By now, we all know we need to store water and food for 72 hours. We do this to make ourselves—and our country—more resilient. In the event of natural or hostile calamities, we don’t panic. We use our prepped supplies and carry on as normally as possible.
We know we need 3 litres per person per day for drinking and cooking. But what about washing? Washing dishes, our bodies?
At Handmade Luxury Home, we’ve given this some thought, and here’s our advice. But first, how did we arrive at it?
Well, prepping is always on our minds. Also, we’ve lived in countries with unreliable water distribution—and who hasn’t dealt with a malfunctioning or even broken washing machine?
In fact, it was a 13-year-old washing machine that finally gave up, and that taught us a few things:
- Laundry piles up at the speed of light.
- Dirty washing quickly starts to smell like mildew.
- You don’t want a growing pile of laundry during a calamity.
- You don’t want to run out of clean towels in the kitchen or bathroom.
~The Solution is Paper~
We’ve tested it. We ordered paper washing cloths and paper towels (the kind used in hair salons). We’re fans!
The paper washing cloths are handy and strong. The towels are big enough for drying—though a larger person might need two after showering (and washing their hair).
The paper towels are sturdy; they absorb like crazy and are easy to discard along with the washing cloth.
The Next Level
If you know us by now, we always aim for the next level. This is because we’re ambitious and we like to care for our families and homes.
So, what is that next level?
For this, we looked to Japan. Why Japan? Because for the Japanese, prepping is a way of life. Earthquakes, tsunamis, even Fukushima (2011). The government encourages prepping, having learned from past lessons. Especially when emergency services can’t easily reach your area, you need those 72 hours of self-sufficiency—prepped and resilient.
Like the Finns and the Swedish government, and the Dutch government, urging civilians to prep and learn how to stay healthy during stressful times.
The next level? Washing cloths—and even hair-washing gloves—that have soap stored in their fabric. These can be used without water, which is fantastic if two calamities strike at once: water and electricity disruptions.
We think there’s a lot to learn from caring for the serious ill and elderly people who can’t leave their beds but still need to be washed. Run the shampoo gloves through their hair, and they feel refreshed. Wash them with quick-drying washing cloths or tissues, and they’re clean again—which aids recovery.
TOP LEVEL PREPAREDNESS
If you’d like to live as lazily and comfortably as possible through calamities, consider buying extra paper hand towels, handkerchiefs, paper serviettes, and a paper tablecloth or place mats. Plus 1-2 extra bin bags. That way, you won’t have any laundry or dish washing catching up to do after being without water, electricity, or a washing machine.
IN CONCLUSION
There’s absolutely no need for panic—or trips to the laundrette or a neighbour’s—when your washing machine breaks down. Or when there are water, electricity, or water pump malfunctions.
Take out your paper towels, washing cloths, and shampoo gloves, and use them while you wrap your head around the logistical problem. Then sit back—refreshed—with a cup of tea, matcha, or coffee, and calmly assess the services, your budget, and your schedule. Then solve the problem.
We prep for the next 72 hours to support national resilience, but on a personal level, it just feels boss to be prepared too.
Paula Kuitenbrouwer
Marga van der Vet
All products are tested by us: great prep stuff!
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