This post was just updated for clarity, accurate links, and further defined. This list has NOT been broken down into categories, and is simply expanded from it’s original format from the 2014 update, almost 10 years ago.
- Updated February 24th, 2023
- Updated: 3/16/2014: I am adding links to the products so you do not have to go looking for them where they may apply…
- Generators (Good ones cost dearly. Gas storage, risky. Noisy…target of thieves; maintenance etc.)
- Seasoned Firewood. Wood takes about 6 – 12 months to become dried, for home uses.
- Water Filters/Purifiers
- Berkey Water Filter (Semi Portable/Portable)
- Sawyer Water Filter
- Radiation Water Filter
- Portable Camping Toilets
- Coleman Fuel. Impossible to stockpile too much.
- Guns, Ammunition, Pepper Spray, Clubs, Bats & Slingshots.
- Hand crank manual kitchen tools:
- Long Term Food Preps
- Vegetable Oils (for cooking) Without it food burns/must be boiled etc.,)
- Canola Oil
- Vegetable Oil
- Olive Oil
- BBQ Charcoal & Lighter Fluid (Will become scarce suddenly)
- Water Containers
- Mini Heater(s) like a Buddy Heater with Propane
- Propane Cylinders (Urgent: Definite shortages will occur).
- Propane Cylinder Handle-Holder (Urgent: Small canister use is dangerous without this item)
- Survival Handbooks (Survival Library)
- Lanterns
- Battery Powered
- Propane Powered
- Gas Powered
- Lantern Hangers
- Mantles for Lanterns
- Aladdin, Coleman, etc. (Without this item, longer-term lighting is difficult.)
- Baby Supplies: Diapers/formula. ointments/aspirin, etc.
- Clothing Hygiene
- Cookstoves
- Multi-Vitamins
- Feminine Hygiene/Haircare/Skin products.
- Thermal underwear (Tops & Bottoms)
- Extra Wool Socks
- Cutting
- Aluminum Foil Reg. & Heavy Duty (Great Cooking and Barter Item)
- Gasoline Containers (Plastic & Metal)
- Garbage Bags (Impossible To Have Too Many).
- Toilet Paper, Kleenex, Paper Towels
- Milk
- Garden Seeds (Non-Hybrid) (A MUST)
- Clothes pins/line/hangers (A MUST)
- Coleman’s Pump Repair Kit
- Canned Proteins
- Tuna Fish (in oil and water)
- Chicken
- Beef
- Turkey
- Spam
- Pork
- Egg Powder
- Fire Extinguishers (or a large box of Baking Soda in every room)
- First aid kits (Build Your own or Buy them)
- Batteries (all sizes…buy furthest-out for Expiration Dates)
- Disposable
- Rechargeable
- AA & AA Charger
- AAA & AA Charger
- Phone Chargers
- Spices (Powdered & Ground)
- Garlic,
- Peppers
- Baking supplies
- Italian Seasonings
- Soy sauce,
- Bullions, (Soup Base)
- Any other seasonings you like.
- Vinegars
- White Vinegar
- Apple Cider Vinegar
- Big Dogs (and plenty of dog food)
- Baking Ingredients
- Fire Starting
- Matches {“Strike Anywhere” preferred.) Boxed, wooden matches will go first.
- Lighters
- Ferro Rods
- Etc.
- Writing
- Paper
- Pads/Notebooks
- Journals,
- Diaries & Scrapbooks
- Solar Calculators
- Insulated ice chests (good for keeping items from freezing in Wintertime.)
- Heavy Duty Clothing
- Personal Lighting
- Flashlights
- Light Sticks
- Torches
- Candles
- Solar lighting
- LED USB lighting
- Garbage cans Plastic (great for storage, water, transporting – if with wheels)
- Hygiene:
- Shampoo,
- Toothbrush’s & Toothpaste
- Mouthwash
- Floss
- Nail Clippers
- Tweezers
- Safety Razors
- Towels & Washcloths
- Cookware
- Fishing Supplies and Tools
- Pest Repellants / Poisons
- Mosquito coils/repellent,
- Mosquito sprays/creams
- d-con Rat poison,
- MOUSE PRUFE II,
- Roach Killer
- Duct Tape (Lots of duct tape)
- Tarps – Canvas / Plastic (Different Sizes)
- Tent Stakes
- Twine
- Paracord
- Nails
- Ropes
- Spikes
- Emergency Candles (different sizes)
- Laundry Detergent (liquid)
- Backpacks, Duffel Bags
- Garden tools & supplies (Manual Tools & Battery Powered Tools)
- Scissors, Fabrics & Sewing Supplies
- Canned Foods
- Canned Fruits,
- Veggies,
- Soups,
- Stews,
- Etc.
- Bleach (plain, NOT Scented: 4 to 6% sodium hypochlorite)
- Pool Shock to Make Your Own Bleach
- Canning supplies, (Jars/lids/wax)
- Knives (Lots of Knives)
- Chef’s Knife
- Skinning Knife
- Other Kitchen Knives
- Cleaver(s)
- Bushcraft
- Tactical
- Fighting
- Folding Knife
- Assisted Open Folders
- Sharpening Tools: Files, Stones, Steel(s)
- Bicycles… Tires/Tubes/Pumps/Chains, Etc.
