If I had known there were so many survival uses for toilet paper rolls, I would have stopped throwing them away a long time ago.
I mean, I know I’m not the only one; millions of people throw these little cardboard tubes away every single week.
However, if you can collect them rather than toss them in the bin, you’ll realize that empty toilet paper rolls are surprisingly helpful in survival situations.
Once you read this article, you’ll want to start stocking up on toilet paper rolls. We suggest you add them to your bug out bag or camping gear to help you prepare for survival.
14 Amazing Survival Uses For Toilet Paper Rolls
1 – Cover Your Blade
This one is so easy! Simply flatten the toilet paper roll and crease the edges so it stays flat. Then take some duct tape and tape one end of the roll shut. You’ve now got a great blade cover for your survival knives!
Note: Speaking of which, we’ve got a really cool tactical pen knife below (sharp, versatile and discreet!) that doesn’t even require a toilet paper roll covering.
2 – Tinder Holder
Toilet paper rolls can be a great, convenient way to keep your tinder together and protected from rain.
Take some dryer lint and stuff it inside the roll. Once it’s full, wrap the roll in a piece of newspaper, and tape off the ends. Now when you’re ready to start a fire, all you have to do is open up one end of the roll and pour your tinder on the ground.
3 – DIY Pest Trap
Don’t allow yourself to get bitten by mosquitos and other bugs, especially when SHTF. You can prevent yourself getting a variety of diseases by stopping these little buggers in their tracks.
Grab a toilet paper roll and punch one hole at the top on either side of it. Then grab a string and put it through the holes, tying the string together at the top. Now grab two-sided tape and stick it all over the roll.
Hang up your new fly/mosquito trap where you’re sitting to help catch them.
Note: If they’re bugging you too much, you might just have to end up eating them. Click here to see our blog on 8 bugs to eat for survival.
4 – Start Seeds
Toilet paper rolls make for great containers to start seedlings in, especially if you want to save some money.
Watch this short video to see how you can use toilet paper rolls to start your own seeds:
5 – Dry Out Your Boots
Wet feet is the LAST thing you want in a survival situation; prepare in advance by bringing along some toilet paper rolls. Place these standing up in your boots, and they’ll keep the tops open and air circulating through to dry them out.
Note: You need to protect your entire body from getting wet in a survival situation – not just your feet. Keep yourself warm and dry with our heavy duty vinyl poncho right here.
6 – Protect Your Papers
If you’ve got important documents you’re bringing in an SHTF situation (such as identification documents), it’s crucial that you keep them together and protected.
One way to do this is to take a few toilet paper rolls and tape them together, making one long roll. Then, roll up your documents and stick them inside. The toilet paper rolls will keep your papers together and protected from rain (and if you drop them accidentally).
7 – Catch Dinner
If you’re in a survival situation, you’ll need to learn to catch your own game. You can use toilet paper rolls to help you do it.
Take glue or double-sided tape and attach corn and other small goodies to the sides of the roll. Leave these around your site and wait for an animal to come and eat it. When it does, you’ll have ample opportunity to catch it and start cooking.
8 – Keep Your Rope & Paracord Together
A great way to keep your rope and paracord from getting tangled is to wrap them around a toilet paper roll, and then tying it off taping it at the end.
If you’re low on either rope or paracord, I highly suggest you stock up by clicking the images below:
100′ X 1/4” POLYETHYLENE ROPE
BLACK PARACORD 100′ 7 STRAND 550 LBS RATED
9 – Organize Your Cords
Whether you’ve got paracord or cords for electronics, you’ve got to be able to keep them organized and free of tangles. A great way to do this is to slip them inside a toilet paper roll. This way, you’ll keep them separated and tangle-free.
10 – Hold Your Fishing Supplies
Small fishing supplies like hooks, bait and bobbers are a pain when they get loose in your bug out bag. Avoid this by stapling the end of your toilet paper roll together, and then packing your fishing supplies inside. Staple/tape the other end to keep them safe until you need them.
We’ve got a fantastic alternative to this method: the Paracord Grenade Kit. It’s got 14 pieces of essential survival gear (including fishing supplies), all wrapped up in 9 feet of 550 lb. paracord. Plus, it’s so compact it easily fits on your keychain! See this top-seller here.
11 – Amplify Your Alerts
If you’re getting radio updates or news on your smart phone, you’ll need to make it so the entire group can hear. Amplify the sound by cutting a long rectangle down the center of your toilet paper roll, and then sticking the speaker end of your phone into the hole.
If you’re in a survival situation, you’ll need to get as many radio/weather alerts as you can; however, if you’re only depending on your phone, you’ll be up a creek when the battery runs out. Avoid this with one of our super dependable, solar-powered crank radios.
12 – DIY Glasses Case
If you accidentally lose your glasses case, you can store them inside a toilet paper roll and seal the ends for easy storage.
13 – Fire Starter
You can add toilet paper rolls to your other tinder, and you’ll have a fire going in no time.
That’s what this guy did in the video below:
If you’re in the market for a super fast, efficient fire starter that doesn’t need lighter fluid, works every time and won’t let you down (even in the wind and rain). Check out our top-selling Tesla USB Double Arc Electric Lighter.
14 – Build A House
By using shredded toilet paper rolls, cement, sand, containers, MDF moulds, and a stucco mixer, you can create “papercrete” – a paper, concrete mixture that can be used to build a sweet bug out house for when SHTF!
Here’s a video of the process. Note: In this video, they used newspaper; however, toilet paper rolls can easily be substituted.