Survivalist Pro
Photo by Anete Lusina Pexels Logo Photo: Anete Lusina

Do rain barrels need to be cleaned?

Rain barrel users should make sure to clean the barrel with a 3% bleach solution before collecting water to irrigate a vegetable garden. Household, unscented bleach with a 5-6% chlorine solution can be added at the rate of 1/8 teaspoon per gallon (8 drops.)

chicagocommunitygardens.org - Disinfecting Rain Barrels to Stay Safe
What items should be kept away from oxygen equipment?
What items should be kept away from oxygen equipment?

Do not use oil, grease, Vaseline or any other flammable substance on your oxygen equipment or on your skin near the equipment. Use water-based...

Read More »
Can you feel sick on a juice cleanse?
Can you feel sick on a juice cleanse?

You might feel 'fluey' By day two your body will be going through a deep detox and removing all the built-up toxins from within your body. This...

Read More »

With our heightened awareness on hygiene, we’re also thinking about how to disinfect our rain barrels before using them for the upcoming season. If there is any concern that organic debris, sediment, or dust entered the barrel during the previous growing season, disinfection will be necessary. It’s also a good time to do any maintenance on the barrel, such as installing a new mesh screen. Implementing good cultural practices (like keeping trash out of the barrel) is important for reducing any pathogen contamination so that gardeners always stay safe. In addition to cultural practices, researchers recommend chemical treatment of rain barrel water before irrigating a garden grown for consumption, to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful pathogens. Rain barrel users should make sure to clean the barrel with a 3% bleach solution before collecting water to irrigate a vegetable garden. Household, unscented bleach with a 5-6% chlorine solution can be added at the rate of 1/8 teaspoon per gallon (8 drops.) Water in a typical 55 gallon rain barrel should be treated with approximately 1 ounce of bleach. Do not use any scented bleach. Wait approximately 24 hours after the addition of bleach to allow the chlorine to dissipate before using the water. It should be noted that household bleach is not labeled for use in water treatment by the Food and Drug Administration, although it is frequently recommended for emergency disinfection of drinking water (USEPA, 2006b). If using bleach is undesirable you can substitute hydrogen peroxide which acts as a mild antiseptic and comes in a 3 percent solution (labeled for household use.) Use 1 cup per gallon of water, slosh around in the barrel to coat all surfaces, and then dump the water and rinse or let air dry. Although 100% biocompatible, this solution is intended to deeply disinfect, and it will harm plants, so be cautious and be sure to wear gloves! Additionally, a half-gallon of vinegar and a box of baking soda in a barrel one-quarter full of water will create a foam mighty enough to clean a barrel. The foam removes any algae or mold that has formed inside the barrel. Just slosh the solution around by rolling the barrel, then rinse and allow to dry before refilling. Hydrogen peroxide can often also be used in place of bleach if you’ve run out of disinfecting wipes or sanitizing gels. Pour the 3% undiluted hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle and spray it on the surface to be cleaned, but let it sit on the surface. It’s not corrosive like bleach, so it’s safe for tools. You can actually pour it over the tools and you don’t have to wipe it off, it decomposes into oxygen and water. Implementing good cultural practices is also important for reducing the pathogen contamination. Harvested rainwater from a rain barrel should only be used for non-foliar applications on vegetable gardens possibly through drip irrigation. Water should be applied in the morning. Harvesting should not take place right after watering in order to benefit from leaf drying and ultraviolet light disinfection. The above information is an excerpt from a Q&A by Brenda Dahlfors, Program Coordinator, Horticulture, University of Illinois Extension, Lake/McHenry Unit. Additional information was found here:https://www.consumerreports.org/cleaning/common-household-products-that-can-destroy-novel-coronavirus/

How to lose 10 pounds?
How to lose 10 pounds?

Here are 14 simple steps to drop 10 pounds in a single month. Try cardio for weight loss. ... Eat fewer refined carbs. ... Start counting calories....

Read More »
What are at least 5 things you should be doing while reading a book to a child or a group of children?
What are at least 5 things you should be doing while reading a book to a child or a group of children?

Here are 5 Simple Reading Tips you can try when reading picture books to children. 1) Create interest in the story by discussing the cover. ... 2)...

Read More »

Why do people put bleach in water?

Additionally, adding a small amount of diluted bleach in water may provide some relief for those with skin conditions, such as eczema. It can also help with psoriasis, impetigo, boils and other skin infections.

If properly diluted with water, bleach baths are effective at preventing skin infections and providing relief for certain skin conditions. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, bleach baths help reduce the number of bacteria on the skin, which helps prevent skin infections, but you need to do them correctly. Additionally, adding a small amount of diluted bleach in water may provide some relief for those with skin conditions, such as eczema. It can also help with psoriasis, impetigo, boils and other skin infections.

The study suggests the following steps regarding bleach baths:

Apparatus An eight-ounce anchored measuring cup Regular household bleach with a strength that does not exceed six percent (do not use bleach with added fragrances) A bathtub filled with warm water Measurements and instructions based on a full tub of water While the tub is filling with water, add half a cup of bleach to the water. Soak in the tub for 5 to 10 minutes, though avoid immersing your face and head. Once out of the tub, pat dry. Apply topical meds (prescribed by the doctor) and heavy moisturizer to your skin. However, before considering this option, consult with your doctor and get your skin health checked. Common advantages and disadvantages may include:

Is Batman bulletproof?
Is Batman bulletproof?

Batman utilizes many different body armor designs, some of which are constructed into his Batsuits, and others which are separate. In its most...

Read More »
Where is the safest place to hide cash?
Where is the safest place to hide cash?

Here are the Top 10 secret hiding places for money we've found: The Tank. There's plenty of room in the toilet's water tank for a jar or some other...

Read More »
Can I refund FIFA 23?
Can I refund FIFA 23?

You can make a refund request: Within 24 hours after you first launch the game. Within 14 days from the day you bought it, if you have not launched...

Read More »
What should I pack in my evacuation Go Bag?
What should I pack in my evacuation Go Bag?

Include enough food and water for three days for each member of your family, along with a manual can opener, moist towelettes, garbage bags, a...

Read More »