In response to the Government messaging, I’ve been checking my Emergency Grab Bag. I have looked through lots of online prepper lists for Grab Bag contents. They are pretty light on personal care supplies! For 3 days, you do need a fair few products just to be comfortable and healthy.
This month, I’m opening my Grab Bag and showing you what's in mine and what it is doing in there.
Emergency Preparedness
This isn’t a complete emergency kit; it’s the personal-care part of mine. These are the items that don't appear on other prepper lists - items I wouldn't want to be without, even if it is just for 3 days.
Forgotten once, packed ever since
I went away last Christmas without my lip balm. Such a small thing to forget, but I really missed it! Experiences like that are much better packing reminders than any list. Now my Argan Lip Balm earns its place among the essentials in my grab bag rather than being something I hope to remember at the last minute.
Alongside it goes Hemp Barrier Balm, for dry hands and for skin exposed to the elements. It has a non-sheen surface and non-oily feel, but it is the most enduring moisturiser I have ever experienced.
Both of these products are durable and packed in glass and have long shelf lives. I am only expecting to rotate any of the contents of my grab bag once a year.
Any of these durable products would also make practical small gifts for someone who appreciates a truly useful present. Whether it is Christmas or another occasion, remember all our products are unisex!
Compact Dental Care
It is really important to brush the teeth every day - Within 48 hours, pathogenic bacteria can take over and give rise to infections. The olive toothbrush stick serves as toothbrush and the toothpaste - saving space and weight.
I keep an Olive Toothbrush Stick at home, in my car, at work and in my bag. Its mild taste makes it a personal favourite, and keeping one in each place means it is there when I want it. Even just a quick freshen up after meals makes a big difference.
Why Soap Always Wins
Our concentrated Hemp Oil Soap, made with Norfolk-grown hemp oil, earns its space by doing several jobs: washing, shaving and household cleaning. I like a product that is useful beyond one very specific task, especially when deciding what deserves a place in a small bag.
Hand sanitiser appears on pretty much all prepper lists but in my mind, there is an important distinction between rubbing on hand sanitiser and actually washing dirt away. Sanitiser can reduce many germs, but it does not physically wash away the dirt lodged under your nails or in the crevices of the skin. Think of muddy hands after gardening: rubbing gel over them is not the same as removing the soil by washing them.
For everyday handwashing, lather all surfaces with soap and water—including under the nails—for at least 20 seconds, then rinse and dry.
A Wooden Nail Brush sits beside my soap for cleaning stubborn dirt from around and under nails and from the palms. Use it gently, keep it clean and let it dry between uses.
If you enjoy a scented soap, there are also Neroli and Eucalyptus versions to explore. Being practical needn’t mean doing without the little pleasures. However our plain, unscented Hemp Soap has a longer shelf life than the scented varieties. I will rotate the plain jar each year.
Stronger by Design
My fine hair would tangle up in a matter of days if I didn't comb it! My Neem Wood Hair Comb is another everyday item I wouldn't leave home without. I designed it from one single piece of wood, meaning there is no weak join between the handle and the teeth—making it much more durable for travel and daily use.
Insect Bite Relief
A compact Alum Crystal has always been an essential and this is definitely part of my 3 day personal-care collection. You will know already that alum has many uses including insect bite relief, shaving and paper cuts, cold sores, shaving rash, for drying athlete's foot etc. With patience even a small alum crystal could be used as a deodorant, though generally I recommend larger pieces of alum for deodorising - it is just faster. Choose from white or rose alum. We don't set an expiry date on the alum - just keep the crystal dry between uses.
Not On Other Lists - But So Handy
While our cotton tea towels have functioned at different times as hand towels, face towels, actual tea towels, food covers etc, I have tried drying myself after a shower with just one of our absorbent Organic Cotton Tea Towel. It did work and I got my hair 'towel dry'.
My washable Lint-Free Cloths are equally useful for spills, polishing and everyday wiping. I have tried washing the face with them, washing up with them, making cheese with them, wrapping lunch in them, applying a poultice with them, cleaning car sensors etc - as far as uses, they keep on giving.
I keep different colour cloths for the kitchen, car and personal care so that each has its own job. I clean them after use at the first opportunity with hemp soap as I never know how I will use them next.
Over a 3 day period, I reach for these items again and again. In any emergency situation, self care gives a sense of routine, relieving stress and maintaining health and comfort.
I invite you to try these products and to add them to your emergency kits. I am hoping that this Christmas, you will outfit not only yourself, but your loved ones with these emergency supplies.
Thank you for supporting Natural Spa Supplies and taking an interest in the stories behind these useful things. I hope this peek inside my grab bag has given you a few ideas—not only for being prepared, but for making ordinary days a little more comfortable. The entire contents of my personal care and cleaning pack weighs less than one kilo and the entire collection can be wrapped in the tea towel.
Do have a look in our Shop and do reach out if you have any questions.
