Oh, one more SPS post (it's related to ones I posted earlier)... Note - be aware of pine moths and their larvae (read comments), and also I would use a knife to remove the pitch, and leave some behind on the "wound".

How to Make #PinePitchGlue

November 16, 2011

"Pine pitch glue is the Super Glue of wilderness survival. It can be used to help secure arrowheads, spear points, or knife blades, it can be used to water-proof the inside of a basket, it can be used to seal the seams of a bark container, or to water-proof the seams of a birch bark canoe.

Pine pitch glue is not hard to make because nature has already done most of the work for you. To make pine pitch glue you will need the following:

• some dried pine sap
• some softwood charcoal
• a round rock and a flat rock
• a campfire
• a pot or container to warm the pitch in
• a stick to stir the mixture

Just about any walk in the woods can provide you with #PineSap. Keep your eyes open for a pine tree that has had the bark damaged. When a pine tree is injured it oozes pine sap to seal the wound. This pine sap will dry into a hard, amber colored substance that can be easily picked off of the tree."

Learn more:
https://sensiblesurvival.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-to-make-pine-pitch-glue.html

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalGlue #PinePitchGlue #SyntheticAlternatives #AlternativesToChemicals

So, while #HempWool has some advantages over #Fiberglass and insulation made from #SyntheticMaterials , it is not fireproof (unlike #WoolInsulation), and requires treatment to make it fireproof. The same with mildew/mold resistance (treated with lime plaster or other materials). I've also seen "hemp wool" mixed with synthetic fibers, so that kinda defeats the purpose of using natural fibers (imho). Plus, I'm not finding any instructions on how to #DIY hemp wool (unlike wool insulation or #Oakum).

Why Hemp Wool is Gaining Traction in Sustainable Construction

Published by naturalbuildingaustralia on 14/02/2025

"As an all-natural material, it’s increasingly being considered for use in construction projects aimed at reducing environmental impact and improving energy efficiency.

Hemp wool is essentially insulation made from hemp fibers and is commonly found in eco-conscious building projects. While Harry Hemp’s blog doesn’t refer to any specific vendor or product, it highlights the general benefits and concerns surrounding hemp wool as a material in modern construction.

However, there are valid concerns, especially when it comes to untreated hemp wool. Fire safety and mold resistance are two issues that need attention before this material can be fully integrated into permitted builds. These concerns stand in contrast to the proven advantages of #hempcrete, a material that has already set a high standard for sustainable construction.

Benefits of Hemp Wool

Hemp wool, made from the fibers of the hemp plant, offers several key advantages:

- Thermal Insulation: Hemp wool provides excellent R-values, helping to regulate indoor temperatures and reduce energy consumption.

- Sound Absorption: This material excels at reducing noise pollution, making your indoor environment quieter and more comfortable.

- Eco-Friendly: As a renewable resource, hemp wool sequesters carbon during production, helping to reduce its overall environmental footprint.

- Health Benefits: Free from chemicals and toxins, hemp wool is non-allergenic and contributes to better indoor air quality.

These qualities make hemp wool an appealing alternative to more traditional insulation materials like fiberglass and mineral wool. It’s a natural option that supports sustainable living while offering practical benefits.

Challenges with Untreated Hemp Wool

While hemp wool offers many advantages, untreated versions come with their own set of challenges that must be addressed:

Fire Safety Concerns

Untreated hemp wool typically has poor fire resistance, which disqualifies it from use in many permitted builds. Building codes often require materials to meet specific fire safety standards, and without proper treatment, hemp wool doesn’t meet these requirements, potentially posing a risk to safety.

Mold and Mildew Issues

Hemp wool’s natural fibers can absorb moisture, leading to potential mold and mildew growth in environments with high humidity or poor ventilation. This is a stark contrast to hempcrete, which naturally resists mold and moisture, making it a more reliable choice for durable and safe construction.

How Hempcrete Stands Up

While hemp wool has its potential, hempcrete is already a well-established material in sustainable construction.

Here’s how hempcrete stacks up in comparison:

- Fire Resistance: Hempcrete boasts excellent fire ratings due to its lime-based composition, making it compliant with building codes and safe for use in construction.

- Moisture Control: Its unique ability to absorb and release moisture without compromising its structure makes hempcrete highly resistant to mold and mildew.

= Durability: Hempcrete is naturally resistant to pests, mold, and moisture, making it a long-lasting material in construction.

- Code Compliance: Hempcrete has undergone rigorous testing and meets ASTM standards, ensuring its reliability in meeting building code requirements.

