Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things
Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how ye ought to answer every man...
Colossians 4:6
Preppers are good at finding extraordinary uses for ordinary things, because being prepared may require you to make due with whatever is handy at the time. In this section we have listed alternative uses for everyday ordinary items you probably have around the home. We of course do not advocate for the replacement of actual medical advice, household cleaners, outdoor products, etc, please use your own common sense and judgment.
In the first section of this work you will find "ORDINARY THINGS". In this section we highlight some historical aspects of each "Ordinary Thing", then we list the "PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS", expressing our view on why this is an important product to prep.
In the second section, "EXTRAORDINARY USES" we divide the Preppers Home into different departments and identify what "Ordinary Things" are useful for the various areas. As time progresses, The Prepper Hitching Post will be adding more "Ordinary Things" to the list, with many more "Extraordinary Uses".
ORDINARY THINGS
SALT
Regular everyday salt is probably the most versatile products on the planet and deserving of its own section. Flavoring food is one of many ways to utilize this gift. Salt has so many uses it was once used as a currency and probably in the event of a protracted event, it would be again. There are in fact so many uses for salt that it would be impossible to list and fully explain them all in a single section, but we will add more as time goes by. According to the Salt Institute, salt may have 14,000 known uses or more so you can understand my lack of desire to mention them all, at least for now.
For over 8000 years salt has been purposefully extracted from the earth for consumption, manufacturing, chemistry, disinfection, currency, and much more. The exact time when people began using salt is unknown, although some archeological findings date the earliest known extraction of salt to 6050 B.C, but no doubt future digs will discover that it had an earlier mining record.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS...
I. When prepping with salt my motto is “more is better”. Regular table salt is versatile, cheap, practical, and abundant, which are four favorites of preppers.
II. The versatility, cheapness, and relative abundance aside salt is a very practical prepping item because given the right circumstances, disasters could interrupt the supply line.
III. In a protracted situation that impacts the nations infrastructure and the logistics of the industry, salt may become difficult to find.
IV. The Salt industry is not equally distributed around the country and imports are growing, and we all know what that could mean for the future of Americas Salt Industry.
V. If you live within sight of salt mining or processing centers it may be much easier for you to get your hands on it during an emergency, meaning you could possibly prep less now, or prep cheaper now.
VI. Salt Prepping can be placed into three main categories; (a) as part of your stores, (b) literature instructing how to utilize this valuable mineral, and (c) the equipment designed to utilize salt in specific and helpful ways. Salt as part of your stores is a good place to start with this prep. Much of the equipment used in any salt process can be made or acquired easily, you probably have some of it already.
VII. Salt is a mineral based crystal primarily made of sodium chloride, although other traces of minerals can be found in different salts.
VIII. The chemistry of salt, especially sea salt is heavily dependent upon the region it comes from. Each region of the world may produce a different tasting salt depending upon mineral content, because the actual mineral content determines the flavor.
IX. Salt is essential for life in small quantities, but harmful in large amounts
X. Salt comes in three basic forms; Unrefined Sea Salt, Table Salt or Non-Iodized, and Iodized Salt
XI. Iodized Salt is salt mixed with small amounts of iodine.
XII. Iodine Deficiency has been linked to mental retardation and goiters
Baking Soda
Another prepper favorite with plenty of alternative uses is Baking Soda or Sodium Bicarbonate. There were no other products in my home when I was growing up that were more useful than ordinary-everyday baking soda. It seemed that no matter what the emergency was my mother had a way to apply baking soda as a remedy. I used to tease her about, " in the event I lose an arm, take me to an emergency room, and do not try to remedy with baking soda".
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS...
I. Baking Soda or Bicarbonate Soda is made through a complex chemical processes. I have yet to see an effective way of producing baking soda from the home chemistry set, but if I do you will be the first to know.
II. Any product difficult to make at home or replace altogether will be extremely valuable later, should supplies be interrupted.
Vinegar
Vinegar, not just for pickles anymore. Vinegar is a liquid consisting of acetic acid and water. You will mainly find vinegar used as a cooking ingredient, but historically vinegar has been used in the industrial and medical fields. There are many women who can tell you a dozen different uses for vinegar for female hygiene and beautification. Many ladies will use vinegar as an anti-aging treatment or for cuticles.
