Being in the survival and preparedness community, we strive to be more efficient and self-sufficient in everyday life.
One of the ways we do that is by making each item we have, more effective. By figuring out how to use the item better. Tools, gadgets, and gear are useless without developed skills and knowledge.
Here is the ultimate list of common household items, tools, and gadgets that have multiple uses for survival.
Survival Uses and Hacks For Everyday Items
I’ve found that there is another method or way of using just about any item to be able to accomplish something else. Something other than the primary thing that the item is supposed to be used for.
That’s what this post is really about, We’re constantly looking for more ways to optimize what we have. We’re always trying new things and figuring out how to get more use out of each and every item. We strive for efficiency.
Most of these items are everyday items that can be used for survival.
Let’s start with all the ways paracord can be used for survival.
Paracord
There’s potential for hundreds and hundreds of different uses for paracord for survival. Start with making them first since it’s a perfect DIY project for preppers to develop do it yourself skills.
Condoms
Did you know that you could use a condom for survival.
Pill Bottles
Pill bottles can be used for many things. But, one of the best ways to use it for our purposes. Is to make a survival kit out of it.
Watch this video on this ultra-compact survival kit.
Bandana
The bandana is one of the most tactical and multifunctional items you could possibly carry with you in your survival kit and bug-out bags.
See this post for the dozens of different bandana uses.
Coffee Filters
This article has all the ways you can use your leftover coffee filters to prepare instead of letting them go to waste.
Spiders Silk
Would you believe one of the uses for spider silk is for making you bulletproof? There are surprising benefits and uses for spider silk that is worth knowing. In this post, discover 7 different spider silk uses (even stopping a bullet).
It’s no secret that spider’s silk is one of the most impressive naturally occurring materials found on earth. We discovered it’s strength thousands of years ago. The ancient Greeks would gather what they could, mostly from cobwebs, and use it to delay the bleeding from wounds.
It makes sense that spider webs would have many uses for survival and self-reliance purposes.
It’s a natural material produced in nature. Spiders use it as the backbone of their daily lives. They use it to build their base. Their shelter. They like to hang out with it (no pun intended).
In this post, you’ll learn how to use spider silk for survival.
There is one major reason to use spider’s silk and it’s to help heal wounds.
Medical
Starting our short and sweet list is the ability to heal wounds with spiders’ web. Spider silk has been used for many different medical treatments. It’s been shown to aid in regenerating tissue damage. It’s been shown to even increase the recovery rate in wounds.
This video below shows you how spider silk inspired the medical use for spider’s silk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCb8sxKf1T0
Make Bulletproof Clothing
The clothing made from spider silk would not only have the strength to stop a bullet but also be lighter and stronger. Think of the spiderman costume, only real.
Standard bulletproof vests are made from kevlar, 33 layers of it. Only 4 layers of spider silk were tested for being bulletproof. It was able to slow down the bullet from a .22 caliber rifle. If we can effectively gather and use enough to get the layer count increased, it would be effective.
Sutures
Spider silk is used by surgeons when operating on small and vulnerable parts of the body. The stitches that are used in eye and nerve surgical procedures have to be thin. Spider silk makes the perfect material for that.
Now you know a couple of ways to use spider webs to survive another day. If you happen to come across some or are in the wilderness with a wound. You can use it to help the wound.
Baby Oil
Baby oil, believe it or not, is great for cleaning one of the most frustrating materials to clean.
Stainless steel.
Here’s how to use it.
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
This has many different uses that come in handy. You can even use it as a fire starter.
Watch this video on 12 different ways to use it.
Duct Tape
Duct tape is another one of those items that’s a must-have in your bug-out bag.
Its versatility and functionality are unmatched.
See ou guide on the dozens of alternative uses for duct tape.
Tampons
Tampons have a shocking amount of functionality and benefit to not pack one or two in your bug-out bag.
Also, this video is excellent at showing you how to actually use it.
Carabiners
If you’re a climber then you know these well. You may even know a few ways to use them to survive than we do.
See the guide on the different survival uses for carabiners here.
This video below shows you 10 life hacks for carabiners as well.
Bobby Pins
See the video below for 25 survival hacks with bobby pins.