These characteristics make hempcrete a top choice for builders looking for a safe, sustainable, and code-compliant material.

The Future of Hemp Wool

The future of hemp wool is promising, especially as advancements in testing and treatment could resolve its current limitations.

Improved Fire Resistance

Through treatment, hemp wool can be made fire-resistant, meeting the stringent requirements for modern builds. This will make it a much safer option for both builders and homeowners.

Enhanced Mold Resistance

New techniques in moisture management could prevent mold and mildew from forming on hemp wool, making it more reliable and long-lasting, even in humid climates.

Conclusion: The Potential of Hemp Wool in Sustainable Construction

While untreated hemp wool still has hurdles to overcome, its potential as a sustainable, eco-friendly building material is undeniable. As advancements in fire resistance and moisture management continue, hemp wool will become a viable option for modern construction, alongside its proven counterpart, hempcrete.

The combination of both materials offers a powerful solution, balancing insulation and structural integrity, and paving the way for greener, safer, and more sustainable construction practices. As the industry continues to innovate and test new methods, the excitement surrounding hemp wool is justified—it’s on the path to becoming a staple in eco-conscious builds worldwide."

Source:
https://naturalbuildingaustralia.org/2025/02/14/hemp-wool-vs-hempcrete-whats-the-difference-and-how-can-it-be-used/

#SolarPunkSunday #BuildingWithHemp #Hempcrete #SyntheticAlternatives

Insulating Homes With Sheep #Wool: Pros & Cons (2025 Guide)

Pete Ortiz, Last updated: Oct 08 2025

"Many people look for effective ways to warm the home in preparation for cold weather, but here we have an inexpensive solution: home insulation using sheep wool!

Sheep wool has been used for centuries to keep people warm. It’s durable, fire-resistant, and breathable. It’s the best natural insulating material on the market, and you can use it in many ways.

In this article, we’ll look at the pros and cons of insulating your home using sheep wool. Further, we’ll give you a short guide on installing sheep’s wool insulation in your home.

Let’s dive in!"

https://homegrail.com/insulating-homes-with-sheep-wool/

#WoolInsulation #SolarPunkSunday #AnimalProducts #SyntheticAlternatives

Cleaning and Using Sheep #Wool for Insulation

Posted on July 29, 2020 by Laurence Manchee

Excerpt: "Benefits of sheep wool insulation

Sheep’s wool is an outstanding insulator with as good or better insulation properties as #RoofMate or #RockWool. As opposed to shop-bought insulation the homemade wool is not processed into compact blocks. The loose wool can be pushed into small gaps and does not need to be cut to size, making it is easier to work with.

Sheep’s wool is more #EnvironmentallyFriendly, is not itchy to work with and is fireproof. It regulates humidity, does not burn, purifies the air and is a good sound proofer.

All in all, it is better than any #insulation we have used in the past and is more cost-effective."

Learn more:
https://www.keelayogafarm.com/cleaning-and-using-sheep-wool-for-insulation/

#SolarPunkSunday #WoolInsulation #SyntheticAlternatives #AnimalProducts #DIY #Homesteading

#PineTar from scratch - How to make it using simple tools

Gustav Thane, Sep 24, 2021

"This is a rather unusual way of making tar these days. It is also a way of making tar of a higher quality than you’d buy in the store. This is brown tar, or should I say reddish brown, with a higher resilience to water, ampler then black tar and on woodwork far more beautiful if you’d ask me. It is made from pine root in a tjärdal (tar ditch kiln) as tar has been made in Sweden for at least a thousand years. The old ditches can be found every here and there in the forests of Småland but I made my own one, about a fourth the size of what I believe is a normal size."

Learn more:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXPi-NLDSYo

#SolarPunkSunday #TarKilns #PineTar #SyntheticAlternatives #Waterproofing #PetroleumAlternatives

6 Things to Know About Sheep’s #WoolInsulation

When it’s time to update your home’s insulation, consider what sheep’s wool has to offer.

By Alexa Erickson, Mar 24, 2021

"Sheep’s wool insulation uses a natural fiber base.

Among the most popular insulation materials today are #fiberglass and #rockwool (also known as mineral wool). Both consist of man-made fibers spun from, as their names suggest, molten glass or minerals such as basalt or diabase. While these insulation types are considered safe by institutes such as the U.S. National Toxicology Program and the International Agency for Research on Cancer, they do contain synthetic, hairlike fibers that can break off and become airborne during installation. They also contain #formaldehyde, which is known to release volatile organic compounds (#VOCs) into the air. Both airborne fibers and formaldehyde can irritate the skin and lungs, and long-term exposure to formaldehyde may cause some types of cancer. Even spray foam insulation can be especially dangerous due to the high level of VOCs that off-gas into the air during installation and before it cures completely.

