Author Topic: Useful tips for the Apocalypse  (Read 4405 times)

AnnaGrowsAMustache

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Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« on: March 20, 2020, 01:04:38 AM »
Run out of foaming hand soap? Top up the dispenser with half tap water and half dishwashing liquid. Voila!

mwulff

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #1 on: March 20, 2020, 01:32:15 AM »
Shelter in place. Keep your distance when shopping and wait it out.

Stay away from others. Stay safe.

AnnaGrowsAMustache

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #2 on: March 20, 2020, 01:54:38 AM »
Whiskey: good for mood AND a germ killer

dougules

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #3 on: March 20, 2020, 07:53:13 AM »
Whiskey: good for mood AND a germ killer

It has to be at least 60% ABV, though.

ketchup

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #4 on: March 20, 2020, 08:13:29 AM »
Remove the head or destroy the brain.

Whiskey: good for mood AND a germ killer

It has to be at least 60% ABV, though.
It's a good time to work at a service lab with a few hundred gallons of anhydrous isopropyl alcohol on hand any given time.  We've rolled our own hand sanitizer.

SunnyDays

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #5 on: March 20, 2020, 10:27:25 AM »
Run out of foaming hand soap? Top up the dispenser with half tap water and half dishwashing liquid. Voila!

I always dilute liquid hand soap and shampoo, because it lasts way longer that way and does just as good of a job.  When it's thick, more is needed to spread it around, which is just wasteful.

renata ricotta

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #6 on: March 20, 2020, 12:59:47 PM »
Shelter in place. Keep your distance when shopping and wait it out.

Stay away from others. Stay safe.

+1.

Find ways to minimize even trips that are deemed "essential" under your state/county orders, such as grocery shopping. Take advantage of curbside pickup and grocery delivery. I have a few friends who work in grocery stores and for Instacart; since they're still going to work as "essential," they'd rather it be the same smaller set of essential employees in the store touching everything over and over again than the constant influx of new members of the public.

Buy enough that you don't have to go back frequently, but also don't hoard more than you need and hurt other people.

GuitarStv

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #7 on: March 20, 2020, 01:09:15 PM »
Make a schedule of tasks for your kid staying at home while you work.  Then there's always something that he's supposed to be doing, which is tremendously useful at freeing up your time to work.

ixtap

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #8 on: March 20, 2020, 01:16:55 PM »
Run out of foaming hand soap? Top up the dispenser with half tap water and half dishwashing liquid. Voila!

I always dilute liquid hand soap and shampoo, because it lasts way longer that way and does just as good of a job.  When it's thick, more is needed to spread it around, which is just wasteful.

Can't you just use less and add the water you are washing with??

SunnyDays

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #9 on: March 20, 2020, 02:17:02 PM »
I guess so, but I just like it this way.  Seems to cover more completely with less effort, especially shampoo, which otherwise is harder to work through the hair when it’s more concentrated.

ctuser1

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #10 on: March 20, 2020, 02:31:42 PM »
bar soap lasts a lot longer than the liquid ones.

GreenToTheCore

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #11 on: March 20, 2020, 03:07:41 PM »
Remove the head or destroy the brain.
Rule 2: Double tap


I guess so, but I just like it this way.  Seems to cover more completely with less effort, especially shampoo, which otherwise is harder to work through the hair when it’s more concentrated.
Agreed, it's much easier with longer hair when it's diluted.


New tip for washing hands (since it's more effective than hand sanitizer): If you can sing the chorus of "Ms. Jackson," you're washing your hands for long enough
https://www.atlantamagazine.com/news-culture-articles/the-cdc-says-to-wash-your-hands-for-20-seconds-9-atlanta-songs-to-help-you-keep-time/
I have been singing Happy Birthday for years, but André is much more enjoyable
« Last Edit: March 20, 2020, 03:12:22 PM by GreenToTheCore »

John Galt incarnate!

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #12 on: March 20, 2020, 03:56:10 PM »




Find ways to minimize even trips that are deemed "essential" under your state/county orders, such as grocery shopping. .

I buy bulk quantities of food and other provisions.

As of today I  have enough for at least 2 months.


