This page organizes long-lasting chemical compounds into functional segments that reflect real-life scenarios in preparedness, homesteading, and survival. Each section explains how specific compounds support essential needs—like water purification, first aid, tool maintenance, or land management—making it easy to understand what to use, when, and why. Whether you’re building out a self-managed insurance plan or fine-tuning your off-grid systems, this breakdown helps you turn shelf-stable compounds into everyday utility.
Body & Health
Compounds that help maintain hygiene, manage wounds, support recovery, and ensure physical function when modern medical care is unavailable.
Uses:
- Detoxification and poison treatment (activated charcoal)
- Wound disinfection and skin cleaning (Lugol’s iodine, vinegar, boric acid)
- Oral hygiene and internal alkalinity (baking soda)
- Electrolyte and hydration support (CARDNL electrolytes)
- Muscle recovery and endurance support (creatine monohydrate)
- Rash prevention and moisture protection (petroleum jelly, boric acid)
- Nasal and chest relief (camphor in balm or steam form)
- Minor antifungal or eyewash uses (diluted boric acid)
- Salve, balm, or lotion base (glycerin, beeswax, petroleum jelly)
- Constipation relief (glycerin as a laxative, baking soda for upset stomach)
Home & Shelter
Compounds that keep your indoor living environment clean, safe, pest-free, and structurally sound through daily or emergency use.
Uses:
- Household disinfecting and surface cleaning (vinegar, washing soda, borax)
- Odor elimination in bedding, clothing, and storage (baking soda, boric acid)
- Pest deterrent around floors, corners, and furniture (boric acid, diatomaceous earth, calcium hydroxide)
- Coop and barn maintenance and sanitation (calcium hydroxide, vinegar)
- Soapmaking and drain cleaning (lye)
- Window and seam sealing with wax blends (beeswax, petroleum jelly)
- DIY cleaners and degreasers (washing soda and vinegar combo)
- Fire-safe lighting and backup lanterns (beeswax candles or petroleum jelly cotton balls)
Water & Food
Compounds that make water drinkable, keep food safe for storage, and aid in preparation, processing, and long-term nourishment.
Uses:
- Purifying large quantities of water (calcium hypochlorite, Lugol’s iodine)
- Alkalizing or acidifying recipes (baking soda, citric acid, vinegar)
- Preserving eggs long term (calcium hydroxide for water glassing)
- Nixtamalizing corn (calcium hydroxide for nutrient access)
- Preserving pickles, fruits, and vegetables (citric acid, vinegar)
- Rinsing produce to reduce surface contaminants (vinegar)
- Electrolyte support for hydration in high-heat or illness (CARDNL electrolytes)
- Pest prevention around food stores (borax perimeter barriers)
- Food-safe surface sterilization (vinegar, citric acid)
Tools & Energy
Compounds that support off-grid repairs, power, lubrication, cleaning, and energy access when infrastructure is compromised.
Uses:
- Fire starting (ethanol, beeswax, petroleum jelly)
- Greasing and preserving tools and moving parts (petroleum jelly, beeswax, glycerin)
- Candle production and backup light sources (beeswax-based candles)
- Soap and degreaser manufacturing (lye, washing soda, borax)
- Corrosion prevention on metal (beeswax, petroleum jelly)
- Cleaning solar battery terminals or prepping hardware (vinegar)
- Improvised sealant or polish (beeswax)
Storage & Preservation
Compounds that help extend the life of your supplies, food, and medical gear by repelling pests, controlling moisture, and creating barrier layers for protection.
Uses:
- Keeping dry goods like flour or rice pest-free (calcium hydroxide perimeter, borax barriers)
- Preserving food acidity and preventing spoilage (citric acid, vinegar)
- Creating long-lasting skin salves and ointments (glycerin, beeswax, petroleum jelly)
- Dehumidifying storage bins, drawers, or emergency food buckets (baking soda)
- Protecting homemade herbal tinctures and oils (glycerin as carrier, ethanol as base)
- Sealing food containers or wax-packing jars (beeswax)
- Preventing microbial growth in home remedies or cosmetics (citric acid)
- Creating anti-clump storage pouches with natural desiccants (baking soda, calcium hydroxide)
Land & Environment
Compounds that support the sustainability and sanitation of your garden, animals, and general outdoor environment — reducing dependency on commercial products.
Uses:
- Adjusting soil pH for better plant yields (calcium hydroxide, citric acid, baking soda)
- Insect and mite control in garden beds, coops, and barns (diatomaceous earth, boric acid, calcium hydroxide)
- Mosquito control in standing water (vinegar, borax)
- Compost and waste odor control (calcium hydroxide, baking soda)
- Algae suppression in water troughs or small ponds (vinegar, calcium hydroxide)
- Outdoor latrine or waste site management (borax, vinegar)
- Animal bedding sanitation and moisture absorption (diatomaceous earth, calcium hydroxide)
- Biosecurity cleaning in livestock or poultry areas (vinegar spray, lime powder)