Essential oils are natural, long-lasting and multi-purpose. Extracted from plants, they offer powerful health-supporting benefits, making them ideal for survival kits. Some of the best essential oils for emergencies are lavender (stress relief), lemon (disinfectant) and peppermint (energy boost, cooling effect). Essential oils can repel insects, deter pests and provide mild sun protection when mixed with carrier oils. Always dilute oils before skin application, avoid ingestion (unless food-grade) and keep them away from pets and children.
You can use these two pantry staples - vanilla extract and baking soda - either alone or together for an even bigger burst of freshness at a fraction of the cost, without even leaving the house to purchase a new bottle. The vanilla extract and baking soda make a simple DIY air freshener that will have you saying goodbye to the spray cans and hello to a sweet new way of sprucing things up.