GuitarStv

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #13 on: March 20, 2020, 05:26:18 PM »
Coconut water can be used injected into human veins to replace blood plasma in a pinch.  Seriously.  This was apparently a thing in WWII.

https://thestudentscientist.org/2018/06/27/coconuts-world-war-ii-and-saline-solution/

FrugalSaver

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #14 on: March 20, 2020, 05:28:31 PM »
Whiskey: good for mood AND a germ killer

Also reduces your immune system. I’m not drinking any alcohol right now

ixtap

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #15 on: March 20, 2020, 06:12:15 PM »




Find ways to minimize even trips that are deemed "essential" under your state/county orders, such as grocery shopping. .

I buy bulk quantities of food and other provisions.

As of today I  have enough for at least 2 months.

My grocery list is sooo long right now. If it is in the store, I don't want to walk out without it due to my own stupidity.

AnnaGrowsAMustache

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #16 on: March 20, 2020, 06:38:01 PM »
Coconut water can be used injected into human veins to replace blood plasma in a pinch.  Seriously.  This was apparently a thing in WWII.

https://thestudentscientist.org/2018/06/27/coconuts-world-war-ii-and-saline-solution/

...... think I'll pass on that one!

Warlord1986

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #17 on: March 20, 2020, 09:30:40 PM »
Guns need to be reloaded. Swords? Not so much.

bilmar

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #18 on: March 21, 2020, 03:51:20 PM »
Alcohol is very hard to get in the store & Amazon  in small bottles but easy to find on EBay by the gallon.

I just got 5L jug of 99% for $9 and there were lots of people on EBay selling it from USA with free ground shipping between $9 and $13

Once you get it you can dilute any soap with alcohol to make it last longer and kill the virus

SimpleCycle

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #19 on: March 23, 2020, 05:54:54 AM »
Three verses of Baby Shark is 20 seconds long, will get toddler to wash his hands.

GuitarStv

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #20 on: March 23, 2020, 09:01:45 AM »
Three verses of Baby Shark is 20 seconds long, will get toddler to wash his hands.

Yeah, but the alternative is just coronavirus.  So . . . I mean, weigh the cost of three versus of Baby Shark.  Sophie's choice right there.

Kem

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #21 on: March 23, 2020, 09:09:20 AM »
Lye + Any Oil/Grease + Water = Soap
Lye + Bleach = area defense gas  *seriously do not do this, it kills folks
Lye + Aluminum + Water = Hydrogen Gas (burns FAST... as in BOOM... meaning NO aluminum pans folks)
Mild Lye Water = pour water through freshly burned wood ash
Lye = boil softwood ashes in rainwater for 1 hour.  Allow ashes to settle.  Collect lye foam from the top. 

Note... do not breath any of this stuff
Note... use only glass or stainless on this stuff
Note... do not allow this onto your flesh
Note... for entertainment purposes only... do your own research folks 

*yes I make my own 'luxury' bath soap
*yes I've made lye, but typically buy it.  nasty stuff but useful too
« Last Edit: March 23, 2020, 09:29:56 AM by Kem »

MilesTeg

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #22 on: March 23, 2020, 09:22:57 AM »
Just a random PSA: don't forget to NOT mix household cleaning agents in an attempt to improve cleaning power (or for any reason). Particularly anything with bleach and ammonia (which are included in a lot of household cleaning products). That combo will create chlorine gas and that will do very nasty things to you (including kill you if you are exposed enough). Another way to put it: don't brew (literal) chemical weapons in your house ;)

Kem

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #23 on: March 23, 2020, 09:27:11 AM »
Acorn flour
husk acorns and grind.  fill jar halfway.  top off with water.  store in fridge
Daily drain with a cheesecloth and refill with water
repeat for 10 days
taste meal - should not be bitter - if so give a few more days
spread out thin and dehydrate
Bake away

AnnaGrowsAMustache

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #24 on: March 23, 2020, 12:01:33 PM »
Just a random PSA: don't forget to NOT mix household cleaning agents in an attempt to improve cleaning power (or for any reason). Particularly anything with bleach and ammonia (which are included in a lot of household cleaning products). That combo will create chlorine gas and that will do very nasty things to you (including kill you if you are exposed enough). Another way to put it: don't brew (literal) chemical weapons in your house ;)

Chlorine gas will do even nastier things to your pets - it's heavier than air and sits at ground level. It was used as a chemical weapon in the world wars.
Btw, simply mixing baking soda and bleach will give you chlorine gas. Don't do it.

