Can use it either way. Activating it just makes the reg oxine last longer. You mix the citric acid and oxine and let it sit for like 5-10 mins it will turn yellow (I do that outside) than add a gallon of water to it and tada you have a gallon of activated oxine. It really make the oxine last a lot longer. I bought 4 gallons of oxine about 6 months ago or longer and I still have 3.5 gallons left of reg oxine. I used to buy 4 gallons a couple of times a year but now I guess that will last me a couple of years or more.
If you are a prepper Oxine I would think would be a requirement. It will clean the water (same stuff some utilities use to treat water you drink) I would think it would be great for cleaning cuts and stuff too.
So what you're saying is I need to get some citric acid
