SANITATION & HYGIENE grasshopperandtheants@gmail.com by Melonie Turley www.oilinmylamp.net Whether it is an Earthquake, civil unrest, Pandemic or Nuclear, you will likely at some point be unable to take advantage of the resources we have now. Even if it is temporary, it is unsettling to NOT have the conveniences we are used to. Be ready to care for you and your family. Do not expect or wait for someone else to do it. You are putting yourself and family at RISK! In a crisis, usually you lose electricity. That pumps the water in your house! What does that affect? Toilets, shower, washing clothes, dishes etc. The Red Cross has said sanitation is the biggest problem after a natural disaster. Cleanliness is vital to stop the spread of disease. Hope for the best prepare for the worst! Get a bin and start gathering supplies from around the house. Till you have a place for it, it won't come together. I you need to go, things are together. Don't forget babies and pets! Get a kit together for Hygiene (one for each person) This is what the Red Cross suggests: 2 Toothbrush/ toothpaste Disposable shavers/ shaving cream Soap/hand sanitizer Shampoo Towel/washcloth Plastic bowl Laundry soap Washable baby diapers/safety pins Brush Mirror Sanitary needs Sewing kit I would add: (put in a personal container) Reusable cloths for drying (not wiping!)** Sponge Peri bottle for cleaning washable feminine pads Diva cup or Moon cup** Container to keep things clean and dry** **"Portable Bidet"= 8 blotting cloths, peri bottle for initial spray cleaning, 2 sponges for babies etc. Most all of these things you have around the house now. Just get it together! Can make orders for the kits from: www.oilinmylamp.net or you can call me, I have some in stock**. Melonie Turley 928 229-0833 in Taylor When the time to act is here, the time for preparation is over. TO DO: *Go to a saw mill or cabinet shop and fill up some buckets or 55 gallon barrels with saw dust. *Get some supplies: trash compactor bags, a lot of wipes, extra bucket or a luggable loo, a plunger for washing clothes. Extra paper goods, paper towels and TP. ** Hot water bottle for warmth and well-being. *Get a nerf ball to plug up toilets so they do not back up into house. Know where to turn off water! *Fill up some containers of water. (no milk jugs, use juice or soda pop) Get a "bladder" for tub. *Fill up empty liquid laundry detergent containers with water. Label "WATER" (do not rinse out) *Dig a hole to empty waste into and/or burn trash. Cover until needed. *Get a toilet lid for a bucket. Get a clothes washing bin.
How to Convert Indoor Toilet Turn off water at toilet, you want a dry tank and bowl. Use the water in tank to wash & sanitize the toilet thoroughly. Plug the hole in the toilet bowl with a foam-filled rubber ball. This will prevent sewer gases, insects and rodents from coming up the drain and into your house. Be careful, if others are using the sewer system, it can backup into your house. If no ball is available, saturate a cloth with shortening and plug the hole. Line the toilet bowl with a heavy-duty plastic bag. Trash compacting bags work well. Have a supply on hand. Separate liquid from the solid. Use the toilet bowl only for solids. Do not use the toilet bowl for urine. Urinate into a separate container and dilute with water so it will not burn plants. Urine is an excellent fertilizer. Put it on the soil, but not into areas where root crops are currently growing. Keep a bucket filled with sawdust, wood chips, kitty litter, dry dirt, etc. next to the toilet with a soup can and a stick or dowel. After using the toilet, cover contents with sawdust, etc. Use the stick to spread it around to ensure complete coverage. Cover bowl by placing a piece of cardboard between the bowl and the seat. Close lid after each use. Place heavy object on lid to keep curious young hands out. When bag is full, place in something sturdy, like a cardboard box, a bucket and carry it outside. Dig a deep hole (3-4ft). Dump contents of bag into ground and throw the bag on top. Cover with about 2 of dirt (don t use lime, it pickles the waste and keeps it from decomposing, even though it masks odors). You want the waste to come in contact with the earth to assist the decomposing process. Do not drop filled, tied plastic bags into the hole. Between each bag dump, put a board over the hole and anchor with bricks to keep animals out and humans from falling in. When the hole is filled to within 6-8 of the top, cover with about 2 of soil. Cover that soil with about 1 of lime, place a layer of newspaper on top of the lime and mound the remaining earth over the top of the hole. (the lime here is to discourage animals from digging into the waste, and will not hurt the decomposition process). Winter Considerations: Insulate the ground with bags of leaves or straw so you can keep ground from freezing and dig holes. Put bags of waste into metal trash cans or open 55 gal drums. Securely tie or clamp down lid. Keep container on north side of house where sun won t warm it. Once ground thaws, dig hole and follow directions above. (Taken from Jim Phillips 4/15/09)