LetItGrow

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #25 on: March 24, 2020, 09:07:32 PM »
Just a random PSA: don't forget to NOT mix household cleaning agents in an attempt to improve cleaning power (or for any reason). Particularly anything with bleach and ammonia (which are included in a lot of household cleaning products). That combo will create chlorine gas and that will do very nasty things to you (including kill you if you are exposed enough). Another way to put it: don't brew (literal) chemical weapons in your house ;)

Chlorine gas will do even nastier things to your pets - it's heavier than air and sits at ground level. It was used as a chemical weapon in the world wars.
Btw, simply mixing baking soda and bleach will give you chlorine gas. Don't do it.

I don’t seem to hear this as often as I did back in the 80s.  That seems weird to me, since I don’t think any of the cleaners have changed their brews significantly enough to make them safe(r). And surely we are not smarter now than then. Maybe we just don’t clean enough...

DeniseNJ

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #26 on: March 24, 2020, 09:22:29 PM »
I really do feel like I'm on the walking dead, or maybe little house on the prairie or something. Been making eggless cakes to save my eggs. Tons of eggless cakes recipes online.  I only have two packets of yeast for bread

Kem

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #27 on: March 25, 2020, 06:08:49 AM »
Lookup how to feed a sourdough starter. 

Instead of making the starter using your home's biome... Proof 1 of your yeast packets and toss that in.

GuitarStv

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #28 on: March 25, 2020, 07:34:06 AM »
I really do feel like I'm on the walking dead, or maybe little house on the prairie or something. Been making eggless cakes to save my eggs. Tons of eggless cakes recipes online.  I only have two packets of yeast for bread

I've been using up the yeast in our fridge.  It 'expired' a year and a half ago, but still works.  You just need to let it sit in warm water with a little extra sugar for longer before baking.  :P

FIRE Artist

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #29 on: March 25, 2020, 09:04:41 AM »
I love growing herbs and tomatoes in my house all winter, I have two Aerogardens (spendy to get set up but relatively easy to hack to save money going forward). 

Since I follow indoor gardening a picture came through my feed of taking a boot tray, putting water in it and then putting in the cut ends of onions, lettuce etc to easily grow green onions and some lettuce at home.  I am going to give this a try, because I think it is fun as much as anything else...and I use tons of green onions. 

I was planning to set up a simple microgreens garden at home this spring - Get a big translucent plastic bin, make the lid your base, put  a bag of potting soil on it and cut in slits in the soil bag.  Sow your seeds in the slits and use the translucent bin as your greenhouse.  Since we are still well into winter where i live in Canada I don't think I will be able to do this this year (assuming everything is shut down by the time it is warm enough), but those of you who are living in appropriate climates right now, I would totally be doing this.  Simple, easy enough to do on a balcony and you can start harvesting in a short time. 

Morning Glory

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #30 on: March 25, 2020, 09:31:50 AM »
Put old clothes on your lawn so it looks like you've been raptured.

ixtap

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #31 on: March 25, 2020, 09:32:41 AM »
Put old clothes on your lawn so it looks like you've been raptured.

Awesome!

maizefolk

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #32 on: March 25, 2020, 09:37:41 AM »
Coconut water can be used injected into human veins to replace blood plasma in a pinch.  Seriously.  This was apparently a thing in WWII.

https://thestudentscientist.org/2018/06/27/coconuts-world-war-ii-and-saline-solution/

Ha! Very good to know.

Also important to coconut trees don't start producing coconuts for 5-6 years.

So if you think you might need IV fluids in the coming afterscape, the best time to plant coconuts in your backyard was six years ago, and the next best time is today!

mm1970

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #33 on: March 25, 2020, 10:49:49 AM »
Make a schedule of tasks for your kid staying at home while you work.  Then there's always something that he's supposed to be doing, which is tremendously useful at freeing up your time to work.
And be prepared to hear them bitch about the schedule.  Every damn day.

GuitarStv

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #34 on: March 25, 2020, 11:39:29 AM »
Make a schedule of tasks for your kid staying at home while you work.  Then there's always something that he's supposed to be doing, which is tremendously useful at freeing up your time to work.
And be prepared to hear them bitch about the schedule.  Every damn day.

If your brain hasn't already adapted to tune out a screaming or upset kid after two weeks of being locked inside with 'em . . . you're a better man than me.

markbike528CBX

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Re: Useful tips for the Apocalypse
« Reply #35 on: March 25, 2020, 12:53:25 PM »
Whiskey: good for mood AND a germ killer

It has to be at least 60% ABV, though.

At 151 proof75% ABV you can use it for rocket fuel, and wipe out the Entire zombie horde.
V-2 rockets used ethanol and LOX (liquid oxygen)