28 Reasons to Use Coffee Filters for Survival | Wake Up World (2024)

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By Gaye Levy

Guest Writer for Wake Up World

Coffee filters are ubiquitous. They are inexpensive, light weight and readily available. Heck, you can purchase coffee filters at the Dollar store, Amazon Costco, the corner grocery and even on eBay.

Now I will be first to admit that there are a lot of lists floating around with suggested uses for coffee filters, but most include all kinds of uses that are nice… but irrelevant to the prepper. After all, if you are in experiencing hard times, or a survival situation, do you really care about preventing your fine china from chipping?

Today I list 28 reasons why you should include coffee filters in your survival kit and preparedness pantry.

28 Ways to Use Coffee Filters for Survival

1. Substitute rag or paper towel

Use a coffee filter as a makeshift rag. Unlike paper towels, coffee filters are lint free and take up very little space. They are also dirt cheap.

2. Keeping insects away from food

When cooking or dining outdoors, cover your plates and bowls of food with coffee filters to keep the flying insects at bay.

3. Pre-filter collected water

When collecting water, you will likely find some sediment, leaves, twigs or other undesirable matter in the water. Pre-filter collected water using a water filter then process as you normally would, typically by boiling or by the use of a filtering system.

4. Make a disposable plate or bowl

If you are bugging out or on the run, plates and bowls, even disposables, may be scarce. Dry foods can be eaten directly from a coffee filter bowl held in your hands. Heavier foods, even those that are moist, can be supported by a paper of plastic plate or bowl. When done, throw out the filter and your plate or bowl is still clean enough to use for the next meal. Saves cleanup and even more important, saves water.

5. Keep small hardware items organized

Nails, screws and all manner of fix-it items are good to have on-hand in your survival kit. Secure them in little bundles made of coffee filters. Tie off the bundles with some paracord since that will be useful too.

6. Keep your specs spotlessly clean

You don’t need fancy liquid products to clean your glasses and, as a matter of fact, some products can also damage the coatings on specialized lenses. (I know – it happened to me.) The next time you need to clean your glasses, try using a coffee filter with a bit of plain water. Your glasses will come clean and will be lint-free. You can also use a coffee filter to safely clean cell phone. E-reader and computer screens.

7. Protect your cast iron skillets from rust

Nothing can be more discouraging to the cast iron maven then to find a bit of rust on your well-seasoned cast iron skillet. You can help prevent this by putting some coffee filters in the skillet when it’s not in use. The filter will absorb moisture and prevent rusting.

8. Emergency toilet paper

No TP? No worries. A coffee filter will work just fine – just don’t flush it down a toilet – remember, this is for emergency use.

9. Pet pooper scoopers

Ditto for pet pooper scoopers. Coffee filter work like a little glove for taking care of your pet’s business. Great on the hiking trails or even indoors when Fido has a little accident. You can also use a coffee filter to wipe a messy tush – if you have to.

10. Keep potting soil where it belongs – in the pot

Before placing soil in a pot, cover the hole in the bottom with a coffee filter. This will prevent the soil from leaking out and yet will allow the excess water to drain properly.

11. Make an air freshener

To make an air freshener, fill a coffee filter with baking soda, twist-tie it shut (again, use a bit of paracord) and you are all set. The baking soda will absorb all kinds of nasty odors. Make several and tuck them into your backpack, shoes, ice chest, vehicle or tent and anyplace else that tends to get stinky smelly.

12. Make a cold compress

Soak filters in brewed tea or even just plain water and chill. Fold them up to fashion a cold compress when you have a headache or slight fever or even just to tame puffy eyes.

13. Make a bandage

If you have a small cut or even a razor nick, grab a piece off of a coffee filter and slap it on with pressure to stop the bleeding. Your coffee filter will work similar to a styptic pencil but without the stinging. Note: this is not a replacement for a decent first aid kit.

14. Trap cooking grease

When cooking greasy foods – especially meats – you can soak up the extra grease by placing a coffee filter both under the cooked food and on top. Pat your food down well with the coffee filter and you will be good to go.

