In this post, we’ll look at a few substitutes for conventional home appliances. As you may already think, these alternatives will save you some cash, considering that electricity bills are high due to the devices we use. More pertinently, these DIY substitutes will ensure that you still live fine even when SHTF.

Here we go.

Substitutes for Conventional Home Appliances (Meal Storage & Laundry)

Meal Storage

Expendable Icebox

Much like all insulated containers, an expandable icebox is used to preserve the temperature of food as it is stored in it. That is: it keeps warm food warm & cold food cold. This system is more effective than other DIY refrigerators, and this is because it can be fitted to the exact size & shape of the item to be kept warm or cold. 

Unlike what you may be thinking, an expendable icebox isn’t constructed using ice packs. It can, however, store ice. An expendable icebox is simply a box of fabric containing small polystyrene batting or pellets. The walls of this fabric have to be thick & include numerous layers of cotton fabric. This project is easier & faster to complete if you create a pattern to be followed using a sewing machine. 

The fabric box can easily be expanded and collapsed, thanks to the nature of its walls & the pellets it contained. As I said, this is why it is an excellent homemade refrigerator. You can use this system to preserve even metal objects, such as a Dutch oven.

Laundry

In the event of a catastrophe that damages electricity, causes you to bug-out, or spoils your washing machine, how do you keep your clothes clean? Let’s see how.

Washboard

A washboard is cheap and, therefore, common in low-income homes across the nation. You can use a concrete basin as a washboard, but this system surely has its disadvantages. A stone or concrete washboard is very hard on clothes, so you have to be very careful when using. That aside, since the easiest place to use a washboard is the river, it can be very stressful to carry baskets filled with clothes to and fro. Indeed, most times, people use a washboard either because they can’t afford a better appliance or have no other option.

Dry Bag

A dry bag is best when using limited water. As the name suggests, a dry bag is waterproof. The method works by soaking clothes in little hot water inside your dry bag and then doing the washing using clean flip-flops. Remember to put in your soap, too, including shampoo, dish soap, and even toothpaste if you have. 

Plunger Washer

A plunger washer works like a dry bag, but it is more advisable for long-term needs, thanks to its mechanical features. You can buy a plunger washer for as little as $20 and then connect to a 5-gallon bucket. What this system offers (that a dry bag doesn’t) is the agitation on the clothes and the fact that it ensures that water is circulated better through the entire fabric.

Concluding The Substitutes to Conventional Appliances

A single disaster is enough to damage your appliances, deprive you of power to use them or force you to the wilderness. When this happens, you’ll need substitutes for conventional home appliances. Else, you’ll be subjecting yourself to a lot of difficulties. Every prepper agrees to adequate beforehand preparations.