5 Items you probably should NOT stock long term

Toilet paper stockFor many preppers on a budget, the ability to stockpile goods and supplies might be limited. They may have to stock just a little at a time. And in that case, I hope that they are not stockpiling items which maybe they shouldn’t.

I wanted to take a look at some items that you may NOT want to stock pile long-term and the reasons why. I also try to have some alternatives available as well.

Many of the items listed below are items you SHOULD have in a disaster, so do NOT think I’m saying not to have these items. Instead, I’m saying that in your long-term planning (i.e. the grid goes down for an extended time) these are items you should think about having alternative plans and options for.

Toilet Paper

Now hear me out. NO ONE out there understands the importance of good, quality toilet paper more than I do. I always have about 6 weeks’ supply on hand. But there is a big draw back to trying to hoard toilet paper long-term.

The problem is that large amounts of toilet paper are bulky and take up a lot of room. For me, in an urban setting, I have trouble storing more than a month’s supply for my family. So if a true long-term disaster struck, beyond 2 to 3 months I’ll be in a crappy situation.

The average person uses over 100 rolls of TP per year. Now multiple that times the number of your family members/group. That’s a lot of room for a hoard of TP! And yes, my family goes through AT LEAST that much TP.

If you have the room to store mass quantities of toilet paper, then by all means go for it! Someday I might be very envious of you. But if you are like me, and you have limited storage space, then you mtpight look at other methods of handling a potential dirty situation in a long SHTF event.

One alternative is using wash rags or flannel strips to clean with. (Flannel does not tend to fray as bad as other cotton materials.) If you go this route, first be sure to use CLEAN cloth. Also, keep these strips away from other laundry and wash them separately. You might keep a 5 gallon bucket with a lid by the toilet to throw the strips into.

You can use a manual washer to hand wash the strips in the 5 gallon bucket. I would suggest a water and vinegar solution. I would also let the strips boil in hot water for at least 20 minutes.

The ancient Romans used sponges on a stick to handle their “cleanup”. They would then use vinegar to clean the sponges. In a worst case scenario, you could do this. I would recommend using a smaller sponge as it will be easier to clean. You do this by using a water/vinegar solution and then boil it for at least 20 minutes.

Liquid Bleach

The average shelf life of bleach is about 6 to 9 months or so, if kept at optimum conditions. After that point, bleach will begin to degrade. And chances are, if the grid is down a long time, you WON’T have optimum conditions.

Instead, I recommend calcium hypochlorite (CaCl2O2). It has a LONG shelf life (up to 10 years if kept air tight and in dark place). You can use this to “make bleach” and to treat clear water for drinking. Just be sure to get as close to 100% pure calcium hypochlorite as possible. Do NOT have any CaCl2O2 that contains algaecides or fungicides. Ingredients should read calcium hypochlorite and INERT ingredients. Use a brand with at least 78% CaCl2O2. The higher the CaCl2O2 amount, the better!

To treat clear water with calcium hypochlorite there are a couple of ways to do it. If you want to directly treat the water with calcium hypochlorite use the following formula:

  • 1 Gallon: add one grain, about the size of the period at the end of this sentence.
  • 55 Gallons: add 1/8 teaspoon for a 5ppm solution.
  • 400 Gallons: add 1 level teaspoon for a 5ppm solution.

My recommendation is to make a 5% chlorine solution to be able to use the drop method for disinfecting water. You do this by adding and dissolving ½ teaspoon of calcium hypochlorite into ¾ cup of clean water. This solution will decay at the same rate of regular 5.25% bleach, so don’t make more than you will use in a short time. Then use this mixture to treat clear water as you would regular bleach. (4-6 drops per gallon.)

Please keep in mind that CaCl2O2 should be handled with care. Eye protection and gloves should be worn when handling, and you should be in a well-ventilated area. Inhaling it could irritate the lungs and over time may cause a build-up of fluid on the lungs, ie. pulmonary edema.

