Many people don’t stop to think about all the survival uses for newspapers that exist. And, to be honest, I can’t really blame them. Newspapers have been dying out for a while now. And it’s come to the point where society generally either throws these out without a second thought, or uses them to make papier-mâché crafts.
However, there’s a whole lot more to these simple pieces of printed paper. And preppers can get a leg up on an upcoming emergency by learning about these…
7 Survival Uses For Newspapers
DIY Dinner Bowls
Did you know you can use newspapers to make your own dinner bowls? To do this, simply rip the newspapers into large pieces (each one about half a page). Then lay these pieces inside a colander so they’re pressed against the metal. Cover the rim of the colander with paper strips as well.
Repeat this process until you’ve got a thick amount of paper. Then put the colander in the sink and let the faucet run all over the paper. While the water drenches the paper, continually pound the bottom, pinch the edges and press the sides so the paper maintains its shape.
Now take even more pieces of dry newspaper, lay them on top of the wet pieces, and repeat the process (lay dry paper, wet it down, push and press it down as you go). As you do this, the newspaper layers will begin to stick together.
Once you have a thick, wet bowl inside the colander, you’re going to want to leave it in the colander and let it dry completely. This will take a few days.
Once completely dry, you can remove the paper from the bowl, and use this new newspaper bowl for holding food, survival supplies, and other useful things.
Keep Dry
If you need to sleep on the grass/dirt, newspapers can help cushion your sleeping area. Lay newspaper sheets on the ground, and then put your sleeping bag on top. (You can also sleep directly on the paper).
Be sure to lay a thick layer of paper down so that you can stay dry from the dew on the grass.
Stay Warm
Exposure is the #1 killer in a crisis. And if you’re still freezing after putting on your warmest layer, the outlook doesn’t look good.
Thankfully, you can use newspapers as an additional layer of insulation. Stuff pieces of newspapers in your shirt, pants, jacket, etc. If you’re feeling fancy, you can also use tape to line your clothing with the papers. These will help keep your body warmth close to the surface of your skin, helping protect you from the frigid temperatures.
Dry Out Your Footwear
If you’ve got cold, wet feet you’re putting yourself at risk of hypothermia (and other dangers). That’s why it’s critical to keep your feet dry and warm at all times.
One of the ways to help you do this is by stuffing newspaper into your shoes/boots when you take them off at night. Leave them like this until the next day, and the newspaper will have absorbed much of the water. Your shoes should be dry and good to go.
Speed Up Time
Produce like bananas, avocados and tomatoes are often best at their peak of ripeness. And if you eat them before this time, they’re not very good.
If you’re starving and need to eat these foods ASAP, you can speed up time with the help of newspaper. Simply wrap it around your fruits and veggies, leaving the ends open so air can get in. This will speed up the produce ripening time, while simultaneously helping prevent rot.
Stop A Bullet In Its Tracks
Newspaper on its own doesn’t look very strong. However, when you’ve got a large stack, it can be thick enough to stop a bullet in its tracks!
Knowing this, you can insulate your windows, walls and more with tons of thick newspaper. This can help bulletproof your home/shelter.
Here’s a video of a couple guys testing out this theory.
Make A Powerful Defense Weapon
Want to make a cool DIY survival weapon? Look no further than newspaper (and other everyday resources) to make this happen. These weapons are proof that “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
BONUS: More Newspaper Uses
As you’re likely starting to realize, newspapers are way more useful than most of us think. And there are way more uses for them than what’s been shared in this blog so far.
Therefore, to get the most “bang for your buck” as they say, here’s a video showing you even more cool ways to use this abundant (and cheap!) resource. Enjoy!
