The origin of the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle” is somewhat unclear. Most people think it dates back to the first Earth Day held on April 22, 1970. For dedicated homesteaders, however, the popular mantra is more than a call to reduce trash -- it is a way of life. One of the most useful items homesteaders can recycle is the five-gallon bucket. … [Read more...]
Diatomaceous Earth: The Miracle Mineral With Dozens of Uses
So what exactly is diatomaceous earth (DE)? Well, it's the fossilized remains of small aquatic organisms that are usually found in the bottom of rivers, oceans, and lakes. These little organisms are called Diatoms. To create DE, these Diatoms are ground up to create a smooth food grade powder that is easy to use in a multitude of ways, from skin … [Read more...]
Over 2,000 Survival Uses for Everyday Items
This is one you're going to want to bookmark. It's the ultimate index to survival uses for everyday items. Below you'll find a list of nearly 100 ordinary items that have all sorts of survival applications. I did the math, and it adds up to 2,046 survival uses! I put the items in alphabetical order, and next to each item I listed some of my … [Read more...]
6 Things Homesteaders Should Never Throw Away (And Why)
Did you know that in 2014, the EPA estimated that the average American produced 0.371 pounds of food waste per day? That adds up to about 135lbs per person/per year. Multiply that by how many adults or young adults live in your home and wowza--that’s a lot of food that could have been used towards something useful and beneficial around the … [Read more...]
50 Ways to Upcycle Old Socks and T-Shirts
If you are a friend to the universe, what I’m about to tell you might shake you... Did you know that more than 15 million tons of clothing waste is produced every year in the US? And did you know that it takes about 40 years for clothing to decompose? We have been so busy fighting the ‘war on plastic’ that we rarely think about what happens to … [Read more...]
11 Surprising Uses for Soap
Who doesn’t love discovering multipurpose household items? If you love saving money, getting innovative around the house, and being an overall hero, then you’re going to love these tips and tricks on how to use bar soap and dish soap in out-of-the-ordinary ways. With great power comes great responsibility. Prepare to be known as the go-to … [Read more...]
23 Surprising Uses for Washing Soda
If you like making your own laundry soap in order to save money or control the chemicals in your home, you're probably familiar with washing soda. It only costs a few dollars for a large box and can be used for laundry and a variety of other jobs. Washing soda is sodium carbonate. Nothing more, nothing less. You will often find sodium carbonate … [Read more...]
16 Ways to Use Wood Ash on Your Homestead
As you pursue a more sustainable lifestyle, you probably are discovering many ways to repurpose items around your home and property. Wood ash is something you may have a lot of, especially if you have a fireplace, woodstove, or campfire. Did you know there are many beneficial ways to use wood ash? Before we get into our list of 16 uses, let’s … [Read more...]
11 Uses for Olive Oil on the Homestead
Olive oil is one of those must-have staples for every homesteader. It truly stands alone in terms of its nutritional benefits and in terms of its many other uses around your home and property. With its high concentration of monounsaturated fatty acids, which can help boost your “good” cholesterol (HDL) and lower your “bad” cholesterol (LDL), olive … [Read more...]
25 Wonderful Ways to Use Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is an amazing yet little-known plant that, when turned into a topical astringent, has numerous uses. If you are new to the world of natural medicine, you may not have heard of this little gem. If you have heard of it, you may be a little put off by the name. Or maybe you remember your grandma using it to fix an owie when you were … [Read more...]