Glad Rags / Diva or Moon Cup / Urination Device Reusable day pads are a healthy alternative to disposable feminine protection. 3 pack includes 3 GladRags 1 GladRag = 1 Holder and 2 Liners Day Holder is approximately 9 long and 2 1/2 wide. Comfortable, breathable and easy to clean. Color Cotton Night Reusable Pads (Color Varies) by Glad Rags GladRags night pads are longer and wider to provide more coverage while you are lying down. In addition to its coverage, the night holder contains a layer of absorbent terry cloth, adding to the absorbent protection offered by the liners. The night pad can also be used as a post-partum pad and some of our customers with larger bodies or heavier flows use it during the day. 1 GladRag Night Pad = 1 holder + 2 liners Night Holder is approximately 14 long and 3 wide at the middle Regular Cotton Panty liner by Glad Rags For your light days, as a back up for your internal protection or for everyday use, The GladRags Pantyliner offers the same comfort you expect from your GladRags. 1 Pantyliner measures 6 3/4" long by 2 3/4" wide when snapped around your underwear. Carry Bag by Glad Rags This specially designed Carry Bag makes it easy to use GladRags when you're away from home. It holds fresh pads and has a water-resistant inner bag for the used pads. No need to deal with rinsing your GladRags at work or school. Just put the pads in to soak when you get home. Made of nylon backpack-type cloth in assorted colors. The Diva Cup New Menstrual Solution (pre or post-childbirth) by Diva International Back in the 1930's the innovative menstrual cup was invented as a form of internal feminine protection. The DivaCup is a modern version of this proven concept that has been redesigned with the latest technology in moulding and materials. The DivaCup is an approved by the FDA (USA) and Health Canada. It is made of soft medical grade silicone, which is latex-free, 100% hypoallergenic and odorless. For over 50 years, silicone has been safely and extensively used in products for the health care industry. Since The DivaCup is reusable, it is very economical. You might also want to check out "Thinx Pants" or "Period Panties" to use with the cups as they are less expensive if you have to buy all varieties of pads. You only need 2 or 3 panties. The Moon Cup Menstrual Cup is made of soft, non-latex, medical grade silicone. Introduced in 2006, The Moon Cup is innovative, economical, comfortable, and environment-friendly. This soft, silicone menstrual cup collects the flow rather than absorbing it, so the vaginal tissues aren't dried out as they can be with disposable tampons. The Moon Cup holds up to an ounce of fluid and should be emptied several times a day; simply rinse and reinsert. Detailed instructions come with your order. The Moon Cup is recommended for those with latex sensitivities. The Moon Cup can last up to ten years, saving you over $800 in disposable products! Suggested Use Size A is for after vaginal childbirth Size B is for before, or women who have not delivered a baby vaginally. Urination Device for women Don't put yourself and risk or exposure! Pee like a man! The "go girl" does not keep its shape and is too flexible to be functional. You want some stability and integrity to keep its shape otherwise you end up wet! I would get the "pstyle" or the "She Wee"
BAKING SODA USES Baking soda isn't really the first item you would think of including in your survivalknapsack. You probably know it's used for baking and probably not even that so often. It's about time you knew that baking soda should find its way into your bags, and more importantly, why: 1. Clean fruits and vegetables Everyone knows that fruits and vegetables are important, and they become more so when it comes to survival. But living and eating on the go is less safe than in your safe and cozy home, and soap might not be a commodity. The best way to clean greens is to sprinkle them with baking soda over a few drops of water. 2. Remove smells Like talcum, baking soda is a good replacement for deodorant. Not only it will come in handy when away from a store, but it occupies less space in your bags. 3. Treat colds A mixture of baking soda and water is quite efficient against flu and cold related headaches. 4. Soothe insect bites Mix water with baking soda to combat insect bites. It will soothe the skin, clear the area and reduce the itching. 5. Antacid Another great property of baking soda is its antacid action due to its regulated ph.as an edible base, it can soothe heartburns and even cure indigestion and stomach pain. In extreme cases, these can be rather common. However, if under regular medication, make sure you risk no secondary effects. To consume it, dissolve it in water prior to drinking it. 6. Make your own toothpaste With baking soda you can make your own toothpaste. More than that, it contains no artificial substances. Here's how: Mix 2/3 cup baking soda, 1-2 tsp peppermint extract and 1 tsp of fine sea salt (it's OK to leave that out if you don't have it) and water. It will have a minty flavor and be even more efficient than the tooth paste you find at the store. 7. Stop a fire Putting out a fire is as essential to survival as knowing how to make one. To do that in no time, just throw some baking soda at the base of the flames. 8. Remove fungus and yeast Baking soda is very effective against fungus and yeast infections. This type of infections are easily contracted in foreign environments, especially when your immune system is being challenged. 9. Septic care Baking soda is a very good cleanser, so if you ever have emergencies with drains and pipes, feel free to use it as a cleanser; it will get rid of all the bacteria. 10. Maintain hygiene It goes without saying that hygiene is essential for your health and comfort. You can use baking soda as a soap to clean your hands, your dishes, even tools and gear. It works for mostly anything and it's quite efficient. It's important to know all these uses of baking soda because when you pack your bugout bag, you need to have as little items as possible. Baking soda can replace a lot of the stuff you would usually pack as it has so many uses.