15. Make an instant funnel

Cut the end off of a cone-style coffee filter to make an instant funnel.

16. Make an herbal tea

Gather up some fresh herbs, crush them a bit, them make a little sack out of your coffee filter. Tie off the top with a bit of twine from your survival kit (or some strands of paracord). Boil some water, add it to a cup, and then let your packet of herbal tea steep to the desired strength. If you have a cold or sore throat, be sure to add a bit of honey or honey powder.

17. Flavor your sun tea

When making a sun tea, add dried orange peels, mint leaves or other herbs for flavor. Take a filter and center the contents in the middle. Gather the edges, twist and tie with string. Drop your little flavor packet into the jar along with the tea bags and let it brew as usual.

18. Use as a filter for fresh juices

If you have found a citrus tree and are scavenging fruit for juice, you can use a coffee filter to filter the juice, leaving seeds and pulp behind

19. Spot clean clothing

Spots and spills are a fact of life. Use a coffee filter to spot clean your clothing. If you have some, use some white vinegar or hydrogen peroxide and the spot will be greatly reduced if not disappear completely.

20. Sprout seeds for consuming

To sprout seeds, dampen the coffee filter then place seeds inside. Fold it up then place the filter and seed packet into a plastic baggie until they sprout. If you can, keep your little sprout packet in a dark spot for a few days then move them into the light so chlorophyll develops. Some good seeds to use are mung beans, bean sprouts, and mixed broccoli and radish seeds.

21. Sprout garden seeds

You can also sprout garden seeds in coffee filters to give them a head start before putting them into the ground or pots.

22. Store garden seeds between seasons

Even without a desiccant, a coffee filter can be stored with seeds to keep them moisture free between growing seasons.

23. Keep glass surfaces clean

Coffee filters are lint-free so your glass surfaces will sparkle after they are cleaned. If you have some – and you should – add a little vinegar to water and use this combo as a cleaning solution. (But use only water and soap on eye glasses – no vinegar please. See above.)

24. Keep fresh produce crisp and dry in your cooler

Wrap fresh picked produce – especially greens – in coffee filters before putting them in your cooler. The coffee filter will help absorb any moisture and keep your produce fresh and crisp longer.

25. Make a portable food wrapper

While fending for yourself, you may not have aluminum foil, plastic wrap or other containers for storing your food. Instead, use a coffee filter as a food wrapper or storage container. You may need to split the filter and combine two or more to surround your food but after securing your food wrapper with a bit of string, you will be all set.

26. Strain soup stock and broths

In a survival situation, you will not want to waste anything food wise. After boiling up food scraps, strain the broth for a nice rich soup stock that can be consumed as is or used as a base for another meal.

27. Make a Bouquet Garni

Bundle herbs and spices into a coffee filter, tie it off, and add to your soups and broths as a nifty way of seasoning your homemade creation.

28. Make coffee!

Lest I forget, don’t forget to use your filters for making coffee. If all you have is a pot, some ground coffee and water, boil it up and filter the resulting brew into your cup. Not exactly a Starbucks experience, but if you are a coffee addict, it will be delicious none the less.

29. Bonus item: Make dryer sheets

Okay, this is not a survival necessity but it works so well, I just had to include it. First of all, I do not use nor do I endorse the use of commercial dryer sheets. Sometimes, though, I will dampen a coffee filter with some white vinegar and a few drops of my favorite essential oil, lavender28 Reasons to Use Coffee Filters for Survival | Wake Up World (5). When it is raining and cold and I cannot hang my sheets outdoors to dry, I will pop one of these scented filters into the dryer and my sheets will smell heavenly.

The Final Word

My inspiration for this article was finding myself without a bowl for Tucker the Dog’s food while traveling home from my recent visit to the Seattle area. I just happened to have a coffee filter in my glove box – the perfect makeshift bowl.

I had a long drive so that go me thinking – what a great pooper scooper!

When I got home, I started thinking of other uses – some I found on the internet and just sort of came to me. What about you? Do you have some unique uses of coffee filters in a survival situation?

Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!

Gaye

Recent Articles By Gaye Levy

  • The 10 Commandments of Survival
  • 70 Things That Can and Will Go Wrong in a Disaster
  • 10 Simple Steps Toward Self-Sufficiency
  • 40 Items to Barter in a Post-Collapse World
  • Creating a Healing Garden – 9 Healing Herbs You Can Grow Yourself

About the Author

Gaye Levy, also known as the Survival Woman, grew up and attended school in the Greater Seattle area. After spending many years as an executive in the software industry, she started a specialized accounting practice offering contract CFO work to emerging high tech and service industries. She has now abandoned city life and has moved to a serenely beautiful rural area on an island in NW Washington State. She lives and teaches the principles of a sustainable and self-reliant lifestyle through her website at BackdoorSurvival.com.

At Backdoor Survival, Gaye speaks her mind and delivers her message of prepping with optimism and grace, regardless of the uncertain times and mayhem swirling around us.

You can find Gaye through her website at Backdoor Survival, on the Backdoor Survival Page on Facebook, and as Survival Woman on Twitter.

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28 Reasons to Use Coffee Filters for Survival | Wake Up World (7)

28 Reasons to Use Coffee Filters for Survival | Wake Up World (2024)

FAQs

What is the purpose of a coffee filter? ›

A coffee filter is a filter used for brewing coffee. Filters made of paper (disposable), or cloth, plastic, and metal (reusable) are used. The filter allows the liquid coffee to flow through, but traps the coffee grounds.

Will coffee filters purify water? ›

Water Filtration

When it comes to expedient uses, the best use for a coffee filter is for filtering water. While it cannot make water safe to drink on its own, it can be a component in filtering water.

Are coffee filters fine? ›

Most paper coffee filters come in 10-20 microns. Now your probably wondering what is a micron? Basically, a micron is the pore size of the coffee filter you use. A size 20-micro filter has bigger pores, so it would allow bigger pieces of coffee ground into your coffee compared to a size 5-micron filter would.

Do coffee filters biodegrade? ›

Bleach or no bleach, any paper coffee filter is biodegradable and will break down over time. If you are looking to have 100% organic and chemical-free compost for your garden and plants, then you may want to make the switch to an unbleached coffee filter if you have not already done so.

What is the purpose of using filter? ›

filtration, the process in which solid particles in a liquid or gaseous fluid are removed by the use of a filter medium that permits the fluid to pass through but retains the solid particles. Either the clarified fluid or the solid particles removed from the fluid may be the desired product.

Do you really need coffee filters? ›

Filters can be very important to some coffee drinkers. Filters separate coffee grounds from the coffee liquid. While they typically are not essential, they may be extremely helpful. There are significant differences between a paper filter and a metal filter.

Can coffee filter remove bacteria? ›

While it cannot purify the water of harmful bacteria and toxins, it will remove particulates before you boil it to make it safe to drink.

Do coffee filters remove heavy metals? ›

A group of international scientists found that coffee filters can remove from 78 to 90 percent of dissolved heavy metals such as lead and copper from tap water.

Can sand go through a coffee filter? ›

The filter will begin catching all of the impurities that it can. These include dirt, silt, sand, pebbles and any other larger impurities that will not be able to pass through the coffee filter.

What happens if you don't filter coffee? ›

Without a filter, some of the oily substances found in coffee beans, called diterpenes, wind up in your cup. Coffee aficionados say these oils make the brew taste better.

How many times can you filter coffee? ›

Reuse the filter up to four times before discarding it and using a new one. In general, you can reuse a filter as many times as you like and use your coffee's taste to determine when it's time to use a new one.

What happens if you filter coffee twice? ›

Conclusion. Unfortunately, we cannot recommend using coffee grounds to brew more than one cup of coffee. If you immediately reuse the grounds you'll wind up with a bitter, over-extracted mess, and if you let the grounds dry first, you'll instead have a sour, disappointing cup.

How long do filters take to decompose? ›

Most cigarette filters, the part that looks like white cotton, are actually made of plastic fibers (cellulose acetate) which can take up to 10 years to decompose!