In addition, you should keep it away from other chemicals, ESPECIALLY any form of acids. CaCl2O2 is chemically reactive with many substances, and any contamination with other substances by spill or otherwise could cause a chemical reaction and/or fire. And because CaCl2O2 is a strong oxidizer, it is capable of intensifying a fire once started.

As for cleaning/disinfecting purposes, vinegar also works well if you do not have any more bleach. And the shelf life of vinegar can last for decades if stored properly! (In fact, I include vinegar on my list of 10 items you SHOULD stock pile long-term!)

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Certain meds

As I talk about in 10 items you should stock long-term, (see above link) if you have any medications with a discard date, then absolutely you should toss them once that date is reached. Things like insulin should NOT be used past their date. Liquid meds, such as eye drops, are included in this category as well.

Drugs that need refrigeration, such as amoxicillin suspension, should also be tossed if the date has passed, OR if it is no longer refrigerated.

Vaccines, biologicals or blood products will lose their potency VERY quickly once their expiration dates are reached.

To make matters worse, these drugs can “go bad” before their expiration date if they are not stored properly. And maintaining optimum storage conditions for these meds in a “grid down” scenario is going to be extremely difficult.

Most of these type drugs have a very limited shelf life, and can cause you all sorts of problems and issues if used past their expiration date. So trying to store these drugs long-term may not be a wise plan.

In a long-term SHTF situation, you might have to make some hard choices with some of these medications. Just be aware of all the risks involved.

Gasoline

Most folks I know have a few gallons stored in their garage for their lawnmower and chain saw. But storing large amounts of gas for long-term is not a good idea for many reasons.

explodeThe first is that gas does not have a long shelf life. Maybe 6 months to a year under optimum conditions and with the right treatment in place. Gas that’s been sitting around will begin to undergo several chemical processes that degrade the fuel. This includes evaporation and oxidation. Oxidation occurs when hydrocarbons react with oxygen, producing new compounds that eventually change the fuel’s chemical composition to “muck” and will gum up your engine.

That means you would need to rotate your stock of gas regularly. Trying to rotate large amounts of gas can be a pain in the ass I’m sure. And if it goes bad then what? You can’t get rid of it by simply pouring it down the drain. Well, I guess you can, but you will be violating all sorts of state and federal laws by illegally disposing of toxic substances.

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Next, in many areas it is illegal to store large amounts of gasoline. This will vary from place to place. For example, in NYC you cannot store more than 2.5 gallons legally without a permit. I’ll let you guess all the bureaucratic hoopla you have to go through to get that permit!

Third, not only is gas highly flammable, it emits vapors which can cause you all sorts of problems as they get out. The results will NOT be good.

There are alternative sources of fuel. Everything from solar, to kinetic, or even propane. You can also make your own biodiesel, or build a gasifier.

A lot of preppers turn to propane over gas because you can buy it everywhere and the shelf-life of propane is almost indefinite. But there are some things to consider if you go this route.

First, propane, like gas, is flammable. So NEVER store it in your house. Store it some place away from heat sources or where there might be sparks. Propane is also heavier than air, so if it leaks it stays along the bottom of the floor…there it is good at seeking out pilot lights!

Propane is also toxic. So exercise caution when using it.

And finally, propane is a finite resource. Eventually, it will run out. That’s why my plans involve gear/supplies that use solar energy and/or are kinetic.

Gold and Silver

There will be those of you who disagree with me. If you are one of those of you who buy gold and silver as a financial investment, skip this part. This is geared for those people who buy gold and silver simply to have something to barter with after it all goes to hell.

Gold and silver will always have an intrinsic value. History has proven that. But if we have a TEOTWAWKI event, and the global economy collapses, your gold and silver will be basically worthless for at least the first several years of the event.

God forbid the grid goes down for good, there will be a time when the focus will be on merely surviving. Food, water, shelter, etc will be what is important. Having the tools and abilities to survive will be king. Those times will be the most taxing, the most trying. And it is THOSE times we are preparing for. Not until society has had time to “reset itself” and stabilize will that gold and silver have any real value on the market.

