SwanInWA
The Evergreen State
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Joined: 03/08/2005
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dmartin@newarts.com wrote:Use cold (cool) water for washing dishes, faces, etc. it works fine. I respectfully disagree. Having been raised by a nurse I know more about germs and bacteria than I care to admit, and one thing I would NOT do is wash my dishes in cold water. If you DO wash your dishes in cold water I highly recommend a boiling water rinse or "dip" to sanitize them afterwards. Could save you from getting sick later. Easy enough to heat water while you have the campfire going...
Teri--the RV.net addict!
DEAR and WONDERFUL husband Eric
(& furry faced Angus!)
Western Washington
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dmartin@newarts.com
Ames, IA
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Joined: 02/13/2004
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SwanInWA wrote:dmartin@newarts.com wrote:Use cold (cool) water for washing dishes, faces, etc. it works fine. I respectfully disagree. Having been raised by a nurse I know more about germs and bacteria than I care to admit, and one thing I would NOT do is wash my dishes in cold water. If you DO wash your dishes in cold water I highly recommend a boiling water rinse or "dip" to sanitize them afterwards. Could save you from getting sick later. Easy enough to heat water while you have the campfire going...
I checked with Dr Janis Stone, Iowa State University Extension, a cleaning specialist. She told me that good cold water detergents are good at cleaning & that cold water is better than hot water for rinsing soaps and detergents.
However, we did not discuss sterilization. I've no doubt that boiling is a good insurance for sterility.
However, I'd want to see actual data comparing the bacterial count after washing in 110 degree water compared with 70 degree water before agreeing with your implication that a normal "hot water" wash is superior to a cool water wash with a suitable detergent & adequate rinsing.
Got any references to data?
on edit: E. Coli grows real well at 104F.
1980 Born Free 22' Class C (minus) - 1985 Honda Scooter
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dmartin@newarts.com
Ames, IA
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Joined: 02/13/2004
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Ethanol (and E85 I presume) works well in at least some mantle lamps.
E85 (85% alcohol, 15% gasoline) is 85% green.
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SwanInWA
The Evergreen State
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Joined: 03/08/2005
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dmartin@newarts.com wrote:
Got any references to data?
Just the U.S. FDA, the Food Safety Commission, every disease control poster I've ever seen in the kitchen area of restaurants, etc...think I'll stick with the hot water.
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dmartin@newarts.com
Ames, IA
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Joined: 02/13/2004
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SwanInWA wrote:dmartin@newarts.com wrote:
Got any references to data?
Just the U.S. FDA, the Food Safety Commission, every disease control poster I've ever seen in the kitchen area of restaurants, etc...think I'll stick with the hot water.
No doubt, but be sure the water is above about 120F I think! around 100F is ideal for growing E.Coli.
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Opie431
Bellevue, MI
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Joined: 06/19/2004
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I agree with Out#, hit the garage sales for dishes, silver, etc. If you eat at fast food places save the knives and forks to take camping. Give them several more lives.
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tiptoe tommy
Seattle
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Joined: 06/01/2007
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Drive from camp to camp without water in your tanks.
Drive the speed limit.
Go through urban areas during off-peak hours.
Always leave any campground or trail better than when you came.
Put out your fire when you go to bed. Don't let it smolder.
Park at the back of the lot when you go shopping.
Recycle. And tell campgrounds, public and private that they should do so too.
Use biodegradable soap and reusable chamois towels--try to use less paper towels.
Only use paper plates when you need to.
Use refillable water bottles.
Have an ethic of the less power use and generator use the better.
Look for everyday ways to lessen your impact on your surroundings. Walk to the store instead of driving. You have the time since you are camping. Why not? You may even get in better shape and see more of the area.
And above all, when you go out into nature, think about your role in relation to the world and how you can make it better.
Family that loves to camp 30 days a year! Two kids, 13 and 9
1999 Coleman SeaPine PUP
GO COUGS!
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Islandman
NW Washington
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Joined: 02/18/2007
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A good way to get warm water for washing hands, faces, etc. is to use one gallon milk or water jugs that are painted flat black on the outside. Just sit them in the sun and the water will get warmed up. Also, have you checked the Coleman outdoor shower bags that you hang from a tree limb, think they hold a couple gallons of water and the sun heats it up to a nice warm temperature. If no tree limbs are available, make a tripod out of some long wood 2x2's, or whatever you can find. Using solar will save some of your propane. Cleanliness is pretty important when camping, so doing things green doesn't mean that folks need to be dirty and cruddy.
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out#d-butoutside
S. Florida
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Joined: 04/20/2008
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I was just looking at the Coleman water bag yesterday. It was only about $20.00.
Much cheaper than the instant hot water machines; however, the water cools when the sun goes down so best to clean up by late afternoon. Instant works whenever.
I’m going to do the gallon jugs - the cheapest and reusable instead of buying more “stuff” 
Thanks to everyone for their tips.
I think I’m a very “green” person, but I can always use more (easy to use) tips.
M
“Life is uncharted territory. It reveals its story one moment at a time.”
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Paddle on the crow
MN
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Joined: 12/30/2006
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If you really want to camp "Green" I suggest you look into leaving the camper at home sometime and giving the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness a shot. It takes some planning, and if you have never done it, I would recommend getting some direction from a local guide service. But I guarantee you, if you have any "Green" blood at all, you will wish you had done it years ago, and want to return as soon as you get home.
POTC
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