How to Create Your Own Fire Extinguisher With Household Items

Last Updated: December 23, 2021 References

Have you ever been worried about a small fire starting in your house? This will tell you how to easily make your own fire extinguisher with regular household items!

Ingredients

Baking Soda
Vinegar
Bottle, 1 Pint or larger
Cap
Toilet paper
Water

Steps

1
Fill the plastic bottle with 1/3 cups vinegar.^{[1]
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2
Fill the bottle with water but leave 1.5 inches (6 cm) empty space left.
3
Get 2 pieces of toilet paper and place 2 table spoons of baking soda on it fold it.^{[2]
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4
Drill a small hole (carefully) on the cap and put the bag through the cap.
5
When ready to use push the bag in to the slack point and save the day.^{[3]
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Community Q&A

Question

Can I use a napkin instead of toilet paper?

Community Answer

Yes, anything that will allow the vinegar access to the baking soda would work.
Question

How can I make sure only water shoots out?

Community Answer

It's supposed to shoot out Co2 because Co2 is what puts out the fire, not just the water.
Question

How can I better understand the last step?

Community Answer

By pushing the bag of baking soda into the bottle, it will cause a chemical reaction with the vinegar, releasing carbon dioxide and water. All you have to do is push the bag into the bottle.
Question

What are the results?

Community Answer

When vinegar and baking soda mix with each other, carbon dioxide forms.
Question

How big should the hole be?

Community Answer

Large enough to hold the toilet paper, yet small enough to prevent it from falling in by accident.
Question

Can I use a tissue?

Community Answer

Yes.
Question

What can I use instead of vinegar and baking soda?

Community Answer

You can use acetic acid and sodium bicarbonate, which are available in most chemical stores.
Question

What can I use instead of baking soda?

Community Answer

Nothing. Baking soda is the only thing that will react with vinegar or acetic acid.
Question

Can I use a jar instead of a bottle?

Community Answer

No. The bottle needs to "pop" to spread the water, and a jar wouldn't be effective at doing that.
Question

Can I apply this guide to electrical fires?

Community Answer

Don't use the fire extinguisher or pour water on an electrical or grease fire. You could make matters worse. It is better to keep on hand a fire extinguisher rated for these types of fires.

Warnings

Do not let the vinegar touch the baking soda when in storage. If it does, open the cap.

Thanks!
Helpful 36 Not Helpful 11
Please be careful when using the fire extinguisher. Don't get too close to the fire, and if you can't put it out, leave.

Thanks!
Helpful 37 Not Helpful 14
Don't use this fire extinguisher or pour water on an electrical or grease fire. You could make matters worse. It is better to keep on hand a fire extinguisher rated for these types of fires.

Thanks!
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0