically creating gold for the garden out of nothing. Composting is also free! Which makes the homemaker in me very happy. I love saving money. 

Composting doesn’t need to take up a ton of space, and you can do it on whatever size scale that works for you, big or small. You can do it on your kitchen counter! This is a great kitchen composting bin. Or take it outside with this. All you need is a mixture of yard and kitchen waste materials, time, and patience. 

The ideal ratio is three parts brown to one part green to achieve the most effective composting. You’ll likely end up with more or less of each over time, and that’s okay. It just may take a bit longer to break down. 

Green Materials 

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Eggshells
• Grass clippings 
• Coffee grounds, tea leaves, and tea bags 

Brown Materials 

• Dry or dead leaves 
• Wood chips and wood ash
• Straw 
• Twigs that have been chopped up 
• Dryer lint 
• Paper towels or napkins 

Non-Compostable Items 

• Pet waste 
• Meat scraps 
• Whole eggs 
• Bones 
• Dairy products 
• Fat or oils 
• Leftovers 
• Weeds 

Building Your Compost 

To build up your compost in the most effective way, you’ll want to layer it like a lasagna. Chopping things up into smaller pieces will also help it break down faster. 

Water your compost, but don’t overwater it. Compost needs moisture for microorganisms to grow and do the work of breaking down materials. But too much water can slow down the decomposition and cause the compost to smell. The goal is to have the wetness of a wrung-out sponge, but not a soaking wet sponge. If your compost gets too wet, grab a shovel or pitchfork and mix it up, and then add some more dry brown materials. 

You’ll want to mix the compost pile at least once or twice a month to introduce oxygen into the mix and help the decomposition process along. If you don’t mix your compost, it slows the process down, and can take three to four times longer to be ready to use. 

Check the temperature of your compost. Compost heats up when microorganisms feed on the waste. The ideal temperature of your compost pile should be between 110-145 degrees Fahrenheit. It is hot enough to kill any lurking disease organisms, but anything above 160 degrees will kill the microorganisms feeding and slow down the composting process. 

If your compost smells, add some air. You may also need to add more dry materials if it feels too wet. If it doesn’t smell but isn’t in the ideal temperature range, add in some more green materials. 

Is Your Compost Ready? 

How do you know when your compost is ready to use? When the materials no longer look like the original materials. The compost should be crumbly and dark brown, and have an earthy smell to them. 

Buy in Bulk 

There are so many benefits to buying in bulk. Buying in bulk reduces the waste of individual packaging, so you have less plastic waste filling up the trash can and landfill. 

Because there is less packaging, the price is much lower for larger amounts of food. It may seem more expensive up front, but there are still benefits. 

Buying in bulk means fewer trips to the grocery store, and less impulse buying. Your wallet thanks you for that alone! Bulk purchases also mean you save money in gas to drive to the store. 

Wooden Utensils 

Wooden utensils are an excellent way to be more sustainable. Most of these are made out of bamboo or teak wood, which are naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. 

Bamboo is also a sustainably sourced product. Wooden utensils don’t scratch dishes or pans, and if taken care of properly, can last for years. 

How to Care for Wooden Utensils 

Wash by hand in hot soapy water. 

Always use the scratchy side of your sponge. 

Never put them in the dishwasher. 

Never let them soak in water. 

Oil liberally when they start to look dry. To apply oil, use a conditioning oil, food-grade mineral oil, or beeswax. After the utensil has been washed and dried, use a cloth to rub on a small amount of oil or wax. Let the oil sit for 10 minutes, and wipe off any excess. Do not use food-based oils like vegetable, avocado, or olive, as they can go rancid. Cold pressed linseed oil is the best. Doing this monthly, or whenever they feel or look dry will help to extend their life. 

Say Goodbye to Teflon 

Teflon is a substance that coats pans to make them non-stick. The problem is that coating is toxic if consumed. It will start to break apart and flake off into your food at some point. Teflon is not something that should end up in landfills. 

Switching to cast iron cookware is a much more sustainable option. Cast iron will last forever, and is easy to care for. 

Should You Use Soap on Cast Iron? 

These days, the answer is yes, you can. Soap used to be made with lye and vinegar, making it too harsh to use on cast iron pans, and it would strip away the oil and seasoning on the pan, causing it to rust. Today’s soaps, especially eco-friendly soaps, are generally too mild to remove the seasoning. 

I am old school and still don’t use soap on my cast iron, but that’s my own preference. 

Do not use scouring pads or steel wool on cast iron pans though. Those will remove the seasoning. 

Wash by hand, and avoid the dishwasher. Dishwashers will strip the pan of oil and seasoning, making more work for you, as well as potentially allowing the pan to rust. 

How to Season Cast Iron 

What is seasoning on cast iron? It is a layer of carbonized oil that has been baked into your cast iron pan. This forms a protective layer on top of the pan, and helps to keep it from rusting. 

How do you know if cast iron is seasoning properly? A well-seasoned pan will have a dark, semi-glossy finish to it and will not be sticky or greasy to the touch. It won’t have any rusty, dull, or dry spots either. 

To season the pan for the first time (and repeat this process monthly)

• Rub the pan with a thin film of neutral oil. I typically use canola or vegetable. Coat the entire pan, including the bottom and the handle. Wipe away any excess oil, so there is no pooling. 
• Bake the pan upside down at 400 degrees for 1 hour. Once the hour is over, turn off the oven, but leave the pan inside. Allow both to cool down naturally together. 

You’ll want to do this monthly to keep your pan in good shape. Using it daily, you should just wipe it down with a small amount of oil without baking, and you’ll do just fine. 

If your pans develop scratches in them, you’ll want to repeat this process several times over until a smooth finish develops. Do not slather on a bunch of oil though, as it will just become sticky, and you don’t need that. 

You can also keep your pan seasoned as you cook. Using it for things like frying chicken or cooking bacon are great uses for cast iron. Not only does cast iron give you a better overall heat, the fat and oil will help to preserve the coating on your pans naturally. 

Use Cloth Towels Instead of Paper 

I will be honest and tell you that paper towels, and any paper products, were once the biggest money waste in my home. I look at it now and just cringe. It’s so gross to buy something to literally just throw it in the trash. I feel the same way about toilet paper. Why not wipe your butt with a dollar bill and flush it? Which might actually be cheaper than paper products. But I digress. 

I started buying my reusable un-paper products here. Amelia has made me everything from paper towels to handkerchiefs, and toilet paper. She is amazing! 

Once I made this switch, it was easy to just throw them in a hamper and then wash weekly. It is also an incredible water saver. It takes 12-37 gallons of water to produce one roll of toilet paper, and about 2.5 gallons of water to make one roll of paper towels. Which is kind of insane when you really think about it. A high-efficiency washing machine will use just 7 gallons for a load of laundry, for comparison. 

Think about how many rolls of toilet paper and paper towels you use each week, then compare that to what it takes to run one load of laundry in the washing machine. It will put things in perspective. 

Make Your Own Cleaning Products 

Store bought cleaning products are another huge household expense. They are also full of harmful chemicals. I watched a friend last month go to a store and drop a solid $200 on toilet paper, paper towels, and Lysol wipes, that will last 1-2 months at the most, and I just cringed. Because it is such a waste, especially with inflation and the price of everything skyrocketing. 

Making your own cleaning products is not only cheaper, it is healthier! I love making my own cleaning products, because I know exactly what is in them, I can pronounce everything, and it costs a fraction of what commercially made products do, while using ingredients I already have in the house. 

I love making my own laundry soap, for all of these reasons.

Ditch Plastic Bags 

Plastic bags are one of the most useless wasteful items on this planet, in my opinion. They are a terrible quality, so the chances of being able to reuse them for something else like household trash is minimal, at best. 

Reusable shopping bags and even produce bags are a much more sustainable method, and don’t end up in the trash. 

They do need to be washed though and kept clean, as bacteria from groceries, especially meat, will be inside. I turn mine inside out and wash with the un-paper towels and toilet paper each week, therefore saving more water because they’ll get clean right along with everything else. 

Meal Plan 

I love meal planning with my husband! It is fun to plan out our meals, develop new recipes, and enjoy our favorites as well. It is one of my favorite parts of these 9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen.

Past my own enjoyment I get from cooking, meal planning can be a huge lifesaver in many ways. Meal planning helps to cut down on food waste, right along with buying in bulk. They work together. Meal planning means that everything you buy has a purpose and a reason. It isn’t impulse buying that you’ll just end up wasting. 

Reducing food waste is a great way to cut costs, cut down on trips to the grocery store, and create a cleaner and healthier kitchen. Plus, you don’t have the extra stress of deciding what to make everyday. 

I have also found that making my own condiments has reduced a ton of plastic and packaging in my household. Storing them in jars like this is much better. 

If you have the space, growing your own fresh herbs that you can dry yourself is another amazing way to eliminate plastic packaging. 

Recycle as a Last Resort 

Recycling isn’t nearly as helpful as we’ve been led to believe. Many of the items we recycle just end up in the landfill anyway. It just goes there in a different container than the trash. 

I still try to recycle as much as I can, but I much prefer to focus on keeping things out of the trash and recycling bins as possible. It makes for a much more sustainable and larger impact. 

It all starts at the store. Reducing consumption and reusing the things we already have will go much farther than recycling. 

