Posted on 11/23/2012 7:17:38 PM PST by Kartographer
Here’s a super quick tip for those of you who use liquid laundry detergent. Did you know those jugs, once they’re empty, are great for storing wash water in? You can rinse them out a couple of times (usually I do that into my last load of laundry from that jug anyway) or just fill them up and let the bubbles settle and you’ve got a jug of water that’s great for using to wash clothes, floors, etc. It already has some soap in it!
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I use empty vinegar containers to store water....and empty bleach containers to store water...
I mentioned this about six months ago.
You don’t even need to rinse them, most have the plastic caps so you can turn them upside down to get the soap almost entirely out to wash with, then just fill em with water.
I use a black magic marker to write a big S on the front so I know it’s soapy water, not potable water.
Not really necessary, because my general rule in re-using plastic bottles is “If it came with food in it, it’s ok to use for potable water. Anything else is utility water”.
I keep around 40 gallons of water stored in one gallon jugs. I actually have access to an unlimited supply of water but this is so I don’t have to transport.
I used empty milk jugs and bleach jugs. The milk jugs even after being rinsed several times will develop a light sour mild smell. I have noticed that if I empty, then refill them after having stored water in them for a month or so, the smell almost goes away.
I would only use that for flushing toilet etc. The bleach bottles should be good to drink but I don’t even need them for that. They would be OK for washing tho.
Be careful with the milk jugs. They are not the best choice for long term storage. They are manufactured to actually degrade after a while.
You are correct, they do degrade after a few months. I drink enough milk to keep them replenished.
Actually what I do is take a couple of the older jugs and pour the water out around my burn barrel then throw the jugs in with the other items being burned.
My mother used to use bleach bottles to store drinking water. One day my 2 year old nephew ran into the bathroom and drank bleach.
We immediately mixed up the antidote and spooned it down him on the way to the hospital (no ambulance service in the rural area).
He was ok. I wish I could say that was the only thing, but he was adept at escaping adults and trying out many things. He also could climb like a monkey before he could walk.
It makes for interesting family stories these days, but I sometimes wonder how he ever managed to survive.LOL
It is illegal to burn milk jugs and plastics in some states.
It is illegal to do just about anything in some states. Fortunately most of them are well North or West of where I live.
I use the liquid laundry detergent bottles to store powder detergent, TSP and anything powdery which would be damaged in a flood.
I store washing or flushing water in plastic containers. Drinking water is stored in glass bottles only. My canning jars are filled with either food or water.
I mark “TAP WATER” with a date.....we don’t drink out of them! They are for emergency....the worst that would happen around here is my husband would use one for BLEACH.
I either pull out the pour insert or cut a hole in the bottle and thoroughly rinse it out....no soap left in mine!!!
mark
Well Mom clearly marked her bottles too. It didn’t help the 2 year old. Obviously if you never have children too young to read, you should be fine.
I have a trick for storing TSP so it doesn’t harden into a block. I pour a container of TSP powder into a jug and then fill it with water. You have a concentrated solution of TSP with non-dissolved crystals on the bottom. Use the liquid and refill with water, re-stir and use till no crystals are left. Repeat.
Well...I was thinking no one in our house ever sees anyone using a bleach bottle for drinking water...but, yeah...no 2 year olds around here anymore.
Better Yet !
Refill those plastic laundry jugs with your own home made laundry detergent.
http://www.thefamilyhomestead.com/laundrysoap.htm
Fels Naptha, Borax, and Washing Soda.
My daughter makes this liquid laundry soap using fels naptha.
I have made a powdered detergent. I used a castille soap made in Kentucky. The 20 mule team boarx I assume is still made in USA as is the washing soda. Haven’t seen any laundry detergent labeled “made in the USA” though there may still be some.
BJ’s sells OJ in orange plastic containers. The plastic is much thicker than milk bottles and is opaque. Rinse out very well and you have a strong water jug.
Keep them cool and rotate for use in the garden.
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