With gold/silver, you cannot eat it. You cannot grow anything with it. You cannot start a fire with it or purify water with it. You can’t wipe your ass with it. It has no worth beyond its intrinsic value.

fakeAsk yourself this….in a TRUE SHTF event, what out of your supplies, preps, and gear would you trade away for gold or silver? If you say not a thing, don’t you think that would be everyone else’s answer as well? Especially if they do not have the expertise to tell the difference between real and fake gold or silver. Can you tell the difference?

If barter is something that you absolutely want to include in your prepping plans, then instead of purchasing precious metals, I would urge you to look for other things with which you could trade. Things which have a purpose greater than just barter.

For example, certain skills would be in high demand. Those in the medical profession, skilled mechanics, carpenters, and gun smiths would have skill sets that they could parlay into equitable commodities. And you can use those skills over and over. They don’t disappear like coins do.

So in that regard, it makes more sense to me to use the money you would buy gold or silver with and instead invest in yourself by enrolling in skill courses or programs. Your local vo-tech should offer multiple classes on things like first aid, small engine repair, etc. Sure, it requires time and commitment on your part. But those skills could save you and/or your family’s life some day! (And they weigh nothing in your bug out bag!)

Click here to start stocking up

In addition, you might consider other stockable items for barter, like alcohol. Not only does alcohol have value, it also has other utilities, such as a disinfectant and pain suppressant.

If you are looking for alcohol and spirits to store for long-term use, I’d stay away from beers and wines. Yes, some wines get better with age. But many turn to vinegar over time. And most wines do not have an alcohol percentage high enough to have much medicinal value. The same goes for beer.

Instead, I’d look for booze that is at least 40% alcohol (or 80 proof). Those work well as disinfectants.

That being said, if you are looking at alcohol to stock long-term (as opposed to using for personal consumption) I would stay away from things like liqueurs, which usually have sugar in them. This typically shortens their shelf life.

I’d stockpile things like spirits that are plain and not flavored. Distilled alcohols like vodka or grain alcohol have a VERY long shelf life. Whiskey is another option to consider, although I personally am not a whiskey drinker.

There are other items you can stockpile to use and possibly trade. The shelf life of freeze-dried coffee is decades when left unopened, and several years once opened. And trust me, what you don’t use would be a valuable trade good.

Salt also has several different uses (food flavoring, preserving meat, etc) and can last forever if stored correctly. Honey can also last indefinitely if stored correctly. Both of these will have value on a barter economy. And both can be used by you every day during a SHTF event.

Extra gear can always be bartered as well. Having an extra axe, knife, rope, or some extra candles could come in handy at the “barter table”. And they are still useful to you should you need them.

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Are there things out there that you would NOT stock long-term but you did not see listed here? Tell me about them and why you don’t stock up on them in the comments below.

Also, be sure to check out my 10 items you SHOULD stock long term!

Stay safe out there!

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James L

A former outdoor survival instructor, James currently works as a deputy sheriff in a suburb of Oklahoma City. He is the operational commander of a multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency warrant team. They specialize in locating and arresting dangerous and violent criminals. James has over 20 years experience in law enforcement, and is also a certified police trainer.

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24 Responses

  1. Nightfury77 says:

    I disagree with the section on silver. Learn how to make colloidal silver and use it as a backup antibiotic. You can also make creams with it for wounds. If you disinfect a wound with alcohol first that is fine but do not continue to use the alcohol as it will inhibit cell growth and take longer to heal therefore a greater chance to become infected.

  2. Jane says:

    Storing TP had never occurred to me. The size of the TP rolls/packages is certainly something to consider. Coming up with alternatives is advisable. Thanks for sharing this.

