The COVID-19 outbreak has shown us multiple shortages in necessities, and Freestone County is no exception to this rule.
Luckily, in a pinch almost anything can be substituted with something you just might have hanging out around in your house.
The following list helps with some basic household items that can be substituted pretty easily by something else.
Even this paper you are reading can be reused around the house.
Food
–Bread Crumbs – Substitute 1:1 cracker crumbs OR ground oats
–Butter (salted) – 1:1 margarine OR shortening plus ½ teaspoon salt
–Butter (unsalted) – 1:1 shortening
–Cream Cheese – 1:1 plain yogurt, strained overnight with a cheesecloth
–Cream of Tartar 1 teaspoon – 2 teaspoons lemon juice OR vinegar
–Egg – 3 tablespoons mayonnaise OR half a banana mashed with 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
–Baking oil – 1:1 applesauce or other fruit puree
–Bread Flour – 1-cup all-purpose flour plus 1-teaspoon wheat gluten
–Honey – 1 1/4 cup white sugar plus 1/3 cup water OR 1 cup corn syrup
–Ketchup – 1-cup tomato sauce plus 1-teaspoon vinegar plus 1-tablespoon sugar
–Lard – 1 cup shortening OR 7/8 cup vegetable oil OR 1 cup butter
–Mayonnaise – 1:1 sour cream OR plain yogurt
–Sweetened condensed milk can – 3/4 cup white sugar mixed with 1/2 cup water and 1 1/8 cups dry powdered milk: Bring to a boil and cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 20 minutes
–Whole Milk – 1 cup soy milk OR 1 cup rice milk OR 1 cup water or juice OR 1/4 cup dry milk powder plus 1 cup water OR 2/3 cup evaporated milk plus 1/3 cup water
–Yeast – not an easy substitute, but breads can be made with baking powder and even beer or cider.
Cleaning Supplies
–Club Soda – breaks down stains
–Vinegar – acidity inhibits the growth of bacteria and prevents mold and mildew from forming
–Vodka, or even better Everclear (yes, seriously!) – Germ eliminator like rubbing alcohol
–Lemons with salt or baking soda – safe and effective scrubbing that will disinfect while cleaning.
–Bleach – kills virtually everything on a non-porous surface when properly diluted
–Newspaper – Doubles as a paper towel, or even other paper products.
Hand Sanitizer
–3/4 cup of isopropyl or rubbing alcohol (99 percent)
–1/4 cup of aloe vera gel (to help keep your hands smooth and to counteract the harshness of alcohol)
–10 drops of essential oil, such as lavender oil, or you can use lemon juice instead
–Pour all ingredients into a bowl, ideally one with a pouring spout like a glass measuring container.
–Mix with a spoon and then beat with a whisk to turn the sanitizer into a gel.
–Pour the ingredients into an empty bottle for easy use, and label it “hand sanitizer.”
Toilet Paper – Do not flush toilet paper substitutes.
–Newspaper
–Cloth Rags
–Cardboard
–Cotton Balls
–Rope
–Receipts