I have often thought about the things I stockpile that have come in very handy in day-to-day living. Many of these are considered quite traditional or old-fashioned. These are things I never previously kept or used in any quantity, but now do. I thought that I would share, so you can add it to your preps if you haven’t already. In a WTSHTF scenario, keeping things, and yourself, clean becomes imperative. In disasters, most people die from disease and illness after the disaster. If you could easily and quickly attend to cleanliness, illness will be less of an issue. I’ve written short descriptions of my most used products that are readily available and most very inexpensive.
Hydrogen Peroxide
I buy Hydrogen Peroxide (HP) by the case, although a case is only 6-8 32oz bottles (3% solution). You can purchase it in larger quantities and stronger solutions, then dilute it. Generally, HP is available inexpensively at Walmart and most drug and grocery stores.
It is a great disinfectant and healer. I have poured it on open wounds such as when my dog tore up my forearms, spider bites (Brown Recluse specifically), wasp stings, poison ivy, fungus on my feet from wearing boots constantly; even used it to heal an infected tooth that was very painful. In that case, I soaked some paper towels (you can use a washcloth) with HP, laid it on the infected tooth area, and bit down on it for 20 minutes, and repeated that several times a day for a few days. It healed the infection for immediate relief, but didn’t solve the underlying problem of a bad tooth.
I use it when brushing my teeth by adding it to the toothpaste, and it’s excellent when you have a cold and need to swab the germs out of your nose and mouth. It has cured an ear infection by using just a drop in the ear canal for a few nights. Sometimes the skin on my hands and forearms break out in Eczema from constant hand washing and chafing, which causes the skin to break and blister allowing bacteria to enter. It’s very painful to pour HP on those wounds, so diluting it and soaking the area kills the bacteria. Then I use a simple mineral cream to heal the wounds. No need for steroid creams.
I also use HP for general disinfection like cleaning the kitchen counter tops, bathrooms, and when washing dozens of dirty eggs (it happens) from the hen house. You can pour it into the washing machine for an extra boost to the laundry. There are so many uses that I cannot list them all. I do not know the Science behind it other than it is purported to penetrate the cell walls of the body. I have been told that it’s “old-fashioned” and “not recommended”. What I have experienced is that I have not had to go to Urgent Care or the Doctor’s, or use OTC medications, in many, many cases. It reminds me of the books, “When There is no Doctor/Dentist”. I would not be without hydrogen peroxide if I can help it.
For long term situations, you could store gallons of the stronger solution and make it last by diluting it. I don’t know any way to make it or “manufacture” it, but that’s something I could study up on.
Baking Soda
I buy baking soda in 7lb bags from Costco. We all know that baking soda is useful in baking, but it has many other uses. It can be used in the laundry to loosen stains and disinfect. You can take a baking soda bath to clear up skin irritations in a gentle way and safe for children. It’s important to have on hand for livestock, offered free choice, since it helps with stomach upsets. That is also true for people (no need to buy Tums). You can use it as a cleanser in the bathrooms, kitchens, garage, etc. Baking soda and a course salt can replace a store bought cleanser. You can make toothpaste with it. There are so many uses for baking soda that I always have it on hand.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing Alcohol is a harsh chemical, but I do use it for a number of things. In the same way you can purchase cases of hydrogen peroxide you can purchase rubbing alcohol. It’s good for disinfecting utensils and surfaces. I replaced the store bought All Purpose Cleaner with a spray bottle filled with a couple of ounces of 90% rubbing alcohol, water, a couple drops of liquid dish detergent, and a few drops of my favorite essential oil scent. I use this spray just as I would use an All Purpose cleaning spray: kitchen counters, painted cabinets, bathrooms, windows, mirrors, etc. It’s a very inexpensive way to replace spray cleaners including Windex. I use it in place of Ammonia, which I only use for Wasp control during the Spring. I keep a small spray bottle of the alcohol solution in my purse as a hand sanitizer. You can add Aloe Vera gel to the mix to reduce the harshness on your hands. In fact, during the Plandemic the stores ran out of hand sanitizer and I was able to make a lot of hand sanitizer to pass around to family members because I had supplies on hand. Vodka is a good substitute for rubbing alcohol, but I only use it to make vanilla extract.
Bleach
There’s nothing like it, but it’s quite toxic. Because I am on a septic system, I don’t like to use a lot of it. I have a water filtration system for the well water that requires bleach, but the system has a special filter that takes the bleach out after it sanitizes the water and feeds the house. Not ideal, but it was my only choice. I live in an agricultural area and wells can be subject to bacteria and organisms that I don’t want in my water. Sometimes there are stubborn stains that only bleach can tackle. I consider bleach to be a great sanitizer so I use it when needed to sanitize the dairy equipment and other important tasks. It is good to have on hand for killing bacteria in drinking water (follow the proper instructions!). You can buy cases of it from Costco inexpensively compared to a grocery store or hardware store.
White Vinegar
White vinegar is also a great disinfectant and “food safe”. I keep a spray bottle handy that is filled halfway with white vinegar (4 or 5%), half water, and a squirt of liquid dishwashing detergent. I use it mostly for cleaning dairy equipment, the kitchen, and any mess that needs a quick clean. White vinegar is used in cooking, canning, and for washing fresh produce. I use it for anything I don’t want to use rubbing alcohol or bleach on.
Dawn Dish Soap
Yes, I use Dawn for Dishes. Of all the liquid detergents I’ve used, nothing beats Dawn. It has an ingredient list that is unpronounceable, which means lots of chemicals. I use it sparingly. I can purchase a large jug of it at Costco and it lasts 2 years. It only takes a drop or two of Dawn to create a sudsy sink full of soap. It’s very convenient. I’ve even used it to give the dogs a bath and it doesn’t irritate their skin. You can use it, as I’m sure you all know, for any situation where you need soap. Some use Dr. Bonner’s liquid soap and that’s probably better for you, but I’m sticking by Dawn as the most effective soap I’ve ever used. It doesn’t take up much room to stockpile a few jugs of Dawn soap.
(To be concluded tomorrow, in Part 2.)