There are many types of vinegar; household (also known as commercial or white distilled), Balsamic, Beer, Apple Cider, Cane, and many more. Each type of vinegar varies in price, process, and time to make. In the case of Balsamic Vinegar, which are made from White Grapes, some types of this vinegar are aged for several years even up to a century. Once upon a time Balsamic Vinegar was only for the upper crust of Society, but in the 20th century modern industrial practices opened up the market and cheaper versions became available.
The actual use of vinegar in history goes back thousands of years. Hippocrates prescribed vinegar for curing fevers, ulcers, and constipation. The Egyptians used vinegar to kill bacteria in foods, waters, and as a general use. The Ancient Babylonians are recorded around 5000 BC, as using vinegar to preserve food and as a medicine.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS...
I. Grocery store vinegar is about 5% acidity, most home uses require higher concentrations.
II. Vinegar and Baking Soda are extremely reactive, they should be stored in
different locations.
different locations.
Wood Ash
Wood ash is another item you will find readily available inside any preppers store room. Most people would throw the wood ash out, but not preppers because we know that wood ash has many uses. In the old days, people used wood ash to make soap, as part of the process for manufacturing some explosives, compost enhancers, and many other uses. Yesterday wood ash was used because no better alternatives had been discovered, so it was more out of necessity than anything else. Today preppers use wood ash just as they did in the old days, but we do so mainly to become more self reliant and wood ash although crude has few better alternatives even in modern times.
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS...
I. Nitrogen can build up in would ash, making it a fire and explosion hazard, be extremely careful when storing or using.
II. Wood ash can present certain life threatening health issues, do not inhale or ingest. Wood ash can clog your lungs and slowly suffocate you.
EXTRAORDINARY USES
Hygiene
SALT: Saltwater makes an effective mouthwash
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE: Put peroxide to work doing what it does best by killing germs and bacteria in your mouth, makes a great but intense mouthwash. Use a small amount of peroxide as a mouthwash, being careful not to swallow the peroxide. Rinse once a week with peroxide. Another benefit is that peroxide will whiten your teeth.
SALT: Use equal parts of salt, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide for brushing your teeth. Toothpaste
BAKING SODA: Baking soda makes a great deodorant.
First Aid
SALT: Use a saltwater rinse for your eye soreness
VINEGAR: Use vinegar as an antiseptic for shallow cuts and scrapes. Do not use on deep gashes, punctures, or large areas of removed epidermis.
SALT: It may be painful, but saltwater can be used as an antiseptic on a cut or scrape should no other option be available.
VINEGAR: Sooth insect stings and bites by rubbing them with cloth soaked in full-strength vinegar. Also works well with Jellyfish stings.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE: A little peroxide dabbed onto foot fungus, such as athletes foot will wipe it out. Use a few times a day, until fungus is gone.
VINEGAR: Sooth the heat of a sunburn by using full-strength white-distilled vinegar, chilled slightly with cool water. Add solution to spray bottle if possible, be careful not to get into eyes or hair. This solution has also been known to speed the recovery of sunburns and lower chances of blisters and peeling.
BAKING SODA & HYDROGEN PEROXIDE: Use a baking soda and water or hydrogen peroxide to eliminate the stings of insect bites, rashes of poison ivy, or sunburn.
BAKING SODA: Use Baking Soda and water paste to draw out the venom of insects and jellyfish. Venom extraction
VINEGAR: There are several studies being done examining the benefits of vinegar to daily diet. So far most have proven that vinegar is very healthful; by lowering blood sugars, chances of diabetes, and obesity. You can get in on some of these benefits by adding vinegar to salads, sandwiches, and even a teaspoon to a glass of water each day.
VINEGAR: If you are suffering from a cold or flu bug and own an iron stove or a vaporizer add a little vinegar to water and heat, to rid yourself of sinus congestion.
BAKING SODA: Use 1 tablespoon to 6 ounces of water as an antacid or to eliminate heartburn.
VINEGAR: Use vinegar, cotton ball, gauze pad, and medical tape to treat corns. Soak cotton ball in vinegar and add to area to be treated. Use gauze pad and tape to hold the treatment in place, and leave overnight. Next day remove material from treated area.
VINEGAR: Use a 50/50 vinegar and water solution to treat cold sores. Treat the area with the solution throughout the day until the sore has vanished.
BAKING SODA: Sunburn, diaper rash, and achy muscles can be soothed by adding a cup of baking soda to your bath water. For the diaper rash I will assume it is your child, in this case only add a few tablespoons per five gallons of water.
