Sanitation: One of the most important preparedness discussions.

[rbeau30]

Three Sub-Topics addressing the biggest contamination and causes/defenses of diseases in a SHTF or off grid situation:

- Dishware:
I have a system of four of these. Prerinse, Soapy/Brush, Rinse, and Bleach Sanitize (Pool shock is my long term storage bleach).


- Clothing:
3 of these buckets. Wash, Rinse, Rinse. ( I only store dish soap because I have read it can be a substitute for clothes washing. I want to store the least amount of soap types as possible)


- Ditching the #1 and #2
Luggable loo with bottom cut out in case I have to dig a hole to put it over, however I have a stockpile of 10 gallon bags and kitty litter/pine shavings.





What are your ideas to deal with a grid-down situation?

[Great-Kazoo]

Clothing, why waste water washing clothes, 2 pr pants, 3-4 undergarments 1-2 shirts, plus over garments for foul / inclement weather. ? Body excrement, unless i'm hunkered down, side of the road small hole, dump, recover hole, remove one self from area.

[rbeau30]

Clothing, why waste water washing clothes, 2 pr pants, 3-4 undergarments 1-2 shirts, plus over garments for foul / inclement weather. ? Body excrement, unless i'm hunkered down, side of the road small hole, dump, recover hole, remove one self from area.

True, I would say clothing would only need to be washed once in a bleu moon? After they become so stiff with caked on dirt. (one thing that shows like the walking dead fail to illustrate. Everyone is sporting pretty clean-looking clothes.) the soapy solution could be utilized indefinately, tis why I have lids for the buckets.

#1 and #2... in my SHTF situation in a semi-suburbia part of Aurora, I won't be able to go to the side of the road and do my business without attracting attention is why I thought... next to the 6 foot fence behind a tarp over a ditch... or inside (with 10 gallon bags, etc etc).

[hatidua]

why waste water washing clothes

Psychological/mental well-being.

After hurricane Jeanne in '04, my neighborhood was without power for over two weeks and this was only three weeks after hurricane Frances had hit just two miles north of there. The amount of clean-up necessary was substantial as the 4th largest hurricane to hit FL happened in an area not hit by anything in over 100 years (a lot of trees that had never seen serious wind before, now all down). Getting downed tree limbs out of canals, roofing/housing materials and other debris moved out of roads/driveways was hot/humid/filthy work. One thing that really lifted people's spirits was being able to bath and then putting on fresh socks/shirts/shorts tomorrow morning when you wake up. By the end, most of us tossed all of the clothes from the prior month in the trash - mangrove mud never comes out. However, washing some clothes every few days to keep a few sets of clean things to wear was one way of keeping the motivation level high enough to go fire up the chainsaw and keep doing that kind of thing, one 95* day after another....after another.

Clean clothes aren't 'necessary', but they do make a tangible difference in a person's mindset during an event.

[ChunkyMonkey]

Psychological/mental well-being.

After hurricane Jeanne in '04, my neighborhood was without power for over two weeks and this was only three weeks after hurricane Frances had hit just two miles north of there. The amount of clean-up necessary was substantial as the 4th largest hurricane to hit FL happened in an area not hit by anything in over 100 years (a lot of trees that had never seen serious wind before, now all down). Getting downed tree limbs out of canals, roofing/housing materials and other debris moved out of roads/driveways was hot/humid/filthy work. One thing that really lifted people's spirits was being able to bath and then putting on fresh socks/shirts/shorts tomorrow morning when you wake up. By the end, most of us tossed all of the clothes from the prior month in the trash - mangrove mud never comes out. However, washing some clothes every few days to keep a few sets of clean things to wear was one way of keeping the motivation level high enough to go fire up the chainsaw and keep doing that kind of thing, one 95* day after another....after another.

Clean clothes aren't 'necessary', but they do make a tangible difference in a person's mindset during an event.

At 95 degree and very high humidity.. I'd be butt naked!!!!

[Great-Kazoo]

You only need 1 set of good utensils. I don't see bleach in an equation for cleaning till it's real serious. Do you have a way to measure the bleach/water ratio to avoid 1- not strong enough 2- too strong to point of toxic? If you want to use a multi tiered system. Use the bleach / final rinse as the next wash cycles pre-soak.
Get your stuff like you're going camping, on foot. How much do you/ can you, take with you.

As i mentioned , hunkered down, i'd use an area on the apt building roof for waste. keeping smell and other things associated with it above you, AWAY from water system.
If you have to go outside you should have an extra pair of eyes. You never know who has seen you and casing the place. That dump that can't wait, could be your last.

Regarding a bottomless LL. Once you do that, you've lost a way to carry all your toiletries, and 6+ rolls of TP.

One thing to keep in mind. Not every scenario will or could work across the board. Urban survival will be different than suburban, less populated areas.

[HoneyBadger]

I have a few gallons of hand sanitizer, along with bleach, alcohol, and lots of TP, garbage bags, and other disposables. Costco is your friend.

[Great-Kazoo]

I have a few gallons of hand sanitizer, along with bleach, alcohol, and lots of TP, garbage bags, and other disposables. Costco is your friend.

Hand sanitizer is a placebo, it creates a false sense of security, thinking you're disinfecting your hands. You can carry more alcohol swap packets in a smaller space. It's just a personal choice. Do what ever one feels most comfortable with.

[merl]

Hand sanitizer is a placebo, it creates a false sense of security, thinking you're disinfecting your hands. You can carry more alcohol swap packets in a smaller space. It's just a personal choice. Do what ever one feels most comfortable with.

I thought those hand sanitizer gels were just gelled alcohol. Why would a packet make a difference othere than including a scrub cloth?

[USMC_5-Echo]

I have a few gallons of hand sanitizer, along with bleach, alcohol, and lots of TP, garbage bags, and other disposables. Costco is your friend.

Thats why Costco is my bugout location! Why take it with you when it's all in one location

No but seriously though, Costco is a good place to get the industrial size everything for your prepper needs. The Food Saver is a good way to vacuum seal all of the "extras" too