  3. Peggy says:

    I found the Toilet Paper Coins and they are so small, the size of about 3 nickles stacked together and they are great! Only thing – you have to get them wet which takes about a Tablespoon of water. Unroll them and they are bigger than a baby wipe, stronger and can be washed out and used again if needed. You can store multiple packages of these in less space than rolls of TP

  4. Lise says:

    I love this list! On the thought of toilet paper: most people would be stunned about it being on this list of things NOT to stock up on. Our family personally only stocks about 2 months worth of TP. If something happened beyond that, we are prepared to “go cloth”. WHAT?! Cloth?! Yes! Any good preparedness family plan and stock should include a stash of “Family Cloth”. It is super quick and easy to make and use (seriously! only one straight stitch to sew, if you want to sew them at all!). You can even buy them already sewn up on etsy for cheap! Those interested can check these links:

    http://redandhoney.com/how-to-get-started-with-family-cloth-and-why-you-might-actually-love-it/

    http://www.pennilessparenting.com/2010/06/reusable-toilet-paper-family-cloth.html

  5. Jodi M says:

    Curious, do they reform to a usable shape?

  6. Desmond says:

    Toilet paper! Save those telephone directories. They’re free, compact,easy-to-store, and are certainly better than using precious water, soap, and energy to wash dirty rags.

  7. Flake Out says:

    Of course, if you’re likely to need some vinegar for various purposes (such as cleaning your latrine “wipe” rags), you might just want to store some of that kind of wine that turns into it; just make sure you know the long-term difference when storing alcohol and vinegar so you’ll have a proper supply of both.

  8. James L says:

    I welcome ALL tips and hints on storing bulk TP long term. I’m glad I included this in the list, because I’m now getting ideas on how to compact it and make it easier to store. Thank you!

  9. Roger says:

    We buy the tobacco in bags and again put them in bags and shrink them down with a vacuum sealer. We don’t smoke but it would be great for trading. I also do this for coffee and other little things.

    • James L says:

      Freeze dried coffee will last for decades if left unopened, and several years when opened. 🙂

  10. Roger says:

    I take it off the roll and then I put it in a plastic bag and shrink it down with my vacuum sealer. I now can store 12 rolls inside of a small shoe box.

  11. flguy says:

    Good article. I have to reconsider my bleach stash. I didn’t know that it goes bad.

    I had a friend that was able to smuggle himself and his family out of Vietnam using gold jewelry and gem stones that were hidden on their persons. Lots of bribes. Cash was useless. The family had made the short list of the Viet Cong and just barely made it out with what they had on. Some precious metals might not be bad.

    I started buying these super rolls of toilet paper from Sams club. The type they use in the big dispensers. Lots of sheets, less space. I would hate to think of a world without toilet paper.

    • James L says:

      Your story of your friend from Vietnam is an interesting one. It is something I had not considered before. I don’t know if that will change the way I prepare, but I do feel like you gave me something to think about. So thank you. 🙂

  12. Doug says:

    FYI.
    Calcium hypochlorite is not CH. it is CaCl2O2

    • James L says:

      A semester of high school chemistry…down the drain!! 🙂

      Seriously though, I was typing CH so I didn’t have to type out Calcium hypochlorite. But I did learn something, so thank you.

  13. woodchuck says:

    I disagree with you on the TP. Each family should probably do a “test count” to see how much they actually use. It stacks and stores well and in my own experience, it does not deteriorate.I have had a roll in my hunting gear for over twenty years and it is fine.
    I’ll look into the bleach. Your’s looks like a god idea.
    I have 100 gallons of gasoline delivered each spring. I treat it with Sta-bil and it has been good for the full year for quite a few years. I keep in a sealed tank with a standard nozzle to use in my generator, tractor, etc.
    I do keep some gold and silver coins. I do somewhat agree with you for the short term, but still feel comfortable with what I consider a reasonable amount.
    You are correct about most meds that need refrigeration, or are a suspension. Most pills, non prescription pain relievers to common antibiotics last much longer than their listed expiration dates. Store in a dark cool place if you can.
    As far as barter goes, I tend to agree with the majority comment that I don’t store things I don’t plan to use.

    • James L says:

      I didn’t say TP breaks down….just that it is bulky.

      I live in a suburb, so between all my other food, water, gear, etc. storage space is limited. If you have enough room to store mass quantities of TP, like I said, someday I might be envious of you. 🙂

      That being said, I did offer alternatives for people out there like me who don’t have room for a hoard of TP.