Sheep’s wool insulation starts as sheared wool that grows naturally on sheep—often wool that is deemed too coarse to make into clothing or other fabric. It is important to note, however, that it is common manufacturing practice to treat sheep’s wool insulation with additives such as boric acid to repel insects and further reduce flammability. Ammonium sulfates may also be added as a fire retardant. So while the base material is inherently natural, the sheep’s wool insulation end product is also not completely free of toxins. Both additives are considered poisonous if ingested and can cause irritation to the skin, eyes, nose, and throat. Moreover, boric acid is classified as a reproductive toxin by the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation in Europe. [Boric acid does not pollute like #PFAS though]

When installing any type of insulation in your home, always use caution and wear the protective gear recommended by the insulation manufacturer."

Learn more:
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/sheeps-wool-insulation/

#SolarPunkSunday #Insulation #AnimalProducts #Wool #SprayFoamAlternatives #FiberglassAlternatives #SyntheticAlternatives

This method involves using #tallow and #beeswax to keep the end-product more workable. Note: The resin is very volatile! Only do outside and using appropriate precautions!

How to Make Pine Pitch
by Jamie L. Burleigh

"I try to collect pine resin deposits that happen naturally, usually caused by a fracture in a limb by a storm, lightning, or animals scratching on the bark. I also gather resin that oozes naturally out of the broken knots in the pine tree. The runny clear resin, the dried up clumps of amber or the flakey white drips, dried from seasons past, are all good resin for making pine pitch."

Learn more:
https://primitiveways.com/pine_pitch_stick.html

#SolarPunkSunday #AnimalProducts #PinePitch #DIY #Waterproofing #SyntheticAlternatives

We sealed up the gaps in our floorboards with #Oakum last year. It's holding up just fine! I also used it on some old windows at work and it's easy to install, then remove, then install again!

Filling Floor Gaps With Oakum: Update 2-1/2 Years Later

March 18, 2024

"Two and a half years ago, I filled the gaps in our original wood floors with oakum. You can read more about that process here [link below].

"This is a niche solution to a common problem with homes built in the 1700s and 1800s with original wood floors and gaps between those floorboards. Our house was built in the 1780s and later added onto in the 1800s.

"It’s time for an update on how that oakum has held up!

"First of all, what is oakum?

"Historically speaking, oakum is a combination of natural fibers like #hemp or #jute and tar or oil that was used to caulk wooden ships to make them watertight.

"Oakum was often repurposed from old ship rigging. '#PickingOakum' was a terrible job where someone had to unwind the #rope fibers so they could be repurposed into #caulking.

"Oakum is still used today for several uses related to plumbing, wooden ship caulking, log home caulking, etc. Today, oakum is manufactured in a factory.

"Brown oakum is made from natural fibers (could be a combination of jute, hemp, and/or burlap), oil, and often bentonite.

"White oakum is made from jute, #Bentonite, and water.

"Bentonite is a clay that expands when it encounters water."

Read more:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2024/03/18/filling-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

How the author did it:
https://aprettyhappyhome.com/2021/05/10/fill-floor-gaps-with-oakum/

#SolarPunkSunday #NaturalMaterials #SyntheticAlternatives #Insulation #FloorGaps #DIY

CW: Paywall. New Scientist.

'Butter' made from CO2 could pave the way for food without farming | New Scientist
https://www.newscientist.com/article/2438345-butter-made-from-co2-could-pave-the-way-for-food-without-farming/

#Butter
#Farming
#SyntheticAlternatives
#FoodWithoutFarming
#Food
#CarbonDioxide
#ThermochemicalSystem
#Savor

Thousands of dead horseshoe crabs are washing up on Maryland shores after having their ‘blue blood’ harvested, suit says | The Independent
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/horseshoe-crabs-maryland-lawsuit-extinction-b2553334.html

#HorseshoeCrabs
#BlueBlood
#BloodHarvesting
#Maryland
#MarylandDeptOfNaturalResources
#Fishermen
#PharmaceuticalCompanies
#Pharma
#CenterForBiologicalDiversity
#Toxins
#Drugs
#TestingForToxinsInDrugs
#MedicalDevices
#CovidVaccine
#SyntheticAlternatives