How To Destroy Key Documents Without a Paper Shredder

Even if you don't have a shredder, you shouldn't just throw away documents containing your personal information, such as your social security number, your credit card information, your bank statements, or anything else that could be used by someone to steal your identity or property. But then again, you don't necessarily want a bunch of important documents piled up in the corner of your house. There are effective ways to destroy your important documents without spending money on your own shredder.

If you soak your documents in water, it will usually make them unreadable.

You can shred them a bit, throw them into a bucket or a garbage bag, and put a hose on top of them. They will get so wet that if you pick them up, they will stick together and fall apart. Even if they dry, they will still be worthless to anyone who tries to snoop around because all they will see is an unrecognizable mess.

Fire can destroy anything, including your files, so the best thing you can do is to use your spam as kindling.

For example, if you have a charcoal-burning grill, you can twist up your old documents, place them under the charcoal, pour lighter fluid over the charcoal, and light them with a match. The twisted papers will actually help keep the charcoal from burning. It's a win-win situation. If you want to burn your papers on a larger scale, you can use them as kindling for a campfire. They'll be gone in no time.

Using a wood chipper is a bit of a stretch, but that doesn't mean it can't work.

If you have a wood chipper on hand, you can put your papers together with some yard waste and the next thing you know you'll have some mulch for your garden and your papers will be gone.