Estimated reading time: 19 minutes
Who doesn’t love life hacks? They offer clever solutions to everyday problems, making life easier. Unfortunately, most “life hack articles” are aimed at people who just want to fix scratches on furniture (use a walnut) or freshen their shoes (use baking soda). There aren’t any life hack articles that are specifically for preppers and homesteaders… Until now.
In this guide, I’ve compiled 100 life hacks that preppers and homesteaders will find very useful. These hacks cover everything from food storage to home security. You’ll learn how to turn a trash bag into a poncho, how to use a crayon as a candle, how to use bay leaves to keep pests away from your emergency food, and much more.
So whether you’re new to prepping or a seasoned homesteader, these life hacks will make your self-sufficient lifestyle easier and more efficient. From simple garden tricks to unique storage solutions, this list has something for everyone who wants to be prepared, resilient, and ready for disaster.
To make this list easier to navigate, I organized them into 9 categories, which you can view in the table of contents below. For most of these life hacks, I also included links to articles with more details for those who are interested.
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Energy and Light
Aluminum Foil to Fit AAA Batteries in AA Slots
If you only have AAA batteries but need AA batteries, you can fold up a small piece of aluminum foil and place it at the negative terminal end of the battery compartment. The foil will bridge the gap and allow the device to work with AAA batteries. Here’s how.
Crayon as a Candle
If you run out of candles, you can use crayons instead. Just light the paper wrapper and the crayon will burn for about 30 minutes. Here’s how.
Crisco as a Candle
If you have a can of Crisco, you can turn it into a long-lasting candle. Insert a wick or piece of string into the center, light it, and the fat will burn for hours. Here’s how.
DIY Lantern from Headlamp and Milk Jug
Fill a clear milk jug with water and strap a headlamp around it with the light facing inward. The water will diffuse the light, creating a DIY lantern. Here’s how.
Glow Sticks to Mark Pathways at Night
Glow sticks can be incredibly helpful during a power outage or at a campsite after dark. If there are any paths used frequently, such as the path to and from the bathroom, hang glow sticks along the path so people can find their way. Here are some more uses for glow sticks.
Olive Oil as Fuel for a DIY Oil Lamp
If you run out of lamp oil, you can use olive oil instead. It is clean-burning and lasts a long time. Here are some more uses for olive oil.
Solar Garden Lights for Indoor Lighting
Get some solar-powered lights for your garden or walkway. If there’s a power outage, you can bring them inside at night for a battery-free light source.
Fire and Cooking
Buddy Burner with a Tuna Can and Cardboard
Cut a long piece of cardboard that is about the same width as the height of a tuna can. Roll it up, place it inside the tuna can, pour melted wax over it, and light it. This will create a makeshift burner that can be used for light, heat, and even cooking. Here’s now.
Build a Haybox Cooker for Blackout Cooking
If you can’t use your slow-cooker due to a power outage, use a haybox cooker instead. Simply insulate a pot inside a box filled with hay or blankets. Heat up the pot, place it inside the haybox, and close it. The pot will stay hot for hours, slow-cooking the food inside. Here’s how to build a haybox cooker.
Chips as Kindling
If you’re in a survival scenario and are having trouble starting a fire, greasy chips like Fritos, Doritos, and potato chips can be used as kindling. They catch fire quickly and burn hot due to the high fat content.
Construct a Brick Rocket Stove
If you don’t have a stove, you can quickly construct one from a few bricks or cinder blocks. This is called a rocket stove, and it will create enough heat to cook just about anything. Here’s how to build a rocket stove.
Create a Portable Stove with a Tin Can
Another way to construct a makeshift stove is with a large tin can. Simply cut holes in it for air flow and place kindling inside. Use it to heat small meals or to boil water. Here’s how to make a tin can stove.
DIY Solar Oven with a Cardboard Box
If you don’t have any kindling or firewood, make a solar oven by lining a cardboard box with aluminum foil. Place a dark pot of food inside and cover the top with plastic wrap, then leave it in the sun. The reflective surfaces will focus the heat and cook the food in the pot. Here’s how to make a solar oven.