Paper Clips
Use paper clips for more than just keeping a few papers together. You may start packing a bunch in your survival kits and BOB. See the video below.
Chalk
There are a few survival uses for chalk that is worth learning.
Hand Sanitizer
There are many uses for hand sanitizer.
Alcohol
One of the most overlooked and underrated items for survival is in fact, alcohol.
That single-malt scotch in your glass could save your life one day. Here’s 15 survival uses for alcohol to use as a perfect excuse to pack a generous portion for your next adventure.
Bacon Grease
We have an entire post on this magical substance. It’s all about the alternative uses for bacon grease.
Bones
Survival Uses For Bones
- Make knives
- Make sewing needles
- Make fishing hooks
- Use as fuel
- Use as fertilizer
- Use as food
It’s funny how the world can operate. One man’s waste is another man’s gold. There are a few survival uses for bones that you should know of. When many people eat meat they just throw away bones not knowing they can use them to make other important and essential things they can use in their daily life’s. In this world, for you to survive you need to be creative and resourceful and also have that urge to come up with new things that can bring an impact in your life’s and those of loved ones.
For many years, animal bones have always been in use especially by our ancestor who have kept the record of being the greatest survivals that have ever existed. The ancestors didn’t understand the meaning of been wasteful as they used every single resource they hand for the best.
6 Survival Uses For Bones
1. Making Knives
Knives making procedure using bones is one of the simplest. This is because all that you need to do is get a discarded bone and then start shaping it to a knife blade through grinding it against any available coarse stone. You should consider longer bones from larger animals when making a knife. The long Shinbone and the femur are most preferred since they will give you a larger space for shaping the blade and Still enough bone will be left to make a handle. Surprisingly, bone knives can be as sharp as the blade made from steel and therefore you should be very careful when handling a bone knife.
2. Making Sewing needle
Making a sewing needle is one of the unique survival use of the bones. Basically, you don’t have to look for the smaller bones to make a needle, instead, you can use the chip splinters from the large bones, for instance, you can get many splinters after making a knife blade from a larger bone.
After getting the splinters, you remove the sharp edges using wet sand and stone until the tip of the splinter become sharp. Then you are required to make a hole at the other end of the splinter with either a sharp rock or anything you can get around you that can make a whole and you will be good to go with your sewing needle.
3. Making a Fishing hook
When you are in a situation that you need a fishing hook, it can be easily made from certain specific animals bones. This means that there are certain bones that have a hook-like shape and this implies that through close contenders examination you can be able to get those bones you can use to make a fishing hook.
The best bones you can use to make a hook includes nose bones, jawbones or a deer tarsal bone.
After getting the bone, all you will need to do is just to make the bone to the shape you need of a hook.
4. Fuel
Not only bones can be used to make tools but also they can be used as a source of fuel. For instance, according to history, ancient people who used to live on the upper side of the arctic circle faced a lot of challenges in accessing firewood for their cooking activities.
They then started to use bones to supplement the little firewood they had. This was done by mixing firewood with bones.
Basically, bones don’t usually burn well when they are on their own but when combined with some firewood the story changes. In fact, bones fire is much longer and brighter compared to that of firewood alone. For effectiveness, a ratio of 50/50 of bones and firewood is recommended. However, with the addition of bones, the flame would burn brighter and longer. Smaller bones such as phalanges and ribs burn much faster compared to larger bones like femur which burn longer with increased consistency.
5. Fertilizer
Scientifically, animal bones are known to have a lot of phosphorous which as a result makes them a perfect raw material in the production of fertilizers. In this case, dry bones work better compared to a fresh one. To make a fertilizer all that you need is your bones collections and then a hammer. Using the hammer crush the bones into small pieces and then grind them to a powder using a mortar or a stone. Mix the powder with warm water and wait until the mixture cools to make it ready to be sprayed in the soil.
6. Use For Food
Believe it or not, bones CAN be used for food.
Bones have a bone marrow that is very rich in nutrients such as vitamins proteins and fats. You can boil the soup to make a delicious broth and you will have a strong and healthy body.
As we have listed above, Bones have a lot of survival uses and they can be helpful to many people. Another good thing is that bones are readily available and only skills which are required to make bones useful. You can try the above tips today and you will have the results.