VINEGAR: Use vinegar to eliminate foot fungus such as athletes foot. Treat area with vinegar by dabbing a cotton swab into vinegar and rubbing the area to be treated thoroughly a couple times each day. Note: Athletes foot as with any fungus is a contagious disease and spreads easily when socks or shoes are shared by multiple persons.
In your Yard and Garden
SALT: Sprinkle salt to drive away ants. Insect Repellent
VINEGAR: Distilled vinegar at full strength will keep ants and other insects from entering your home or garden area. You can also pour a healthy amount of full-strength vinegar on ant mounds to eliminate them. Insect Repellent.
WOOD ASH: Eliminate unwanted algae growth by tossing several cups of wood ash over the tops of pond water, works great in hydroponics systems. Keep in mind the more wood ash you add to the water the closer it gets to becoming lye, which will kill everything in your pond.
SALT: Saltwater can be used as an antifreeze
WOOD ASH: Wood ash works as a great compost enhancer. Use about a cup of wood ash for every 10 lbs of compost.
BAKING SODA: Use baking soda to repel many insects. Insect Repellent.
VINEGAR: Cats dislike vinegar and will avoid areas that have been saturated with it. Mix 1 gallon of distilled white vinegar with 50 lbs of sand and sprinkle in areas you do not wish cats to travel. This method can also be used to keep cats out of children sandboxes. Works on many types of critters, but rain will eventually rinse the vinegar from the sand. Animal Repellent.
WOOD ASH: Use wood ash to repel slugs, snails, and other insects. Lightly sprinkle ash around planters and pots. Repellent.
VINEGAR: Cottony towels dipped in full-strength white vinegar, placed inside lidless jars or coffee cans, and located throughout the garden will keep rabbits from ravishing your radishes and other vegetables. Use for extended need to repel critters from your garden or yard. Animal Repellent Containers.
SALT: Use salt as a weed killer
VINEGAR: Use vinegar as a weed or grass killer, works well between stones, paths, and sidewalks, however when used in its full-strength (white-distilled) it will kill almost anything.
SALT: Use salt as a grass killer, between stones
VINEGAR: Vinegar at full-strength will kill almost anything in your yard, however in small quantities it can bring life to azaleas and hydrangeas. Mix a solution of 1/4 cup of vinegar to 1 gallon of water. Plant Nourishment.
Cleaner/ Disinfectant
SALT: Salt to clean your discolored coffeepot.
WOOD ASH: Use wood ash, water, animal fat, and salt to make soap. In the old days soap was made at home by soaking wood ashes in water (making lye), then boiled with animal fat, and then mixed with salt to harden the product.
BAKING SODA: Use baking soda as an air refresher by placing an newly opened box in around trashcans, cabinets, fridge, etc.
WOOD ASH: Remove skunk smell by rubbing wood ash onto pet. Rub in thoroughly then rinse with water. Repeat if necessary. It may also be necessary to leave ashes on the dog for several minutes to fully absorb skunk spray.
VINEGAR: Use vinegar to remove clogs and smells from plumbing pipes, toilets, sinks, and garbage disposals. When unclogging or removing smells use undiluted boiled vinegar. In some cases clogs are to thick for vinegar alone, add 1 cup of baking soda to a bathtub or floor drain only, then add 2 cups of vinegar. When bubbling has subsided add another 1/2 gallon of boiled vinegar to same drain. After clearing rinse pipe with clean water.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE: Peroxide is made for killing bacteria and viruses. Use a cloth to wipe surfaces with peroxide, being careful not to get it on your clothes or in your eyes. Disinfectant
VINEGAR: Remove bacteria from kitchen or bathroom surfaces by using full-strength vinegar as your washing solution. For added convenience use a water bottle to spray on surfaces. Be sure to rinse surface with tap water after using vinegar, you could even use a saltwater mixture for added disinfecting capabilities. Disinfectant
BAKING SODA: Use Baking soda to eliminate foot odor in shoes. Shoe Odor.
VINEGAR: Remove Lime Deposits on shower heads, sprayers, on copper or brass fittings etc by mixing a solution of 1 cup of vinegar to 1 cup of water. If lime persists simply add more vinegar to the mix and leave set for a longer period of time.
SALT: A mound of salt on an ink spill, after ink is absorbed by the salt remove salt
VINEGAR: Clean water spigots, garden tools, and other rusted items with an undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rust Remover.
