View Full Version : How do you stay self-sufficient when something is too gross for you to do?
Tussiemussies
2-11-13, 5:24pm
On my quest to be self-sufficient, I want to do everything on my own. Right now I am cleaning the grout in our new house's bathroom and I'm close to the toilet which I saved for last, and I can't seem to bring myself to do it. It utterly grosses me out.
If I asked DH to do it he would but I really want to do everything myself. Any tips? I sure hope someone can help me somehow with this...
Thanks! Christine
Part of being a good manager of yourself, your home, your work and/or others is properly utilizing the resources available to you. This includes your husband :)
Just ask him...I'm sure there is something he detests doing that he asks you to do for him once in a while.
We know that you are capable of cleaning that grout, but just don't like to. We'll love ya just the same if you delegate this task :)
It's just "stuff", hold your nose, leap into it and get over the gross.
http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?5481-The-DIY-Thread!&p=93049&viewfull=1#post93049
Make a game of it and suit up in overalls, a face mask, and rubber gloves, pretend you are in some viral-outbreak scifi thriller :-)
Geez--I'm going to be honest. I thought you were going to talk about something much grosser than grout.
I'd just do it fast. And get DH to help.
Lol. I agree - use the resources of your husband if you want to...nothing wrong with that.
It's funny how different things gross us out....
Blackdog Lin
2-11-13, 9:11pm
Yep. If it's too gross, it's too gross. We can't control this stuff - I think it comes from our childhood memories. I have stories and memories.....
Your DH will have to finish it up - and he will probably laugh and be happy (well, not happy, but he'll do it) to finish the job. Let him. And use your talents for other projects.
The way I see it you can either dump a bunch of bleach on it and dive in or delegate it out. Delegation can be an important part of self-sufficiency. No woman is an island.
Tussiemussies
2-12-13, 2:52pm
Thanks everyone or your replies, it helped a lot. I really want to be able to handle doing these I would normally ask DH to do so I can be more self-reliant. After starting my day I did work around the toilet but did not finish it yet, little bit every day.
I know this seems so trivial but I just needed to post it where I could read replies that may spur me on. Thanks!
Grossness... grosses me out, and feeling unhappy about myself has never been an option, so I tackle whatever comes my way, whatever the department, whatever the level of grossness.
With toilets, be sure to unbolt the toilet seat/lid from the porcelain base so you can clean the hardware, the plastic nubs/nuts, and the round holes through the toilet base. With old, dirty toilets, odours and grossness accumulate everywhere, so you have to be sure to clean and disinfect everything.
I'd fill a bucket with the hottest water your tap will offer, and bleach, and invest in a good pair of Nylex household cleaning gloves. Nylex, stands up to harsh chemicals, cleaners, and hot water, much better (and for way longer), than cheap household rubber gloves. Then I'd go to work, gross or not.
I would also do what I call, a general, localized job to start, then once the worst has been scrubbed/cleaned, empty-out the soiled water from the bucket and start with fresh, at which time I would finish-up the job in style, that way you know everything is clean, disinfected, sanitized, and 100% ready for use without concern.
Cleaning up other peoples filth, is a major pet-peeve of mine!
To add, I hate the smell of plain old-fashioned bleach, so use something along the lines of lemon Clorox, etc. It will help cast a pleasant fresh clean smell to the chore.
To add, I hate the smell of plain old-fashioned bleach, so use something along the lines of lemon Clorox, etc.
I can handle some pretty bad smells in the world. But bleach is Absolutely.The.Worst.
How about modern scented bleach, SteveinMN?
Tussiemussies
2-13-13, 3:27pm
Grossness... grosses me out, and feeling unhappy about myself has never been an option, so I tackle whatever comes my way, whatever the department, whatever the level of grossness.
With toilets, be sure to unbolt the toilet seat/lid from the porcelain base so you can clean the hardware, the plastic nubs/nuts, and the round holes through the toilet base. With old, dirty toilets, odours and grossness accumulate everywhere, so you have to be sure to clean and disinfect everything.