Dryer Lint as Fire Starter
If you need some good tinder, try dryer lint, which lights very easily. As you use your dryer, save the dryer lint in a plastic bag so it stays dry.
Egg Cartons as Fire Starters
Fill the cups of a cardboard egg carton with dryer lint or sawdust, then pour melted wax over them. Once they cool, break off the individual cups and use them to help start fires. Here’s now.
Hand Sanitizer as a Quick Fire Starter
Alcohol-based hand sanitizer is flammable, making it a great fire starter. Just apply a small amount to your kindling, and it will light easily, even in damp conditions.
Pencil Shavings as Lightweight Tinder
Pencil shavings make for great tinder. If you haven’t already, put a pencil and mini pencil sharpener in your bug out bag so you’ll always have a good source of tinder.
Pine Resin as Fire Accelerant
Collect dried pine resin to use as a natural fire starter. Pine resin is highly flammable and can help you start a fire even in damp weather. Here’s how.
Steel Wool and a Battery to Start a Fire
Stretch out a piece of steel wool and touch it with the terminals of a 9-volt battery. The electrical current will cause the steel wool to spark, making it an easy way to light tinder. Here’s how.
Store Apples with Potatoes to Prevent Sprouting
Store apples and potatoes together to stop potatoes from sprouting. The ethylene gas from the apples slows down the sprouting process.
Use a Shoe Lace as a Bow Drill for Fire Starting
Remove a shoelace from your boot and use it as the cord in a bow drill. This ancient fire-starting method takes practice but has stood the test of time for a reason. Here’s how to use a bow drill.
Vaseline-Coated Cotton Balls as Fire Starters
Soak some cotton balls in Vaseline and save them to use as fire starters. The Vaseline will make them burn hotter and longer. Here’s how.
Food and Storage
Acorns as Survival Food
If you can’t find anything to eat, look for an oak tree and gather acorns. Once you prepare them properly, you can grind them into flour and use them in any recipe that calls for flour. Here’s how to eat acorns.
Bay Leaves to Repel Insects
To keep insects out of food storage containers, place a few bay leaves inside of them. Many insects hate the smell of bay leaves, so they’re likely to stay away.
Canning Jars for Dry Goods
You can use canning jars to store dry goods like pasta, beans, and flour. Use a vacuum sealer, or seal them up and place them in an oven set to low. Here’s how to dry can food.
Dental Floss as Emergency Fishing Line
Dental floss can be used as fishing line in a survival scenario. As long as it’s good quality floss, it should be durable enough to catch small fish.
DIY Food Dehydrator Using a Window Screen
If you don’t have an electric dehydrator, use two clean window screens to air-dry fruits, vegetables, and meat. Simply lay the food between the two screens to protect it from insects, and let it dry in the sun. Here’s how to build a solar food dehydrator.
Freeze Flour to Kill Pests
If you plan on storing flour long-term, first put it in the freezer for 48 hours to kill any insect eggs.
Make a Zeer Pot to Keep Food Cool
If you need to keep food cold without electricity, make a Zeer pot refrigerator from two clay pots and some sand. This will keep food cool and significantly extend its shelf life. Here’s how to make a Zeer pot refrigerator.
Open a Can by Rubbing it on Concrete
If you don’t have a can opener, you can rub the top of a can on rough concrete to weaken the seal. After several minutes, you should be able to pry open the lid. Here’s how.
Pantyhose for Storing Root Vegetables
You can make root vegetables like onions and potatoes last longer by hanging them up inside pantyhose. This allows air circulation and prevents rot. Just be sure to tie a knot between each vegetable. Here’s how.
Soda Can Tabs as Fishing Hooks
If you don’t have any fishing hooks, you can use a soda can tab by cutting away part of the tab to form a sharp hook shape. File down the edge to sharpen the point and attach it to your fishing line. Here’s how.
Turn an Old Fridge or Freezer into a Root Cellar
If you have an old non-working chest freezer or mini fridge, you can bury it in the ground for a makeshift root cellar. Just be sure to bury it so that the lid is on top, making it easy to open. Here’s how.
