Sanitation & Hygiene

Contained waste. Clean hands. Personal hygiene — indoors.

When plumbing fails, sanitation becomes urgent.

When waste handling breaks down, illness follows.
When hygiene breaks down, morale drops fast.

This system keeps:

• waste contained
• hands clean
• bodies maintained
• illness controlled

All indoors. Without water or sewer service.

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1) First Decision: Can You Use the Existing Bathroom?

If the bathroom is:

• not freezing
• still accessible
• safe to enter

Use it.

If it is:

• too cold
• too far from the warm core
• causing heat loss

Move sanitation into the heated living space.

The goal:

Stay warm.
Minimize movement.
Seal waste immediately.

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2) Toilet Use — Two Methods

Method A: Existing Toilet (If Warm Enough)

• do not flush
• remove standing water if needed
• line bowl with a plastic bag
• add a small absorbent layer
• use once
• tie immediately
• remove immediately

Use → tie → move.

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Method B: Warm Core Setup (Cold Conditions)

Use:

• 5-gallon bucket with toilet seat lid
• portable dry toilet

Setup:

• heavy-duty contractor bag
• small absorbent layer
• lid closed between uses

After use:

• tie bag immediately
• remove from warm core

Waste does not sit open in living space.

If privacy is needed:

• curtain divider
• folding screen
• small pop-up privacy tent

3) Two-Barrel Storage System

Use two separate 55-gallon drums:

Drum A — solid waste bags
Drum B — urine only

Never mix them.

Drum A — Solid Waste

• double-line drum with heavy-duty liners
• place tied bags inside
• lay flat
• light sprinkle of zeolite between layers
• close lid

No bleach. Keep it dry. Zeolite controls odour and moisture.

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Drum B — Urine Only

• dedicated urine container with screw lid
• empty regularly into the urine drum
• add a small splash of unscented bleach periodically

Add a small splash of unscented bleach periodically. Do not mix systems.

4) Hand Hygiene (Non-Negotiable)

Minimum:

• 70%+ alcohol hand sanitizer
• liquid soap
• dedicated hand-wash water container
• paper towels
• covered waste bin

Hands must be cleaned immediately after every sanitation interaction.

Handwashing Station (When Plumbing Is Down)

• clean-water container with spigot
• catch basin for greywater
• soap and paper towels
• covered trash

Sanitizer supports the system. Handwashing is the system.

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5) Personal Hygiene (Body Maintenance Without Plumbing)

This is where many setups fail.

Plan for:

• unscented wet wipes
• biodegradable body wipes
• dry shampoo
• no-rinse body wash
• microfiber cloths
• small wash basin

Simple hygiene routine:

• wipe down daily: face, underarms, groin, feet
• change underwear daily
• rotate socks often
• keep feet dry

Foot infections spread quickly in winter.

Morale improves dramatically when people feel clean.

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6) Minimal Washing System (Low Water)

If water must be conserved:

Use a small-basin wash method:

• 1–2 litres of warm water
• small amount of soap
• microfiber cloth
• towel dry

Wash in sections, not all at once.

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7) Laundry Discipline

Maintain:

• extra underwear and socks
• small-bucket washing method
• compact detergent
• indoor drying line

Avoid drying large loads in the warm core.

Too much moisture increases mold risk in winter.

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8) Cleaning & Surface Control

Maintain:

• bleach spray (1:9 dilution)
• gloves
• wipeable surfaces

Never mix bleach and lime.

Never mix bleach with ammonia-based cleaners.

Keep the sanitation zone away from food prep.

Long-Duration Add: Gloves + Cleanup Discipline

• nitrile gloves for waste handling and disinfecting
• dedicated sanitation-kit tote to keep tools contained
• use the same steps every time — routine prevents mistakes

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9) Household Reality Add-Ons

Menstrual / Diaper / Incontinence

• period supplies and disposal bags
• baby wipes and diaper bags if needed
• adult care items if required

Sick Person Protocol

• separate waste bags and wipes for the sick person
• more frequent disinfecting of touch surfaces
• strict glove discipline

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Why This System Works

• uses the bathroom when possible
• moves sanitation into the warm core when needed
• seals waste immediately
• separates solids and liquids
• controls odour
• maintains personal hygiene
• preserves dignity
• reduces illness risk

Sanitation is discipline.

Use.
Tie.
Separate.
Clean.

That is stability.