9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen Notes 

There are plenty of other ways to build and run a sustainable kitchen. But these 9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen are a fantastic way to start and get you going in the right direction. 

Start slowly making one change at a time, and let that become a habit. Once you do, start on the next one. You’ll have a zero waste kitchen before you know it! Then you can start working on other ways to reduce waste around your entire home. 

What I love about these 9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen is that it saves me so much money, on top of being sustainable. These changes aren’t hard to make, and it makes a huge difference on the environment, my wallet, and the need to constantly buy more stuff. 

Being a prepper, it really isn’t just about stockpiling stuff. Preppers should always be focused on sustainability. Especially if the items we use everyday are suddenly no longer available. Just think back to the great toilet paper shortage that happened with Covid. 

When we start asking ourselves what we would do without something, like toilet paper as an example, it allows us to think of other alternatives that actually often work better. Plan B works better than Plan A! Those simple shifts allow us to be better prepared to handle even the most unexpected things. 

Investing in products that you can reuse and last longer than disposable products is a huge asset to any household, and is also an investment. I like to think of being prepared and sustainable as an investment. 

9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen Discussion 

Did my 9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen help you? Are any of these 9 Easy Ways to Start a No Waste Kitchen already habits for you and your household? Would you add anything to the list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

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26 Amazing Uses for Dawn Dish Soap. I love a good multi-use product, and Dawn dish soap is definitely one of those! As a prepper, one of the most useful skills to have is the knowledge to use one single product in multiple ways. 

This skill saves both money and space, because I’m not spending a ton of money on multiple products and trying to find the space to store them. This also makes the wife and homemaker in me very happy! 

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Are you ready to learn about the 26 Amazing Uses for Dawn Dish Soap? Come on in and let me tell you about them! 

26 Amazing Uses for Dawn Dish Soap 

Emergency Hair Cleanup 

If you or your kids get something greasy or sticky in your hair (hello, gum, my old friend), you can use Dawn to help clean it up.

Just put a little bit on your fingers and rub it into the gum or whatever is in there, and use your fingers or a comb to gently pull it out. 

Weed Killer 

One of the most interesting and simple ways to use Dawn is as a weed killer. 

• Dawn Dish Soap, ½ teaspoon 
• Salt, ½ cup 
• White Vinegar, ½ gallon 

Mix these three ingredients up together and you have homemade weed killer! You can spray it or pour directly onto the weeds. This is perfect if you have weeds growing through cracks in concrete. 

If you’re using it in a garden with other plants, be sure to avoid getting this mixture onto those plants, as it will kill everything, and that may not be what you want. 

Concrete De-Icer 

Using salt-based deicers on the driveway and sidewalk can damage the concrete over time. A safer substitute is this recipe. 

• Hot Water, 1 gallon 
• Rubbing Alcohol, 2 tablespoons 
• Dawn Dish Soap, 2 teaspoons 

Mix this up in a bucket and pour over the frozen concrete areas. Not only will it melt, it will keep it from freezing over again. 

Clean Outdoor Furniture 

Outdoor furniture can get really dirty easily and look gross, especially if it is made of plastic. Simply mix some Dawn and warm water into a bucket and wipe down your outdoor furniture. Rinse with a hose or a clean bucket of water, and that’s it! 

Unclog Toilets 

If your toilet gets clogged, you don’t need expensive chemical products to fix it. Pour 1 cup of Dawn into the toilet and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. 

Once it has had time to sit, pour a bucket of hot (not boiling) water into the toilet, making sure it is a few feet above the toilet. Think pouring it from at least waist high on you. 

That’s it! That should do the trick. 

Clean Grease Spills 

Have an oil spot in your garage or driveway? First, clean the spill as much as you can. I like to use cat litter for this because it will absorb the excess. Speaking of cat litter, that is another great prepper item to have on hand for emergency toilets.

Then scrub the spill with some Dawn and warm water to remove the remainder of the spill. 

Defog Your Glasses 

If you wear glasses, you likely deal with the irritation of them fogging up at the worst times. To prevent this, rub a drop of Dawn on each lens of your glasses and wipe them clean. There will be a film left behind, that isn’t really noticeable, but it will keep your glasses from fogging up. 

Be sure that you are using a microfiber cloth to wipe your glasses because rough fabrics and paper towels can potentially scratch your glasses, and nobody wants that. Be gentle with your glasses. 

Hair Product Remover 

Hair products build up in your hair over time and don’t totally wash out. To help reduce this buildup, wash your hair with Dawn about once every four weeks or so. 

It is a safe way to remove the buildup from hair products, and you can condition normally after. 

Ant Killer 

I love that Dawn works as an ant killer instead of using chemical pesticides. 

All you need is 1-2 teaspoons of Dawn, water, and a spray bottle. Mix it up by shaking it, and spray any ants that you see on your countertops. 

Ants also tend to move around your home in groups. If you’ve ever followed an ant trail to find out where they are coming from, then you know exactly what I’m talking about. 

To prevent this, mix ½ a cup of Dawn with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide and mix in a spray bottle. Spray wherever you’ve found ants. This is perfect for the floors and countertops. Leave the spray on for 10-15 minutes and then wipe away. This should prevent the ants from returning. 

Flea Killer 

Dawn works with killing fleas just like it does with ants! Use the exact same formula, 1-2 teaspoons of Dawn, water, and a spray bottle. 

Spray any flea-infested areas and let it sit for 30 minutes. That will kill the fleas. Then you can vacuum up their remains. Which sounds so gross. Kill the fleas, then clean up their bodies. 

You can also give your dog a bath and use Dawn as their shampoo if they have fleas. Be very careful to avoid getting soap into their eyes, and make sure you rinse them thoroughly. 

It is important to note that you should not use Dawn as a regular substitute for dog shampoo because it will dry their skin out and cause itching and discomfort. Only use this when they have fleas. 

If you have a cat with fleas, use a flea comb and pick the fleas out of their fur. Drop the fleas into a bowl of water with 3 teaspoons of Dawn in it, and that will kill them. 

Also note that while this is an excellent way to get rid of fleas, it is not good to use on ticks. That is a whole other ball of wax you don’t want to get into! Because in the case of ticks, Dawn will hurt more than it will help. 

While Dawn may make it easier to remove ticks, it also causes the tick to vomit. If the tick is carrying Lyme Disease, the vomiting will push the Lyme Disease into your pet’s bloodstream (or yours if you find a tick on yourself). Stick to just using Dawn for fleas and skip using it on ticks. 

Homemade Window Cleaner 

One of the best and easiest ways to use Dawn dish soap is to make a homemade window cleaner. You just need a quart of water, a drop or two of Dawn, and a spray bottle. 

Use this mixture just like you would your usual window cleaner. 

Find Tire Holes 

I’ve seen this one used at tire shops, so it makes perfect sense to do it at home too. 

If you suspect that one of your tires is leaking air due to a puncture, mix some Dawn and water into a spray bottle. Cover the tire with the mixture. If you see an area with bubbles, that is where the air is escaping from, and you can patch it up. 

Keep Away Houseplant Bugs 

Nobody wants to see bugs on their houseplants, right? I hate bugs in my house in general, but even more so on my plants. 

Put a few drops of Dawn in a spray bottle, fill it with water, and shake it up to mix. Then spray the leaves on your houseplants. 

Door Lubricant 

An easy way to fix a squeaky door is with a drop of Dawn! This is also great for the tracks on sliding glass doors, which is where I use it myself. 

Make Homemade Ice Packs 

Grab a gallon size Ziploc bag and fill it with Dawn. Freeze it until you’re ready to use it. Use it until it is melted, and then put it back in the freezer to freeze again. 

This will save you time and money because you have everything you need at home in an emergency. There is no need to run to the store for an ice pack. 

Manicure Enhancer 

This has absolutely nothing to do with prepping, but I found it interesting. One of the more surprising and interesting ways to use Dawn is as a way to improve your manicures. 

If you soak your fingers in a small bowl of Dawn and warm water for 5-10 minutes, you’ll soften your cuticles and remove oil from your nails. The lack of oil will make it easier for your nail polish to stick. 

Safe Plastic Pool Cleaner 

If you have kids or dogs, you probably have a plastic kiddie pool that you use in the summer to help keep everyone cool. Plus, babies and puppies like splashing. 

If you are in the habit of cleaning the pool with bleach, you likely already know that it isn’t going to last as long as it otherwise could. 

You can help to prolong the life of your plastic kiddie pool by using Dawn instead of bleach, because Dawn won’t weaken the plastic or cause it to break down and crack the same way that bleach does. It is a much more gentle yet effective way to clean the pool and saves you money because the pool will last longer. 

Catch Fruit Flies 

Fruit flies are seriously annoying. But then again, I think all bugs are annoying. 

To catch them, put a few drops of Dawn into a small container of white vinegar. Place the container wherever you’ve noticed fruit flies, which is most likely the kitchen. 

They’ll be attracted to the container by the vinegar. But will get stuck in the container because of the Dawn in it. You can then rinse the container out and wash them down the drain. 

First Aid for Poison Ivy 

If you or anyone in your household gets poison ivy, Dawn dish soap can help. 

Wash the affected area well with Dawn and cool water. This will help to remove any lingering oils from the poison ivy plant, which can stay active on the skin, under the nails, on clothes, and other surfaces for quite some time until it is cleaned. 