Use a Coin to Check if Freezer Food Thawed
If you have to evacuation due to an impending disaster, place a coin on top of a frozen cup of water in your freezer. When you get back, if you find that the coin has sunk to the bottom, that means your freezer food thawed and refroze, meaning it’s no longer safe to eat.
Gardening and Composting
Banana Peels as Fertilizer
Bury banana peels around plants in your garden, or blend them with water to create a natural fertilizer rich in potassium, which is important for healthy fruits and vegetables.
Build a Compost Bin from Pallets
You can build a compost bin by arranging 4 wooden pallets into a square frame, allowing you to recycle food scraps and yard waste into rich compost for your garden. Here’s how.
CDs to Deter Birds from Your Garden
If you have any old CDs or DVDs, hang them up around your garden to keep birds away. The reflective surfaces create flashes that scare off birds.
Coffee Grounds to Acidify Soil
Add used coffee grounds to your compost or to your soil around acid-loving plants like blueberries and tomatoes. Coffee grounds will acidify the soil and provide important nutrients.
Create Seed Bombs with Paper and Soil
Mix seeds with a bit of soil and wrap them in small pieces of paper. When tossed into neglected areas, they will break down and the seeds will take root. This method is perfect for guerrilla gardening or reseeding pastures. Here’s how.
Eggshells as Seed Starters
Use eggshell halves as tiny biodegradable planters for seedlings. Once the seeds sprout, place the entire eggshell in the soil. Here’s how.
Eggshells to Deter Slugs
Crush eggshells and sprinkle them around your plants. The sharp edges will keep slugs and snails away.
Epsom Salt as a Magnesium Boost
Sprinkle a bit of Epsom salt around the base of plants. The magnesium in the salt will help plants like peppers and tomatoes.
Fake Snakes or Owls Around Garden to Deter Pests
Place some rubber snakes or plastic owls around your garden to scare off small animals and birds. Be sure to move them occasionally or they’ll stop working.
Grow Potatoes in a Trash Bag
If you don’t have any good planters, you can grow potatoes in plastic grocery bags or even small garbage bags. As they grow, add more soil to cover the stems. Here’s how.
Mini Greenhouse from a Plastic Bottle
Cut off the bottom of a large plastic bottle and place it over seedlings in the garden. This will create a mini greenhouse that protects young plants from the cold. Here’s how.
Newspaper for Weed Control
Lay sheets of newspaper around your garden plants and cover them with mulch. This will suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil.
Old Tire as a Planter
Fill an old tire with soil and plant vegetables inside. This will create a raised bed that warms up faster in spring.
Sprout Seeds for Fresh Greens
For some fresh fiber and nutrients, sprout seeds like alfalfa, lentils, or broccoli in jars. It takes very little space and only takes a few days. Here’s how.
Repurpose Old Windows for Cold Frames
If you have some old windows, you can use them to create cold frames for your garden. This will significantly extend the growing season by keeping soil warmer during cold months. Here’s how.
Turn Toilet Paper Rolls into Seed Starters
You can use empty toilet paper rolls as biodegradable seedling pots. Just fill them with soil and plant your seeds. When the plant is ready, transfer the entire roll into the ground. Here’s how.
Wine Bottle Slow-Drip Watering System
You can repurpose an empty win bottle to create a slow-drip irrigation system for your plants. Just fill the bottle with water, quickly turn it upside down, and push the neck a few inches into the soil near the plant. The water will gradually release as the soil dries. Here’s how.
Wood Ash as Natural Fertilizer
Sprinkle wood ash around your garden to enrich the soil with nutrients such as potassium. Here are some other uses for wood ash.
Health and Hygiene
Baking Soda as Toothpaste
If you run out of toothpaste, mix baking soda with water to create a DIY toothpaste that will neutralize acids, freshens your breath, and even whitens your teeth. Here’s how.
Clove Oil for Toothaches
If you have a bad toothache, rub some clove oil on the affect area for temporary pain relief. The clove oil will keep the area numb until you can get to a dentist.
Cornstarch as a Natural Deodorant
If you don’t have any deodorant, apply some cornstarch to your underarms to absorb moisture and neutralize odors.
DIY Saline Solution for Wound Care
If you run out of saline solution, dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in 4 cups of boiled water and allow it to cool completely. You can use this for cleaning wounds or flushing out eyes. Here’s how.
