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DIY survival solution: Create activated charcoal at home

2 months ago -

One pound of activated charcoal costs $12 to $15 at the grocery, while making your own costs less than $1 per pound. For $20, you can have enough activated charcoal on hand for bartering or personal use after disaster strikes. (h/t to PrimalSurvivor.net)

You can make your charcoal to activate, but the extreme temperatures it takes to burn hardwood down to charcoal make it very time-consuming and energy-intensive. Instead, it's better to buy and use a 20 lb. bag of hardwood ...

DIY cleaning tips: 8 Surfaces to avoid if you’re cleaning with vinegar

July 17, 2023 -

However, keep in mind that vinegar can damage certain surfaces because it is acidic. To prevent any damage, avoid using vinegar cleaning solutions on the following surfaces and items. (h/t to TheEpochTimes.com)Carpets

While some DIY tips recommend using vinegar for pet stains, it is not as effective as specialized enzymatic carpet cleaners.

Vinegar may temporarily mask the odor, but it is not enough to address the underlying cause. It's better to use a carpet ...

DIY prepping: How to set up a gravity-fed water system

January 16, 2023 -

A gravity-fed water system is used to pull water from creeks, rain barrels, springs, streams and rivers upstream or uphill from the water source.

Gravity-fed water systems are simple, but you may have trouble using them under certain conditions:

The guide for this gravity-fed, off-grid water system is from "The Doable Off-Grid Homestead," an off-grid reference book.DIY gravity-fed water system

Before setting up your gravity-fed ...

DIY cleaning supplies: Using calcium hypochlorite as a bleach alternative

October 28, 2022 -

Calcium hypochlorite is a powder so it has a much longer shelf life compared to bleach. It also takes up less space in your stockpile and is much cheaper.

Before SHTF, stock up on calcium hypochlorite, a versatile cleaning ingredient that's a great alternative to bleach. (h/t to PrepSchoolDaily.Blogspot.com)A prepper's guide to using calcium hypochlorite

Use calcium hypochlorite powder to make a five percent stock solution.

When making the cleaning solution, ...

DIY cleaning supplies: 3 Simple recipes for homemade cleaning products

August 11, 2022 -

Before disaster strikes, you should also stock up on other survival essentials like household cleaning products. Maintaining cleanliness in your homestead or bug-out location will help protect your loved ones from disease-causing germs and viruses. (h/t to SHTFPreparedness.com)

If you're worried about running out of cleaning supplies after SHTF, learn how to make simple DIY homemade cleaning products like an all-purpose home cleaner or a non-toxic glass cleaner....

DIY prepper supplies: How to make non-toxic foaming hand soap

September 27, 2021 -

DIY hand soaps are also a good way to remove more toxic chemicals from your home. Store-bought hand soaps contain harsh chemicals and compounds, and even endocrine disruptors that can lead to the development of neuroendocrine cancer. You can also store your DIY hand soap in glass foaming soap dispensers or Mason jars to reduce plastic exposure and the harsh chemicals that they contain.

Liquid castile soap is a common base ingredient in DIY ...

DIY light traps for bug-free homes

August 06, 2021 -

Incandescent bulbs are traditionally used for insect traps. But these days, there are different lighting styles to choose from. Inexpensive UV LED flashlights are usually available at affordable prices and are good alternatives to incandescent bulbs. (Related: DIY mosquito trap protects against dengue fever, West Nile and other insect-borne diseases.)Building the insect trap

Tools and materials:

Instructions:

...

DIY prepper guides: How to make homemade charcoal

January 03, 2020 -

Homemade charcoal

Charcoal is wood that has been "baked," eliminating impurities like tars, oils and water. Through this process, the carbonized skeleton is left behind and allows the charcoal to burn hotter than wood while producing less smoke. Despite the fall in popularity due to the rise of petroleum products, charcoal should not be neglected as a fuel source, especially in a post-SHTF world. Not only is it easy to make yourself, but it's also efficient, easy to transport, ...

DIY-ing your own protein bars with 4 simple ingredients

October 04, 2019 -

Making your own protein bars

You can make your own protein bars at home with these simple steps:

Ingredients:

Instructions:

Food.news has more ideas on making your own protein bars and other nutritious snacks.

Sources include:

ReadyNutrition.com

Healthline.com 1

Healthline.com 2

MedicalNewsToday.com

BodyBuilding.com

This site ...

DIY medical tips: What are antiseptics and why do you need them?

September 20, 2019 -

Which is which: antiseptics, disinfectants, and antibiotics

Preventing infection is the main goal of antiseptics and disinfectants, while antibiotics are used mainly to treat infections. These products fall under the general category of antimicrobials – substances that kill microbes like bacteria, fungi and some parasites. Because these products have distinct differences, it's important to know when and how to use them appropriately.