After washing all the oil away, cleaning the area with Dawn and warm water will help to soothe the itchy blisters. 

Other people have reported that washing with Dawn also helps to reduce the severity of the rash, and that helps to clear it up faster. 

The big thing here is using Dawn and not just any type of soap, because Dawn has the oil-fighting properties that many other soaps do not contain. Those other soaps will unfortunately just spread the poison ivy oil around as you wash, and that just makes it all worse. Nobody wants that. 

Grill Cleaner 

Another simple and frugal way to use Dawn is for cleaning your grill. Just put the cooled, greasy grill rack into a large bag that you can seal shut, like a trash bag, for example. Then pour a gallon of water and ½ cup of Dawn into the bag. 

Let it sit overnight and the next day, you can easily scrub your grill down with a wire brush, give it a good rinse, and you’re done. It is nice and clean, and you don’t have to spend any time scrubbing it. 

Keep Insects Out of the Garden 

Insects usually target the leaves of garden plants because that is what they feed on. 

• Dawn Dish Soap, 1-2 tablespoons 
• Vinegar, 1 cup 
• Water, 2-3 cups, warm 

Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and spray the plants in your garden. Be sure to spray the leaves and the roots. 

Doing this will keep the insects from using your garden as their own personal buffet. 

Remove Stains from Clothes 

Nobody wants stained clothing. It is gross, and ugly. Just apply 2-3 drops of Dawn to the stained area and scrub it. 

After you scrub it, put it in the washer and wash normally. 

Clean Cabinets and Cupboards 

Greasy cabinets are caused by frequent cooking in the kitchen. It is also one of those things you don’t necessarily think about when cleaning, so it is really easy to end up with a buildup of ugly grease on the cabinet doors before you know it. 

Squeeze 4 drops of Dawn onto a damp sponge and wipe the cabinets down. Don’t scrub them hard, be gentle. Because you don’t want to damage the material and finish on them. 

By doing this your cabinets will look much cleaner and make the kitchen feel fresher than before. 

Clean Stainless Steel 

If you have kids, then you know how easily and frequently that stainless steel ends up with fingerprints on it. It looks horrible on the refrigerator, stove, microwave, and even the dishwasher. I think the refrigerator is the worst, just because it is the biggest and so easily noticed. 

Simply put a few drops of Dawn on a damp sponge, and scrub the troublesome areas. 

Wipe with a clean, damp cloth when you are done, and that should remove any fingerprints. 

Clean Carpet Stains 

Carpet stains are one of the ugliest types of stains because it just looks gross and dirty. I always wonder about anyone’s cleaning habits and how good they are when I see carpet stains. It feels like a direct reflection on cleaning habits, so this is a big one to me. 

Mix together 1 cup of Dawn and 2 cups of hydrogen peroxide. Spray the carpet stains and then clean it normally. It should take the stains out and make your carpet look as good as new. 

Clean Bathtubs and Showers 

Squeeze a few drops of Dawn into the bathtub or shower and use a brush or sponge to scrub the entire thing. Make sure to get rid of any dirt marks you notice, and it will make the inside of your bathtub and shower look fresh, clean, and brand new. 

26 Amazing Uses for Dawn Dish Soap Notes 

I love these 26 Amazing Uses for Dawn Dish Soap because it means that I save money by using one product in multiple ways. This also saves me space because I’m not buying a ton of single-use products for the house. 

Knowing how to use things and make the most of what I have is one of the most valuable prepper skills, in my opinion. Have you enjoyed reading these 26 Amazing Uses for Dawn Dish Soap?

26 Amazing Uses for Dawn Dish Soap Discussion 

Have these 26 Amazing Uses for Dawn Dish Soap helped you? Do you have any other ways that you use Dawn that I missed? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

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35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax. Did you know that Borax had so many uses around your home? I’ve always used it to make my own laundry soap, but that was where it stopped. I was even surprised when I started researching it to learn that it has so many more uses than I realized. 

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What is Borax? Borax is known as sodium borate and is a naturally occurring mineral found in soil, plants, and even your body. Borax is a powdery white substance, also known as sodium borate, sodium tetraborate, or disodium tetraborate. It is a combination of boron, sodium, and oxygen. 

As a prepper, I am a big fan of multi-use products. Because it cuts down on the number of things I’m trying to stockpile, while increasing the value of the items I do have on hand. That is what inspired me to research and create this list of 35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax.

Are you ready to learn about the 35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax? Come on in and let me tell you about it! 

35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax 

Clean Bathtub and Shower 

Sprinkle some Borax on a sponge or damp cloth, just like you would a powdered cleaner like Ajax, and scrub the bathtub and shower. When you’re done, thoroughly rinse every surface with water. 

Clean Hairbrush and Combs 

Fill the sink with warm water, add ¼ cup of Borax and a squirt of dish soap. I use Dawn in my house for everything. 

Let them sit in the mixture for 30 minutes, and then thoroughly rinse. 

Clean Toilets 

To clean your toilet with Borax, simply pour 1 cup of Borax into the water, stir it up, and let it sit overnight. 

The next day, scrub it with a toilet brush, and your toilet will be sparkly clean and fresh. 

Unclog Toilets 

Scoop as much water as you can out of the toilet, then add ½ cup of Borax. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes, but I always let it go closer to 30 minutes. 

Add 2 cups of hot water and flush. Repeat if necessary. Note that the original suggestion I read said to use boiling water, but that may crack the seals on your toilet, and that will create an even bigger problem. Hot water out of the tap should be plenty hot. 

Unclog Drains 

Use a funnel to pour ½ a cup of Borax down the drain. Then slowly add 2 cups of boiling water. Let it sit for at least 10 minutes, then flush it out with hot water. 

Repeat if necessary for really tough clogs. If this doesn’t work the first time, let the Borax and water sit for longer. I always let things like this sit longer than the directions or advice tell me, because that gives the Borax and water more time to eat through the clog and remove it. 

Sometimes patience with clogs is the answer. 

Clean Sinks and Counters 

Put 1 tablespoon of Borax and 2 tablespoons of vinegar into a spray bottle, then add hot water, and a few drops of dish soap. 

This makes a great all-purpose cleaner that costs you pennies to make yourself! This is at the top of my favorites from these 35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax.

Clean the Refrigerator 

The all-purpose cleaner from above works wonders on the outside of the refrigerator. 

For food spills on the inside, all you need is 1 tablespoon of Borax and a quart of warm water. 

Clean Mold and Mildew 

Mix 1 cup of Borax with 1 quart of hot water and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray the mold and mildew until it is completely saturated. Then let it sit for a couple of hours, I like to just kind of forget about it for part of the day. Then rinse thoroughly. 

Wash DIshes 

Mix 1 tablespoon of Borax with 1 tablespoon of finely grated soap, then add 2 cups of boiling water and whisk it until it is completely blended together. 

Let it sit until it cools completely, and you have homemade dish soap! 

Clean Cast Iron Cookware 

You never want to use soap on cast iron because the taste of it can get into your food and nobody wants that. 

Instead, mix 1 teaspoon of Borax with 1 teaspoon of salt, spread it on your cast iron pan and scrub it. 

Remove Rust 

Mix 1 part Borax with 1 part lemon juice, spread the mixture onto the rust and let it sit for at least 30 minutes. 

Finally, just wipe it clean. Repeat if necessary to remove all of the rust. 

Clean Floors 

Mix ¼ cup of Borax with ½ cup of vinegar into a bucket and then fill it with hot water. Add in a squirt of dish soap. 

Use this solution to mop your floors. 

Get Rid of Goo 

Mix ½ cup Borax and ¼ cup of water to make a solution that can be used to scrub away things like gum, tar, grease, and other sticky residues. 

Remove Laundry Stains 

Mix 1 tablespoon of Borax with 2 tablespoons of water, and spread it on the stain. Let it sit for 30 minutes, then scrub away and wash as usual. 

Remove Carpet Stains 

Mix ½ a cup Borax with 2 cups of warm water, then use the solution and a sponge to saturate the stained area. Scrub it thoroughly and then let it sit for 30 minutes. 

Once it has had time to sit, vacuum the area and let it dry completely. 

Deodorize Carpets 

Mix 1 part Borax with 1 part baking soda and then sprinkle on the carpet. Let it sit for 30 minutes, and then vacuum it up. This will neutralize odors in the carpet. 

This is also in my top favorites from these 35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax. I much prefer this method to buying overly scented commercial products. Those strong scents trigger migraines for me, and don’t actually remove nasty smells. They just mask them with overwhelming fake scents. This method works so well for me. 

Deodorize Fabrics 

Mix ½ a cup of Borax with a pint of water and pour it into a spray bottle. The solution can be sprayed on any fabric surface like curtains, couches, padded chairs, or anywhere else you would use something like Febreeze. 

This is a much cheaper alternative, and if you’re like me and can’t handle strong fake chemical smells, this is a pretty amazing alternative to make at home. 

Clean the Mattress 

You can remove stains and deodorize your mattress with the same methods that are used for carpets. 

To make your mattress smell even better and help you sleep at night, add in a few drops of lavender essential oil. 

Deodorize Trash Cans 

Fill your trash can with water and add in ½ a cup of Borax, then stir it. Let it soak for 30 minutes, rinse it, and let it dry. Then sprinkle a little more Borax inside the trash can. 

