Self Sufficiency
Homemade Pepper Spray Tutorial For Self Defense | Survival Hacks

Follow this homemade pepper spray tutorial for a cheap and effective self-defense weapon that you can always have on hand that’s made from pantry staples.
Easy DIY Homemade Pepper Spray For Self Protection
For anyone who values their safety, it’s important to consider self-defense strategies to protect yourself in a time of danger. While some may choose to learn physical protection strategies like tae kwon do or judo, not everyone has the time to squeeze in a daily lesson. When you’re forced to choose between fight and flight, it’s always good to have a backup on hand! Although they can be a bit pricey, store-bought tasers and pepper sprays can help protect you in times of need. For those of you who are up for a challenge, try one of the most inexpensive self-defense weapons you can make yourself – DIY pepper spray.
A Word of Caution
Please use caution when making your own pepper spray! This is a highly irritable natural weapon. We recommend the following:
- Wear protective gear like gloves and goggles.
- Prepare the pepper spray in a well-ventilated area.
- Always be alert and don’t spill or spray on yourself.
- Have Asthma? Don’t make this.
- If the solution comes into contact with eyes, flush eyes IMMEDIATELY for 15-20 minutes in running water.
- Make at your own risk*
Pepper Spray Ingredients
You’ll need the following 6 things to make pepper spray:
- Ground Pepper
- Alcohol
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Spray Bottle
- Small Mixing Bowl
- Coffee Filter
Details as follows…
Pick Your Pepper
You can use fresh, dried, or powdered pepper — it all works. Here’s the breakdown…
Choose 1 of the following:
- Powdered Cayenne Pepper – 2 tbsp
- Fresh or Dried Pepper – 15-20 pieces should make 2 tbsp ground up
Powdered cayenne pepper is a great choice to include as it can be incredibly irritating to the eyes. For an added punch, grind up the whole pepper to release its natural oils. Check out this tutorial on how to grow your own pepper plant if you’d like to create your own supply!
Alcohol
Alcohol is an essential part in making your pepper spray. It acts as a solvent and bonds with the pepper to release the capsaicin found in peppers. While rubbing alcohol is recommended, vodka will also work if you have on hand. Adding this stinging ingredient will also allow your spray to last longer – up to 2 months.
Baby Oil or Vegetable Oil
There’s a secret ingredient in creating pepper spray — oil. Baby oil or vegetable oil will make the spray adhere to the attacker’s clothing and skin. Add one tablespoon of oil for every two tablespoons of pepper. The recipe we’re using today calls for 4 tbsp of baby oil.
Ok, so now you’ve gathered your ingredients. Here’s what to do next…
Homemade Pepper Spray Steps:
- 2 tbsp pepper – Start with your pepper in a small mixing bowl
- Rubbing alcohol – Slowly add the rubbing alcohol to the pepper until pepper is completely submerged. Stir well to activate and combine.
- 4 tbsp baby oil – Slowly add the oil into the solution. Stir well to activate and combine.
- Let the mixture sit in a cool dry place overnight so the ingredients can fully fuse.
- Filter – After leaving your pepper spray mixture overnight, filter it to remove sediments that could clog your nozzle.
- Spray bottle – Prepare a clean and empty spray bottle, add the filtered pepper spray solution.
- Screw cap on tightly!
- TIP: Dress up your pepper spray bottle distinctively so you’ll know which one is it when you have to use it for an emergency.
With just a few household items and your DIY skills, you’ll now have a natural weapon on hand in case you freeze up when trying to remember those taekwondo moves. If you’re looking to make your pepper spray extra potent, try adding additional irritants such as lemon, garlic, or black pepper. For the most effective use of your spray, be sure to practice your aim and remain conscious of your surroundings.
Not sure how to properly use pepper spray? Check out this video for best practices:
Have you tried making a pepper spray on your own? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Read this next: Top 5 Knife Making Tutorials
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Self Sufficiency
How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar
The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!
This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.
So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?
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Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know
Why Make Sauerkraut?
Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Tools Needed:
- knife
- bowl
- mason jar
- smaller jar
- rubber band
Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients
Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.
You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.
Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.
Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips
Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.
Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt
Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.
TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.
RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe
Step 4: Massage the Cabbage
Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.
TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.
Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar
Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.
IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.
Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar
You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.
Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.
Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band
Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.
Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily
Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.
Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures
After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.
NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.
You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.
Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut
- Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
- Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
- If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.
Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!
So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.
What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!
Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!
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Self Sufficiency
9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!
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In this article:
Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!
Tomato
Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.
Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.
Eggplant
Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?
Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.
Beets
Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.
If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.
Spinach
Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!
Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.
Pea
Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.
Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.
Carrot
There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.
They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.
Radish
A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.
Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.
Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.
Asparagus
Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!
Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.
All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!
So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!
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