I'd fill a bucket with the hottest water your tap will offer, and bleach, and invest in a good pair of Nylex household cleaning gloves. Nylex, stands up to harsh chemicals, cleaners, and hot water, much better (and for way longer), than cheap household rubber gloves. Then I'd go to work, gross or not.
I would also do what I call, a general, localized job to start, then once the worst has been scrubbed/cleaned, empty-out the soiled water from the bucket and start with fresh, at which time I would finish-up the job in style, that way you know everything is clean, disinfected, sanitized, and 100% ready for use without concern.
Cleaning up other peoples filth, is a major pet-peeve of mine!
Hi Mrs. M, thanks so much for your tips and hints. I never thought to clean certain areas you mentioned. You are such a great homemaker, seriously I think you should write a homemaking book. I read one once and it was good, I think with all of the knowledge you have it would great!
I get grossed out doing this and it is in our new house where the dirt is from the last owner...UGH! :help:
Awww... thank you, Tussie. You are always so kind and generous with words.
Something I just thought of Re:... if you find there is dark staining under the inside of the rim of the toilet bowl (after you're done cleaning/disinfecting), mix two parts baking soda with one part bleach, mix into a paste (more baking soda to thicken if needed), then press paste mixture up into the rim area of toilet, and allow to sit overnight.
Also, the rubber washers on the dirty toilet are more than likely stained and yucky, so drop by your local hardware store and pick up some replacement washers. They'll run you a buck or two... Well worth the effort to have clean, stain-free washers after all of your effort.
Tussiemussies
2-13-13, 4:21pm
Awww... thank you, Tussie. You are always so kind and generous with words.
Something I just thought of Re:... if you find there is dark staining under the inside of the rim of the toilet bowl (after you're done cleaning/disinfecting), mix two parts baking soda with one part bleach, mix into a paste (more baking soda to thicken if needed), then press paste mixture up into the rim area of toilet, and allow to sit overnight.
Also, the rubber washers on the dirty toilet are more than likely stained and yucky, so drop by your local hardware store and pick up some replacement washers. They'll run you a buck or two... Well worth the effort to have clean, stain-free washers after all of your effort.
Mrs. M thanks so much for your other tip. I would like to know more about your cleaning routines. I wish we could start a thread on it!!!! You have a lot of great ideas. Thank you!
LOL, Tussie! You must have been reading my mind, because I just started a new thread, Disinfecting/sanitizing-around-the-house. (http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?7417-)
P.S. Maybe we could start another thread related to cleaning routines, etc. :)
Tussiemussies
2-13-13, 5:06pm
LOL, Tussie! You must have been reading my mind, because I just started a new thread, Disinfecting/sanitizing-around-the-house. (http://www.simplelivingforum.net/showthread.php?7417-)
P.S. Maybe we could start another thread related to cleaning routines, etc. :)
I would love to know more about your cleaning routines. I think a long time ago we had a thread on this on the old boards...:)
How about modern scented bleach, SteveinMN?
Maybe. When I was single, I used oxygen bleach for washing clothes that needed bleach, and a number of other products to clean bathroom surfaces and the like (with citrus essential oils and the like). DW likes to use bleach, but she's in charge of washing clothes (she likes to do laundry :0!) so she gets to use any bleach she likes. I'm still using essential-oil products and things like borax or oxygen bleaches for the other cleaning I do. So I guess I'm still not in the target market....
ApatheticNoMore
2-13-13, 7:52pm
Geez--I'm going to be honest. I thought you were going to talk about something much grosser than grout.
+1 I thought this thread was about killing, bleeding, plucking the feathers off and gutting chickens or something like that (self-sufficient and gross, that's the type of thing that comes to mind - and I'm not sure I could do it - and no that doesn't stop me from sometimes eating the things!).