Deodorize the Litter Box 

Mix in ¼ cup of Borax into your cat’s litter box and it will significantly reduce unpleasant odors. As long as your cat doesn’t ingest it, it is safe. 

Out of everything I’ve researched and read when creating this list of 35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax, this is the really questionable one.

If you have tried this and it works, please let me know! This is one use that I really question, because I’m not sure my cat wouldn’t end up ingesting it when he licks his feet after a trip to the litter box. I would love to hear your experiences. 

Make Candle Wicks

Mix 1 tablespoon of salt and 3 tablespoons of Borax into 1 cup of boiling water. Soak a length of twine in the solution for 24 hours, then hang it up to dry for 48 hours. You now have a candle wick. 

I haven’t tried this one yet, but if you have, please let me know how it works for you! I would love to hear your opinions about it. It is on my list to try very soon.

Put Out Fires 

Baking soda is normally recommended for grease fires, but Borax will work just as well. 

You can also use it to put out a campfire or any other type of small fire. 

Kill Ants 

Mix equal parts of Borax and sugar together, and sprinkle anywhere you see ants. Not only will the ants die when they eat it, they will also carry it back to their colony to share with the other ants. 

Borax and sugar are the same size granules, and ants can’t tell the difference, so they eat both. 

You should note that if you have pets, to keep this away from them. Pets should not be consuming Borax, nor should it be anywhere that is easily accessible to them. 

Keep Bugs Away 

For cockroaches, sprinkle Borax on the shelves around your food. 

For bedbugs and fleas, sprinkle it on the mattress and carpet and let it sit for at least 30 minutes and then vacuum it up. 

Keep Mice Away 

Sprinkle Borax along pathways and anywhere you see signs of mice. This will help to deter them. You can also sprinkle bait with Borax. Hopefully they will bring it back to the nest and share it with other mice. 

Wash Windows 

For extremely dirty windows, soak a washcloth in a mixture of 2 tablespoons of Borax and 3 cups of water, and use that to wipe your windows. 

Repeat this with equal parts water and vinegar before drying. 

Wash Patio Furniture 

Add 1 tablespoon of Borax with 1 tablespoon dish soap and 1 gallon of hot water. Mix it up, then soak a sponge in the solution and wipe down your patio furniture. 

Kill Weeds 

Sprinkle it on weeks that show up in the cracks and walkways. 

For weeds in the garden, you need to be much more careful, because you can accidentally kill other plants that you want to keep. But it is perfect for walkways, cracks in cement, and places like that. 

Don’t use it on windy days or when there is rain in the forecast. 

Fertilize Plants 

Large amounts of Borax will kill plants, as we discussed just a paragraph ago. But tiny amounts can increase the boron level in the soil. What is boron? A mineral essential for cell wall growth. 

Only do this if your soil is boron deficient. 

Preserve Flowers 

I’ve never tried this myself, nor did I know this was even part of flower drying until I started research for this post. So I have no opinion on it. But the concept has me curious about it. 

If you’re looking for detailed instructions, definitely do your research on this. If you’ve tried it, please comment and let me know more information about it. 

Entertain Kids

Borax can be used to make green slime, snowflakes, bouncy balls, and similar things. 

In the event of an emergency like a power outage, the internet craps out on you, or your kids just need some time away from screens, these projects could be a lot of fun to try together. In an emergency or disaster, morale and distractions can be everything.

It could also be a great memory you make with the kids during a time when they need that. 

Make Trees Healthy 

One lesser-known fact about Borax is that it can be used to make trees healthier. This is an especially important fact for preppers and homesteaders who grow fruit trees or any tree for the purpose of food. 

Take 1 cup of Borax and pour it around the base of the tree. This will provide higher boron levels to the tree, making it healthier and more productive. 

Stop Regrowth of Tree Stumps 

You can use Borax to stop growth from tree stumps. If you’ve ever cut down a pine tree, you will be familiar with the fact that little shoots and growths start to extend out of the stump. 

It is a critical issue, by any stretch of the imagination. But if you want an aesthetically pleasing look to your tree stumps, or even to maintain a flat surface, 

Simply sprinkle Borax over the stump, and repeat the process periodically over a couple of weeks. This should stop any shoots and growths from spreading. 

Clean Stringed Instruments 

Do you have a guitar, violin, or any other stringed instruments? If you do, you can use Borax to keep them in good condition and extend their overall lifespan. These instruments are an investment, so why not keep them in great condition? 

Just make sure that you allow the strings to dry completely before you play them again. 

Remove Fleas and Ticks 

Mix water and Borax in a spray bottle. Spray it directly over your pet’s bedding or wherever they sleep, and it will have the same effect as a chemical flea killer does. 

 Allow their bedding to dry, or otherwise vacuum it up, and the chances of your pet catching any fleas will be greatly reduced. 

35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax Notes 

35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax. As you can see, Borax is an amazing multipurpose household ingredient that all preppers should have stocked up. It is perfect because it is an inexpensive and readily-available item. Those are my favorite types of products to add to my preps, and you should be doing so as well. 

I love products like this because it is more efficient than having multiple products. Storage space is a hot commodity in my house, so products that can go a long way are huge. Prepping is all about skills and efficiency, and being able to use what you have on hand. That is what inspired these 35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax.

Using one product for multiple uses also saves money. I feel like I am a great wife and homemaker when I can save some extra money by learning how to use products like this in a variety of ways. 

35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax Discussion 

Have these 35 Surprising and Amazing Uses for Borax helped you? If you have any other suggestions, please let me know your thoughts in the comments! I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions. 

What are your favorite household products that are multipurpose? Let me know your favorites and what works the best in your home!

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Easy 3 Ingredient Vapor Rub Shower Cubes. I think Vicks is one of the most versatile preps anyone can have! It has a number of uses and every prepper should have a stash at all times. 

Needless to say, I was looking for other uses for Vicks to make it an even more useful prep, when these shower cubes were suggested in a conversation. 

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Allergy season is pretty miserable for me, and I am constantly stuffy. If you are an allergy sufferer, you know the feeling of constantly being stuffy and having an endless supply of snot. Seriously, I don’t understand how my body can produce as much as it does! Anyway, I digress, because it is gross. 

These shower cubes are perfect for helping to relieve that congestion and make life a little bit more tolerable during allergy season. My husband also uses them when he gets the usual once a year cold or flu that happens every year like clockwork. 

What I love about these is that they are easy to make. It takes a whopping three ingredients, less than 30 minutes, and boom, done. The end result is a vapor rub infused bath cube that you can place in the shower for instant relief from nasal congestion. 

Have you tried making these Easy 3 Ingredient Vapor Rub Shower Cubes? Come on in and let me show you just how easy it is! 

Easy 3 Ingredient Vapor Rub Shower Cubes 

Ingredients 

Vicks Vapor Rub, 3 tablespoons 

Cornstarch, 1 cup 

Water, 5 tablespoons 

Blue and Green food coloring, optional, 2 drops of each 

Tools 

Silicone Mold 

Mixing Bowl 

Directions 

Place the vapor rub and cornstarch into your mixing bowl. Start to stir. 

The vapor rub will need some time to warm up before it starts to really marry into the cornstarch. If you are making this in the winter time, I recommend using your hands to mix it, because the heat that comes from your hands will help speed this part of the process up. 

Add in two tablespoons of water and continue to mix. You want a thick paste to form. If it needs more water, add in one tablespoon at a time until you get the desired consistency that you want. 

You don’t want to add too much water, and this is a great way to control how much you add. 

If you are adding in food coloring, now is the time. All this really does is add to the appearance, nothing else, so it is totally optional. I like it because it reminds me of the Vicks label and brand coloring. 

Your paste is now ready for the mold! 

Pack it tightly into the mold until each space is full and tight. You want to really make sure it is packed in there tightly, otherwise the cubes will fall apart easily and that’s a waste of your time and hard work. 

If you are wanting to use these immediately, you can place them in the freezer for a couple of hours to help them solidify quickly. 

If you don’t need them right away, just let them sit out for 24-48 hours in the mold before trying to remove them. They should pop out easily with a gentle push and not crumble or fall apart. If you are having trouble with this step, you may not have packed them tightly enough into the mold. 

When you are ready to use, just grab one, and place it in the shower on the floor and the warm water will break it down and the vapors will start working their magic. 

Easy 3 Ingredient Vapor Rub Shower Cubes Notes 

When you put these in your shower, place them in a shallow dish or near the drain. This will keep your shower floor from becoming slippery. Slippery shower floors are not a good thing! 

To store these, you can place them in a Ziplock bag and store in the freezer, or an airtight container works just fine as well. My preference is the airtight glass container. 

What I love about these shower cubes is they are so easy to make, and I have a simple easy home remedy for congestion. 

I love making my own products at home, and this is no exception. It makes both the prepper and homemaker in me very happy. 

All of the ingredients are inexpensive, readily available, and I already have them in my pantry. You probably do as well! Vicks is amazing just for how versatile it is, which is why it is something I always have on hand. Cornstarch is used in many recipes and I keep it stocked as part of my emergency toilet. Water, well, that comes out of the tap. It doesn’t get any easier or more readily available than that. 