Fishing Line
It’s always good to pack some fishing line in your go-bag, it’s excellent for making certain kinds of knots.
Honey
There are tons of survival uses for honey that are worth pointing out.
Canteens
Your canteen has the potential to be one of the most multifunctional, dare I say “tactical” items in your outdoor gear list.
If you’re in the market for a new one, see our buyers guide on the best canteens.
Pantyhose
Pantyhose as a survival item?
Safety Pins
Shoelaces
Click here to visit the guide for the survival uses for Shoelaces.
Super Glue
Click here to visit the guide for the survival uses for super glue here.
Zip Ties
Zip ties are strong and are always useful, especially when fishing and camping.
Toothpaste
We make a. full post here at TSJ about alternative uses for toothpaste.
Tobacco
See the video below to discover the survival uses for tobacco.
Tree Oil
See the video below to discover the survival uses for tea tree oil.
Golf Tees
See the video below to discover the survival uses for golf tees.
Tin Cans
Soda Cans
See the video below to discover the survival uses for soda cans.
Shoe Polish
See the video below to discover the survival uses for shoe polish.
Sewing Needles
Drinking Straws
Watch the video below to see all the survival uses for drinking straws.
Rubber Bands
See all the survival uses for rubber bands here.
Charcoal
The survival uses for charcoal can help in a survival situation. See the video below.
Ash
Milk Juggs
See the video below to discover the survival uses for milk juggs.
Plastic Bags
See the video below to discover the survival uses for plastic bags.
Magnifying Glass
See the video below to discover the survival uses for magnifying glasses.
Wire Coat Hanger
Have you ever thought about looking in your closet for what you could repurpose wire hangers for? Plastic hangers are for amateurs.
Wire hangers will have dozens of ways you can use them to survive and be more self-sufficient with the items that seemingly only have one function. Which is to collect dust in your closet. Not hanger. Let’s start the list.
Tent Pegs
Use the hanger to assist your tent with some pegs.
Car Door Unlocker
A classic urban survival trick. I’ve only locked my keys in my car once in my life so far, and yes I did use a hanger.
But unlocking your car with a hanger is something everyone does at one point or another.
Hanger for pistol belts
Hang your belts for your handguns and pistols with ease.
Makeshift Antenna
Make a makeshift DIY antenna out of a wire hanger, skip the trip to Best Buy.
Hot Dog Hanger
Hang hot dogs on your next camping trip.
Marshmallow Hanger
You can also hang marshmallows.
Guy Wire and 4 S-hook
Make one of the most functional and useful items with the hanger.
Stake
Use them as a stake to secure what you’re building, like a DIY shelter.
Bottle Carrier
Use the hanger to be able to carry multiple bottles.
Paper Clip
Make paper clips to organize your papers.
Handle
Handle the survival situation with a hanger.
Key Ring
Carry your rings or other survival jewelry that you have.
Hang Something…
Almost forgot about this one. Last but not least.
Just use it as a hanger.
Since we already have hangers, why not getting a different kind so they can become multifunctional and be used for more than just a simple task.
Cigarettes
Ironically, there are a few survival uses for cigarettes that are worth noting. Including many life hacks as well.
See the video below.
Cans
Clay
Cedar
Aircraft Parts
Newspaper
A Handkerchief
Activated Carbon
Click here for the full post on the survival uses for activated charcoal (activated carbon).
Wood Ash
Not all ash is created equal. Wood ash can be used for different survival uses that ash can’t.
Chocolate
Aluminum Foil
Tinfoil is one of the most efficient items you could have. It has hundreds of different possible ways to be used for survival. See the guide that goes through the survival uses for aluminum foil here.
Machete
Hack and whack your way to the different survival uses for machetes.
Bleach
Balloons
Dental Floss
Keep your teeth healthy and survive the next trip to the dentist.
Water Bottle
Of course, the survival uses for water bottles can be so much more than carrying our water.
Wax
Tarp
Glowsticks
Rope
Motor Oil
Fertilizer
Besides using fertilizer to grow your survival garden, it has much more survival uses.
PVC Pipe
The survival uses for PVC pipe are so valuable that many preppers say that carry some with them everywhere.