VINEGAR: Use a 1 cup of vinegar for 3 cups of water solution for everyday removal of mildew, if mildew persists increase the strength of the vinegar and add a squeezed lemon to the mixture. The vinegar and lemon juice mixture is a great solution to everyday cleaning in kitchens and bathrooms. A great spray bottle will go a long way. Mold and Mildew
SALT: Remove burned on stains from enamel by soaking in saltwater overnight, then boiling the saltwater in the pan the next day. Enamel Stains
SALT: Salt and lemon juice will remove mildew
SALT: Use dry salt to scrub an oven, greasy pans, or stovetop. Grease Remover
VINEGAR: 50/50 water and vinegar is good for cleaning; chrome, glass, tile, linoleum, copper, brass, silver, and stainless steel. For copper and brass full-strength works great, just remember to rinse afterwards.
SALT: Soak sponges or dishrags in saltwater, heavy on the salt. Disinfectant
SALT: Salt and Vinegar solution will remove many stains from glass or plastic
SALT: Remove odors from drainpipes by mixing a heavily salted brine and emptying down the drain
SALT: Rinse vegetables and fruits in saltwater. Disinfectant
SALT: Electrolysis is used to separate the chloride from the sodium hydroxide. The chloride can then be utilized as bleach.
Preservative
SALT: Salt is used to cure, tan, and preserve animal hides
SALT: Salt is used to preserve foods
KITCHEN
VINEGAR: Fruit flies can become a problem whether or not you do a lot of canning, but more so with it. If you want to get rid of them, leave a glass jar with about a cup of full-strength vinegar out on the counter for a couple of days. Insect Repellent.
VINEGAR: Remove stains and smells from glass and plastic containers by soaking overnight in 50/50 white vinegar and water mixture.
VINEGAR: Use vinegar to disinfect cutting boards and butcher block countertops, also good for most surfaces in kitchen. Disinfectant
VINEGAR: When I was younger I worked in a restaurant and one of my duties was cleaning up at night. It does not take long for you to learn to appreciate the cleaning qualities of vinegar. Undiluted vinegar can loosen grease, even grease baked on after several hours of cooking. If vinegar is not handy use pickle juice. Grease Remover
TEXTILES & LAUNDRY
VINEGAR: Use 1 cup of vinegar in a load of whites to whiten stained materials. Make sure to use vinegar when washer has filled all the way for the first rinse.
VINEGAR: Use vinegar to remove mold and mildew smells from washers. Dump four cups of white distilled vinegar into washer and fill, let set overnight before emptying. Can also be used to remove the mildew and mold smell from clothes left in washer overnight. Refill washer with water, add 1 cup of vinegar to load and let set for half and hour before completing cycle.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE: Use peroxide to whiten your whites. Add 1 cup of peroxide to a full load of whites during the first rinse process.
VINEGAR: Use vinegar to remove most odors, including pet and smoke from white textiles. Add 1/4 cup of vinegar to full load of clothes during first rinse.
VINEGAR: Use a 50/50 water and vinegar mixture to remove sauce, mustard perspiration, and grass stains from materials. Be sure to rinse the clothing thoroughly afterwards. Material Stain Remover
PETS & LIVESTOCK
VINEGAR: Use vinegar to kill fleas on your dogs. Add one tablespoon for every quart of water. For added protection against fleas use a 50/50 solution of water and vinegar on your dogs coat. Flea Killer
BAKING SODA: Use Baking Soda to remove pet smells from carpet. Sprinkle the carpet with baking soda and leave overnight. Next day vacuum up the baking soda. You may need to empty your vacuum a few times, even if bag or container is not full, because baking soda has a tendency to clog.
VINEGAR & TOMATO JUICE: When I was a kid, I and a dog of mine got sprayed by a skunk. My mother poured one gallon of white vinegar and two large cans of tomato juice into a bathtub then added another ten gallons of water. We both got in and rinsed ourselves thoroughly with the mixture, then rinsed in the shower. I believe it will work with other types of vinegar, but I am not going to get myself sprayed again to find out.
VINEGAR: Just as moth balls can protect your textiles, so can cotton balls soaked in vinegar protect your plants. Keep in mind that contact between the plant and vinegar may be harmful to some plants, keep vinegar in a small medicine bottle with a whole punched into the top. Insect Repellent
VINEGAR: Use full-strength vinegar with a cotton swab in your dogs ears to thoroughly clean dirt and lower chances of ear diseases. If you have ever owned hunting dogs than you should know the importance of maintaining healthy ears. Pet Health.