What can I do with used coffee filters? ›

13 Unexpected Uses for Coffee Filters
  1. Place them between stacked plates. ...
  2. Use one as a snack bowl. ...
  3. Clean windows and mirrors. ...
  4. Place one in the bottom of a flower pot. ...
  5. Corral small pieces in one place. ...
  6. Dust your TV. ...
  7. Line a colander or sieve. ...
  8. Catch popsicle drips.
21 Aug 2015

What are the benefits and importance of using filters? ›

Consider using photography filters as a way to add color to your images, manage variations in contrast, and to create more dynamic movement such as with clouds or water. Filters are also a wonderful accessory to help protect your lenses and balance your exposures where tones are significantly different.

What are advantages of filters? ›

Advantages of passive filters:

It is reliable. They can handle large voltage currents and power. There is no limitation on the frequency range. They do not need the additional dc power supply for their operation. Easy to design.

What are 7 common types of filters in communication? ›

We all have communication filters. Each person interprets received information through different filters, reflecting our age, gender, culture, emotional state, situational context, beliefs and more.
...
These can include:
  • Withdrawing from the environment.
  • Working, not socialising.
  • “Games playing”.
23 Sept 2021

How long do coffee filters last? ›

Ebb reusable coffee filters should last for about 90-120 uses, which is 3-4 months for daily use, and about a year for weekend coffee drinkers. Proper cleaning and storage of your Ebb filter will help it last longer and deliver a delicious taste. Thankfully, cloth filters are easy to clean.

Do coffee filters make a difference? ›

It might be the last thing you think about when you're putting a fresh pot on to brew, but coffee filters can make a real difference in how your coffee tastes. Coffee filters don't just keep the grounds out of your coffee, they can also absorb more or less all of the oils that accompany a particular blend.

Are paper coffee filters safe? ›

Although white paper filters contain a very small amount of dioxins due to the bleaching process, several studies have confirmed that the amount present is not enough to have any health effects, therefore bleached filters are not any more or less healthy than unbleached coffee filters.

Do coffee filters filter salt? ›

These are the main procedures for Filtering salt water through coffee filters. First, put a coffee filter in the funnel and a cup under the funnel. Secondly, pour salty water through the coffee filter and change the filter and cup when done. Next, pour all the contents from the first cup through the new coffee filter.

What filter kills bacteria? ›

Reverse osmosis filters and distillers. Reverse osmosis filters and distillers are the most sophisticated systems. They are capable of removing bacteria and most residual chemicals, including minerals from a water source.

Do filters filter out e coli? ›

Some water filters will remove e-Coli, but mass market filters such as Brita and Zerowater WILL NOT remove e-Coli.

Do filters remove chemicals? ›

There are hundreds of physical, chemical, biological, and radiological elements removed by water filters, including lead, chlorine, bacteria, calcium, minerals, salt, and carcinogens. Most drinking water purification methods look to remove the majority of those contaminants.

Do paper coffee filters expire? ›

Like any paper, paper filters do have an expiration date. This means that after some time, paper filters may not be as effective or efficient in filtering coffee. However, the expiration date does not mean that the filters go bad or change the flavor of coffee.

Are white coffee filters toxic? ›

Bleached coffee filters are perfectly safe to use, and they don't affect a brew's taste. Only a minuscule amount of bleach is used, and it's not enough to leech into your coffee.

Does sugar go through filter paper? ›

Conclusion: Sugar goes through filter paper. It is very small and somehow attached to water particles (a solution is a special type of mixture).

Can you filter water with rocks? ›

These connections allow the groundwater to flow through the rock. Sandstone: Fine-grained rocks such as sandstone make good aquifers. They can hold water like a sponge, and with their tiny pores, they are good at filtering surface pollutants. Dolomite: This type of rock can easily be dissolved by slightly acidic water.

Does salt pass through filter paper? ›

The salt and water will pass through the filter paper while the large, undissolved pieces of sand will be trapped by the filter paper. The liquid that passes through the filter paper and is collected in the beaker is called the filtrate.