DIY Toilet with a Bucket and Pool Noodle
Create an emergency toilet but cutting a pool noodle to fit the rim of a five-gallon bucket. Don’t forget to put a trash bag and kitty litter (if you have it it) in the bucket before using. Here’s how.
Dried Sage as Mosquito Repellent
The smell of sage can repel mosquitoes and other insects. Take a small bundle of dried sage leaves and place it near the edge of the fire or on a hot rock next to the flames. You can also sprinkle a handful directly into the fire if you’d like a quicker burst of smoke.
Essential Oils as a Mosquito Repellent
Mix essential oils like eucalyptus, tea tree, and citronella with a bit of water for a natural mosquito repellent. Simply apply a little bit to your skin or clothing.
Honey as a Wound Dressing
You can use honey as a natural antiseptic to cover wounds and prevent infections. Honey has antibacterial properties that promote fast healing. Here are some medical uses for raw honey.
Poultice from Plantain Leaves
Crush plantain leaves and apply them to bug bites, rashes, or small wounds. Plantain has anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties, making it great for first aid. Here’s how to make a DIY poultice.
Sanitary Pads as Wound Dressings
Sanitary pads are highly absorbent and can be used as an emergency bandage. However, be sure to use pads and not tampons, which can do more harm than good.
Use Saponin-Rich Plants as Soap
If you run out of soap, look for a plant that contains high amounts of saponins. You can boil pieces of these plants in water to create a natural soap alternative. Here’s how.
Vinegar to Neutralize Odors
To neutralize bad odors, soak a cloth in white vinegar and leave it in smelly areas. The vinegar will absorb and mask odors.
Security and Defense
Broken Glass or Gravel Near Entry Points
Scatter broken glass or gravel near doors or windows. The noise when someone steps on it will alert you that someone is outside.
Create a Fake Wall or Floor Panel
Create a hidden compartment in your home by creating a fake wall or floor panel. Use this to hide emergency supplies, weapons, valuables, etc. Here’s how.
Create a Perimeter Alarm with Fishing Line and Bells
Attach small bells to a fishing line and string it up around your camp or home’s perimeter. If someone crosses the line, you’ll hear the bells. Here are some more DIY trip wire alarms.
Fake TV Light to Deter Intruders
Use a small LED device that mimics the glow of a television screen. If you place this near a window, it will look like someone is home with the TV on.
Install Motion-Activated Sprinklers
Use motion-activated sprinklers to deter intruders or animals. The sudden burst of water will usually cause intruders or animals to leave.
Thorny Bushes as a Natural Barrier
Grow thorny plants like blackberry bushes or roses in front of windows or fences to create a natural barrier. These plants can make breaking into your home seem like more trouble than it’s worth. Here are some more home security plants.
Use a Decoy Safe to Distract Intruders
Place a decoy safe in an obvious spot with a small amount of cash or inexpensive items inside. This will distract intruders and hopefully cause them leave before finding your real safe.
Storage and Organization
Altoids Tin as a Mini Survival Kit
Fill an empty Altoids tin with survival items like a fire starter, fishing hooks, a small knife, etc. This compact kit will easily fit in your pocket or bug out bag. Here’s how.
Binder Clips to Seal Bags and Organize Cords
Use binder clips (or “chip clips”) to reseal bags of food or seeds, or to bundle or organize small cords or other items.
Create a Vertical Storage System with Shoe Organizers
Use a hanging shoe organizer in your pantry or storage area to organize small items like bags of food, toiletries, first aid supplies, etc.
Create Emergency Supply Caches
Stash some survival caches filled with food, water, or gear in hidden locations so you have backups in case your main supplies are stolen or destroyed. Here’s how to make a survival cache.
DIY Fishing Kit in an Altoids Tin
Fish an Altoids tin with fishing essentials like hooks, lines, weights, and a few lures. Here’s how.
Keep Documents in Ziploc Bags
Store important documents such as IDs, passports, insurance papers, etc. in Ziploc bags. This will ensure they don’t get wet when you’re bugging out.
