Advice for newbies USE DISPOSABLE GLOVES

[Quaddinmad40]

I've been dealing with dirty diapers for 5 year now and dumping the tanks on the RV is really no big deal a thorough wash with soap should fix everything.

I do still use big thick elbow high rubber glove when wrestling with the stinky slinky but the wife says it will scare the kids if I use them for diaper changing

[Randy125]

I too have read a post on here about 50/50 bleach losing its effectiveness , however i don't believe that to be true.

[Hudsoner]

Originally Posted by Randy125

I too have read a post on here about 50/50 bleach losing its effectiveness , however i don't believe that to be true.

Bleach looses is effectiveness rather fast if exposed to sun light or elevated temperature because the chlorine evaporates under these conditions.

But this does not matter for these applications, because one is only interested in an immediate kill/reduction of microorganism. Once your hose is connected, it should be no problem what is around it.

[Francesca]

Originally Posted by sngplb

Hello, my 1st post on this forum. I find this interesting! I have been a plumber for over 45 years and I am living proof that a little "dirt" won't kill you. I have never picked up a single disease or virus from a waste line....granted, I don't bite my finger nails or lick my fingers, just wash them with good ol' soap and water. I do rinse my tank(s) with the same supply as I drink, it is just equipped with a back-flow prevent er to prevent cross-connection between potable water and possible waste water. I say this and honestly believe that "what doesn't kill you, makes you stronger! Thanks!

Originally Posted by Quaddinmad40

I've been dealing with dirty diapers for 5 year now and dumping the tanks on the RV is really no big deal a thorough wash with soap should fix everything.

I do still use big thick elbow high rubber glove when wrestling with the stinky slinky but the wife says it will scare the kids if I use them for diaper changing

Plumbers and Parents: Who knows more about you-know-what?

The rest of us might take a lesson from their good common sense...

[jzick]

I really get a kick, sometimes, about our stinky slinky paranoia. I have seen people dressed in what almost is a full haz mat suit when emptying tanks. I have also met people with special slinky emptying clothing or coveralls. Personally, I don't worry much. It is, after all, just poo and, as long as I don't drink it or get my hands in it, there should be no problem. I use leather gloves (I have pairs everywhere) for almost every task. If they would get soaked wet, I would throw them away and get new. Mostly though, I use them to keep from nicks and scratches and I hate getting my hands dirty. When finished with the slinky, I wash my hands thoroughly with soap and hot water.

I wonder if people so concerned about stinky slinky contamination are worried about the real sources of germs. Among the most contaminated are restaurant tables, mall and airport kiosks, and public restroom door knobs. Everyone should do what makes them feel better - I will just keep washing my hands frequently and thoroughly.

[Francesca]

Originally Posted by jzick

I wonder if people so concerned about stinky slinky contamination are worried about the real sources of germs. Among the most contaminated are restaurant tables, mall and airport kiosks, and public restroom door knobs. Everyone should do what makes them feel better - I will just keep washing my hands frequently and thoroughly.

And don't forget: Bacteria-Laden Paper Money!

A very small project that

counted the bacteria living on 68 dollar bills collected from people in line at a high school sporting event and a grocery store........The researchers identified a total of 93 different types of bacteria living on the bills, and two-thirds of the bills had at least one type.

Side note:
A big percentage of U.S. currency is contaminated with cocaine, too!

I guess where those two facts fall in the should-one-wash-it-away question depends on one's, shall we say, "perspective?"

[Tony Lee]

Bleach needs a fairly long time (minutes) to work effectively so can't rely on a quick rinse making things safe

I guess the people who handle their sewer hose without gloves are the same ones that use the drinking water spigot to rinse the hose.

Not necessarily. Some of us are a bit more practical than others. If I had a choice between shaking hands with someone who has handled raw sewage without gloves on and then washed their hands thoroughly, and one who has handled raw sewage with gloves on and then just taken the gloves off, I would prefer the hand washer every time.

Saw one post where somebody was insisting that every dumppoint user thoroughly disinfect the entire concrete pad with chlorox before driving off. Probably a newly-qualified microbiologist.

[bruceisla]

Originally Posted by bdickson

X 2 on disinfecting the spigot. However, I was told (on this forum I believe) that premixed 50/50 bleach and water loses its potency after 24 hours. I now use spray bottles of Lysol for the spigot. It's also good for disinfecting hands, something I wouldn't like to do with bleach.

Generally speaking, bleach begins to lose potency the day it is manufactured. However, it is still very potent for up to 6 months.