Newspapers for an Emergency?

newspaper-stackI pay a whopping $15.18 a month for FIVE Sunday newspapers.  I do this primarily for the coupons which afford me to feed our family well and feed our food storage abundantly.  I easily multiply my investment by 10 times each month just considering the grocery savings.  But the multiple other purposes I use the newspapers for after compound those rewards and even makes me eager to take spare newspapers off of another persons’ hands.

  1. Newspapers for an Emergency Use #1: You’ve no doubt heard of making newspaper logs.  But contrary to popular opinion you do not have to soak them and then roll them in a fancy paper roller to get them to work for you.  Simply roll them very tightly and secure them with a rubber band at each end.  They will make for a great alternative “fuel” source in an emergency.  Part of the reason why I don’t soak them is so that I can use them for alternative purposes as well.  (If you’d like them to burn longer, you can soak them AFTER rolling them in a light soapy water.  Don’t use these in a wood burning stove without being approved via the manufacturer.  But most accommodate such sources of fuel.)
    Newspaper Rolls photo c/o gadgetgrid.com

    Newspaper Rolls photo c/o gadgetgrid.com

  2. Newspapers for an Emergency Use #2: Newspaper makes a great insulator if you tear it into pieces and pile it “feather-like.”  You can also wrap newspaper thickly with duct tape around your pipes to prevent them from freezing in a harsh winter.
  3. Newspapers for an Emergency Use #3: Newspapers make an acceptable substitute for expensive paper towels when cleaning glass or flat metal surfaces.   I especially like using them to initially clean out my Dutch Oven, solar oven, and grill—items that I’m sure I’ll be using frequently in the event of a power outage.
  4. Newspapers for an Emergency Use #4: I don’t anticipate having the luxury of using my clothes dryer in an emergency.  I also keep the newspapers so that I can spray a little Febreeze on the newspaper, stuff them as a tightly wadded ball into wet shoes and dry them out with a fresh scent, thus ensuring that the shoes keep their form.  (Turn the shoes on their sides for best results)
  5. Newspapers for an Emergency Use #5: If my ironing board breaks then I can use my antique iron with a stack of newspapers as my ironing board.
    Newspaper as an Ironing Board photo c/o artistshelpingchildren.org

    Newspaper as an Ironing Board photo c/o artistshelpingchildren.org

  6. Newspapers for an Emergency Use #6: I can protect my vegetable harvest by wrapping an unexpected early harvest in thick layers of newspapers and storing them in a cool dark place.  Even early picked tomatoes can be salvaged this way.  And along the way, I’m sure I would use my newspapers as a great mulch (black ink only), undoubtedly a luxury item in an emergency.  (Don’t use the glossy paper for this purpose).  Not only that, but a tightly wrapped wet newspaper will make a great trap for pesky earwigs in your garden.  Better than anything you can buy in the store.

Ultimately, I can always use a good rolled up newspaper to combat my husband’s teasing.  But that’s more of an everyday necessity rather than for an emergency. :)

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Comments

I have a friend that they shred there old ones and use them in there chicken house in the nest boxes and on the floor as bedding. They then use it all on the garden.
They also use the shredded paper as mulch on there plants in the garden.

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