Old Pill Bottles for Storage
Use old pill bottles to organize small items like buttons, needles, matches, etc. You can even use them to make a mini survival kit. Here’s how.
Store Important Documents on an Encrypted Keychain Drive
To keep your important documents safe, scan them and store them on an encrypted flash drive that’s attached to your keychain. This way you’ll always have them with you and they can’t be stolen.
Store Spices in Drinking Straws
Seal small amounts of spices inside sections of drinking straws. This is a great way to bring along some spices when bugging out. Here’s how.
Bandana as a Multi-Tool
Keep a bandana with you at all times. It can be used for dozens of things including: as a tourniquet, pre-filtering water, tying things together, protection from the sun, etc. Here are some other uses for bandanas.
Can Lid as a Cutting Tool
If you don’t have a knife, take the lid from a tin can and fold it in half to create a sharp edge that can be used for cutting.
Dental Floss as a Clothesline
String up some dental floss between two trees or poles to create a temporary clothesline.
Hide Cash or a Survival Card Inside Your Phone Case
If your phone has a case, slip some folded bills or even a survival card between your phone and its case. This creates a discreet hiding spot for cash or essential tools.
Knife as a Screwdriver
If you don’t have a screwdriver, you can use the flat edge of a sturdy knife as a flathead screwdriver. Just be careful not to cut yourself.
Plastic Bottle as a Funnel for Transferring Liquids
If you need a funnel, cut the top off of a plastic bottle for an instant funnel that you can use for transferring water, fuel, dry goods like rice, etc.
Sharpen Knives with the Bottom of a Ceramic Mug
Flip a ceramic mug upside down and use the rough ring on the bottom as a sharpening stone. This quick hack will keep your blades nice and sharp.
Turn a Trash Bag into a Poncho
Create an emergency poncho by cutting three holes (one for your head and two for your arms) in the bottom of a large trash bag.
Turn Trash Bags into Rope
Twist and braid heavy-duty trash bags to make durable, improvised rope. This can be used for securing tarps, building shelters, or even tying down gear. Here’s how.
Wrap Duct Tape Around a Lighter for Emergency Repairs
If you don’t have room in your pockets or bag for a roll of tape, wrap your lighters with duct tape. Then, if you need a piece of tape, you can just cut a section of it off your lighter.
Water Collection and Purification
Boil Water Using Stones
If you don’t have pot for boiling water, heat up some stones in a fire, then place them in a container of water to bring the water to a boil and kill any pathogens. Here’s how.
Coffee Filters for Water Pre-Filtering
Before purifying water, be sure to pre-filter them. Coffee filters are great for this as they will catch debris and sediment.
DIY Water Filter with Charcoal and Sand
Create a simple emergency water filter by layering charcoal, sand, and gravel in a container. Pour dirty water through to filter out contaminants before boiling or further purification. Here’s how.
DIY Water Purification with Bleach
In an emergency, you can purify water by adding 8 drops of unscented household bleach (5.25–8.25% sodium hypochlorite) per gallon of water, shaking it, and letting it sit for 30 minutes. Make sure the water smells slightly of chlorine to ensure it’s been disinfected. If not, add a few more drops of bleach and wait another 30 minutes.
Disinfect Water with Sunlight
Fill a clear plastic bottle with water and place it in direct sunlight for 6-8 hours. The UV rays will kill harmful bacterial. Here’s how.
Get Emergency Water from Your Water Heater
In a pinch, you can drink the water in your water heater. Most tanks hold 30-50 gallons that can be drained in an emergency. Here’s how.
Hydrogen Peroxide for Water Purification
Add 10 drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water and let it sit for 30 minutes. This will kill bacteria and make water safe to drink.
Plastic Shower Curtain for a Solar Still
If you run out of drinking water, use a clear plastic shower curtain to create a solar still. This will allow you to extract a bit of water from plant material. Here’s how.
Solar Shower with a Black Trash Bag
Fill a black trash bag with water and leave it in the sun to warm up. Tie it to a tree branch and poke small holes in the bottom to create a simple solar shower.
Store Water in Reused Plastic Bottles
Save 2-liter soda bottles or juice containers, thoroughly clean them, and use them to store water for long-term emergencies.
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