Survival Uses For PVC
- Make a Survival Bow
- Make a Fishing pole
- Make a canteen
- Make a weapon
- Water Collection/carry water
- Gather wood
- DIY PVC Blow Gun
- Make an ice pack
- Make a blowgun
- Make a Fishing kit
- Boat Anchor
- Launch arrows by creating an Atlatl
- Make it into an improvised gardening tool
- Well Casing
- Make a PVC Bow Stand
- Make a Survival Cache
- Gather/carry things
- Make a storage container
PVC pipe is one of those materials that are near perfect for doing lots of things very well in a specific category. PVC is one of those materials. It’s an excellent material for making many types of weapons for example. Which we’ll cover a few different ones in this list.
Make a Survival Bow
Number one being a survival weapon you can make.
See the full video on how to make a DIY Bow and Arrow using PVC here.
Make a PVC Fishing Pole
Never go without fish again. You can use PVC to make a fishing rod.
Make a Belt Clip For Your Canteen
Use PVC to make a belt clip for your canteen.
Related: The Best Survival Canteen
Water Collection and Transportation
Thought it would make sense to put it after a belt clip for a canteen. You can use PVC for both collecting and becoming storage for water.
You might be wondering, “Is PVC Safe for Carrying Drinking Water?”
Yes, BUT… only a specific kind. Not all PVC types are created equal. If you’re going to be using it for water purposes, make sure it is white schedule 40 PVC. That is the specific kind that has been declared safe from drinking water from it.
Make an Ice Pack
Stay cool using PVC. You can make an ice pack which suddenly becomes very convenient to do in the summers.
Make a DIY PVC blowgun
Make a Fishing kit
Here’s how to make a fishing kit with PVC.
Launch Arrows by creating an Atlatl
These things are cool, essentially you’re making a spear with PVC. Check out the video below.
Make an Improvised Garden Tool
Cut a small section away at one end to create a crude shovel or digging device. File to sharpen and shape the cut end to create a tool for digging up edible plants, roots, or bulbs.
Well Casing
Protect the lining of a water well drilling hole.
Make a Survival Cache
Gather and carry small items with a Cache you can make out of the pipe.
Make a Storage Container
Make a PVC Concealment container for keeping a low profile. You can use it to carry your EDC essentials and
Make a Vertical Garden Container
Grow food, herbs, and spices with a vertical garden you can make using PVC pipe.
PVC is one of the best materials in general for preppers. The ones that use it, use it a lot, and use it often. Not just for one or two things. But for nearly every aspect of preparedness.
This list of survival uses for PVC will be a good reference to start off with. Then you can go on to even make entire shelters using PVC.
Gold
Steel Wool
One of the survival hacks of steel wool is starting a fire. See which fire you can make along with the rest of the survival uses of steel wool here.
Cattails
Cat Litter
This stuff has saved my ass more than once. I lived in Connecticut for most of my life. They get massive amounts of snow up there during the winter.
If you’re ever stuck in the snow or ice. Keep some cat litter in your trunk. Pour some in front and behind the tires for traction. It works well.
Crisco
Crayons
Coconut Oil
Creosote
Chopsticks
Cord
Baking Soda
Chapstick
Also, chapstick is perfect to make DIY survival candles with. Here’s the tutorial on how to make them.
Salt
Trash Bags
Bra
Petroleum Jelly
This video shows you some surprising ways you can use petroleum jelly.
WD-40
WD-40 is a staple in nearly every kind of survival kit. See how else you can use it in the video below.
Space Blanket
An emergency survival blanket, also known as a space blanket, is designed to protect us against fires primarily. But with such an important quality like being fireproof. These blankets can do so much more.
This video shows you what else we can do with them.
Electricity
Let there be light!
Buckets
You can use a bucket to make the best mouse trap there is.
Snow
Who knew that something that fell from the sky during certain months of the year could serve so many functions. Even though it is water, the most important resource for our survival. Snow is a unique form of that which allows us to perform a much larger number of tasks.
See all the different ways you can use snow to survive here.
Whiskey
The primary use for this in my case is to ease into the night after a long day of work and writing. But that’s the least of what we can use it for. Visit this page for the different ways you can use whiskey to be more sufficient.
