The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

PipneyJane

GreyQueen wrote: »

Pleased to have been of service and here's hoping that your future clothes will be mildew-free and fragrant.

I really hate plastics for certain things and frankly think that they ought to be banned for shoe storage, I call plastic shoe boxes shoe coffins, cos they're gonna die in there.


I store some clothes in wicker hampers which, with cotton cloth linings, or a drop cloth over the top (to keep dust off), are attractive and very affordable storage for things which don't need to hang. I store seldom-used footwear in cotton bags for life, such as hiking boots which are only used in season.


Clothes storage areas should combine the following qualities:


1. Not in furniture (free-standing or built-ins) which backs onto an outside wall, a cold spot void or a bathroom - mould risk.

Oh, God yes. You’ve brought back some horrible memories. The built in wardrobe in my first house was against an outside wall, which was incredibly damp (for no reason I could ever work out). Everything that touched it grew mould. Since I was broke, the best I could do was buy some plastic “wicker” crates to slot into the shelves. The crates created room for air to circulate and prevented anything touching that wall.

2. Not exposed to sun - sun fades textiles, often unevenly, and rots cloth. Minimise sun exposure when line drying - bring 'em in as soon as they're dry.


3. Storage area should be as airy as possible, ideally not rammed with stuff, so air can circulate. You may want to leave wardrobe or cupboard doors ajar to promote air circulation.


4. Do not hang knitwear or knitted textiles as they will distort. Good hangers are key, the heavier the garment, the better the hanger should be. Shaped, padded hangers are to be recommended for coats and jackets.


5. Clothes should be aired before being returned to storage, if they are things like coats, jackets, suits etc. I think that washable things should not be returned to wardrobes or drawers once worn. By all means, re-wear, but air them out but keep them out of the storage areas until they are laundered again.


It's a good habit to bottom out clothes storage areas now and again, perhaps when changing over summer to winter clothes, to check that everything is still OK and that no little pesties have set up home. Clothes and shoes can and should last decades with reasonably careful storage, I know I was wearing some early 1960s pieces from my mother's youth when I was a student in the 1980s.

What is your opinion re using cardboard archive boxes? Would they be moth resistant? They’re cheap, tough, stackable, able to take a heavy load but, being cardboard, shouldn’t cause sweating.

- Pip (I want to get this right)

GreyQueen

I think they'd be great, Pip


What attracts moths to garments are our (forgive the visual) 'bodily secretions' so scrupulously clean articles shouldn't be attractive to moths anyway.

If I were doing this, I would pack items away very clean, ironed and aired - if applicable, and loosely folded in the kon marie style, with something like lavender sachets/ cedar discs or balls inside. Not too tightly rammed, either.

I won't go near commercial moth balls, paradichlorobenzene (if memory has it correctly spelled) is a nerve poison - yuck.


Re having inherited a built-in wardrobe on an outside wall, you'd be astonished at how common this incredibly unwise habit is. Makes me want to clasp the perpetrators gently by the throat and demand to know what.were.they.thinking!?

Nargleblast

Interesting about the wardrobes, I have a four bedroomed house and three of the rooms have fitted wardrobes. Never thought about it before but they're all against internal walls, so maybe modern house building takes that into account.

DigForVictory

Anyone got family or friends holidaying in California?
Basic quake prepping as it kicks off is (if Indoors) DROP to the ground; take COVER by getting under a sturdy table or other piece of furniture; and HOLD ON until the shaking stops. If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.

Try to stay away from things like windows that could break & things that could fall like light fittings.

If you're in bed, stay there but protect you head - move if you are under a heavy light fixture that could fall.

Shelter only in a doorway that is a loadbearing one - most inside ones are not.

Stay inside until the shaking stops and it is safe to go outside. Do not exit a building during the shaking. (Most injuries occur when people move.)

DO NOT use elevators.

Remember the electricity may go out or the sprinkler systems or fire alarms may turn on.

So, happy holidays - & per 'Three of a Kind', "go in peace, love & protective headgear"...

DigForVictory

Oh yes, additional bonus feature after earthquakes.

Fires.

Urban infrastructure doesn't always tolerate being wiggled so gas leaks can occur unnoticed for a bit & then 'boom'.
Fuel stations are frankly a hazard.

jk0

I have asked a similar question on Landlordzone:


I have been notified by my bank that all online transactions will need to be authenticated by this stupid tiny calculator from September.


Other than using a smartphone, (which gives me a headache) has anyone found a bank account that does not require this?

dreaming

jk0 wrote: »

I have asked a similar question on Landlordzone:


I have been notified by my bank that all online transactions will need to be authenticated by this stupid tiny calculator from September.


Other than using a smartphone, (which gives me a headache) has anyone found a bank account that does not require this?

There has been several posts on The Budgeting and Bank Accounts forum about this. It seems that new legislation coming in soon requires all banks to add in another level of authentication and some are going for the card reader or passcode calculator type gadget. Others seem to be using apps. or OTP authentication calls to mobiles. Not sure if anyone has found anything other than these. HTH

Chieveley

jk0 wrote: »

I have asked a similar question on Landlordzone:


I have been notified by my bank that all online transactions will need to be authenticated by this stupid tiny calculator from September.


Other than using a smartphone, (which gives me a headache) has anyone found a bank account that does not require this?

Santander does not require any gadget to login & laptop friendly.Requires a code by text when paying a new payee, and pays 1.5% interest but can't recall the threshold for that.

dreaming

Chieveley wrote: »

Santander does not require any gadget to login & laptop friendly.Requires a code by text when paying a new payee, and pays 1.5% interest but can't recall the threshold for that.

Santander are also adding in the extra layer of security for logging in to your account, but not to a card-reader (so far). Just either their mobile app., or the OTP to a mobile.

jk0

Oh, this is interesting. I emailed HSBC about this, and they tell me a larger secure key is available. I have asked them to send me one.