The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

VJsmum

I think there is still quite a difference between soap and bleach.  

RAS

I shop at local places where we queue outside, socially distanced, and in my case masked if there are groups as they'll be shedding more than singletons. I wash my hands when I get home.

But I also use the local .supermarkets, not least because I buy shelf stable goods for the foodbank and am mindful that they're under extra pressure at the moment. Can't get everything from one store as they stock different things. However one thing on the rotational list is those 4-packs of cheap soap bars from Lid*y or Alddee, as I reckon those using foodbanks need them as much as food. Have started adding one item of toiletries each week as well, shaving gel, razors, shampoo, toothpaste or toothbrushes.

With respect to shortages; definitely seeing some slots empty everywhere, although they are usually replenished in a few days. Just in time is not working as smoothly as it used to do.

Veggies and fruit are however being hit not just by import delays but by the devastation caused by the big freeze in Spain which knocked out not just stuff that was due for harvest but stuff growing to cover the next few months. Thankfully we don't get much from the US but I expect they'll have the same issue there over the next few months.

greenbee

VJsmum said:

I think there is still quite a difference between soap and bleach.  

Absolutely - we have a shared sewage treatment plant with grey water flowing out into a stream. We have very strict rules on what can and can't go down the drain, and the environment agency test periodically... my neighbour, who runs it, just happens to work for a chemical manufacturer and he also tests. He's warned the less-adaptable users of the system that if they use their 'traditional' cleaning products rather than eco-friendly (or soap, water, vinegar and elbow grease...) that it costs significantly more to maintain even without any fines. And he dips the manholes for his samples, so they know he can identify the offenders (this practice was put into place after problems with babywipes blocking it up). 

There's even an environmental difference between liquid and bar soap - both in the manufacturing (use of water), packaging (more plastic) and shipping (transporting water). I use big blocks of olive oil soap for most things, artisan hand-made soap for gifts and treats, soap nuts and vinegar for laundry and castille soap (or soapnut liquid) for cleaning. Mind you, I don't do much cleaning, so my supplies of cleaning products last me years  

I have to admit I do tend to wash my shopping - my mum had norovirus 15 years ago which was probably picked up in a supermarket due to people touching and putting things down (when she said it was the only place she'd been, the consultant said they were horrible germy places - covid has probably done us a favour getting people to think more about it), and ended up in hospital with sepsis. So hand hygiene and dealing with shopping have become a habit - unpacking/decanting things, wiping them down etc. I also find it helpful to deal with fresh stuff when it arrives rather than processing it twice, as time tends to be short during the week for meal prep, so having salads made up and veg prepped and ready to go helps ensure I eat properly. 

Floss

boazu said:

We chuck in bleach, disinfectant and washing up liquid because I have them in the cupboard and always have used them it's perhaps overkill but does no harm...

.... However, it's up to each of us as individuals to decide how and what we do to live this life!....

But when posters are advising that something YOU are doing is DANGEROUS, perhaps that advice should be considered. And if you do not believe what several different posters had told you, then consult your search engine of choice and read for yourself the hazards of mixing bleach with other household cleaning agents - as you have stated yourself.

euronorris

We have liquid soap in the kitchen, but bar soap in the bathroom. TBH, that is mostly driven by DH and his very sensitive skin. He finds the liquid versions often aggravate his skin.

Big fan of shampoo bars now. DH and DD also use them too. They are something that j find more expensive up front, but cheaper in the long run as they last so long. I also managed to get several from Lush in their post xmas sale. As well as bubble bars. Amazing. We're not perfect when trying to be environmentally friendly, but we are trying.

The car is better. I can't say clean, as it could do with a proper wash by someone better than me! Lol. But it is better than before. Found 2 dummies under the back seats! DD gave them up at 2. She's almost 5 now! *shocked face*

greenbee

Noaidi said:

Perhaps those of you who are guzzling the wine and gin every night may want to step off the sanctimonious pedestals. Perhaps those who are quite steadily addicted to sugar may also want to take a step backwards? How about those who hardly exercise? Maybe those of you who don't eat a good variation of fruit and vegetables a day could well ease away a little too.

I am horrified as any of you that Boazu is mixing bleach with other household chemicals and I will say as much in either PM or on the phone but never would I speak to her as you all have. Each of your behaviours to MrsLurcherwalker/Boazu over this past year suggests that you don't care one iota about the bleach, you just care about getting one over on her, massaging your egos as you try to bring her down. Your behaviours are repetitive and very sad to see, considering I looked up to each and every one of you who do this.

The message is loud and clear. Please don't mix bleach with other cleaning stuffs but please, each one of you, go back and read how you've framed your posts, read it as I read it - as a collection of passive aggressive attacks aimed at the the one lady whom you've repeatedly argued against every time she posts. You don't like Boazu. There's history there, we know that, the rest of MSE doesn't know that though eh? You can feign that you care all you want but we know otherwise as you gossip and ridicule in your own private groups. I've seen it all before with you all.

