Dental floss is one of those small items that can easily get overlooked in an emergency kit. Most people think of it as something that belongs in the bathroom, but a roll takes up almost no room and can be surprisingly useful for repairs, tying things together, and handling small jobs around camp.
It is lightweight, inexpensive, and much stronger than ordinary sewing thread. A roll can also be tucked into a backpack, tackle box, first aid kit, or glove compartment without adding much weight.
Dental floss certainly won’t replace proper rope or cordage, but it can be a handy backup when you need something thin and strong. Here are 15 practical ways to put it to work.
Fishing Line
In a pinch, dental floss can be used as fishing line for small fish. Tie the floss securely to a hook and attach the other end to a simple pole or fishing stick.
Because floss is so thin, it can work for lightweight fishing setups. For larger fish, it may be too weak on its own, so several strands can be braided together for added strength. Check your knots before casting since some types of floss are smoother than others.
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Securing a Spear
Dental floss can be used as lashing material for attaching a tool or other object to a sturdy stick. For example, it can help secure a knife or other suitable tool to a pole.
A properly tied tool can be useful for certain camp tasks, but making or using a weapon carries obvious safety risks. Keep this use focused on securing equipment or handling practical outdoor tasks rather than relying on a makeshift weapon.
Sewing Repairs
A torn backpack strap, piece of clothing, tent, or tarp can become a much bigger inconvenience if you have no way to repair it.
Dental floss makes a handy emergency substitute for thread because it is fairly strong and resists breaking under the kind of tension that would snap ordinary sewing thread. Pair it with a sturdy needle and use tight stitches to hold the damaged material together.
Building a Shelter
If you have a tarp, branches, or other shelter materials, floss can serve as temporary tying material. It can help attach a tarp to branches, secure small pieces of wood, or hold parts of a shelter together.
A single strand has its limits, so use several strands together for jobs that place more strain on the line. Save proper rope or cord for heavier loads whenever possible.
Fire-Starting Bow
A bow drill requires cordage to connect the bow to the spindle. Dental floss can serve that purpose in an emergency if you don’t have a suitable cord available.
This method takes practice, though. Floss can wear through with repeated friction, so don’t count on it as your only fire-starting option.
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Make a Clothesline
Need somewhere to dry wet socks or small pieces of clothing? A length of floss can work as a temporary clothesline.
For anything heavier, braid several strands together and keep the line short. Tie it between two secure points and avoid hanging more weight than the floss can safely support.
Repair a Fishing Net
Small tears in a fishing net can be patched with dental floss. Its thin profile makes it useful for weaving through the existing mesh without creating large, bulky knots.
If you already have a net, a roll of floss can serve as a lightweight repair material. Making an entire net from floss is possible, but it would take a large amount of material and considerable time.
Emergency Shoelace
A broken shoelace can turn a simple walk into an uncomfortable problem. Several strands of dental floss braided together can serve as a temporary replacement.
It won’t be as convenient as a regular shoelace, but it can keep your footwear secured long enough to get a proper replacement.
Make a Sling or Splint
Dental floss can be used to tie sticks together when making a temporary splint. The goal is to keep the injured area supported and limit unnecessary movement until proper medical care is available.
It can also help secure a cloth sling around an injured arm. Avoid tying floss directly around an injured limb or making tight loops that could interfere with circulation.
Emergency Belt
A few strands of floss braided together can make a temporary belt or waist tie. This is more of an emergency fix than a replacement for a real belt, but it can help hold up loose clothing when you have nothing else available.
Use several strands and braid them tightly so the material is less likely to snap under tension.
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Hang Food
Keeping food off the ground can help protect it from insects and some animals. Dental floss can be used to hang lightweight food bags from a secure point.
For heavier food containers, use rope or another stronger cord. Floss works best for small loads where only a modest amount of weight is involved.
Secure a Bandage
If a bandage keeps slipping, dental floss can sometimes help hold the dressing in place when you have no medical tape available.
Tie it around the outside of the bandage rather than directly across an open wound. Keep the tie loose enough that it doesn’t restrict blood flow, and replace the makeshift setup with proper medical supplies as soon as you can.
Hang a Lantern
A lightweight lantern, glow stick, or other small light can be hung from a convenient point using dental floss.
Getting a light off the ground can help spread illumination around a room, tent, or campsite. Check that the light isn’t too heavy for the floss and keep it away from anything hot or flammable.
Lash Items Together
Dental floss can work as temporary lashing material for small items. You can use it to bundle sticks, secure loose gear, tie down lightweight objects, or keep small pieces from getting separated.
For larger loads, use rope, paracord, or another material rated for the job. Floss is best treated as a backup rather than a heavy-duty tie-down.
Emergency Cordage
Sometimes you simply need a piece of cord and don’t have one available. That’s where dental floss earns its place in a small emergency kit.
It can tie packages, repair gear, secure small objects, hang lightweight items, and handle plenty of other little jobs. If more strength is needed, several strands can be twisted or braided together.
Dental floss isn’t going to replace a good length of rope or paracord, but that’s exactly why it’s worth carrying. A small roll weighs almost nothing, costs very little, and can solve those annoying little problems that tend to show up when you least expect them.
The next time you’re putting together a camping or emergency kit, toss in a roll. You might go months without touching it, then suddenly find yourself very glad you packed it.
