You’ve probably walked past them a hundred times—those everyday items scattered around your kitchen. But did you know many of these can be important in an emergency?
Let’s look at how your ordinary kitchen basics can serve as extraordinary lifesavers, from makeshift solutions to quick hacks.
Plastic Wrap (Cling Film)
It goes by a few names like plastic wrap, cling film, or cling wrap, but this kitchen item isn’t just for preserving leftovers. It is one of the most versatile tools in the kitchen in an emergency.
If you’ve cut yourself and find yourself without a bandage, you can wrap plastic wrap around a clean cloth or paper towel to create a makeshift barrier.
Need to waterproof something important? It’s your go-to. Who knew that the same stuff keeping sandwiches fresh could also save the day?
Aluminum Foil
You don’t need a toolbox when you have the MacGyver of household items in your kitchen drawer. You can use aluminum foil as a makeshift insulator to keep heat in or cold out, a fire starter, or even an anti-static shield to protect delicate electronics.
In a pinch, foil can double as a reflective signal for rescue or form a quick, disposable bowl for food or water.
Sponges (Non-Abrasive)
You must think beyond the sink when it comes to sponges, as non-abrasive sponges have much more to offer.
Freeze a damp sponge, wrap it in a cloth, and use it as an instant ice pack. Wedge it under a door to block drafts during a storm, or use it to pad sharp corners for a quick childproofing fix. Emergencies don’t always call for fancy tools—sometimes, the basics save the day.
Vinegar
Vinegar is an age-old kitchen staple with countless uses beyond the salad bowl. It cleans surfaces, dissolves sticky residues, deodorizes like a pro, and kills bacteria. Without medical supplies, dilute vinegar with water to clean minor wounds.
Struggling with irritation from a bug bite or poison ivy? Dab the area with vinegar to soothe the itch. Pair it with baking soda, and you have a powerful solution for clearing blockages.
Plastic and Glass Containers
We’re all familiar with plastic storage containers like Tupperware, but plastic and glass containers have earned their spot in your home for a reason—especially in emergencies.
From safely storing food during a power outage to catching leaks or organizing supplies, their usefulness goes far beyond the kitchen. While you may hesitate to sacrifice those beloved Pyrex dishes, those containers hidden in your kitchen cupboards can be indispensable.
Paper Towels
Paper towels are not just a household staple; these common kitchen resources’ potential in emergencies goes far beyond the obvious.
Paper towels can serve as makeshift coffee filters, or you can wrap produce to keep it fresh without refrigeration or create a quick splint by pairing them with tape. Need to start a fire? Paper towels make excellent kindling. Paper towels are an extremely resourceful ally when you need them most.
Tin Cans (Empty)
An empty tin can doesn’t seem like much, and we throw them out without thinking twice. But keeping a tin can or two can be useful in an emergency.
Tin cans can be used as an improvised cooking pot over the fire, a container for capturing rainwater, or a safe holder for candles when there’s a power outage.
Need a signal for help? Bang it loudly or shine light off its surface as a makeshift reflector. This humble item transforms into a survival essential with just a bit of creativity.
Cooking Oil
When you experience an emergency, cooking oil might not be the first thing on your list, but depending on the situation, it can be a remarkable solution.
If you don’t have candles, you can soak a cotton ball in oil to create a makeshift lamp in a glass jar or empty tin can. You can also use it to keep metal cooking tools from rusting, seal a small wound, or lubricate a stuck zipper.
Wooden Spoons
Beyond their obvious task in the kitchen, wooden spoons are ideal in emergencies as makeshift splints to stabilize a sprained wrist or finger. If you need to stop bleeding, a wooden spoon can also act as a tourniquet, or if you need a quick medical check, it can serve as a tongue depressor.
In even more unexpected situations, a wooden spoon can be used as a basic digging tool for small tasks.
Kitchen Towels (Cloths)
We often take kitchen towels for granted until we really need them. Kitchen towels can prevent water from seeping through during a storm; just tuck them under the door.