Steel
Steel, perhaps the most notorious material in the realm of fortification. See how steel can be used to fortify your home into fort Knox.
Tobacco
Watch the video below for the ironic list of survival uses for tobacco.
DIY Survival Kit Out Of Household Items
If you ever wanted to know how to make a survival kit out of household items. That was it.
All you have to do is combine a few of the items above and you have a survival kit with hundreds of different functions. Customize it, personalize it to what you need personally.
Conclusion
Did you know that were so many different uses out of all these items? It took us a while to figure out.
We knew a few. But most we didn’t.
Do you know any other items we should add to this list? Let us know below in the comments.
Spiders Silk
Would you believe one of the uses for spider silk is for making you bulletproof? There are surprising benefits and uses for spider silk that is worth knowing. In this post, discover 7 different spider silk uses (even stopping a bullet).
It’s no secret that spider’s silk is one of the most impressive naturally occurring materials found on earth. We discovered it’s strength thousands of years ago. The ancient Greeks would gather what they could, mostly from cobwebs, and use it to delay the bleeding from wounds.
It makes sense that spider webs would have many uses for survival and self-reliance purposes.
It’s a natural material produced in nature. Spiders use it as the backbone of their daily lives. They use it to build their base. Their shelter. They like to hang out with it (no pun intended).
In this post, you’ll learn how to use spider silk for survival.
There is one major reason to use spider’s silk and it’s to help heal wounds.
Medical
Starting our short and sweet list is the ability to heal wounds with spiders’ web. Spider silk has been used for many different medical treatments. It’s been shown to aid in regenerating tissue damage. It’s been shown to even increase the recovery rate in wounds.
This video below shows you how spider silk inspired the medical use for spider’s silk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCb8sxKf1T0
Make Bulletproof Clothing
The clothing made from spider silk would not only have the strength to stop a bullet but also be lighter and stronger. Think of the spiderman costume, only real.
Standard bulletproof vests are made from kevlar, 33 layers of it. Only 4 layers of spider silk were tested for being bulletproof. It was able to slow down the bullet from a .22 caliber rifle. If we can effectively gather and use enough to get the layer count increased, it would be effective.
Sutures
Spider silk is used by surgeons when operating on small and vulnerable parts of the body. The stitches that are used in eye and nerve surgical procedures have to be thin. Spider silk makes the perfect material for that.
Now you know a couple of ways to use spider webs to survive another day. If you happen to come across some or are in the wilderness with a wound. You can use it to help the wound.
Baby Oil
Baby oil, believe it or not, is great for cleaning one of the most frustrating materials to clean.
Stainless steel.
Here’s how to use it.
Vaseline Petroleum Jelly
This has many different uses that come in handy. You can even use it as a fire starter.
Watch this video on 12 different ways to use it.
Duct Tape
Duct tape is another one of those items that’s a must-have in your bug-out bag.
Its versatility and functionality are unmatched.
See ou guide on the dozens of alternative uses for duct tape.
Tampons
Tampons have a shocking amount of functionality and benefit to not pack one or two in your bug-out bag.
Also, this video is excellent at showing you how to actually use it.
Carabiners
If you’re a climber then you know these well. You may even know a few ways to use them to survive than we do.
See the guide on the different survival uses for carabiners here.
This video below shows you 10 life hacks for carabiners as well.
Bobby Pins
See the video below for 25 survival hacks with bobby pins.
Paper Clips
Use paper clips for more than just keeping a few papers together. You may start packing a bunch in your survival kits and BOB. See the video below.
Chalk
There are a few survival uses for chalk that is worth learning.
Hand Sanitizer
There are many uses for hand sanitizer.
Alcohol
One of the most overlooked and underrated items for survival is in fact, alcohol.
That single-malt scotch in your glass could save your life one day. Here’s 15 survival uses for alcohol to use as a perfect excuse to pack a generous portion for your next adventure.
Bacon Grease
We have an entire post on this magical substance. It’s all about the alternative uses for bacon grease.