  14. Illini Warrior says:

    in regard to TP – crush the inner paper roll – squash and tite pack the rolls into a drum container – something like 120 rolls fit in a 35 gallon drum ….

  15. L.A.West says:

    If SHTF – and most of the GRID is down because of WAR – Nuclear war – and US soil has been invaded by multiple foreign forces, and it looks like this is the likely scenario as the UN sends in forces to take over and FORCE us to accept world government overlords, it’ll be tricky to outwit these scumbags who will make bartering, gold and silver bullion, guns, ammo, illegal for most. The Elites will always have their “Special Status” and be able to get things ‘ the proletariat ” cannot get. For a while any way… Not everyone will have a viable, in demand, valuable, skill in which to capitalize on. Most won’t. And the areas that DO need some skilled professionals and specialists will quickly have more applicants than they can handle. If the overlords are in control – you may not be able to “SELL” any skill without a special permit that will cost ( bribery ) Big-bucks for you to grease several palms to get. And then you may have to pay them a percentage of what make as well – or Payola, aka extortion.
    No one said the AFTER – SHTF days would be rosy or fair. Everyone will be spying on, ratting out, pointing a finger towards the other for small rewards . . . and no one can be be trusted – not even extended family members. So keep your preps secret and STFU. Goon squads will be making rounds looking for Prepper food and supply hoards as well as guns and will arrest all they find who has them. The government is trying to shut down cottage industries now and require permits and taxes when and where they can make it stick… and they are after farmers markets, road side stands that sell direct to the consumer without any middleman and not charge TAXES. You can’t make and sell illegal booze – now the revenuers are coming for your farm families. They are already stomping on little girls sidewalk cool-aid /cookie stands.
    Hoarding supplies and foods makes sense for the short term – three to 12 months for a family. Yet, if you’re forced to evacuate and relocate to some unknown place – you’ll have a hard time taking all your prep’s with you and keep it a secret as well. Most will NOT have a second or third location all stocked for them to bug out for… and I’m tired of hearing people selling this yarn. Most of us have ONE home and we prep and store everything in that home…not all over the nation or state and have an aircraft ready to fly to at a moments notice. The only one’s that do – are the mega wealthy elites, the Government Super Arks – bunkers, and the Military.
    If and when total SHTF – TEOTWAWKI happens – we’re all FUCKED in one way or the other. Not for just US citizens – for the whole world. No one can send Nuclear missiles back and forth across the globe and expect to win or survive for very long. Two days of Nuclear War world wide will usher a Nuclear Winter that’ll last for 3 to 10 years or more. And there goes all of your fresh potable water sources… No crops, no water, no heat, no electricity, EMP’s have wrecked and shut down everything, including Nuclear power plants that are going into full melt down modes, dying and dead animals, dead fish, mass kills rotting everywhere, dead and dying people, insects populations like you’ve never seen because of the decimation of birds and bats, rats and mice gnawing on everything spread death and diseases – and I suspect – the Walking Dead Zombies will be everywhere. Do you want to survive this? I don’t! I’ll end it…if I’m not incinerated first in a bright flash!

  16. MICoyote says:

    Sorry, but TP will last over 10 years.

  17. RayK says:

    Another reason to not stock TP long term is that the paper is high in acid. This means that it deteriorates quickly. In a long term situation, you might find yourself with paper flakes rather than toilet paper. I stock 4 of those large bundles from the bulk big box store, but I make sure to rotate them through household consumption.

  18. Danae Cassandra says:

    One thing I’m of the opinion on never stocking is any item solely for barter. The best example here is tobacco. Do you, or a family member, smoke? If the answer is no, there is no need to stock tobacco as a “good barter” item. Stock more of something you will use. Stocking something for which the only purpose is trade is a waste of money. You are betting on not only finding someone to trade with, but that they will want the item you have and they will have something you want. If you simply stocked more of things you would have a use for, then you will not have wasted space and money on something that may be useless. And you’d still have items for bartering if they were needed, because you would have extras.

    • James L says:

      Danae, I could not agree with you more. I have an article on barter that will be out in a week or less on exactly this subject.

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