Hydrogen Peroxide-what a surprise! (safer and healthier than bleach) written by Becky Ransey of Indiana (a doctor's wife) as told by her... I would like to tell you of the benefits of that plain little old bottle of 3% peroxide you can get for under $1.00 at any drug store. My husband has been in the medical field for over 36 years, and most doctors don't tell you about peroxide. Have you ever smelled bleach in a doctor's office? No!! Why? Because it smells, and it is not healthy! Ask the nurses who work in the doctor's offices, and ask them if they use bleach at home. They are wiser and know better! Did you also know bleach was invented in the late forties? Its chlorine, folks! It was used to kill our troops in World War II. Peroxide came into popular use during and after WWI. It was used to save and help cleanse the needs of our troops and hospitals. Please think about this. 1. Take one capful and hold in your mouth for ten minutes daily, then spit it out. No more canker sores and your teeth will be whiter without expensive pastes Use it instead of mouthwash. 2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs. (Good one!) 3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters. 4. After rinsing your wooden cutting board, pour peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria. Also kills mold like that with water damage. 5. I had fungus on my feet for years until I sprayed a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry. 6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day. My husband has seen gangrene that would not heal with any medicine but was healed by soaking in peroxide... 7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will. 8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue. 9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly. 10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, reddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change. (Hmmm!) 11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections. 12. Add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary. 13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.
Cleaning/disinfecting with Hydrogen Peroxide & Vinegar Combination of vinegar and hydrogen peroxide make a cheap, effective and non-toxic disinfectant agent and is said to be more effective at killing pathogens than bleach. As it is non-toxic, you can use it to disinfect fruits and vegetables, as well as pet toys, equipment and cages. In tests run at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, pairing Vinegar and Hydrogen Peroxide mists, kills virtually all Salmonella, Shigella, or E. coli bacteria on heavily contaminated food and surfaces. Directions You need TWO spray bottles. DO NOT MIX the solutions together. Put straight vinegar in one and straight Hydrogen peroxide in the other spray bottle. NOTE: Light destroys peroxide rather quickly. It s best to leave it in its original bottle and screw in a spray head. DO NOT DILUTE THEM. Remember for any sanitizer to work properly, the surface has to be clean before you use it. When you want to sanitize a surface (vegetables, cutting board, counters, sink, cages, toys. toilets, floors, etc.), spray one (it doesn t matter which one you use first) on the surface, then you spray on the other. When they mix, for a brief time the chemical action of the two make a very powerful sanitizer. You can rinse off the surface afterwards, if you want, but the result is non-toxic. Fortunately it is cheap. BTW, we use it in the bathroom to sanitize the counters, toilets, floors, etc. Mold Clean with Hydrogen peroxide when your house becomes a biohazard after its invaded by toxic mold, such as those with water damage. Straight or Diluted Hydrogen Perioxide Clean your counters and table tops with hydrogen peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters. Use hydrogen peroxide to clean glass and mirrors with no smearing. Keep a spray bottle of 3% (straight) to disinfect the interior of the refrigerator and kids school lunch boxes. Healing Properties: Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, then spit it out. You will not have canker sores and your teeth will be whiter. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a dentist right away, put a capful of 3% Hydrogen peroxide into your mouth and hold it for 10 minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly. Mouthwash Many people don t realize that hydrogen peroxide makes a very effective and inexpensive mouthwash. Use 3% H202 add a dash of liquid chlorophyll for flavoring if desired. Toothpaste Use baking soda and add enough 3% H202 to make a paste. Toothbrush Or, just dip your brush in 3% H202 and brush. Soak your toothbrush in Hydrogen peroxide to keep them free of germs. Infections Soak any infections or cuts in 3% for five to ten minutes several times a day. Even gangrene that would not heal with any medicine has been healed by soaking in Hydrogen peroxide. Put half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in your bath to help rid boils, fungus or other skin infections. Douche Add 2 capfuls of 3% Hydrogen peroxide in warm distilled water once to twice a week to remove even chronic yeast infections. Foot Fungus To cure a foot fungus, simply spray a 50/50 mixture of Hydrogen peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.