Easy 3 Ingredient Vapor Rub Shower Cubes Discussion 

Have you tried making these Easy 3 Ingredient Vapor Rub Shower Cubes yet? Did they work for you? Are you a fan? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

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12 Easy Essentials All New Preppers Need. You’ve decided to prepare, which is awesome! Now, where do you start? 

Starting out as a novice or beginner to prepping is making a lifestyle change to be more self-reliant. This can be both stressful and overwhelming. We all have to start somewhere, which is what inspired me to write this 12 Easy Essentials All New Preppers Need list to help you get started. 

No matter where you are in your prepping journey, there are always going to be the fundamentals and a basic foundation that you build from. These things are essential for any kind of conceivable disaster, and the place to start is always at the beginning. 

While many people think that most preppers are waiting for some exotic or catastrophic threat like a nuclear strike, zombie apocalypse, or whatever other end of the world scenario you can think of, that isn’t actually the case most of the time. 

Because those things are unlikely to actually be a thing or happen, but hey, imaginations can keep things interesting, at the very least. 

But the real reasons to prepare are just as deadly and often catastrophic, but far more mundane. Think about what is a true emergency for you and your family, and what is likely. Disastrous weather that causes power outages, hurricanes, flooding and mudslides, major blackouts, and even civil disturbances, an earthquake, the list goes on. None of which qualify as “exciting” but are certainly major events that can disrupt our lives, the supply chains to stores, and much more. 

These 12 Easy Essentials All New Preppers Need essentials will give you the best chance for survival and help you weather a disaster much easier. This removes some of the stress that comes with disasters. 

Are you ready to get started with these 12 Easy Essentials All New Preppers Need? Let’s go! 

12 Easy Essentials All New Preppers Need 

Water 

Water is life, it is just that simple. The standard is 1 gallon of water per person, per day, and having three days worth of water, but a week is much better. 

Think about how much water you use in a day. Start with the amount you consume, then think about hygiene like showers and handwashing, and on to sanitation tasks like cleaning dishes, laundry, and toilet flushing. Then move on to cooking, and pets. 

Take your pets into consideration as well. Not only should you have a bug out bag made for them, you should have water stocked for them too. The standard measuring stick for animals is one ounce of water per pound of their body weight. 

Both humans and animals vary in the amount of water they need to consume. Puppies and kittens, and any other baby animals will consume more water than their adult counterparts. Humans who are more active will need more water than those who aren’t very active. The climate will also play a part. Someone in Arizona is likely going to need more water than someone in Alaska, just because it is hotter and the threat of dehydration is higher.

There is no one size fits all answer, but you know your family, your household, and those you are prepping for. Take all of these things into consideration when thinking about how much water you need to store. 

I have a good supply of water stocked up, and I still used a considerable amount in the last two weeks after a main water pipe burst down the street from me and I spent the day without water. The next one happened when we lost power due to an ice storm and the water was compromised because the treatment facility lost power. 

Light 

During almost any disaster that you can think of, you can expect a loss of power. We had an ice storm in January, and people are going on two weeks without power, and there is still no time frame for when everyone will be returned to normal and have power restored. The power grid is a very temperamental thing, and is almost always the first thing to fail. 

Humans are very reliant on our sight and darkness will often hold a lot more dangers during a disaster. That is why I have a blackout box stashed in several places around my home, making it easy to find when the lights go out. 

It is also important to have flashlights with batteries, a headlamp, and candles so that you can see your way around easier in a disaster. 

Hygiene Needs 

Hygiene is not a luxury in an emergency. Not only does staying clean help you maintain your mindset and a good attitude, it also helps prevent the spread of disease, infection, and other ailments that can turn into real life-threatening ailments. 

Besides showers, you still need to go to the bathroom to pee and poop. Let’s just be honest here, as these are important needs. You can’t stop doing these things in an emergency. Women are also going to have their periods. The universe and our bodies don’t give a damn if there is an emergency going on. So we just have to be prepared for those needs. 

Your hygiene kit should include clean rags, soap, body powder, deodorant, a toothbrush, toothpaste, and feminine care items like pads or tampons. 

You should also have the supplies to create your own emergency toilet if necessary. I was incredibly grateful that my water issues didn’t come to this a couple of weeks ago, but I was also really glad that I had the supplies in case it did. 

Emergency Radio 

When the power goes out, your phone, internet, and anything else electronic is going with it. Which means that it will become a whole lot harder to receive updates on severe weather and warnings. You can’t just open the weather app or open Facebook and see what everyone else is doing. What now? 

Having a battery or crank-powered radio will allow you to receive updates on severe weather and other emergency conditions even when most other forms of communication go down. 

The more modern examples of this classic and essential piece of emergency equipment have been updated and enhanced to include flashlights and even USB chargers to help keep your phone on. 

This is an absolute essential, in my opinion. If you choose a battery powered radio, always keep spare batteries and don’t store batteries inside the radio. Batteries corrode, and will ruin your radio without you knowing it until you’re ready to use it. 

If you choose a hand-crank one, as long as your arm muscles hold out, you’ll be able to rely on this piece of equipment. 

Tarp 

Tarps are one of the most basic, humble, and multi-purpose preps that you can have. A good tarp and some paracord allow you to create shelter from the sun, wind, and water, or use it as a ground cover to help keep things cleaner and dryer. 

A tarp can even help you stay warm inside a cold house by making a simple microclimate that is far easier to keep warm with body heat. I’ve seen people enclose a space with tarps, and it actually gets hot with just body heat! Think of it like making a fort out of tarps. It really works in an emergency, and will make things a lot more comfortable. 

I really like this for when you have kids and they are cold if the power goes down. You can make a game out of it, creating a fort in the house with tarps, blankets, and pillows to help keep everyone warm. Tell stories, read a book to them, and suddenly their morale is boosted, and your stress level goes down a notch. 

Maps 

If you have to evacuate, Google maps and GPS based navigation may not be an option. Neither are wrong turns, guessing games, and getting lost. That is a waste of time, energy, and gas. It is also just really stressful, which is the last thing you need in an emergency. 

You need to know where you are going, what your options are, and how to get there. Going old school with a paper map of your area is the most logical and reliable way to get from point A to point B when necessary. 

Food 

The general rule for food is 2,000 calories per day. While we don’t always need food for short-term emergencies, food is still vital for survival. 

Food is also a morale booster. Think about what happens when you become “hangry” and how you act. If you have kids, this can be a much bigger problem, and add to your stress levels. 

My pantry is stocked and has three levels to it. The perishable foods, the boxed and canned goods that require minimal prep, and then the long-term foods that are freeze dried. I like having a combination of all of them, because it gives me a lot of flexibility, and allows me to be prepared for both short and long-term emergencies. Food storage and organization is essential.

I love cooking everything from scratch and not using boxed or prepared items, but I also recognize where they have their place in an emergency. 

Don’t forget to watch the expiration dates, and be sure to have a can opener, disposable plates, utensils, and cups. For as much as I despise disposable anything, it does have its place. 

This is also where home canning and learning about it will come in very handy. Think about learning to can and having more shelf-stable foods available to you. This can also save you a lot of time and money if the power goes out and keeps you from losing everything in your freezer. 

Also think about food for your pets. Explaining food issues to either small children or pets is pretty much impossible. They depend on you for survival, and it is up to you to make that happen. Always make sure that you have ways to feed everyone in your household and are ready. 

First Aid Kit 

As you start preparing and becoming more self-sufficient in an emergency, you will come to understand that you are your own first responder. 

Part of understanding that means you know how to deal with injuries that often result from a close encounter with a disaster or violent event. 

A good quality first aid kit should be able to deal with all kinds of minor injuries and the most common kinds of trauma. 

Things like band-aids, gauze, ace wraps, antiseptics, burn cream, pain medicine, nausea, and other similar ailments. Pressure dressings and tourniquets and more for trauma type injuries is something you should learn more about if necessary and stock things to take care of that as well. 

Think about the things that you deal with often. For me, migraines are something I have at least monthly, and it is miserable. I am not a nice person when it happens, life sucks, and so this is something I keep medicine stocked up to handle during an emergency. It is high on my personal priority list. Think about your personal priority list in that regard, and then stock up for that. 

Also make sure that you take prescription medications into consideration. Do you have a 90-day supply? Most doctors will prescribe that long, the last time I knew anything. If yours doesn’t, have a talk with them about it and wanting to prepare for your own personal needs. They should be able to give you some advice and help you be better prepared. 

This category is also an excellent time to mention knowledge. These supplies are useless if you don’t know how to use them. Make sure you learn CPR, take a basic first aid course, and essential trauma care. Expand on your knowledge, because knowledge is power! 

When disasters happen, you can count on EMS, police, and all first responders being swamped, overextended, and even immobilized beyond what they can handle. Be ready by learning to become your own first responder. 

Work Clothes 

When an emergency happens, you can likely expect to get wet, dirty, muddy, and maybe even bloody in the course of things. Even if you don’t, when things get dangerous, you don’t want to be outside trying to fix it in the dead of winter wearing shorts and flip flops, or while trying to get home if you end up stranded somewhere. 

You need to have good quality clothes, footwear, and even work gloves that will offer protection and allow you to get what you need done. Having a dedicated set of work clothes for emergencies will also allow you to change once you get dirty into clean clothes. 

Think about having seasonally appropriate clothes like pants, shirts, boots, socks, underwear, gloves, and hats. 

