#surivial

It helps to know some natural (and/or alternative) ways to stay clean. After all, toothpaste and other medicines will be hard to come by; especially when it's one of those valuable items to stock pile. If you are lucky to find some medicine or hygiene products they could have expired by then, especially if their seal has been opened. That's why it's always good to know the alternatives.

For example, maybe you're suffering from severe dry skin or have gotten lice. Just rub on some olive oil to your skin and it'll be back to it's healthy state. It can also treat lice, just apply and leave on for 40 minutes, then wash the hair twice. Actually, there are many other ways that olive oil can be used for:

Shaving

Control hair frizz

Cuticles

Free a stuck zipper

Lip balm

Stop snoring (a sip before bed could help by lubricating your throat muscles)

Cure an earache (soaked cotton swab in the ear can help; also helps to clear out excess ear wax)

Fix a squeaky door

Helps clean-up tools (can help to cut down on built-up blood and dirt)

Condition leather

Cure diaper rash

Also look into coconut oil which has A LOT of uses, more so than olive oil. Besides, first things survivors and looters grab at stores or abandon homes are manufactured products. They're not going to think that a can of unopened olive oil is going to be beneficial for them. So take advantage of that!

They probably didn't think of how useful some of the items left behind could be. For example, cinnamon oil can be used for skin infection, helps relieve pain, helps to stop the bleeding, eliminates mosquitoes, helps to ease menstrual cramps, yeast infections, arthritis, colds, flu, and so on. Activated charcoal is a fine, odorless, black powder often used in emergency rooms to treat overdoses or poisonings. It also can work as a natural water filter by absorbing a range of toxins, drugs, viruses, bacteria, fungus, and chemicals found in water. 

Chilli peppers and cayenne peppers contain the active ingredient, capsaicin. When applied to the skin it can reduce pain from rheumatoid arthritis, nerve and joint pain. It’s also used in pepper spray and in insect-repellent formulas. Baking soda can used for cooking, cleaning, deodorizing or even to extinguish small fires. It has abrasive properties so you can use it to remove dead skin cells or to clean your teeth. But don’t brush your teeth with it too often though as it can damage your tooth enamel. A paste of baking soda and water can also soothe irritation from bug bites.

In colonial America, the early settlers would use the perennial herb called Soapwort, in particularly it’s leaves and roots as a mild detergent and soap because it was commonly grown. It can even be dried for later use and still lather when it’s needed. To make a soap solution with soapwort, use 1 tablespoon of dried leaves or roots (three tablespoons if the herb is fresh) per cup of water. Bring the water to a boil, add the herb, and allow to simmer for ten to fifteen minutes. Strain and cool before use. This soapwort solution can be used for hair, skin, and clothing. Just be sure to NOT dump the soapwort solution directly into a pond or stream where live fish are present because it’s toxic to them.

Even other items can be useful, such as a crayon, which can be used as a candle. It will burn for 30 minutes, so imagine having a box full of them. No one will think of crayons having a practical use. People will want batteries to power radios and flashlights, but eventually those will run out and they'll want candles. When things start getting harder to find, it's best to know all of your options.

The important thing is to not forget about your personal hygiene. A hot shower with soap is ideal, but in a survival situation this luxury is rarely available. Using soap and a wet cloth to wash yourself will suffice. An air bath, although not ideal, can suffice if no water is available. Remove as much of your clothing as possible and expose your body to air for at least 1 hour.

Don't forget to keep your tools and clothing clean as well. If you don't have soap, scrubbing them in really hot or cold water will be effective. Or if you have the time and materials to do so, make your own soap or substitute it. 

For example; Wood ashes are a great way to clean your mess kit and cooking gear and they are almost as effective as dish soap. In a pinch they are a great way to clean up your dirty gear and can even be used as an alternative to hand soap.

Place your ashes into whatever needs cleaning

Add some water and mix the ashes into a paste.

Scrub your dishes well with the ash paste.

Rinse with boiled or treated water. (Make sure that the water you are using is from a contaminated free source)

Another example is to make soap from yucca leaves. This blog, Sensible Survival has a tutorial in how to do just that without killing the plant.