8 Improv Prepper Supplies You Didn’t Even Know You Had

In the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program, there is a saying: “One mind, many weapons.”

It means, in context, that the weapon in your hand is not as important as your knowledge of how to use it.

But more broadly, it means that knowledge is more important than material. With a sharp mind you can find the weapon in any mundane object.

This extends to disaster and survival preparedness. Recognizing the potential in the stuff you have around you is more important than stocking a pantry or closet full of prepper supplies.

On that same note, here are 8 common household goods and items that have a lot of value in SHTF situations.

Dryer Lint

Dryer lint has a whole lot of uses and most of us are drowning in it. Arguably its most important survival use is as a firestarter. It’ll take a spark easily, even from a lighter that’s out of fuel, and it can be soaked with wax or oil to extend the burn time.

But dryer lint can also be used as an absorbent, a stuffing material for crafts and pillows, and more. You can even make paper from it, if you know how.

Vaseline

Vaseline has tons of uses around the homestead, and not all of them are for first aid. In addition to soothing chafes and dry skin, it can help seal wounds to shorten healing time.

Vaseline can also be used to craft firestarters; just soak cotton puffs, or as stated above, dryer lint, in vaseline, light it and see.

In addition, vaseline is a marvelous lubricant. You can use it to grease gears and moving parts, and since it’s petroleum based, it can handle relatively high temperatures.

Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil can be pressed over a flat surface and used to make a signalling mirror. It’s also helpful for cooking if you don’t have any cookware; just wrap up the food in foil and stick it in the coals.

Aluminum foil balls can also be used as light abrasives, for cleaning pots and pans, as well as for polishing metal. Aluminum can also be fashioned into improvised vessels for transporting water and other liquids, and it can also be fashioned into a funnel to streamline transferring liquids.

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is not just helpful for keeping your hands clean. Its antiseptic properties are also useful as a topical disinfectant.

Since hand sanitizer is mostly alcohol, it also burns pretty readily. You can use it to start a fire, but you can also use it as a relatively clean-burning fuel for some small stoves..

On top of that, the alcohol in hand sanitizer is a powerful solvent and as a result, can be used for general-purpose cleaning.

Duct Tape

Duct tape is one of the most versatile of all prepper supplies. Naturally, it can be used to tape things up to make basic repairs, but this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Duct tape can also be used as a trail marker, to stop leaks, and fashioned into bandages. It can also be split apart and woven to create impromptu cordage that can be vital in a survival situation.

Plastic Bags

Plastic bags have lots of uses, particularly with respect to carrying liquids and loose materials, but the one main function as a prepper supply is that plastic bags can be used to make high-strength, low-weight cordage.

Tear the plastic bags into thin strips and then reverse twist these around each other to make a fairly strong, lightweight, and easy-to-fashion improvised cordage that has tons of uses.

A Bandana

Bandanas, or more broadly, just a thin piece of fabric tactile, can have a great deal of value as a prepper supply.

Bandanas can be fashioned into slings, made into baskets or pouches for gathering or carrying materials, and, if brightly colored, they can also be used for signalling.

Moreover, bandanas can be fashioned into small pillows (stuff them with dryer lint, perhaps), and they can also be used as mechanical water filters during the process of water treatment.

Ground Cinnamon

Of course, cinnamon is a spice and will add flavor to your dishes, but it also has a number of uses as a prepper supply, most of them stemming from its antifungal and antibacterial properties.

Used topically, cinnamon has the potential to help reduce the risk of infection and inflammation. It can also be applied to underarms and shoes to help reduce dampness and fight odors.

Moreover, cinnamon is a highly effective pest repellent. Mosquitos, ants and mice hate it. Sprinkle it around your home or apply to your clothing (sparingly) to help keep pests at bay.

Explore Prepper Supplies Here

Now that you have some ideas for inspiration on how to repurpose some of the materials around your home into prepper supplies, round out your collection with some professional curated goods and kits. Shop our assortment of prepper supplies and emergency food supplies and stock up today.