Antiseptics are commonly ...

DIY tips for delivering a baby if healthcare providers are not available

August 20, 2019 -

Tips for delivering a baby at home

First, there’s no need to panic. Families have been giving birth at home since the beginning of time. Panicking will only cause shortness of breath; your breath is something you will definitely need if your child comes early. By default, birth is not an emergency situation; it is a natural process. Birth can become an emergency if the baby is in a breach position or the baby is not full term and has underdeveloped organs.

If you find ...

DIY cough syrups for different kinds of coughs

June 30, 2019 -

There are two types of syrups used to treat coughs: Antitussives, which suppress coughing by preventing the reflex to cough, and expectorants, which help thin and loosen the mucus clogging up the bronchial passages.

Antitussives are prescribed to patients who frequently develop dry coughs that disrupt sleep and normal activity. Expectorants, on the other hand, are given to people with wet coughs, congested chests with little phlegm, and coughs that produce thick green, ...

DIY natural bleach alternative

April 28, 2018 -

Most store-bought bleaches contain harmful chemicals. They may even contain toxins that can damage the environment.

Try this easy recipe for a natural bleach alternative instead. You can use it to brighten your laundry, and it's perfect for disinfecting bathrooms and killing germs. It's also free of toxins.Why use a bleach alternative?

While you may feel the urge to reach for some bleach if you're struggling to remove stains from clothing, cleaning products usually ...

DIY antibacterial spray for your workout equipment

April 25, 2018 -

To keep your workout gear clean and fresh without resorting to harmful chemicals, try making a DIY antibacterial spray. (h/t to Blog.PaleoHacks.com)

With this toxin-free spray, you won't have to worry about having to use a sweat-stained yoga mat full of germs. This DIY antibacterial spray is made with natural ingredients that will effectively disinfect and eliminate any lingering odors on your yoga mat.

The ingredients list for this fresh-smelling DIY ...

DIY fertility test now coming to your smartphone

March 31, 2017 -

A study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine offers a new, non-invasive way for men to determine whether they have fertility issues that need to be addressed.

A new device called “the analyzer,” which is in the trial phase and awaiting approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), attaches to a smartphone, using the phone’s own camera to video the sperm swimming in a test sample. Researchers claim that it is 98 percent accurate in measuring ...

Prepper projects: Make a DIY mosquito trap to protect your family from bites

June 19, 2023 -

Mosquito bites are usually just an itchy annoyance, but if you are unlucky, they can also carry diseases like malaria, yellow fever and West Nile virus.

Because it is impossible to tell which mosquitoes carry diseases and which are harmless, after SHTF it's best to assume that all mosquitoes can make you sick so it's best to get rid of them.

You can use herbal repellents to protect yourself from mosquito bites, but it's better to kill these insects before they can ...

DIY brain zapping of ‘weak electrical currents’ becoming popular for people with depression, schizophrenia

October 18, 2016 -

Brain zapping has become so popular, there is even a do-it-yourself community that has popped up on Reddit, where people can share tips on how to use this unconventional therapy to treat everything from schizophrenia to seizures.

Despite the growing popularity of tDCS, it has yet to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Many scientists have differing views on the efficacy of the electric current therapy, with some even going so far as to call it "quackery....

Recipes for DIY cleaning products that can help you clean better and save money

May 09, 2023 -

Prepare your ingredients

You'll likely have most of these ingredients in your kitchen or pantry. You can easily find them in your local grocery or health food stores.

Baking soda – A natural deodorizer, baking soda is gently abrasive and works well as a scrubbing agent. Another name for baking soda is bicarbonate of soda.

Castile soap – This natural liquid soap cuts through grime and dirt and gently cleans surfaces without harsh detergents. You could use liquid dish ...

Recipes for DIY cleaning products that can help you clean better and save money

May 09, 2023 -

Prepare your ingredients

You'll likely have most of these ingredients in your kitchen or pantry. You can easily find them in your local grocery or health food stores.

Baking soda – A natural deodorizer, baking soda is gently abrasive and works well as a scrubbing agent. Another name for baking soda is bicarbonate of soda.

Castile soap – This natural liquid soap cuts through grime and dirt and gently cleans surfaces without harsh detergents. You could use liquid dish ...

How to make a DIY hand sanitizer using essential oils

April 11, 2023 -

Gaye Levy of Backdoor Survival shares her recipe for an everyday non-alcohol-based hand sanitizer – a moisturizing gel that will not only clean your hands but also nourish them, thanks to the wonderful qualities of 100 percent organic, cold-pressed aloe vera gel, organic coconut oil and a blend of powerful essential oils.DIY All-natural hand sanitizer

To make a 1 cup/8 ounce solution, you will need the following ingredients:

Mix everything ...