Bones
Survival Uses For Bones
- Make knives
- Make sewing needles
- Make fishing hooks
- Use as fuel
- Use as fertilizer
- Use as food
It’s funny how the world can operate. One man’s waste is another man’s gold. There are a few survival uses for bones that you should know of. When many people eat meat they just throw away bones not knowing they can use them to make other important and essential things they can use in their daily life’s. In this world, for you to survive you need to be creative and resourceful and also have that urge to come up with new things that can bring an impact in your life’s and those of loved ones.
For many years, animal bones have always been in use especially by our ancestor who have kept the record of being the greatest survivals that have ever existed. The ancestors didn’t understand the meaning of been wasteful as they used every single resource they hand for the best.
6 Survival Uses For Bones
1. Making Knives
Knives making procedure using bones is one of the simplest. This is because all that you need to do is get a discarded bone and then start shaping it to a knife blade through grinding it against any available coarse stone. You should consider longer bones from larger animals when making a knife. The long Shinbone and the femur are most preferred since they will give you a larger space for shaping the blade and Still enough bone will be left to make a handle. Surprisingly, bone knives can be as sharp as the blade made from steel and therefore you should be very careful when handling a bone knife.
2. Making Sewing needle
Making a sewing needle is one of the unique survival use of the bones. Basically, you don’t have to look for the smaller bones to make a needle, instead, you can use the chip splinters from the large bones, for instance, you can get many splinters after making a knife blade from a larger bone.
After getting the splinters, you remove the sharp edges using wet sand and stone until the tip of the splinter become sharp. Then you are required to make a hole at the other end of the splinter with either a sharp rock or anything you can get around you that can make a whole and you will be good to go with your sewing needle.
3. Making a Fishing hook
When you are in a situation that you need a fishing hook, it can be easily made from certain specific animals bones. This means that there are certain bones that have a hook-like shape and this implies that through close contenders examination you can be able to get those bones you can use to make a fishing hook.
The best bones you can use to make a hook includes nose bones, jawbones or a deer tarsal bone.
After getting the bone, all you will need to do is just to make the bone to the shape you need of a hook.
4. Fuel
Not only bones can be used to make tools but also they can be used as a source of fuel. For instance, according to history, ancient people who used to live on the upper side of the arctic circle faced a lot of challenges in accessing firewood for their cooking activities.
They then started to use bones to supplement the little firewood they had. This was done by mixing firewood with bones.
Basically, bones don’t usually burn well when they are on their own but when combined with some firewood the story changes. In fact, bones fire is much longer and brighter compared to that of firewood alone. For effectiveness, a ratio of 50/50 of bones and firewood is recommended. However, with the addition of bones, the flame would burn brighter and longer. Smaller bones such as phalanges and ribs burn much faster compared to larger bones like femur which burn longer with increased consistency.
5. Fertilizer
Scientifically, animal bones are known to have a lot of phosphorous which as a result makes them a perfect raw material in the production of fertilizers. In this case, dry bones work better compared to a fresh one. To make a fertilizer all that you need is your bones collections and then a hammer. Using the hammer crush the bones into small pieces and then grind them to a powder using a mortar or a stone. Mix the powder with warm water and wait until the mixture cools to make it ready to be sprayed in the soil.
6. Use For Food
Believe it or not, bones CAN be used for food.
Bones have a bone marrow that is very rich in nutrients such as vitamins proteins and fats. You can boil the soup to make a delicious broth and you will have a strong and healthy body.
As we have listed above, Bones have a lot of survival uses and they can be helpful to many people. Another good thing is that bones are readily available and only skills which are required to make bones useful. You can try the above tips today and you will have the results.
Fishing Line
It’s always good to pack some fishing line in your go-bag, it’s excellent for making certain kinds of knots.
Honey
There are tons of survival uses for honey that are worth pointing out.
Canteens
Your canteen has the potential to be one of the most multifunctional, dare I say “tactical” items in your outdoor gear list.
If you’re in the market for a new one, see our buyers guide on the best canteens.
Pantyhose
Pantyhose as a survival item?
Safety Pins
Shoelaces
Click here to visit the guide for the survival uses for Shoelaces.
Super Glue
Click here to visit the guide for the survival uses for super glue here.
Zip Ties
Zip ties are strong and are always useful, especially when fishing and camping.
