183: Occupational Biohazard
Thanksgiving approaches which, as you likely know, is the Cleaning Olympics. Fortunately, a listener called in this week to tell us about her Bin System, wherein you procure some inexpensive plastic bins (hit up a thrift shop or your local Buy Nothing group). You can go Full Keith with a label maker or just use marker, then designate each bin (plates, silverware, linens, trash, compost) and ask folks (I feel like kids would be great at this) to collect stuff by bin. So smart!
Listen to the pod:
Or watch it here:
One of the most interesting subjects we’ve covered lately is the idea of job-specific cleaning. For example, this week we heard about a special device that’s just for surgical suites that CLEANS ITSELF! Amazing!
Our friend Leah at Gear Healer (are you in SLC and need something fixed? Find her website here!) gave us some great tips for taking care of your outdoor gear. Some of those include…
Washing jackets, sleeping bags, etc, in a down-specific wash like Granger’s. Then, once it’s washed, dry it A LOT. A LOT A LOT.
Regularly (like, once a season) washing your GORE-TEX-type stuff in a very gentle detergent. Even GORE-TEX says you can!
When in doubt, check the label! Usually, your gear will tell you how best to care for it.
We also heard from a professional Theater Kid, who reminded us of some of the best advice for dealing with items that can’t be laundered but…uh…need to be. And that is, of course, vodka. More specifically, vodka and water. Here’s a subreddit talking about the right proportions. You can use this on all kinds of textiles, though. Curtains, upholstery, probably yoga mats?
If you’ve got any other Tips O’ The Trade, we’d love to hear them. Call us: 508-HOW-WASH.