Tool Kit 

If disasters didn’t cause damage, they wouldn’t be disasters. Having a basic tool kit is a great idea for helping to cope with the aftermath and allows you to fix, build, and improvise in order to cope with whatever disaster is going on. 

A basic tool kit should include manual muscle-powered tools like a hammer, pry bar, hand saw, duct tape, screwdrivers, pliers, a utility knife, screws and nails, super glue, wire cutters, and more. 

If you’re handy with tools and fixing things already, you likely have these things on hand anyways. You’re set. But if you aren’t, don’t go overboard and waste a bunch of money here. All you need are the basics to help you fix something that is leaking or broken, shut off utilities like water, or nail up boards for shelter and security. 

Backup Documents 

In this day and age, everything is digital and electronic. Which is great, right up until we can’t access it because the power is out. 

It is essential to have your identification, titles to homes and cars, birth certificates, passports, bank information, will, marriage license, phone numbers and contact information, and more in both hard copy and digital format. 

Keep hard copies in a fireproof safe that you can access if necessary. Keep digital copies on a flash drive and make sure that it is encrypted so you don’t give anyone else access to stealing your identity and making life even more difficult in an emergency. 

Self-Defense Means/Tools 

Self Defense is absolutely essential in an emergency. Because sadly, emergencies bring out both the best and the worst in people. Think back to hurricane Katrina and looters destroying and emptying stores in mere minutes. 

It is really easy to find vulnerable people who are easy targets when it comes to criminal activity because they are unprepared, scared, and desperate to save themselves and their family. It may come down to they want what you have, and you have to stop them from taking it. 

There are many options for self defense, and it is up to you, your skill levels, and your confidence levels to pick which is the best for you. If you are concerned about this, think back to the part where I mentioned being your own first responder. This is another example of that, as police are going to be swamped. 

12 Easy Essentials All New Preppers Need Notes 

There is so much to learn about being better prepared, and it can be really scary, overwhelming, and even somewhat paralyzing for beginners, which is why I created the 12 Easy Essentials All New Preppers Need.

But this isn’t meant to scare you in the slightest. It is meant to give you the tools and foundation to get started with the essentials and thinking about it all. 

The best part is that once you have the basics, you can expand from there. If the power is out, how do you cook food? Do you have alternative power sources to create the heat to cook? There is a lot more to it all. But you don’t worry about the roof of a home before the foundation, right? Start with the 12 Easy Essentials All New Preppers Need basics and expand. 

I should also mention that you don’t need to run out and blow your savings account on these things either. Start by slowly stocking up and making simple changes. Buy an extra bag of flour on your next grocery store trip, or a case of water. Keep building each week and each month, and you’ll be more ready than you realize just by doing those simple things. 

12 Easy Essentials All New Preppers Need Discussion 

Have these 12 Easy Essentials All New Preppers Need helped you be able to get started on your journey to being better prepared? Is there anything you would deem absolutely necessary to start with that I left out? Let me know your thoughts and how the 12 Easy Essentials All New Preppers Need helped you in the comments! 

7 Easy Ways to Prepare for Winter Weather. I am not a fan of winter weather, not by any stretch of the imagination. I just got done enduring a 5 day ice storm and all the side effects and damage from that. The number of people who were not prepared at all was astounding to me. 

It is so crazy to see empty store shelves because people are panic buying anything and everything. But that is what a lack of preparation does to people, and it is sad. Because preparing for a storm or winter weather doesn’t take that much effort. 

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This made me think about preparing for the winter. Are you ready? Besides winter causing the blues, mother nature can be brutal and unforgiving. 

7 Easy Ways to Prepare for Winter Weather 

Prepare Plants 

Preparing plants includes frost protection, and mulching to keep your plants happy and comfortable during their winter nap, as I call it. 

Fall is the perfect time to prune many perennials and trees. Find a crisp clear day and spruce things up to give yourself a maximum year in the upcoming year. 

If you’ve been doing yard renovations, be sure that all of the yard debris is cleaned up, shredded, burnt, composted, whatever you do with it, so that it doesn’t damage your efforts or yield unwanted weeds. 

Insulate Pipes 

This is especially important in older homes and areas that are prone to power outages. Keeping your pipes from freezing is so important, because it saves you time, headaches, and money. No one wants a busted water pipe as a Christmas gift! 

Take the time now to inspect your pipes for minor leaks or any other weakness you see, and take care of it now while they are cheap and easy. Don’t wait for a storm to send you a personalized notice. 

Unhook outdoor hoses and put a cover on them. I like to take a little insulation, wrap it around the pipe, then cover that with a plastic bag, tape it off, then put the insulated cover on and tighten it. This may be overkill, but I’m pretty okay with that. This is such a small and simple task that will give you so much piece of mind, it is totally worth it! 

Stock Up on Fuel 

It never hurts to have fuel for winter, and I don’t just mean gas for cars. This means wood for fires as well. Make sure that you have enough to make it through an entire winter without completely depleting your wood stash. If you are able to, cut enough for the following year as well, so that it has time to dry out. It never hurts to be ahead on fuel supplies! 

If you don’t have an alternative heat source for power outages, now is absolutely the time to get one. Generators are amazing, but take the time to become familiar with using one. Figure out how to use it now, so that when the emergency comes, it is a quick and easy setup and you aren’t in the cold and dark for any longer than you have to be. 

If you have pets, especially exotic pets that require special care and extra heat, you need to have a way to keep them warm and alive if you experience power outages. I have seen a lot of people with birds and snakes, especially struggling with the cold this week and making sure their animals stay alive. You need to prepare for your animals just as much as you do yourself, if you choose to have pets.

Add Coats and Hand Warmers to 72 Hour Kits 

We so often focus on preparing our homes and cars for the winter that we forget to prepare our preps too. Adding things like a coat, extra socks, hand/foot warmers, blankets, and long sleeve shirts to our kits will help keep a disaster from turning extra disastrous due to the cold winter conditions. 

This is also an excellent time to rotate your food and water, check batteries to make sure none are corroded, make sure you didn’t leave any in your equipment like flashlights, but they are nearby. Because corroded batteries can be thrown away easily if they are separate from the flashlight or whatever they are being used for. But if they start to become corroded inside the flashlight or whatever, the entire thing has to be tossed. 

Clean Chimneys and Review Fire Safety Plan 

Whenever we think about winter, we automatically think of the cold. Cold, cold, and just really cold. But cold isn’t the only problem winter can bring us. 

Fires are a huge problem. Chimneys, furnaces, heaters, and even the Christmas tree. These are all being used during the winter, and oftentimes we aren’t always as mindful of the risks as we should be. 

Teach kids to be respectful of space heaters and fireplaces, give the chimney and furnace the TLC that they deserve, change out the filters. All of these things will help prevent fires and keep your home safe. 

At the same time, you should be reviewing your fire safety plan and going over that with your kids as well. Everyone in your home should know the plan, practice it, and be both familiar and confident with it. 

Winterize Your Vehicle 

Don’t wait until it is raining buckets or snowing before you replace your tires, put studded tires on, or buy chains. Everyone else is going to be doing that, and not only will you waste time, the price goes up with the demand, and who knows if you’ll even be able to take care of these things. 

Demand wipes out supply. It is just that simple. Remember the great toilet paper shortage that came with Covid? I’ve literally been watching the same thing happening this weekend with the ice storm that knocked out power to thousands. Generators were a hot commodity. Then our town issued a “boil water” notice because the water treatment facility had been without power as well as residential customers. Bottled water was the latest thing to be in short supply. 

Be sure that your chains are working properly, you know how to quickly put them on, and they fit correctly. If you need to replace your tires, do it now. Don’t wait until your car is in a ditch and waiting for the snow or ice to melt before it can be pulled out. 

Update your car emergency kit. Make sure that you have emergency blankets, hand and foot warmers, a shovel, things like that. They don’t take up much space, and you’ll be grateful you put them in if you do get stuck somewhere. 

Be safe when winter starts! Don’t wait until something happens to realize you need supplies and to be better prepared. 

Clean Your Roof and Gutters 

All the rain on your roof can come at a cost when winter hits if you’re not ready. Now is the time to remove all of the debris and the moss from your roof. These things allow moisture and ice to mess up your shingles, clog up the gutters, and allow water underneath the ice to melt and eat away at the roof until there is a leak. 

Gutters need to be clean and clear to quickly remove the water from the roof and take it where it belongs. Check for potential wear spots and shingles that may need replaced or reinforced. It may be too late to replace your roof this season, but that doesn’t mean you can’t minimize the damage. 

7 Easy Ways to Prepare for Winter Weather Notes 

Watching the weather in my little corner of the globe reminded me how ill equipped so many people are for winter weather. Yet there are many things we can all do to be better prepared for it, and try to stay ahead of emergencies and things going bad. 

Preparing for it doesn’t mean we all planned out and will skate by effortlessly. It means that we can better handle the challenges and curveballs that mother nature throws at us. 

These 7 Easy Ways to Prepare for Winter Weather will help give you some peace of mind and provide you with more safety and security. Winter and the holidays are already busy and stressful. You don’t need more on your plate by not being prepared. 

7 Easy Ways to Prepare for Winter Weather Discussion 

Have these 7 Easy Ways to Prepare for Winter Weather helped you? Is there anything you would add to this list to help others be better prepared for winter? I want to know about it! Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

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10 Amazing Totally Free Ways to Prepare. One of the things that I hear often keeps people from being more prepared is the cost. We’ve all seen people on TV with millions of dollars to drop on an underground shelter or bunker, years of food supply, and so much more. 