Toothpaste
We make a. full post here at TSJ about alternative uses for toothpaste.
Tobacco
See the video below to discover the survival uses for tobacco.
Tree Oil
See the video below to discover the survival uses for tea tree oil.
Golf Tees
See the video below to discover the survival uses for golf tees.
Tin Cans
Soda Cans
See the video below to discover the survival uses for soda cans.
Shoe Polish
See the video below to discover the survival uses for shoe polish.
Sewing Needles
Drinking Straws
Watch the video below to see all the survival uses for drinking straws.
Rubber Bands
See all the survival uses for rubber bands here.
Charcoal
The survival uses for charcoal can help in a survival situation. See the video below.
Ash
Milk Juggs
See the video below to discover the survival uses for milk juggs.
Plastic Bags
See the video below to discover the survival uses for plastic bags.
Magnifying Glass
See the video below to discover the survival uses for magnifying glasses.
Wire Coat Hanger
Have you ever thought about looking in your closet for what you could repurpose wire hangers for? Plastic hangers are for amateurs.
Wire hangers will have dozens of ways you can use them to survive and be more self-sufficient with the items that seemingly only have one function. Which is to collect dust in your closet. Not hanger. Let’s start the list.
Tent Pegs
Use the hanger to assist your tent with some pegs.
Car Door Unlocker
A classic urban survival trick. I’ve only locked my keys in my car once in my life so far, and yes I did use a hanger.
But unlocking your car with a hanger is something everyone does at one point or another.
Hanger for pistol belts
Hang your belts for your handguns and pistols with ease.
Makeshift Antenna
Make a makeshift DIY antenna out of a wire hanger, skip the trip to Best Buy.
Hot Dog Hanger
Hang hot dogs on your next camping trip.
Marshmallow Hanger
You can also hang marshmallows.
Guy Wire and 4 S-hook
Make one of the most functional and useful items with the hanger.
Stake
Use them as a stake to secure what you’re building, like a DIY shelter.
Bottle Carrier
Use the hanger to be able to carry multiple bottles.
Paper Clip
Make paper clips to organize your papers.
Handle
Handle the survival situation with a hanger.
Key Ring
Carry your rings or other survival jewelry that you have.
Hang Something…
Almost forgot about this one. Last but not least.
Just use it as a hanger.
Since we already have hangers, why not getting a different kind so they can become multifunctional and be used for more than just a simple task.
Cigarettes
Ironically, there are a few survival uses for cigarettes that are worth noting. Including many life hacks as well.
See the video below.
Cans
Clay
Cedar
Aircraft Parts
Newspaper
A Handkerchief
Activated Carbon
Click here for the full post on the survival uses for activated charcoal (activated carbon).
Wood Ash
Not all ash is created equal. Wood ash can be used for different survival uses that ash can’t.
Chocolate
Aluminum Foil
Tinfoil is one of the most efficient items you could have. It has hundreds of different possible ways to be used for survival. See the guide that goes through the survival uses for aluminum foil here.
Machete
Hack and whack your way to the different survival uses for machetes.
Bleach
Balloons
Dental Floss
Keep your teeth healthy and survive the next trip to the dentist.
Water Bottle
Of course, the survival uses for water bottles can be so much more than carrying our water.
Wax
Tarp
Glowsticks
Rope
Motor Oil
Fertilizer
Besides using fertilizer to grow your survival garden, it has much more survival uses.
PVC Pipe
The survival uses for PVC pipe are so valuable that many preppers say that carry some with them everywhere.
Survival Uses For PVC
- Make a Survival Bow
- Make a Fishing pole
- Make a canteen
- Make a weapon
- Water Collection/carry water
- Gather wood
- DIY PVC Blow Gun
- Make an ice pack
- Make a blowgun
- Make a Fishing kit
- Boat Anchor
- Launch arrows by creating an Atlatl
- Make it into an improvised gardening tool
- Well Casing
- Make a PVC Bow Stand
- Make a Survival Cache
- Gather/carry things
- Make a storage container
PVC pipe is one of those materials that are near perfect for doing lots of things very well in a specific category. PVC is one of those materials. It’s an excellent material for making many types of weapons for example. Which we’ll cover a few different ones in this list.
