16 DIY Hygiene Tricks During a Disaster

With a little creativity and resourcefulness, it's possible to maintain personal hygiene even in the toughest of circumstances. Here are 16 DIY hygiene tricks you can use during a disaster.

MEDICAL

9/30/20247 min read

a husband and wife from 1950 pose next to hygiene products

16 DIY Hygiene Tricks During a Disaster

In the aftermath of a disaster, maintaining good hygiene is crucial to prevent the spread of illness and ensure survival. Without access to running water, electricity, or commercial hygiene products, staying clean can become a real challenge. However, with a little creativity and resourcefulness, it's possible to maintain personal hygiene even in the toughest of circumstances. Here are 16 DIY hygiene tricks you can use during a disaster.

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In my years working with clients to fortify their disaster preparedness plans, one thing has always struck me: no matter how meticulously we plan for food, water, and shelter, hygiene often remains the overlooked wildcard. Hygiene is the thin line between staying operational and falling prey to disease when everything else crumbles. From remote rural survival scenarios to urban disasters and collapse drills, I’ve seen firsthand how improvising hygiene solutions becomes a test of ingenuity and resolve. Those moments taught me that while your enemy in a survival scenario might be unseen, it’s no less deadly.

Imagine this: you’ve just endured the initial chaos of societal breakdown. Supply chains are severed, the shelves were stripped bare weeks ago, and your well-stocked bug-out location doesn’t have half the sanitation supplies you thought you packed. How do you maintain even basic cleanliness under such circumstances? Let me walk you through it, drawing from the hard-learned lessons of survivalists and operatives alike.

Soap is your first line of defense. If commercial soap runs out, making your own becomes critical. With rendered animal fat, wood ash, and water, you can create a DIY soap for off-grid life. The process requires boiling the fat and gradually adding wood ash to extract the alkali, stirring until you achieve the right consistency. It’s messy work, but it’s far better than risking infection from grime and bacteria. The operatives I’ve worked with always prioritized soap production as soon as they established a foothold in extended survival scenarios.

Toothpaste may seem like a luxury, but dental hygiene is essential to prevent debilitating infections. A simple mixture of baking soda and a few drops of water can work wonders. In the absence of baking soda, powdered charcoal or salt can substitute. The key is abrasion and cleansing, not minty freshness. I’ve witnessed survivalists in remote regions create effective dental scrubs using crushed eggshells mixed with water, a surprisingly efficient alternative. Imagine making your own tooth paste and selling it for high premiums, in exchange for items you may need, using your barter box during a disaster?

Now let’s talk toilet paper—or the lack thereof. History provides a guide here. In the absence of manufactured rolls, smooth stones, leaves (make sure they’re non-toxic), or even strips of cloth can suffice. Cloth, particularly, can be washed and reused, a method used by countless armies on extended campaigns. While the thought might make the uninitiated squirm, it’s better than the alternative: infections from poor sanitation. This item absolutely needs to be stockpiles and added to your SHTF barter box list, but as an incoming trade item.

For women, menstrual hygiene is a critical need that requires forethought. Reusable cloth pads can be made from clean fabric, layered and sewn together for absorption. During one of my consultations, a client’s innovative use of sterilized moss within layered cloth proved effective in a pinch. Sterilizing materials is key—boiling water becomes indispensable here, as it does for so many hygiene tasks. This item is very difficult to replicate as DIY. Honestly the toxins that big companies put into women's sanitary products is alarming, it may be almost better to go natural if possible during long-term SHTF. There are a handful of good clean toxin-free menstrual products to stockpile in the meantime.

Handwashing facilities might not seem like a high-tech need, but they’re vital in a survival situation. A simple tippy tap system—a jug or container rigged to pour water when tipped—can be fashioned from items scavenged from almost any environment. Combine this with the soap you’ve improvised, and you have a potent barrier against disease.

Finally, deodorants and anti-odor measures. While not strictly a life-or-death concern, they play a vital role in maintaining morale and hygiene in close quarters. Wood ash can double as a crude antiperspirant, absorbing moisture and neutralizing odors. Similarly, dried herbs or even crushed pine needles can mask odors when rubbed on the skin. Learn to make a list of barter items you need for your specific familial situation and lifestyle, then make a list of items you are willing to trade to obtain them.

Improvised hygiene is about adapting to your environment, leveraging resources you might otherwise dismiss, and thinking several steps ahead to prevent a cascade of preventable issues. When the lights go out and the chaos begins, survival favors those who understand that cleanliness isn’t just a luxury—it’s your most reliable armor in the fight to endure.