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Would I like to be one of those people? Sure. We all probably would. But real life doesn’t work that way for the majority of us. Which is what inspired me to create this list of 10 Amazing Totally Free Ways to Prepare. 

Prepping doesn’t always have to involve spending money or stockpiling stuff. It is learning new skills, honing already known skills to be better, and just thinking ahead. 

Some of these things may take just a few minutes, others a few hours, and some more than that. Are you ready? Let’s go! 

10 Amazing Totally Free Ways to Prepare 

Learn to Navigate Your Home in the Dark 

You should be able to navigate your home in the dark just as well as you can in the light. Learn how to get in and out of your house easily, without bumping into anything both quickly and efficiently. 

This may mean that you’ll have to clean the floors, move furniture, and any other obstacles in the way so that you can get around quickly and safely. It also means that you’ll need to practice this skill often, until you become familiar with it and comfortable. 

Be sure that your bag, purse, keys, phone, wallet, and whatever else you may need are in one logical place where you can grab them easily on your way out the door. 

Power outages happen, there may be an intruder, or you may be escaping a fire. There are a number of reasons you should be able to navigate your home in the dark and do it efficiently. You should be equally as comfortable navigating your home in the dark as you are in the light. 

I have found this specific skill to be a huge confidence booster, because it helps me to not panic since I’m comfortable in my home. 

Inventory Your Preps 

Do you know what you have? Where is it? What are you missing? Making an inventory list of your prepping supplies and where they are is essential. Keep this list somewhere safe, like a fireproof safe, for example, that only you can find. 

Things to be inventoried: 

• Food 
• Ammo
• First aid supplies 
• Cash
• Bug out bag list 
• Hygiene supplies like soap and shampoo

I keep a specific number of things in my house, depending on the amount of space I have. For example, I keep 8 cans of chicken broth in my cabinet. When I get down to 4, I am out and it is time to buy more. I always have a “full” and “out” number, and out always happens before zero. There is no such thing as actually running out of something in my household. 

I encourage you to develop that same method of organization. What is the maximum number of everything on your inventory list that you have space for? What is your out number when it is time to buy more? Do this with everything, and you’ll never actually run out of supplies, nor will you exceed your allotted space and things overflow to make a mess. 

Organize Your Food 

I LOVE organizing my cabinets. Seriously, I may be a total weirdo in this, but nothing makes me happier than to get everything put away, organized, dated, and looking nice. I feel good, and I feel accomplished when I am done. 

Organizing food makes rotating much easier, and it is unlikely that something will expire without you knowing and end up pushed to the back of the cabinet for you to find after it is long dead and spoiled. Nobody wants that, especially when you need it in an emergency. 

One of the best methods of organization for me was spices. I moved from tiny jars that had a mind of their own when it came to being in the cabinets to large bulk containers that are all on one shelf, then condensed it all into the bulk containers. It was a lifesaver, and everything is in one place and nothing gets lost and I buy more than I need. 

I like to go through my cabinets once a month and see what I’ve used and what needs to be replaced. Is everything in one place? Having things scattered is the easiest way to lose things or forget what you have. My husband is notorious for not putting anything in the same place twice, and it kills me. This means a little bit more work for me when it comes to inventory and organization, but it is essential to saving me money and keeping everything in my house running smoothly. 

Can Meats and Veggies 

Look in your freezer and see what means you can easily can. Meats that are great for canning are chicken, stew meat, ground meats, and turkey. 

If you lose power for multiple days, you can still have a good supply of meat to feed your family. My favorite part about this is not only do you have another food source, it is an excellent way to reduce waste. Meat is expensive, and you don’t want to lose it in the event of a power outage. 

If you are new to canning or wanting to learn about it, I highly suggest getting this book to help you learn the basics. It seems complicated, but once you learn, you’ll love it. But you need to do it safely because food safety is essential. 

Make a Preparedness Plan 

Making a family preparedness plan is something that the whole family can participate in. Fire safety is an essential plan to have, but there are many others. What happens if you and your family are separated for some reason? Maybe one person can’t get home? Or a medical emergency? What do you do? Do you have necessary paperwork? Like medical history? Medication lists? Birth certificates? Marriage license? 

Think about any kind of emergency. It doesn’t have to be a big one that affects everyone. Think instead about things that can happen to just you or just your family. Then start making plans from there. 

Keep all of these things in one place, and make sure you know where they are and they are organized. 

Write Out a Wish and Priority List 

Writing out a wish list and a priority list helps to keep me focused. It really is one of my favorite things to do. I like to keep a running list at all times, then cross things off, add to the list, and it is constantly evolving. 

What do you want to get done around your property and house? What do you wish you could do or buy to further your prepping goals? Write down what you need to buy or make. Take this list shopping with you, or keep it near the computer in case you find yourself with a little extra money for those items. 

Dreaming and planning cost nothing, and I love that! It also keeps your goals, both short and long term, front and center. Which means that you never forget the goals that you’re working toward. 

Practice Your Skills 

Practice makes perfect. Practice is also a confidence booster. Always practice your skills. 

Practice can be with anything. Do you need to do some target practice? Time to line up some old soda or beer cans! Use a bow and arrow? Fill an old feed sack with leaves and grass clippings! Sewing? Pull out the sewing machine and some material, and make something like a pillow or an apron. Mend something like a torn jacket sleeve. Cooking? Make some bread from scratch! 

You can also practice fire drills with the family, and set a timer to see how long it takes you to get out of the house. What are you missing? Who are you missing? Take note of everything that went wrong, and start improving on it. Then practice again. Keep practicing until it becomes a habit and you are confident in those skills. 

There are a million possibilities when it comes to practicing your skills. It can be something like cooking on a barbecue if there is a power outage. Or even cooking from scratch and using what you have in the house. 

Complete Projects 

Raise your hand if you have projects that are ready to be started or half started and forgotten about. I know I have them! I can say pretty confidently that I’m not the only one with them either. 

I have a fair number of projects that I have everything I need to finish and simply haven’t done it yet. If you are that way, it is time to get going! Completing projects gives you a feeling of accomplishment, and it is one more thing to check off your list and keep moving forward. There is no time like the present to finish up a project you’ve neglected for too long. 

Organize Your Everyday Carry Bag 

Your everyday carry bag (EDC) can be a purse, tote bag, backpack, or whatever you normally take with you everywhere. Mine is my purse. 

Everyone carries different things with them and most of what you carry depends on your lifestyle. This means if you have kids or not, their age, your own age and physical capabilities. 

I always have a pocket knife, some cash, a first aid kit, gloves, a flashlight, things like that. This bag should be your go-to bag as well as the bag you’ll grab if you need to go anywhere. 

If you’re anything like me though, that bag can become a black hole for everything to end up in. My husband throws things in there almost everyday, and especially if we are out and about. Which is fine, except not everything comes back out when we get home. Things get lost in there and go to die for however long in between me cleaning it out is. That means the bag gets heavier without me even noticing until it is too heavy and I don’t know where anything is. 

Clean Out Your Vehicle 

Much like your everyday carry bag, your vehicle can easily become clutter and full of stuff before you blink. If you have kids, you know this better than anyone else. Clean it out! Wipe down surfaces, clean out the trash, and make sure that everything that stays in your vehicle has a place. Don’t leave things just laying out and everywhere. Keep it clutter-free. 

This is also an excellent time to check your fluids and tires at the same time. If any fluids need to be topped off, or the tires are low on pressure, take care of that. Your vehicle should be ready to go anytime you are. 

10 Amazing Totally Free Ways to Prepare Notes 

Winter is here, and I think that is one of the best times to focus on prepping without spending money. We are all still recovering from Christmas, I know. But you can still prepare and keep pushing forward with a limited budget until you’ve recovered from the holiday spending. Which I love! 

This should be something you do multiple times throughout the year as well. I like to take every third month and not spend any money and that is why this list of 10 Amazing Totally Free Ways to Prepare is so helpful to me as much as it is for you. 

10 Amazing Totally Free Ways to Prepare Discussion 

Have these 10 Amazing Totally Free Ways to Prepare helped you? Would you add anything to the list? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

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17 Amazing Uses for Vicks VapoRub. Vicks VapoRub is a common household product that is often used for cold remedy because it has medicated vapors that will help ease the symptoms and make life tolerable as your body heals and you start to recover. 

This is one of those products that has been around for years, and likely you grew up with your parents using it and using it to help you as well. I can’t think of any product that comes close to Vicks in being able to make having a cold and congestion a little bit easier and less miserable. 

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Some of the main ingredients in Vicks VapoRub are camphor, menthol, and eucalyptus. These help relieve cough and nasal congestion. While most of us use Vicks when we have a cold, there are so many other uses that you may not know about, and that is what I’m here to tell you about. 

As a prepper and a homemaker, I love versatile products. When I can use something that I already have on hand at home for multiple purposes, it makes my heart happy. Because the less products and more uses for those, the less space they take up, and the less money I am spending. Versatile products are a total win-win in my household. 

Have you heard of the 17 Amazing Uses for Vicks VapoRub? Come on in and let me tell you about them! 

