Survival Uses for Coffee Filters
Coffee filters are probably one of my favorite inventions ever. There’s nothing like a good, strong cup of java to get my energy up and my brain whirring. However, what I’ve been recently realizing is that coffee filters have a ton more uses than just keeping the grounds out of my coffee.
In fact, these little white circles could even be used in a ton of different ways for survival.
Doubting my logic? I was too before I discovered these…
First, here’s a prepper explaining his #1 reason for using coffee filters in survival mode:
1) DIY Dryer Sheets
Pour white vinegar onto a coffee filter, as well as some drops of a great smelling essential oil. Add these dryer sheets to your next load of laundry to keep your clothes smelling fantastic.
2) DIY Seasoning Packets
Add your favorite spices and seasonings into a coffee filter (fresh is best), and tie a string around the top to keep it closed. You can now dunk these DIY flavoring packets into soups for a little added flavor. Or, if you want easy-to-prepare, delicious soup that already packs a TON of flavor, we’ve got a couple of excellent survival food options.
3) Drinkable Juice
If you’re a no-pulp orange juice drinker, this may just be your saving grace. Place the coffee filter into a cup and squeeze the orange (or lime, or whatever fruit you want) into the coffee filter. This will give you fresh-squeezed juice, without the added pulp and seeds.
4) Stop The Bleeding
If you’ve cut yourself and you need to stop the bleeding fast, you can always tear off a piece of a coffee filter and press it onto the wound. However, I think we’d all agree that a first aid kit is far more helpful in cleaning up your wounds than a coffee filter.
5) Hold Your Snacks
Coffee filters are incredibly light, cheap and space-saving, which makes them a perfect alternative to plastic bowls. Store your solid food snacks in these for a tasty on-the-go treat.
Many preppers actually forget the importance of snacks) it means you don’t have to keep eating big meals throughout the day and wasting your food supply when you’re not that hungry.
6) Clean The Windows
We’ve all seen the commercial where you watch a bird smack into the window because it was so clean and shiny. Now you can have the same streak-free experience by using your favorite glass cleaner and a coffee filter. Coffee filters are lint-free, so you get the shine without the lint residue on the glass.
7) Prevent Rust
If you’ve got cast iron cookware you know how disappointing it is to find rust lurking on them. Stop this from happening in the future by placing some coffee filters on them after you’ve washed them. The filters will soak up all the water/moisture and help them avoid rust accumulation.
8) Keep Bugs At Bay
There’s nothing more annoying than swatting away flies while you’re trying to enjoy your burger.
Make eating less frustrating by covering the food you’re not eating with a coffee filter) bugs now won’t be able to touch your food.
9) Organize Your Hardware
Few things are more frustrating than losing a screw in the middle of a big project. By organizing types of screws, nails, etc. into separate coffee filters, it’ll help them stay together. Plus, you can tie these off and stick them in your survival backpack for easy storing.
10) Release The Grease
Eating greasy foods can be pretty bad for your health) but you can make it less bad with coffee filters. Slip some coffee filters underneath the cooked food, as well as on top of it. Then, lightly press on the filters to soak up the grease. (This works well on bacon.)
Or, if you want to stop eating bad-for-you greasy foods (at least for part of the day), you could always opt for this healthy and ridiculously delicious freeze-dried fruit.
11) Start Your Garden
Add your favorite vegetable/herb seeds to coffee filters and add water to help them sprout before planting them in a permanent home.
12) Store Your Seeds
Keep seeds away from moisture by storing them in coffee filters in-between seasons.
13) Relieve A Headache
Soak the coffee filters in cold water and freeze. Then apply to your forehead for a cooling compress that’ll help relieve your headache.
14) Prevent Puffiness
Didn’t get much sleep last night? Soak coffee filters in brewed tea, and then chill. Apply to your closed eyes to take away the puffiness.
15) Filter Your Water
Place a coffee filter in a cup, and then pour water inside that is full of large pieces of twigs and debris. The filter will keep the large bits contained and removed from your water. However, this doesn’t remove bacteria, so be sure to boil the filtered water before drinking.
16) Clean Your Glasses
Dirty glasses are a huge pain, especially if you can’t switch into contacts. Simply dip a coffee filter into some cold water and rub on your glasses) they’ll wipe away clean and lint-free. You can also do this with your cell phone, tablet, etc.
17) Pick Up The Poop
If your dog leaves a mess on the hiking trail, stick your hand into a coffee filter to remove it.
18) Use As Toilet Paper
Coffee filters are an alternative if you run out of toilet paper. However, these don’t flush well, so make sure to throw them in a trash can after using them.
19) Absorb Odors
When you’re bugging out, your clothes can get smelly real quick. Make it bearable by pouring baking soda into a coffee filter and tying off the top) you’ve now got something that’ll absorb the odor. Store these in your bug-out bag, tent, shoes, car) anywhere that gives off a bad stench.
20) Retain The Soil
Filling up a flower pot for the first time can get messy. Cover the hole at the bottom with a coffee filter before dumping the soil in. This’ll prevent the soil from spilling out, but will still allow water to drain and keep your plants from getting overly hydrated.
21) Instant Funnel
Cut off the tip of a coffee filter and you’ve got an instant funnel. This is especially helpful when attempting to move fine-grained material into small containers.
22) Clean Up Your Clothes
Rather than washing the whole shirt when you get a stain on it, spot-clean it with a coffee filter instead. Add club soda, vinegar or peroxide to the filter and then dab at the spot until it’s gone.
23) Extend the Life of Your Produce
Wrap your favorite vegetables and fruits in coffee filters and then store them in the fridge. The filter will soak up any moisture on the produce, keeping it fresh for longer.
24) Keep the Stock
If you’re in a crisis, you won’t want to throw anything away. Boil your half-eaten meat and vegetables and pour the contents into a coffee filter. The filter will catch the food scraps, and the remaining liquid can now be used as a stock for future soups/meals.
25) Start a Fire
Soak up grease with a coffee filter) you’ve now got an excellent fire starter.
plain the best method I’ve found for making coffee in camping and survival situations.