We all make our way in this life, we all have our own covid scars, our fears and our coping strategies and I find it hurtful, to me personally, that people whom I looked up, repeatedly pass comment on how a person is trying to survive this. 

fuddle

I have no idea why your response is quite so vicious and emotional. There is nothing sanctimonious about the responses, but a genuine concern for someone promoting an unsafe practice. Regardless of whether you're going to explain the dangers to her, it needs to be made clear to others reading that this isn't safe.

The topic of mixing bleach with disinfectant and other cleaning products comes up on MSE (generally on the OS board) periodically, and always elicits strong responses because of the very understandable concerns that others might read the suggestions and follow the example.

Several people have advised that there are other, safer practices that will provide equal protection against the virus - and having had it myself (and coming up to a year, I am still living with the ongoing impact) - I would certainly not discourage anyone from taking sensible precautions - handwashing, cleaning items that they're unsure have been dealt with hygienically, wearing masks, eating properly, taking vitamin D supplements etc. But not stepping in to flag up harmful practices would be irresponsible. How the OP chooses to continue is their business, but they should not be promoting, or even defending it in the fact of scientific evidence (and I provided a link earlier) that it is dangerous. 

maddiemay

As I have done before, I will pop back in a few weeks and see if things have calmed down, but I will say that I think it important that the message about mixing chemicals was repeated loud and clear for the benefit of those who just drop in to this thread and must be under no illusion about the dangers. I hope that few if any saw the original post and now feel it is a good thing to do.
Take care, stay safe, stay well. x

Floss

Noaidi said:

Perhaps those of you who are guzzling the wine and gin every night may want to step off the sanctimonious pedestals. Perhaps those who are quite steadily addicted to sugar may also want to take a step backwards? How about those who hardly exercise? Maybe those of you who don't eat a good variation of fruit and vegetables a day could well ease away a little too.

I am horrified as any of you that Boazu is mixing bleach with other household chemicals and I will say as much in either PM or on the phone but never would I speak to her as you all have. Each of your behaviours to MrsLurcherwalker/Boazu over this past year suggests that you don't care one iota about the bleach, you just care about getting one over on her, massaging your egos as you try to bring her down. Your behaviours are repetitive and very sad to see, considering I looked up to each and every one of you who do this.

The message is loud and clear. Please don't mix bleach with other cleaning stuffs but please, each one of you, go back and read how you've framed your posts, read it as I read it - as a collection of passive aggressive attacks aimed at the the one lady whom you've repeatedly argued against every time she posts. You don't like Boazu. There's history there, we know that, the rest of MSE doesn't know that though eh? You can feign that you care all you want but we know otherwise as you gossip and ridicule in your own private groups. I've seen it all before with you all.

We all make our way in this life, we all have our own covid scars, our fears and our coping strategies and I find it hurtful, to me personally, that people whom I looked up, repeatedly pass comment on how a person is trying to survive this. 

fuddle

Fuddle.
I very it very hurtful that you make derogatory comments about some of those who you previously took away to another place because MSE was a "nasty place with bullies", those who you decided weren't nice enough to be in your little gang.

Those posters are not the gin /wine swilling, sugar-addicted, non fruit & veg eating lazy good for nothings you imagine, but are educated, well respected, professional people who do not need to be libelled when trying to point out the error of someone's repeated dangerous behaviour, or to point out to all that each one of the posters has a different take on life right now through their own experiences of Covid, and sharing those experiences. 

You obviously do not like some of those posters, so please either do as Martin always said and be nice to other posters, or if you cannot then please stop reading this thread.

[Deleted User]

I seem to have knocked the hornets nest yet again! nowhere do I recommend anyone using my method for washing goods, you are all doing your own version or not bothering it's your personal choice. For the record it's a full washing up bowl of water with a splash of bleach, a splash of own brand disinfectant and a splash of washing up liquid, so dilute that there is no odour and I scrub items with a washing up sponge scourer.  DO NOT DO THIS YOURSELVES, I merely shared my way which sadly has drawn down the usual people in the usual tone. I shall take down the original post right away as I don't want any more of it!

VJsmum

greenbee said:

I have to admit I do tend to wash my shopping - my mum had norovirus 15 years ago which was probably picked up in a supermarket due to people touching and putting things down (when she said it was the only place she'd been, the consultant said they were horrible germy places - covid has probably done us a favour getting people to think more about it), and ended up in hospital with sepsis. So hand hygiene and dealing with shopping have become a habit - unpacking/decanting things, wiping them down etc. I also find it helpful to deal with fresh stuff when it arrives rather than processing it twice, as time tends to be short during the week for meal prep, so having salads made up and veg prepped and ready to go helps ensure I eat properly. 

Noro is awful and i had no idea that it could lead to sepsis   I agree that this virus has hopefully changed a lot of behaviours.  I travel a lot on trains in normal times and will be far more cautious than previously - washing hands on arrival at my destination, for example.  I can't imagine ever being without anti-bac again either.