1. Homemade Soap

In an emergency, you can make simple soap using basic ingredients like animal fat (lard or tallow) and wood ash. To do this, boil the animal fat until it becomes liquid and then combine it with water and wood ash. The chemical reaction will create a crude form of soap. It may not be fancy, but it will effectively remove dirt and oil from your skin.

2. DIY Hand Sanitizer

When soap and water aren't available, hand sanitizer is essential. You can make your own by mixing 2/3 cup of isopropyl alcohol with 1/3 cup of aloe vera gel. Add a few drops of essential oil for a pleasant scent if desired. Store it in a small bottle for easy use.

3. Natural Deodorant

Sweat may be inevitable, but body odor can be controlled with a few simple ingredients. Create your own natural deodorant by mixing baking soda with coconut oil or cornstarch. This mixture absorbs moisture and neutralizes odor-causing bacteria.

4. Toothpaste Substitute

If you run out of toothpaste, baking soda makes an excellent alternative. You can dip a damp toothbrush into baking soda or mix it with a bit of water to create a paste. Baking soda is mildly abrasive, helping to remove plaque and neutralize bad breath.

5. Dry Shampoo

Without regular access to water, washing your hair can be difficult. You can freshen your hair by sprinkling cornstarch or baking soda on your scalp and combing it through. This dry shampoo absorbs excess oil, leaving your hair feeling cleaner.

6. Improvised Toilet Paper

In the event of a toilet paper shortage, you can use natural materials like soft leaves (make sure they are non-toxic), smooth stones, or old cloth. These can be used, then washed or disposed of, depending on the situation.

7. Solar Shower

Create a makeshift shower by filling a large plastic bag or container with water and leaving it in the sun to warm. Once heated, you can hang the bag and poke small holes in the bottom to create a gravity-fed shower.

8. DIY Wet Wipes

When you don't have access to running water, DIY wet wipes can be a lifesaver. Soak paper towels in a mixture of water, a few drops of rubbing alcohol, and a small amount of baby soap or body wash. Store the soaked towels in a sealed plastic bag or container to keep them moist.

9. Make a Towel Rag System

Using old clothes or sheets, cut them into smaller rags for wiping your body, hands, and surfaces. These reusable cloths can be washed, boiled in hot water, and hung out to dry for multiple uses, reducing reliance on disposable paper products.

10. Portable Washing Machine

Create a simple washing system for clothes by using a 5-gallon bucket with a lid and a plunger. Punch a small hole in the lid for the handle of the plunger. Add water, soap, and dirty clothes to the bucket, seal the lid, and plunge up and down to mimic the action of a washing machine.

11. Ash Toothpaste

If baking soda is unavailable, you can use wood ash as a natural toothpaste. Ash is alkaline, which helps clean teeth and neutralizes acids. Dip your toothbrush into the ash and brush gently. Rinse thoroughly after use.

12. Makeshift Feminine Hygiene

In the absence of sanitary products, you can use old cotton cloths as reusable pads. Cut them into the desired shape, fold them for absorption, and clean them thoroughly between uses. Another option is to use a cup made from sterilized silicone or rubber, if available.

13. Baking Soda Foot Powder

Sweaty feet can lead to unpleasant odors and even fungal infections. Keep your feet dry and odor-free by sprinkling baking soda into your shoes or directly onto your feet. This will absorb moisture and keep your feet smelling fresh.

14. Improvised Bidet

If you lack toilet paper, an improvised bidet can be made using a small squeeze bottle or jug filled with water. After using the restroom, you can rinse yourself with the water and dry off with a clean cloth or towel.

15. Cornstarch or Flour Body Powder

In hot and humid conditions, staying dry can be a challenge. Cornstarch or flour can be used as a body powder to absorb sweat and keep skin dry, helping to prevent rashes or chafing in sensitive areas.

16. DIY Filtered Water for Hygiene

If clean water is limited, prioritize drinking over washing. However, if you must use water for hygiene, ensure it’s filtered or purified. You can boil water or use water purification tablets to remove bacteria before using it for washing hands, bathing, or cleaning wounds.

Final Thoughts

Maintaining hygiene during a disaster can be challenging, but with these DIY tricks, you can stay clean and healthy even in tough conditions. While these methods may not replace the comforts of modern living, they can provide essential care when traditional hygiene products are unavailable. Stay resourceful, and remember that cleanliness is key to survival in any emergency situation.