Bandanas
used to be popular headwear. Back in the 70’s and 80’s you would find them
covering the hair of actresses on lots of TV shows and commercials. Even men
would fashion headbands out of them. I
think now a lot of people equate bandanas to hippies, bikers, and cowboys. They’re still
available to buy at places like WalMart so people are still using them. I have
several and wear one on the homestead regularly!
The main reason I wear a bandana is to keep my
hair clean and in place when I go in the chicken coop, mow the grass, or visit
hubby’s garage. But there are lots of other reasons to keep bandanas on your
person and in your vehicle besides to keep your hair tidy. I’ve put together this
list of 10 of the most useful uses for them.
1. Mask
I’m sure the current events have made us all aware of how handy a bandana is to use for a mask. But even if the pandemic hadn’t happened, masks are still needed for dust and smoke. I keep dust masks on hand but a bandana could easily replace them if I ran out and couldn’t get more.
2. First Aid
I learned how to fashion
a sling and a makeshift bandage out of a bandana when I was a young Girl Scout.
It’s a lesson I’ve kept in my mind for emergency situations.
3. Container
Have you ever run across
some berries or edible mushrooms while you were hiking but didn’t have a sack
to put them in? They’d be smashed in a pocket. But tie up the corners of a
bandana and you’ve got a carry bag.
4. Handkerchief
Although disposable paper
products are my preference for germy things, I can use a bandana and wash it
later if needed.
5. Dipstick Wiper
Sometimes you have to do
something under the hood of your vehicle that involves oil or grease.
6. Windshield Wiper
If you’ve ever driven in
humid conditions and lost the use of your defroster, you know what this is
about! A bandana usually won’t leave as much lint on the windshield as the
napkin you dig up.
7. Hand protection
Wrap a bandana around
your fingers or palm to keep from getting a blister when you have to twist or
turn something tight or hot. Use it as a potholder, also.
8. Water filter
If you find yourself
having to sterilize your own water, you can boil it. It’s a lot easier if you
don’t have to boil the leaves, bugs, and sticks that might also be in the
water!
9. Wiping Cloth
You find the perfect
picnic table but it’s dirty. Or the stadium seats are wet. Or your phone needs
dried off. Or….
10. Trail Marker/Flag
Want to mark the path you’re
taking but you don’t have a knife to cut notches? Tear strips of the bandana to
tie onto branches. Or mark your spot to return to with a bandana flag.