17 Amazing Uses for Vicks VapoRub 

Cough Relief 

The primary purpose of Vicks is to help get rid of a cough. You can apply it to your chest, back, and feet. The ingredients will help break up the chest congestion that is keeping you up at night. 

The best way to do this is to apply a thick layer of Vicks on your feet at bedtime, slide on a comfortable pair of socks, and go to bed. You’ll feel better when you wake up and be more rested for the day ahead. 

Relief from Muscle and Back Pain 

If you’ve ever used IcyHot on your back or body for muscle pain, you’ll be pleased to learn that you can create the exact same effect with Vicks. I personally love this trick because I always run out of IcyHot and forget to replace it because I don’t use it often. This means forgetting to replace it isn’t a big deal, because I always have Vicks in the medicine cabinet. 

 All you have to do is spread some Vicks on the affected area. Note that you should not use it in the same area more than 3-4 times daily. 

For even more relief, spread some Vicks on and then apply a hot compress. Together, this will help to soothe sore muscles, and mimic the same sensation as IcyHot. 

Insect Repellent 

Vicks has a very strong scent, and insects cannot stand anything that has a strong scent. It is the same reason many people recommend peppermint oil to help keep spiders out of their homes, or use citronella candles to drive away mosquitoes. 

A great way to get rid of insects that are irritating you is to apply a little bit of Vicks to your arms, legs, neck, and any other areas of exposed skin when you are outside. 

Headache Relief 

I get headaches often, because I am guilty of too much screen time and not drinking enough water. This is something I really am intentional about prepping for, because it can be a huge problem for me. If you know you struggle with certain things like that, make sure those are at the top of your prepping priority list. 

When you have a cold, applying some Vicks acts as a decongestant. One of the uses for Vicks is to use it to clear your head and alleviate cranial pain. Sinus headaches respond particularly well to this method. Just open the tub and breathe it in. You don’t have to apply it directly to your head or skin. 

You can also pick up a Vicks Inhaler for this specific issue, if you want something to have on-the-go and carry with you at all times. The inhaler is perfect for throwing it in your purse or bug out bag. But, the inhaler is only good for this specific purpose. It isn’t multi-purpose the way the actual Vicks VapoRub is. 

Earache Relief 

 Having an earache is straight up miserable. If you need some relief fast, try covering a cotton ball with Vicks and placing it in your ear for a couple of hours. It will help to reduce any irritating symptoms that come with having an earache. 

One thing to remember here is that the Vicks will relieve and alleviate the pain. Which really is helpful. However if an infection is causing your pain, the Vicks will not get rid of the ear infection and you need to go see your doctor to treat the infection. 

What the Vicks does here is simply make life more tolerable until you can get in to see your doctor. Please don’t use this tip in place of actual medical care when necessary. 

Treats Cuts and Scrapes 

I’ve always used salt when it comes to cuts and scrapes. Needless to say, this tip surprised me a little bit, because I had never heard of anyone using Vicks. 

Clean the area around the cut and apply Vicks to clean skin once or twice daily until the area is healed. Vicks created a thick barrier between the cuts. 

If you notice a burning sensation or pain, wash the Vicks off immediately and use Neosporin or some other antibiotic ointment. 

Prevents Skin Infections 

Any type of skin irritation can become infected easily. This included dry and cracked skin, cuts, burns, and anything else. Taking the right precautions to keep that from happening is essential to ensuring it heals quickly and doesn’t develop into something much worse. 

One of the precautions to prevent an infection is to apply some Vicks to your skin to help prevent infections from developing. 

If an infection has developed, please see a doctor and get proper medical treatment. 

Humidify Your Sleep 

You can add Vicks into your humidifier or vaporizer. I like this one that is manufactured by Vicks. However, you can certainly use what you have already if you own one. You do need to make sure that it has an aromatherapy compartment or tray before using it though. 

When you add Vicks to a humidifier or vaporizer, it will circulate Vicks through the air and enable you to breathe more comfortably as you sleep. 

Gets Rid of Bruises 

Vicks can help you to reduce the swelling and inflammation that is associated with bruises. 

Add a pinch of salt to the Vicks and apply it directly to the bruises. It will speed up the healing process and you’ll be amazed at the results. 

Sunburn Relief 

I find this use for Vicks one of the most useful! I live in the cold and rainy pacific northwest. I have two skin tones, albino and tomato. It seems like I can look out the window and see the sun and get burnt. It isn’t quite that extreme, but it isn’t difficult for me to end up with a sunburn in the summer, and I always have one really ugly one per year. 

You know the cooling feeling you get when you apply Vicks to your chest when you’re sick? Using it on a sunburn will give you the same sensation, and will help get rid of the stinging sensation that comes with a sunburn. 

All you need to do is rub some on the sunburned area of your body.  

Deters Pet Accidents 

If Fido or Fluffy are continuously having accidents in the same spot, you need Vicks. Because nothing is more frustrating. Especially when it happens mere inches away from the puppy pad. If it is time to stop the vicious cycle of your pet peeing inside of your home, rub some Vicks in the places where the accidents happen the most often. 

This works for both cats and dogs. Vicks has such a strong scent that any animal with a good sense of smell will find this method an excellent deterrent. 

Foot Care 

Grandma knew this trick! It is an old school trick that some would call an old wives tale. You can use Vicks as a home remedy for some foot conditions including athlete’s foot and dry cracked heels. 

Make sure you put socks on after you apply a good thick layer of Vicks. Be sure that you change your socks in the morning though, as the smell may be overpowering to those around you. 

When morning comes, wash your feet in cold water. The cold water will help get rid of the scent of Vicks. Then use a pumice stone to scrub away the dead skin. Then use whatever lotion that you normally do on your feet. Do this nightly and you will be amazed at the results. 

This tip works for several reasons. Some of the ingredients in Vicks are antimicrobial and it can help you to get rid of fungus or other microbes that cause foot issues. Another great ingredient in Vicks is petroleum jelly, which locks in moisture that is essential for dry and cracked skin. 

Skin Care 

If your skin is dry, using Vicks can have some seriously amazing effects. You can apply it to cracked and weather damaged skin to restore softness and smoothness. If you are in a profession where you have to frequently wash your hands, you will love using Vicks on your hands to help keep them from the constant damage of frequent handwashing. 

Another great way that you can use Vicks is if you suffer from acne or eczema. You can use Vicks to help soothe the skin, reduce inflammation, and clear up your skin. Menthol is antimicrobial and drying. If you have acne, put a little bit on the specific spots to help them dry out overnight. 

Treats Toenail Fungus 

We’ve talked about how Vicks can help with foot care earlier. But you may not have considered using it on your toenails. 

Apply some Vicks to the affected toenails each night before bed, and then put socks on. 

The following morning, wash your feet in cold water to help get rid of the menthol scent. Then clip off as much of the infected toenail as possible. You can also use a nail file if your toenails are growing up and super thick. 

Repeat this process each night until your toenail has recovered completely and is growing normally. 

Stops Cats Scratching 

Cats love to scratch furniture and anything else that they shouldn’t be scratching, especially when they are kittens. This is a habit they are notorious for, and you want to put a stop to it as soon as possible and get them scratching their post and not your furniture. 

If your cat has decided to make the couch, couch cushion, wall, recliner, or any other spot in the house their new scratching post, you can help deter them from that by spraying the area with Vicks. 

Cats and dogs alike have a very good and strong sense of smell. Vicks have a strong scent and cats tend to steer clear of it because they dislike it. 

Reduces Stretch Marks 

Stretch marks aren’t appealing to anyone and no one wants to have them. It can mess with your self-confidence. Surprisingly enough, Vicks can help to reduce stretch marks. 

All you have to do is spread some Vicks on your stretch marks daily and you should see results within a few weeks. 

Some swear by this remedy and others say it is completely useless and a waste of time. But I think it is worth a try simply because it is an easy and inexpensive remedy to try. 

Reduces Belly Fat 

Mix one tablespoon of crushed tablet camphor, one tablespoon alcohol, one tablespoon baking soda, and half a jar of Vicks until it forms a paste. 

Before you exercise, apply this paste to your abdomen, and wrap with plastic wrap. When you’ve finished your workout, rinse it off with cold water. 

This may sound very strange, and I’ll be honest and tell you that I haven’t tried it yet, but it is said to have the same effect as many slimming creams that you can purchase online, but it is much cheaper. It takes about 2-3 weeks to notice a difference. 

17 Amazing Uses for Vicks VapoRub Notes 

Vicks should not be used on children under two years old. Vicks specifically made for babies should not be used on babies younger than three months old. 

You should seek medical attention if you have any signs of hives, difficulty breathing, swellings of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. These are signs of an allergic reaction to Vicks and medical attention is absolutely necessary. 

I am not a doctor, nor do I claim to be anything close to it. Please use these tips responsibly and with common sense. These are not meant to be used in place of medical care. If you need to see a doctor, do it. Don’t wait. Always use common sense and responsibility with all your prepping. That should be rule number one for everyone, but especially preppers. 

17 Amazing Uses for Vicks VapoRub Discussion 

Finding uses for Vicks VapoRub may very well be much easier than you had imagined! It is such a versatile and useful product that I think every prepper should stock up on and always have a few jars worth in the cabinet. 

Do you use Vicks? Is it part of your preps? Is there a way you use it that I didn’t list here? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 

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