But we're just talking about cleaning a dirty bathroom? Then my first suggestion is to have someone else do it. To give you an idea, I cleaned a dirty bathroom in a rented room once for barter (not for the room itself, none such good a deal!). Kinda gross? Yea I took a bath, washed my hair and all my clothes after, kinda gross. But whatever, will work for barter, sometimes, nothing I'm eager to do for anyone's bathroom but my own anytime real soon.
Maybe. When I was single, I used oxygen bleach for washing clothes that needed bleach, and a number of other products to clean bathroom surfaces and the like (with citrus essential oils and the like). DW likes to use bleach, but she's in charge of washing clothes (she likes to do laundry ) so she gets to use any bleach she likes. I'm still using essential-oil products and things like borax or oxygen bleaches for the other cleaning I do. So I guess I'm still not in the target market....
For something dirty enough I don't mind using scouring powders and stuff like that that are made with bleach, but bleach itself is pretty intense even when diluted, though I've used it. Seldom though.
Originally posted by SteveinMN.
So I guess I'm still not in the target market....Me, neither... but the scented, provides a happy-balance (for me)... the difference between me using bleach, or not using bleach.
I love the smell of napalm...er...bleach in the morning. To me it makes everything seem clean and fresh and crisp but I can see why other's don't like the smell.
I agree that Mrs. M is the perfect homemaker and really should write a book - homemaking and childcare. I don't mind doing dirty chores (as I'm a dirty, dirty girl :-)!) but some things I need to do really bother me. For example my yard is riddled with gophers and having to flush them out and bop them on the head and dispose of their cute little bodies in the trash just about undoes me. I can't use poison because of the dogs, and the things - mechanical and chemical - that are suppose to make them leave the area don't work. So like "Little Fu-Fu Rabbit, hopping thru the forest, snatching up the field mice and bopping them on the head" I have become a death wielding machine to the gophers. And I hate it!
Tussiemussies
2-15-13, 3:26pm
I love the smell of napalm...er...bleach in the morning. To me it makes everything seem clean and fresh and crisp but I can see why other's don't like the smell.
I agree that Mrs. M is the perfect homemaker and really should write a book - homemaking and childcare. I don't mind doing dirty chores (as I'm a dirty, dirty girl :-)!) but some things I need to do really bother me. For example my yard is riddled with gophers and having to flush them out and bop them on the head and dispose of their cute little bodies in the trash just about undoes me. I can't use poison because of the dogs, and the things - mechanical and chemical - that are suppose to make them leave the area don't work. So like "Little Fu-Fu Rabbit, hopping thru the forest, snatching up the field mice and bopping them on the head" I have become a death wielding machine to the gophers. And I hate it!
Spartana , I would detest having to kill any animal too. We do kill mice in the house but DH takes care of it although I wish it didn't have to be that way. Is there any other way? Maybe trapping them and re-locating them. Maybe your vet has some ideas about it? :(
Originally posted by Spartana.
I agree that Mrs. M is the perfect homemaker and really should write a book - homemaking and childcare.Awww... thank you for the kind words.
jennipurrr
2-15-13, 4:56pm
I thought it was going to be about killing/preparing chickens also! That is something I know I could do if my life depended on it, but otherwise would never choose to do.
I dislike cleaning bathrooms but DH loathes it like you do...so its my assigned task. He gets to vaccuum because the I cannot stand the feel of the vibration on my hand. I don't know if that makes either one of us less self sufficient...if one of us was no longer here I guess I would just have to suck it up and start vaccumming and if it was him he'd have to clean the toilet.
Tussiemussies
2-15-13, 5:52pm
I thought it was going to be about killing/preparing chickens also! That is something I know I could do if my life depended on it, but otherwise would never choose to do.
I dislike cleaning bathrooms but DH loathes it like you do...so its my assigned task. He gets to vaccuum because the I cannot stand the feel of the vibration on my hand. I don't know if that makes either one of us less self sufficient...if one of us was no longer here I guess I would just have to suck it up and start vaccumming and if it was him he'd have to clean the toilet.