- Sleeping Bags & Wool Blankets, Pillows, Sleeping Mats/Floor Mattress
- Carbon Monoxide Alarm (battery powered)
- Board Games, Cards, Dice
- Mousetraps, Rat Traps, Ant traps & Cockroach Magnets
- Paper Plates/Cups/Utensils (stock up, folks)
- Baby Wipes (Invaluable), Essential Oils, Waterless & Antibacterial Soaps (saves a lot of water)
- Rain Gear, Rubberized Boots, Head Gear, etc.
- Hand Pumps & Siphons (For water and fuel transport)
- Reading Glasses (Different Strengths)
- Chocolate, Candy & Chewing Gum
- Woolen Clothing, Scarves, Winter Hats, Earmuffs, Mittens, Winter Gloves
- Boy Scout Handbook, (Various Years)
- Boy Scout Merit Badge Booklets (for quick learning of critical skills at a high level)
- Roll-on Window Insulation Kits
- Flatbreads
- Graham Crackers,
- Saltines,
- Pretzels,
- Portable Proteins
- Trail Mix
- Jerky
- Peanut Butter
- Nuts
- Winter Clothing
- Socks,
- Underwear,
- T-shirts,
- Etc. (extras)
- Lumber (all types)
- Wagons & Carts (for transport to and from)
- Cots & Inflatable Mattress’s
- Gloves:
- Work
- Warming
- Gardening,
- Tactical,
- Etc.
- Screen Patches, Glue, Nails, Screws, Nuts & Bolts
- Beverages
- Cigarettes (Bribes & Barter)
- Wine/Liquors (Bribes, barter, Medicinal Purposes,)
- Paraffin Wax & Candle Wicks
- Atomizers (for cooling/bathing)
- Hats & Cotton Neckerchiefs
- Livestock
- Chickens
- Rooster (if you are going to inseminate & hatch chicks)
- Goats
- Rabbits
- Ducks
- Fictional Books for Entertainment
- Crayons & Colored Pencils for kids entertainment
- Coloring books and activity books for kids
- “Survival-in-a-Can” Kit(s) you build yourself for 1st, second, & 3rd Line requirements
Grr this makes me crazy. I enter the correct Captcha but it says its wrong and then have to retype. It doesn’t save it when you hit back arrow.
ok…
This list is very useful but I had a couple of questions. Why liquid laundry detergent? I find I get more uses per container of powdered detergent and its cheaper. Next, what is survival-in-a-can?
Something I would add to this list is shoelaces. For both your workboots and tennis shoes or any other sturdy shoe that uses laces.
@Tami – I hate the Captcha too, but the spammers kill the blog if I do not have it..
Not sure why they say liquid… I copied the list from somewhere a couple years ago and found the file on my hard drive… Simply sharing it… Survival in a can is also probably like an altoid can survival kit. I am going to do a post in a week or two on mine, what is in it, how to pack it tight, and why I carry it… There are a couple posts already here with the contents if you are interested: http://suburbansurvivalblog.com/my-altoids-edc-emergency-kit
Liquid, probably, because it is easier to use and clean up. Growing up we washed our clothes by hand with liquid detergent (I’m 21, when I tell people this online they instantly assume I’m 60). Now, I find powdered to have more uses if you have a washing machine. I think liquid also comes in handy when it comes to washing other things especially if you run out of certain items – ie. dish detergent, soap, cleaning products. Also, there are people who have allergies or get rashes (my bf cannot touch powdered or he gets a rash).Survival-in-a-can in tiny version of what people call a bug out bag. Medical supplies (aspirins,bandaids, alcohol), food (soup, sugar, tea), and survival items (matches, duct tape, compass) usually found within. Instead of 72 hours with a bug out bag, it is geared toward the first (or last) crucial hours (up to 24 hours).
Good list, a few things I never thought of, glad you posted this. What is “survival in a can”?
I think they meant an altoid kit. Not sure though…
This list is from survivalcache.com
They have several good lists including 100 more things to stock.
@bob122 Ah, you are probably right. Those guys are awesome… Have never spoken to them, but their posts are usually fantastic. Thanks for clarifying.
One of the few items I’m considering just for barter is storing tobacco seeds. Seeds are to grow…tobacco is to barter.
@Prepography I agree. I have a friend who is growing his own tobacco in the Northeast and drying it to use for barter and prepping…
Thank you for this extensive list.
Thank you for the infro.
As a house wife I have yet to see Light bulbs or A.C. filters on the lists anywhere. There are other daily use items I don’t see either but since many peppers will have an energy source, I just mentioned these.
Susan, I think HVAC Filters are a great idea… I’ve likely let that prep slip through the cracks since I seem to only ever have three of them on hand. As for lightbulbs, I am increasingly getting away from standard light bulbs and going LED with almost everything in the house. Many of the replacement bulbs, etc are rated for 10 – 20+ years… So likely I’ll be able to make some space in a closet soon by getting rid of many extra bulbs just hanging around.
Great suggestions, though!!! Thanks.