Make a Survival Bow
Number one being a survival weapon you can make.
See the full video on how to make a DIY Bow and Arrow using PVC here.
Make a PVC Fishing Pole
Never go without fish again. You can use PVC to make a fishing rod.
Make a Belt Clip For Your Canteen
Use PVC to make a belt clip for your canteen.
Related: The Best Survival Canteen
Water Collection and Transportation
Thought it would make sense to put it after a belt clip for a canteen. You can use PVC for both collecting and becoming storage for water.
You might be wondering, “Is PVC Safe for Carrying Drinking Water?”
Yes, BUT… only a specific kind. Not all PVC types are created equal. If you’re going to be using it for water purposes, make sure it is white schedule 40 PVC. That is the specific kind that has been declared safe from drinking water from it.
Make an Ice Pack
Stay cool using PVC. You can make an ice pack which suddenly becomes very convenient to do in the summers.
Make a DIY PVC blowgun
Make a Fishing kit
Here’s how to make a fishing kit with PVC.
Launch Arrows by creating an Atlatl
These things are cool, essentially you’re making a spear with PVC. Check out the video below.
Make an Improvised Garden Tool
Cut a small section away at one end to create a crude shovel or digging device. File to sharpen and shape the cut end to create a tool for digging up edible plants, roots, or bulbs.
Well Casing
Protect the lining of a water well drilling hole.
Make a Survival Cache
Gather and carry small items with a Cache you can make out of the pipe.
Make a Storage Container
Make a PVC Concealment container for keeping a low profile. You can use it to carry your EDC essentials and
Make a Vertical Garden Container
Grow food, herbs, and spices with a vertical garden you can make using PVC pipe.
PVC is one of the best materials in general for preppers. The ones that use it, use it a lot, and use it often. Not just for one or two things. But for nearly every aspect of preparedness.
This list of survival uses for PVC will be a good reference to start off with. Then you can go on to even make entire shelters using PVC.
Gold
Steel Wool
One of the survival hacks of steel wool is starting a fire. See which fire you can make along with the rest of the survival uses of steel wool here.
Cattails
Cat Litter
This stuff has saved my ass more than once. I lived in Connecticut for most of my life. They get massive amounts of snow up there during the winter.
If you’re ever stuck in the snow or ice. Keep some cat litter in your trunk. Pour some in front and behind the tires for traction. It works well.
Crisco
Crayons
Coconut Oil
Creosote
Chopsticks
Cord
Baking Soda
Chapstick
Also, chapstick is perfect to make DIY survival candles with. Here’s the tutorial on how to make them.
Salt
Trash Bags
Bra
Petroleum Jelly
This video shows you some surprising ways you can use petroleum jelly.
WD-40
WD-40 is a staple in nearly every kind of survival kit. See how else you can use it in the video below.
Space Blanket
An emergency survival blanket, also known as a space blanket, is designed to protect us against fires primarily. But with such an important quality like being fireproof. These blankets can do so much more.
This video shows you what else we can do with them.
Electricity
Let there be light!
Buckets
You can use a bucket to make the best mouse trap there is.
Snow
Who knew that something that fell from the sky during certain months of the year could serve so many functions. Even though it is water, the most important resource for our survival. Snow is a unique form of that which allows us to perform a much larger number of tasks.
See all the different ways you can use snow to survive here.
Whiskey
The primary use for this in my case is to ease into the night after a long day of work and writing. But that’s the least of what we can use it for. Visit this page for the different ways you can use whiskey to be more sufficient.
Steel
Steel, perhaps the most notorious material in the realm of fortification. See how steel can be used to fortify your home into fort Knox.
Tobacco
Watch the video below for the ironic list of survival uses for tobacco.
DIY Survival Kit Out Of Household Items
If you ever wanted to know how to make a survival kit out of household items. That was it.
All you have to do is combine a few of the items above and you have a survival kit with hundreds of different functions. Customize it, personalize it to what you need personally.
Conclusion
Did you know that were so many different uses out of all these items? It took us a while to figure out.
We knew a few. But most we didn’t.
Do you know any other items we should add to this list? Let us know below in the comments.
