Mid South SITREP

[Anonymous]

 

I live in the Mid South and work at a nationwide business where people and contractors buy products to keep their Home up and running.  The aprons we wear are Orange.

Chest Freezers, Deep Freezers, are out of stock and have been for 2 months.  Refrigerators are going out of stock.  Many items manufactured overseas are going out of stock.

I see everyday at work the systems and structures created and built to run the engine of our society are being stressed.  People are accustomed to instant gratification and are bewildered, confused, sometimes angry when their wants and desires connot be fulfilled.  Many people do have an awareness born from living in poverty that items are not always available to them and they have to make due.  It tends to be the more entitled people that have a brain fart moment when they are told their object is not available to purchase and we do not know when the object will be back in stock.

Just some observations from the ground here in the Mid South.

 

[BlackswanParticipant]

Right before the lockdown was imposed in my state, my high-tech and expensive washer died.  I quickly bought the most basic/low tech and made in America model I could find.  My next step is getting extra spare parts that commonly wear out along with print outs of repair/maintenance manuals for all my machines.  I know a spare bucket and clean plunger can also suffice as a washer in a power out situation and those items are always handy to have around.  I’m hopeful it won’t come to that but plan on being prepared just in case.

[WhirlibirdParticipant]

The question is, how long do you expect the situation to last?

Not trying to be cheeky, but how long will a bare bones washer last?

Second question, how many washers will be around unused if it were to get that bad?

Question three, if it doesn’t go full tilt, what makes anyone think they will have enough power and water to wash loads of laundry?

I ask because of a blog I used to follow, but the author pointed out that they might get 4 hours of power a day, on a good day. And water….

My grandparents had a wringer washer that could be run via 120v or by unhooking the belt from the pulley and attaching it to a lawn mower engine. At that point the wringer was a manual crank but would be almost ideal.

 

[BlackswanParticipant]

A well built bare bones washer can easily last 20 years. I had one previously and my parents used one.  If the SHTF, washers will most likely sit idle.  Water, if scarce, would need to be reused/recycled and electricity may be scarce/rationed.  Scenario is dependent upon your environment.

[namelusParticipant]

We got a tumbler washer about size of 50 gallon drum a bit smallet it has gearing to stationary bike.  For wringer we use same set up.with different  bike.

 

While we make our own utilities shit happens so back ups. We went other way for washers  and driers we but stainless steel commercial washers with gaskets that can take ozone.  To wash you just use cold ozone water no need for detergent. We do have detergent  for barter and for the old spin wash. It’s easy to make with pig fat

[Crow BarKeymaster]

Thank you for the SITREP Barn Builder.

I wore the orange apron as a part time job when I was in the Marines.

We had a number of projects already planed pre-CV19 and they are still coming along, so no worries there.

But the stove is on the fritz (double oven, top oven quit working), and we are looking at getting a replacement.

As a society, we have become (in general, no all) a people of I want it my way, right away.
People are finding out differently.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your service.  I was in the ARMY, and live in a city with a great VA Hospital.  20% Service Connected.

My wife and I bought a house last year and looked into washers and dryers, wanted the longest lasting.  So pulled the trigger and bought a Speed Queen washer and dryer.  Top loading for the washer, front loading is crap IMO.  About $900 each, but with 10 year manufacturers warranty on parts/labor.  It is not something I can fix, but we figured buy a commercial quality product up front so it will last.

People in this society grow up being taught that instant gratification is the norm.  That first time a kid is in MacDonalds and wants the cheeseburger, that cheeseburger is ready in like 45 seconds.

[Author]

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