Have you ever thought how you might be doing the laundry if electricity and/or your washing machine was not available? Maybe on an old-fashioned scrub board in the creek out yonder? Here's a great idea that's cheap and easy, and probably works better than any little contraption out there that costs too much money anyway.
HOMEMADE WASHING MACHINE
All you need is a 5-gallon plastic bucket and a plunger...that's right, a plunger (a clean one)! Cut out a hole that is slightly larger than the plunger handle in the center of the bucket lid. Slip the plunger handle through the hole underneath the lid, fill the bucket with hot, soapy water, then attach the lid securely. Could it be any easier?
In Emergency Essentials, they sell a little tiny washing machine that you turn by hand. The rotation is all the agitation the clothes get, so I can't imagine they'd get that good of a washing. The plunger idea seems so practical and much more efficient, and it undoubtedly holds more than than E.E.'s little unit.
This is one of the easiest things to assemble and put away for emergency preparedness--just don't forget to store lots of laundry soap too!
Showing posts with label Emergency Preparedness. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Emergency Preparedness. Show all posts
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Emergency Preparedness: Water Storage
Emergency Preparedness (EP) is my new category, and I'll be adding something new at least once a week. I thought I'd start with water after Lori posted her own water storage on her blog.
WATER STORAGE: THE ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT
Water storage is probably the most important aspect of EP. It will make or break a good EP plan. One should provide a minimum of 2 quarts of clean drinking water per day for each person. For hygiene, an additional 2 quarts of water per person per day is recommended. In hot climates, more water is needed. Keep at LEAST a 3-day supply of water per person.
Don't use plastic bottles that have had milk or non-food products in them. Water should be stored in dark, cool areas and/or in opaque containers. The simplest way to store water is in 55-gallon plastic water drums. A simple and inexpensive hand pump that is inserted into the barrel will make water extraction easy. However, these barrels are heavy once filled with water. The following are some additional suggestions for storing in smaller containers:
~2-liter pop bottles, well cleaned.
~Sports drink or water bottles.
~5 to 25-gal. water containers (Industrial Container 1845 S. 5200 W. Phone [801] 972-1561).
~Canning jars filled and put through a hot water bath.
Q: How long can water be stored before it has to be rotated?
A: Stored water may eventually develop a disagreeable appearance, taste, or odor. Renew your water supply at least every six months (discard the old water by using it to water grass, plants, etc.). Under emergency conditions, water that tastes "flat" can be aerated by pouring the water from one container to another three or four times. Water will lose its oxygen, and this reintroduces the oxygen to the water.
Q: How can the shelf life of water be increased?
A: To store water in translucent bottles, group the containers together in dark plastic bags to keep out the light. Water can be treated with iodine (sold in drops or tablets), chlorine bleach, water tablets, and boiling. Long-term storage with chemicals can create health problems, so chemically treated water should be rotated often.
Additional web sites for more water storage containers, filters, and treatment chemicals:
~beprepared.com
~disasternecessities.com
~gemplers.com
WATER STORAGE: THE ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT
Water storage is probably the most important aspect of EP. It will make or break a good EP plan. One should provide a minimum of 2 quarts of clean drinking water per day for each person. For hygiene, an additional 2 quarts of water per person per day is recommended. In hot climates, more water is needed. Keep at LEAST a 3-day supply of water per person.
Don't use plastic bottles that have had milk or non-food products in them. Water should be stored in dark, cool areas and/or in opaque containers. The simplest way to store water is in 55-gallon plastic water drums. A simple and inexpensive hand pump that is inserted into the barrel will make water extraction easy. However, these barrels are heavy once filled with water. The following are some additional suggestions for storing in smaller containers:
~2-liter pop bottles, well cleaned.
~Sports drink or water bottles.
~5 to 25-gal. water containers (Industrial Container 1845 S. 5200 W. Phone [801] 972-1561).
~Canning jars filled and put through a hot water bath.
Q: How long can water be stored before it has to be rotated?
A: Stored water may eventually develop a disagreeable appearance, taste, or odor. Renew your water supply at least every six months (discard the old water by using it to water grass, plants, etc.). Under emergency conditions, water that tastes "flat" can be aerated by pouring the water from one container to another three or four times. Water will lose its oxygen, and this reintroduces the oxygen to the water.
Q: How can the shelf life of water be increased?
A: To store water in translucent bottles, group the containers together in dark plastic bags to keep out the light. Water can be treated with iodine (sold in drops or tablets), chlorine bleach, water tablets, and boiling. Long-term storage with chemicals can create health problems, so chemically treated water should be rotated often.
Additional web sites for more water storage containers, filters, and treatment chemicals:
~beprepared.com
~disasternecessities.com
~gemplers.com
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)