They’re also helpful for applying pressure to a cut or scrape. Whether for protection, pressure, or cleanup, these humble cloths are ready for whatever comes your way.
Rubber Bands
Do you have some rubber bands and no idea when or where you’ll ever use them? Keep them! They don’t take up much space and can be invaluable in emergencies. Rubber bands can be used as makeshift tourniquets or temporary fixes for broken items.
Need a better grip? Wrap rubber bands around an item to keep your hand from slipping. You can also use them to create waterproof seals, bundle supplies, start a fire as kindling, or even secure a splint on a sprained or broken limb.
Twine or Rope
Rope and twine are notorious as emergency supplies in the kitchen. You can stabilize splints, make a makeshift tourniquet, use it as a clothesline, or suspend a pot over a fire.
It can also help secure shelter in a pinch, tie down a tarp, or bundle items for easy transport. Rope and twine can be a temporary leash for pets and are useful for securing a broken door or window.
Broom Handle
Brooms are great for cleaning and the go-to transportation for witches in movies, but did you know that the uses for a broom handle make them an ideal emergency tool? If you need to create a makeshift flag or signal, a broom handle paired with fabric does the trick.
A broom handle is perfect for grabbing something unreachable or breaking up debris after a storm. In a pinch, it can act as a stabilizer for a makeshift shelter or a handle for a temporary weapon for self-defense.
Scissors
There’s no denying the obvious: scissors are for cutting, and that’s where it starts and ends for many. But that doesn’t take away from their everyday value and importance in emergencies. You can trim fabric for makeshift bandages, cut wires to secure supplies, or snip small branches for a quick shelter.
Large Pots
Larger pots are ideal for cooking over an open flame when the power’s out, or for collecting rainwater when running low on fresh supplies. Pots can also be used to carry multiple items and keep things organized by using them as temporary storage.
Their varying shapes and sizes make them an unexpected yet reliable tool when you need a quick solution.
Baking Powder
Chances are, we all have a packet or tin of baking powder next to other baking essentials. But did you know that baking powder has uses beyond its role as a necessary baking ingredient?
It also works wonders as a makeshift deodorizer—sprinkle it on carpets or in shoes to absorb unwanted smells. If you’re low on toothpaste, baking powder can step in as a temporary substitute.
And if you’re caught without a fire extinguisher, a little baking powder can help put out a small grease fire by suffocating the flames.
Honey
Honey isn’t just for tea or toast—it’s a multitasking emergency tool. It can help heal small cuts and scrapes by acting as a natural antiseptic. Feeling fatigued? A spoonful of honey can give you a burst of energy.
Honey has been used for generations to treat sore throats, ease coughing, and soothe dry skin or chapped lips due to its natural moisturizing properties.
Garlic
Winter is here, which inevitably means the flu and cold season are upon us. Woke up with the sniffles? Garlic’s natural antibacterial properties can help boost your immune system. Garlic steeped in warm water with honey is the perfect remedy for a sore throat.
Its antibacterial properties make it ideal for soothing bug bites and helping with small infections. While we’re not suggesting you use it to ward off vampires, garlic can certainly save the day in more practical ways.
Matches or a Lighter
We would rather not state the obvious, but matches or lighters are a staple in any kitchen, and they can do far more than just start a fire. Matches or a lighter can help you sterilize a knife or small tools by carefully heating them.
You can also use a lighter to carefully melt plastic for quick repairs and to melt synthetic rope ends to stop fraying.
If you have frozen locks, gently heat a key or lock mechanism using matches or a lighter to free it from ice. Stuck zipper? Briefly heat it to help it move smoothly.
Bleach
In an emergency, bleach is one of those unsung heroes. It can disinfect a wound quickly if no other options are available, or help sanitize makeshift shelters when stuck.
If water supplies are limited, bleach can help purify water for drinking. Mold is dangerous to your health, and bleach’s strong cleaning power can easily tackle this to ensure a clean, safe home environment.
