The Prepping Thread - A Newer Beginning ;)

GreyQueen

 @  Thriftygifty, a solution of washing up liquid in plain water would be prefectly fine, kinder to your body and the wider environment. If the items are shelf-stable, perhaps they could be put aside briefly to air dry?

Nargleblast

I was going to say the same to Thriftygifty, soapy water should be fine if you want to wipe anything down. 

greenbee

@Thriftygifty - I use olive oil soap. I lather it in my hands, wash whatever it is that needs washing, try not to drop it, rinse and put on the drainer. Stuff that needs to go in the fridge gets dried. The rest is ignored for as long as possible. 

Having had my first supermarket delivery in 10 weeks I'm quite relieved they're not more frequent! I'm back to the veg box and milkman until the next time I can see more space in the freezer than I'm comfortable with. Which should be a while, as by then I expect the garden to be starting to produce at least lettuce and radishes!

pollyanna_26

DryTheRain said:

As a newly designated CEV I’ll be steering clear of supermarkets for a while, even though visits were mostly confined to late night swoops when it’s quiet. Feel very fortunate to have someone who’s happy to shop for me.

But golly first vax later today (been great to hear everyone’s experiences, thanks again!) and as I can’t attend MC’s mum’s funeral next week I’ve decided to try and make an occasion of it, a sort of all round mark of respect if that makes sense. So the sleeveless black dress I panic bought will be worn, nails have received a slightly clumsy manicure and my best double masking game will be on. Along with profuse thanks to the staff, and a wobbly takeaway coffee afterwards with equally profuse thanks to MC. Unsettling times eh, must try and get some sleep x

I hope your jab went ok. A lovely idea to wear the black dress in honour od MCs mum. Hoping you managed some sleep, many seem to be struggling at the moment. I'm beginning to get a little by forcing myself not to nap in the daytime.

CEV since day one dd hasn't been in a shop since. Online ,her bf or me do the quick in and outs for shopping.

pollyx

pollyanna_26

euronorris said:

We still get regular deliveries. It reduces our exposure risk, and husband suffers with anxiety so he is far more worried about it than the average person.  We clean it all once delivered, with a sterilising tablet in a big bowl of water (the type used for sterilising baby bottles). I give the milk bottles a wipe down when they arrive as well, but that is mostly because they often have bits of mud on them.

But, tbh, I find shopping online more efficient and often cheaper. I'm far less tempted by impulse purchases, and like others I have a meal plan idea in my head and shop based around that. I don't tend to worry about short dates with most things. It can either go in the freezer, or if fruit, we just eat that first. I used to spend far more pre pandemic because I would go to the supermarket most days, would often give in to buying a pre made lunch and would ultimately impulse buy far more. I do miss browsing though lol.

I will also pop to a shop as and when needed (I might need to go this weekend to top up fruit), but tend to choose farm shop where I can. It's quieter, and supports a small business. And, it's surrounded by beautiful countryside and has a little stream you have to cross via a bridge between car park and front door, so it feels like a nice little outing lol.

The roadmap has boosted our moods here  and renewed motivation for healthy eating and losing weight, so already got through way more fruit than usual (hence needing to top up). I know some people are nervous about schools returning, but we are delighted. DD is only child and really, really needs to socialise with other children. We are looking forward to the gradual opening of things also, with DDs swimming hopefully restarting after 12 April! And we have booked a staycation for a week in later July in Cornwall. Really looking forward to that! .

And today's fun thing? Cleaning the car with DD in the sun lol.

I've been using the liquid version of Milton for more years than I can remember for some cleaning tasks. Mainly because youngest has always been a magnet for infection. I haven't bought bleach for years.

When I was teaching one of the school cleaners nearly sent herself out of the world by mixing bleach, an ammonia based " Wonder cleaner" and another item in her mop bucket" unknown to us. She'd decided it would be more effective on the toilet floors. Luckily she was found dizzy and disorientated and taken to A&E

There are so many cleaning products nowadays. I think back to my mum in the 50s and 60s. Aunt Sally's Liquid Soap in the mop bucket ( I have spent decades trying to replicate that) Vim , Fairy Soap and a pkt of Oxydol soap powder. A tin of furniture polish and that was it, She kept a very clean house with those items and elbow grease.

pollyx

Thriftygifty

Fab thanks will move to that for next weeks shop. 

I am missing the freedom of camping, I don't think we will be venturing anywhere this year to stay, it is going to be rammed with tourists here, DH and I were making a plan for days out, we will be leaving very early and taking a few bits with us to make breakfast whilst out.  Oh also to add to list of things that I am leaving in the car will be a tick remover, it never occurred to me before someone mentioned one the other day. 

pollyanna_26

VJsmum said:

I've lost some of my veg patch  We put in a log burner in the autumn and the log store went there - now we've added a bit of an extension to the log store as well so i've hardly any left.  I'll just about get in a wigwam for beans and maybe a few carrots, radish and beetroot.  I'll do some toms in grow bags too.  But that'll be it, I fear.

Been gorgeous here too - i walked without my coat!  Didn't even take it with me.

Just making sure the log burner is indoors! I remember advising you to sing a slow and boring " I need a log burner" dirge until your dh gave in.

pollyx

MrsCD

I just spray my lemon dettol onto a cloth and wipe everything that comes in. We have a weekly recurring slot as I shop for 4 households at once. My dad is CEV, and other family are vulnerable too, so I'm careful for them. All f&v is washed before eating anyway, so I think that's enough for us.

Hard_Up_Hester

I was working in a prep school during a norovirus outbreak, I was the only member of the domestic staff not to go down with it, despite cleaning up after 30 very small poorly boys.
Either I'm immune or my hand washing skills are second to none.

VJsmum

pollyanna_26 said:

VJsmum said:

I've lost some of my veg patch  We put in a log burner in the autumn and the log store went there - now we've added a bit of an extension to the log store as well so i've hardly any left.  I'll just about get in a wigwam for beans and maybe a few carrots, radish and beetroot.  I'll do some toms in grow bags too.  But that'll be it, I fear.

Been gorgeous here too - i walked without my coat!  Didn't even take it with me.

Just making sure the log burner is indoors! I remember advising you to sing a slow and boring " I need a log burner" dirge until your dh gave in.

pollyx

   Yes, it's indoors.  We realised we're not likely to move within the foreseeable so have been throwing some money at the house.  OH was quite happy to have it.  The fly in the ointment is that all the free wood we have access to is in Wales - and we are not.