8 Household Items People Repurposed During the Great Depression

Source: https://www.askaprepper.com/

During the Great Depression, when times were unimaginably tough, people relied heavily on repurposing household items to survive.

Prepping today draws upon this resourcefulness, as the ability to creatively reuse what you already have can be invaluable during any crisis or SHTF situation.

In this article we want to dive deep into some specific items repurposed during the Depression era and how modern preppers can apply these ideas.

Clothing and Fabric

Clothing wasn’t just something you wore—it was a versatile resource. Clothes were repeatedly mended until they could no longer be repaired. Once garments were beyond use, they were transformed into quilts, rags, or even clothing for children.

Flour sacks, for example, were a lifeline for many families. Manufacturers began to print pretty patterns on them as people increasingly used the sacks to sew dresses, aprons, and curtains.

In today’s context, being able to sew and patch up clothing is a survival skill worth learning. Instead of throwing away torn clothes, preppers can learn to repurpose fabric for practical uses—whether for insulation, bandages, or makeshift bags.

Fabric from old sheets or shirts can be cut into bandanas, scarves, or masks.

In the same vein, learning how to make quilts from worn-out clothing can provide warmth in colder weather climates.

Old Tires

In the 1930s, old tires were more valuable than one might think. People often repurposed car or bicycle tires to create durable shoe soles.

This was especially common in rural areas where sturdy footwear was needed for farm work and other manual labor. The tough rubber provided much-needed protection for feet at a time when buying new shoes was out of the question.

Today, preppers can look at old tires through the same lens. Tires can be cut into pieces and used in a variety of ways, like for insulation, heavy-duty flooring, or even building structures in off-grid homes.

While rubber tire sandals may not be needed in every situation, the concept of using old materials for new, unexpected purposes is still highly relevant.

Canning Jars and Food Storage

Food storage was a crucial part of surviving the Great Depression, and canning jars played a central role.

People reused canning jars over and over again for storing not only food, but also household items like screws, nails, and even small tools. Tin cans were another resource often repurposed.

Once the food was gone, these cans became lanterns, scoops, or even children’s toys.

Modern preppers who practice home canning can take inspiration from this. Empty canning jars can serve multiple purposes—like organizing seeds for gardening or even turning into makeshift drinking cups or vases.

Old jars can be reused for fermenting vegetables or as containers for storing dehydrated food long-term. Similarly, knowing how to use empty cans for simple DIY tools (such as a scooper for grains or small planting pots) can reduce waste​.

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