Hi Jenni, I guess we all have our things that just bother us to do. The reason for having to do something I despise is that now that we are getting a little older, if something happened to my DH I know I would need to do everything on my own. I did get married at 24 after briefly having a tiny apt. And have worked and did my share of housework. dH was also gone for nine months due to job relocation and I handled it all but got very lax. So back to being self sufficient! I did finish the bathroom except around te circumference which I will do once my knee heals.
Thanks for sharing your experience. I don't feel so alone since your husband doesn't like it either.
PS I am vegetarian and could never, ever withstand having to kill and pluck a chicken! LOL :0!
The Storyteller
2-15-13, 7:55pm
I thought it was going to be about killing/preparing chickens also! That is something I know I could do if my life depended on it, but otherwise would never choose to do.
Not that big a deal, once you get used to it. I've probably processed over a thousand chickens now over the past 4 years on my small farm. You get so focused on the process of doing it right (humanely and safely) and quickly that it eventually comes naturally. We are an omnivorous species, after all.
I thought it was going to be about killing/preparing chickens also! That is something I know I could do if my life depended on it, but otherwise would never choose to do.
I dislike cleaning bathrooms but DH loathes it like you do...so its my assigned task. He gets to vaccuum because the I cannot stand the feel of the vibration on my hand. I don't know if that makes either one of us less self sufficient...if one of us was no longer here I guess I would just have to suck it up and start vaccumming and if it was him he'd have to clean the toilet.
One of the things I love so much about BayouBoy is is ability to handle stuff like killing chickens and such. I know I would never starve, even in the case of a disaster. He could always catch something, clean it and cook it. But I am so squeamish that I don't even like handling raw meat. I cannot bear the thought of killing animals so thankfully he does it far from the house, in his skinning shed where I never have to see any of it or deal with it. I'd be a vegetarian if it were up to me to kill stuff to eat.
I think part of a good partnership in marriage is that you choose a partner who can handle things that you cannot. BayouBoy is a tough old critter, sometimes ornery while I am the opposite and would rather laugh than fight. He grumbles and fusses and I just kiss him and laugh and hug him. He thinks I am goofy but I make him laugh.
Wildflower
2-16-13, 4:16am
I would be a vegetarian for sure if I had to kill my own dinner....
The Storyteller
2-16-13, 11:38am
I would be a vegetarian for sure if I had to kill my own dinner....
Ironically, I would if I couldn't. Or at least knew a farmer who raised and processed animals humanely.
Just can't bring myself to participate in an inhumane food system.
Spartana , I would detest having to kill any animal too. We do kill mice in the house but DH takes care of it although I wish it didn't have to be that way. Is there any other way? Maybe trapping them and re-locating them. Maybe your vet has some ideas about it? :(I'm going to try the gopher gassers again but they didn't work last time. Or maybe I'll teach my rat dog to be a gopher dog instead. OK that would be worse! Once, when I had a big dog, I thought she had a toy in her mouth and so I was chasing her around to grab it and tug with her. I grabbed it and it was a semi-alive giant rat she must have gotten in the yard (next to a big horse farm in the country). Needless to say it was pretty disgusting. Blech!
Tussiemussies
2-16-13, 2:14pm
I'm going to try the gopher gassers again but they didn't work last time. Or maybe I'll teach my rat dog to be a gopher dog instead. OK that would be worse! Once, when I had a big dog, I thought she had a toy in her mouth and so I was chasing her around to grab it and tug with her. I grabbed it and it was a semi-alive giant rat she must have gotten in the yard (next to a big horse farm in the country). Needless to say it was pretty disgusting. Blech!
Oh that is just Sooooo gross......
Do you have a rat terrier, we also have one, our little Nellie....
She's a Terr-huahua. Half terrier and half chihuahua (I think). Very cute. But it was my black lab who had the rat (and she was always bringing something half dead in the house that I had to kill and clean up). The little rat-dog (as I fondly named her although her name is Latte) doesn't seem to kill anything - thank God!!
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