Survival Hacks – Of Label Uses For Everyday Products That Are Probably Already Inside Your Cabinets

Preppers are experts at penny-pinching and finding multiple uses for many of the items in their survival stockpiles. Expanding upon that notion, I decided to do some research and conduct a thorough inventory of the “non-preps” already gathering a bit of dust around the house.

The results of my very unscientific study revealed that some quality preps might be going unnoticed in the closets and cabinets of preppers across the country and around the world. In addition to finding off-label and dual-use items hiding in my pantry, my research also gave me a few dozen more preps to look for once the store shelves empty of all obviously essential items during a post-disaster panic.

Hair Coloring Kits

Surprisingly, the hair coloring kits often found in big box stores, and even dollar stores, could become useful preps. Sure, covering those roots would be a great morale booster during a long-term disaster, but that is not the only use for this item.

• The hair color developer is routinely made with hydrogen peroxide that could be used as a suitable disinfectant for small wounds or to clean hygiene and non-emergency items such as toothbrushes and tweezers. The peroxide in the developer could be used to treat foot fungus, soften calluses and corns and clean earwax.
• The clear plastic gloves in the box are definitely not medical grade, but should be saved to prevent the spread of germs when conducting basic first aid or when aiding a sick loved one. Save the expensive latex gloves for when they are needed most; it could take weeks or months for the supply chain to begin running again after a SHTF scenario.
• The hair coloring dye could be used to stain bright colored clothing (or hair) darker to camouflage from prying eyes. Although the dye will wash off the skin in a matter of days, mixing together some dark shades of dollar store hair dye could help hide light-toned skin when attempting to remain as far from view as possible during a TEOTWAWKI hike to safety.

Waffle Irons

Waffle irons are of course perfect for the traditional breakfast favorite, but can be used to cook far more than just a tasty treat to pour sweet syrup on. The iron requires very little electricity to run, so it’s perfect for even small and inexpensive solar chargers. The same chargers sold to power your mobile devices could be used to bring life to a waffle iron. The local camping store likely sells adapters to allow any small appliance to be plugged into a vehicle’s cigarette lighter or gas generator with plug-ins.

• A brief list of the items I have successfully cooked on a waffle iron includes bacon, cheeseburgers, eggs, hot dogs, crab cakes, macaroni and cheese, corn bread, and several not-too-liquidy meals from our long-term storage preps.
• If smell and sight discipline are a priority, cooking on a waffle iron will reduce the wafting scent of cooking meat and does not produce any smoke to attract attention.

Baking Soda

There are a plethora of survival and homesteading uses for baking soda that you may already be planning to use during a disaster. But there are a few oldies but goodies that were commonly used during the 40s and 50s that may have gone unnoticed.

• Splinter Removal – To remove a splinter, mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda and one cup of water and soak the affected area. Let the area soak for about five minutes and repeat for a day or two until the unwanted material works its way out of the skin. This method may be preferable to picking at the splinter with tweezers or a knife and creating a larger open wound, which could easily become infected. Even a small infection can turn deadly during a long-term disaster. Keeping up to date on Tetanus shots is highly advisable — and could save your life.
• Chicken Feathers – To remove feathers easily and to rid the bird of any possible parasites, boil the chicken in a pot of water mixed with 1 teaspoon baking soda.
• Baby Bottles – Keeping baby healthy during a SHTF scenario means that baby bottles and pacifiers must be kept clean and sterile. To rid baby bottles of mother’s milk residue or old formula and germs, pour ½ cup of baking soda into a tub of hot water. Allow the bottles to become fully submerged and let them soak for several minutes before scrubbing.

Toothpaste

• Dab a little toothpaste on a burn or inflamed minor wound to reduce swelling.
• To prevent eyeglasses or rifle scopes from fogging up, wipe on a little dab of toothpaste, then wipe it off.
• The polishing ingredient in modern toothpaste is diatomaceous earth. The white powder is made of the miniscule remains of tiny sea creatures that died millions of years ago. Insects do not like diatomaceous earth and will crawl away from it any time they are given the chance. Squeeze some toothpaste next to your garden rows and along the edge of a plant container to deter bugs and help protect the survival food supply.

Aluminum Cans

I upcycle as many used or unneeded items as I can around our homestead. Many folks have repurposed empty food cans into organizers and used them for craft projects, but there is far more that can be done with the containers.
• The aluminum cans can be cut with a knife and used to make both fishing hooks and arrowheads. Make slices in the can piece until you have formed something that resembles an arrowhead or fishing hook shape — it could help you find your dinner.
• Dig a hole the height of the can and cover the top loosely with twigs to make a pitfall trap for very small game.
• Use an aluminum can to cook over an open fire by cutting two holes near the top and stringing it above an open flame. If you have a larger can, make an emergency stove to cook on by filling the inside with rubbing alcohol, twigs, or dry grass.
• Place a candle inside the can to prevent wind from blowing it out and to make your light source portable.
These are just a few examples of off-label uses for common household items. Share your own projects and suggestions in the comment section below.