INSTANT SURVIVAL TIP: Add Non-Edibles to Your Stash the Smart Way

Food storage is a topic that has been thoroughly covered in websites, blogs and books, but how are you doing with your non-edible storage? You can read a handy list here of ten items to have on hand, but there’s a more systematic way of deciding what items your family needs, and you won’t end up with forty tubes of toothpaste and only four extra toothbrushes.

notepad1 INSTANT SURVIVAL TIP: Add Non Edibles to Your Stash the Smart Way This week, keep a pad of paper handy and jot down each product your family uses beginning first thing in the morning. What non-food items do you use in a 24 hour period? Pay attention to your daily/weekly routine. If you use something just once this week, say a band-aid, note that, too. For me, my list today looked like this:

contact lens solution & contact lens case (these wear out after a while & need to be replaced)

contacts (I really need to have an extra pair.)

toilet paper (Yes, I have to see before I can go!)

shampoo

hairbrush

hairspray toiletries1 INSTANT SURVIVAL TIP: Add Non Edibles to Your Stash the Smart Way

liquid soap, bar soap for hubby

toothbrush & toothpaste

anti-perspirant

dog & cat food

laundry soap

dishwasher soap

And my day is only half over! All of these items, and more, are things to add to my stash. I look for them when they’re on sale, and I’m not picky about brand names. I use Secret anti-perspirant, but in a crunch, I’d use anything and be happy about it!

Make a goal of having three months worth of these items. That would be a great start toward having the necessities your family relies on.

(7) Readers Comments

monkeyweather
December 31, 2009 at 6:17 am

In a pinch (or if you don't like the chemicals or aluminum in commercial deodorant / antiperspirants) you can use either apple cider vinegar or milk of magnesia. Sounds whacky but they both really work!

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- TheSurvivalMom
  December 31, 2009 at 5:37 pm
  
  Hey, I'm all in favor of anything that works. I'm willing to try the vinegar but not so sure about the milk of magnesia. ) I'll have to be sure to store some of both in our nuclear fallout shelter. ;o)
  
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LizLong
January 4, 2010 at 4:57 pm

One important thing for my family with toothpaste: we each use a different brand, so we have to have ALL the brands we use. The kids won't touch anything but Tasty Paste toothpaste (Vanilla for one, Chocolate for the other), dh uses whitening, and I use Kids Crest (I HATE minty flavored toothpaste).

Also, only City Water has Flouride added, so in an emergency, or if you live on Well Water, you should also make sure to have enough ACT or other flouride rinse on hand to help keep dental emergencies at bay. Again, remember to make sure everyone will use the flavor(s) you get. And, of course, dental floss. (And wouldn't my dentist just be thrilled if I actually started using the darn floss?)

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- TheSurvivalMom
  January 5, 2010 at 6:00 am
  
  Dare I introduce my kids to Tasty Paste? They act like regular toothpaste is going to dissolve their tongues, so I always have to get the kid toothpastes for them. In an emergency, I'm afraid I'd have to tell them to suck it up! Your idea to have a few bottles of ACT is an excellent one. My kid's dentist said it can even reverse the beginning stages of a cavity. I'll have to add that to my list. Thanks!
  
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  - LizLong
    January 14, 2010 at 3:37 am
    
    Banilla Bling, Cha Cha Chocolate, and Dreamsicle (Creamsicle) are the three Tastey Paste flavors. You get a bulk discount if you buy 12 or more. My eldest won't even use the kids toothpaste, which is why we have Tastey Paste. When they sent my last order, it included samples. We can use those for travel, and for things like a BOB.
    
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    - TheSurvivalMom
      January 14, 2010 at 5:48 pm
      
      Those would have made awesome stocking stuffers! Did I tell you we bought my 8 yo son sample bottles of AXE after-shave and deodorant? He was thrilled! LOL
      
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Katie
November 15, 2010 at 11:52 pm

this may seem silly but my hubby's had to travel for his job over the years, so we've got a stash of those hotel soaps and shampoos, etc in our storage. I've never seen an expiration date on those little bottles so I think they've kept fairly well.

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