Car Kit

Car Kit Jumper cables/fuel can Tools Freeze-dried food Hard candy Bobbers Hooks Needles Sinkers Striker/fire starter Razor blades Saw Leather man Batteries Fish line Flashlight Magnesium striker stick Signal mirror Plastic bags Emergency survival manual First aid kit 2 bandannas Knife Compass Snare wire 1 light stick Light Potable aqua (water purification tablets) Matches Magnifying glass Parachute cord (rope) Cotton balls W/petroleum jelly 7 gallon water container Flashlight/radio Steel wool Candle Drinking tube Cup Wet wipes Nalgene bottle Bouillon cubes 5 coffee filters Folding shovel Hatchet Emergency blanket/other blankets Map book Duct tape

Possible Additions Axe Full shovel Wool blanket Sand spade High lift jack Come along Winch Fire extinguisher .30-.30 rifle Sling shot Woodmans pal

Building a 72 Hour Kit

In most major disasters it takes a minimum of three days for aid agencies to respond to public need. This time can be prolonged depending on the severity of the disaster. For this reason a 72 Hr kit is recommended for everyone to have. There are a few ideas of things we put in our kits.  We try to go through our kits every general conference and snack on the food during that time and replace it.  It is also important to have clothing that fits.

72 Hour Kit Candles Waterproof Matches Magnesium stick/ striker Emergency blanket Potable Aqua 3 chemical light sticks Toilet paper Wet wipes 2 freeze dried meals Oatmeal Fruit rollups Cliff bars/shots Honey shots Granola bars/hard candy Salt/multi spice/oil Sewing kit Floss/toothpaste/toothbrush/soap Pens/paper Books/games EmergenC- energy drink Teabags/Gatorade Wind up radio/flashlight Battery Flashlight First aid kit Poncho Beef jerky Tuna fish Trash bags Fleece vest Wool socks Hat Fleece jacket Bandanna Long sleeve shirt Propane stove Towel Coins Wire ties Convertible pants Scarf Rope Mess kit Boonie hat Cotton balls w/ Vaseline Sheath knife 5 coffee filters Compass Whistle Signal mirror

Homemade Dishwashing Powder

 Dish washing tabs can be so expensive!  This is a simple recipe that is inexpensive and works great!

Mix 1 cup of baking soda,

1/3 cup of citric acid, (buy in bulk on Amazon)

1/3 cup of salt (table salt will work in this recipe),

10 drops of citrus essential oil. (optional)

Scoop about one tablespoon of the mix into the dishwasher detergent compartment. This dishwashing powder is powerful enough to remove grease and other caked on foods typically left behind on plates.

Liquid Laundry Soap

Liquid laundry soap is more time consuming to make, but still works great. It depends on the type of washing machine you own, which type of soap you can use. Top loading machines can use liquid or dry laundry soap. Front loading machines are more specific and you will have to check your machine to see if it accepts dry soap or liquid only.

6 Cups  water

1/3  bar  grated Fels-Naptha  soap 

½  Cup Washing SODA by Arm & Hammer -NOT Baking soda soap, NOT laundry soap

½  Cup Mule Team Borax

Use a 2 -5 gallon bucket

4 Cups Hot water

22 Cups Hot water

Mix: grated Fels-Naptha soap in a large saucepan with  6 C water.  Heat on low until dissolved.  Remove from heat and stir in Washing Soda and Borax.  Stir until thickened.  Add 4 C hot water  (boiling water will make it dissolve faster) to the 2 gallon bucket.  Add soap mixture from saucepan and mix well.  Fill bucket with hot water until 2 gallons is reached (about 22 more cups water).  Mix well.  Set aside uncovered for 24 hours or until mixture is thickened. Pour into smaller plastic bottles for storage.

New and Improved Dry Laundry Soap

In an earlier post, I added a homemade laundry soap.  It works just fine.  However, having 2 dogs and stinky boys at home makes this laundry soap a big improvement in our home!
This easy to make recipe lasts my family of four about 4 months and costs about $12 to make.  I keep used peanut butter jars and the like to store my laundry soap in.

2 Bars Fels Naptha Soap
2 Bars Zote Soap (or flakes)
1 55 oz Box Mule Team Borax
1 55 oz Box Arm and Hammer Washing Soda (not laundry detergent!)
2 lb Box of Baking Soda (optional for homes with pets or strong smells in clothing)
18 oz Container of smelling Crystals from Downy or Gain (optional)

Use a cheese grater, blender or food processor to grate the bars of soap into flakes or small beads.  Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl or container. I recommend using a mask or doing this outdoors.  The dust from mixing the powders can be problematic.

**Use about 2 Table Spoons of Laundry Soap in a full load.