The threat of contamination and illness greatly increases with each passing day during times of disaster like a Zombie outbreak, major flood, earthquake or other serious survival situation where there is a lack of clean water, proper bathing facilities and/or the ability to safely dispose of waste.
Whether it’s grime under the nails, guts in the hair, bacteria in the beard or otherwise, you’ve got to come clean or pay the consequences of living a dirty life. Letting standards of hygiene and cleanliness falter – zombie outbreak or not – can present as real a danger to continued survival as undead at your door. We’ve compiled a few tips and tricks to help you get the filth of everyday and disaster survival cleaned up and cleared away when conventional means are no longer available.
Hands/Skin: Skin acts as one of the most important natural defenses that the Human body has against illness and contamination, but it can quickly become host to a whole range of dangerous bacteria and disease when not properly taken care of… and the same can be said about a set of hands. The average survivor touches their face roughly 16 times an hour, and with each scratch of the nose, rub of the eye or touch of the face, the chances of self-contamination grow.
Let’s not forget about the common practice of shaking hands. As one of the most popular methods to greet someone or seal a deal, the transfer of disease can be quickly spread by a grimy pair of mitts and that means more potential death and destruction… all because you didn’t wash your hands.
Skin – Removing the grit and grime of everyday survival and Zombie eradication can be a chore, especially when conventional cleaning methods are unavailable. The good news is that while it can come in handy for hardcore washing, you don’t always need suds to get off the blood. In fact, there are a slew of alternatives that work just as well – and sometimes better, than the ones we use today.
Distilled White or Apple Cider Vinegar - These easily found alternatives don’t just work on your body, they work on your gear and surroundings as well. Vinegar is known the world over as a simple and effective cleaner and deodorizer. When lightly diluted with water, these types of vinegars can offer a quick and easy clean for survivors and even some of their gear. While not everyone loves the slightly astringent scent of vinegar, it tend fades quickly and shouldn’t affect you or your gear long-term.
Hot Water and a Handkerchief - This simple solution might surprise some survivors with how effective it really is. A splash of hot water and a bit of scrubbing with a handkerchief is an easy alternative to a hot shower or bath. This method allows for effective full body coverage, with minimal supplies and waste. See Also: Bandanas For Life.
Sand and Salt- The fine grains of both sand and salt work well as exfoliants for the body. With a rise of water afterward, these materials can be used to clean away everything from sap to slime in a matter of minutes, but you’ll have to be cautious as over-doing a scrub could lead to serious abrasions and increase the risk of infection.
Rubbing Alcohol – Primarily used as an antiseptic, rubbing alcohol is a great temporary solution to soaping up and scrubbing down. Available in a variety of strengths, we recommend a 70% solution for most cleansing tasks, though stronger concentrations will work as well. Keep in mind that while rubbing alcohol works well to remove most grit and grime, it also has a tendency to dry out skin and can cause issues with long-term use. See also: Rubbing Alcohol The Multi-Tool.
Bleach – One of the only easily found materials that can treat both bio and chemical contaminates, bleach should always be used carefully and only applied during extreme cases. But if you’re going for a full-body clean after a battle with the undead or a run-in with an unknown chemical, you might want to grab a bottle of the strong stuff. See also: Decontaminating With Bleach.
Talcum Powder - Sprinkled directly onto the body or in the hair, talcum powder works well as a dry shampoo and body rub to get rid of the bugs, grit, grime and grease from everyday survival. Added to clothing and footwear, talcum powder can help reduce the buildup of moisture, preventing both bacteria and fungus from forming. See also: Talcum Powder – Making Survival Soft.
Fingernails – Keeping your nails cropped often means keeping bacteria out. With no ledge to live under there’s no point in them being there in the first place. ever nibble at your nails, it’s one of the quickest ways to consume harmful bacteria, spread germs and become ill. Gently rubbing your fingernails against small stones, sidewalks, and other rough surfaces can help keep them cropped down and in control, though a carefully maneuvered knife works well too.
This list contains just a few of many alternatives and solutions to keeping your body clean and free of disease during times of disaster or an apocalyptic situation. With dental health, homemade showers and humane waste to still deal with, check back for Staying Clean In An Undead World part 2 (coming soon)!
Decontaminating with Bleach
With severed limbs, chemicals, viruses, bacteria, human waste, animal waste, radiation and who knows what else, decontamination will be not only an important step during many disaster scenarios like earthquakes, floods and Zombie outbreaks, it can be critical for continued survival.
The first and most important step is to avoid coming into contact with potential contaminates when ever possible. That means utilizingface masks, gloves, long-sleeves, pants, eye protection, and even hazmat suits when necessary. If you absolutely can’t avoid coming into contact with dangerous materials and potential contaminates or you just want to be extra careful, it might be time to reach for some bleach… or at least give yourself a proper scrub.
Decontaminating with Bleach: Household bleach is one of the only substances that can effectively remove contaminates of both biological and chemical origin. A solution of 1:10 (1 part beach / 10 parts water) should be used to avoid burns and irritation to the skin.
1. Remove visible signs of contamination by physical action such as blotting, brushing, or scraping.
2. Remove clothing from persons by pulling it AWAY from the body. Never remove clothing over the head; cut it away from the body instead.
3 (When dealing with bodily contamination). Wash the face and hands with warm soapy water when available. Skip to step 4 if soap and water are not available or no bodily contamination has occurred.
4. Washing from the top down, apply a diluted bleach (1:10 ratio) to any potentially contaminated objects, clothing, and body parts or bodies. If applying directly to a body avoid contact with the eyes, nose, and mouth.
5. Rub, but do not scrub. Coarse brushes and rough cloths are NOT recommend for decontamination purposes as you risk opening the skin or surface of the object and increase the risk of further contamination or damages.
6. Fully dry off, then redress in a fresh set of CLEAN clothes that have been protected from contaminates.
7. Hope for the best and pay attention to your condition. A positive attitude can go a long way in a survival or emergency situation, but don’t forget to check in on your bodily health as well. It is possible that some contaminates did not get removed in time or were not fully removed and that further medical steps will need to be taken.
In Conclusion: If done properly, decontamination with bleach can be a literal life-saver for those dealing with both biological and chemical agents, regardless of the source or sources. Storing a gallon of un-scented household bleach for emergencies can mean the difference between long or short-term survival… especially during a Zombie outbreak or other major disaster like a major flood or earthquake.
WARNING: Bleach is a caustic substance and should only be used with caution and extreme care. NEVER use bleach at full strength to clean a person, persons, or animal. NEVER mix bleach with ammonia, the resulting vapors can kill you. ALWAYS read the warning labels of any potentially dangerous substances such as bleach before use.
Bleach loses effectiveness after roughly a years time from the date of manufacture. Rotate and restock your supplies regularly for the most effective concentration.