Will a coffee maker sanitize water? ›

Coffee makers typically do not purify water. However, there are a couple of steps we can take to use high quality water: Consider using bottled spring water or filtered water to have a clean coffee. Consider thorough cleaning of your coffee maker equipment regularly.

What is the healthiest way to filter water? ›

DIY water filtering methods
  1. Boiling. Heating water at a rolling boil for 1 minute makes it safe to drink. ...
  2. Tablets or drops. Some common water purification or disinfecting tablets and drops include: ...
  3. UV treatment. ...
  4. Activated charcoal. ...
  5. Travel-size sediment filters. ...
  6. DIY portable sediment filters. ...
  7. Fruit peel filters.
24 Feb 2021

Can a filter clean dirty water? ›

How do you clean up dirty water? Not with soap! You need a filter, a device that removes impurities, like dirt, from water. The filter you'll make here—with the help of an adult—is a super strainer, and it'll help you clean up your act.

Can you drink contaminated water if you filter it? ›

Filtered water is only safe to drink if the filter is in proper working condition. If you use an old filter, you risk drinking contaminated water. Studies have shown that old filters provide a conducive environment for the growth of biofilm which means the water will most likely be contaminated with bacteria.

Do Keurigs get moldy inside? ›

While Keurig machines can develop mold, this isn't unique to Keurig coffee makers. All brands can become moldy if not cared for and cleaned properly. That bottle of white vinegar in your kitchen cabinet is the best product to clean a Keurig coffee maker resevoir.

How do you clean a coffee maker with hydrogen peroxide? ›

Cleaning with Hydrogen Peroxide

Combine two cups of water with one cup of hydrogen peroxide. Run the concoction through your coffee maker's normal brewing cycle. After this cycle has brewed, flush the equipment by brewing fresh water through a cycle or two.

Does bacteria grow in coffee? ›

While bacteria and mold can grow in brewed coffee, it takes a few days before they reach harmful levels. For example, if you leave a pot sitting in a coffee maker for a week, you'll notice spots of mold growing on the surface.

Can we drink rain water? ›

Rainwater might not be safe for household use without additional treatment. Before using collected rainwater for drinking, bathing, or cooking, consider whether treatment is needed to make it safe. Testing the water can determine if there are harmful germs, chemicals, or toxins in it.

What's the healthiest water to drink? ›

Again, the healthiest water to drink is water that's free of pathogens and contaminants, yet rich in key minerals. But, if there was one water option to pick, it's likely going to be spring water or clean artesian water—water that still contains healthy mineral content and is free of pathogens.

What is the healthiest thing to drink water from? ›

Best Choice: Water

Plus, with no calories, it's the best beverage for your waistline. If you add 1 to 3 cups of water a day to your diet, you could end up taking in less fat, salt, sugar, and up to 200 fewer calories per day.

Is Rice a good water filter? ›

But it is not just the fact that they are an abundant waste product which makes rice hulls a great media for water filtration. Their unique thinness and high surface area to volume ratio endows them with fast kinetics, allowing them to adsorb the organic contaminants efficiently.

What are 3 ways to purify water? ›

Three Ways To Purify Water
  1. Boiling. Bring the water to a rolling boil for 3-5 minutes. Let cool before drinking.
  2. Disinfect. You can use household liquid bleach (regular household bleach contains 5.25% sodium hypochlorite) to kill microorganisms. ...
  3. Distillation. Fill a pot halfway with water.

Can you drink lake water if you boil it? ›

Boil. If you don't have safe bottled water, you should boil your water to make it safe to drink. Boiling is the surest method to kill disease-causing germs, including viruses, bacteria, and parasites.

Is boiled tap water safe to drink? ›

Boiling the water kills microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, or protozoans that can cause disease. Boiling makes the tap water microbiologically safe.

Is boiled water better than filtered? ›

Boiling water does not purify it as it still leaves contaminants such as dirt, chlorine and heavy metals back in the water. On the other hand, water filters provide convenient, safe, and great tasting water without any hassle.

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