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Laundry Soap Soup

Retirement Reflections

Our Amazon order arrived the other day. Head and Shoulders Shampoo and Tide Pods. What can I say? We live an exciting life.

Seeking to be a good homemaker in the age of COVID-19, I tried to do everything (okay, most things) recommended.

  • We used contactless delivery
  • We left the unopened cardboard box in our garage for three days.
  • I wiped down the plastic jugs with Lysol soap and water

Sounds extremely cautious, with minimal chances of disaster. Right?

Wrong!

I couldn’t help myself. I accidentally overdid it.

When washing down the sealed plastic containers, I plunged them in the sink of warm water. This worked well for the tightly sealed shampoo containers.

But for the Tide Pods…not so much.

With no turning back, I instantly had ‘Soap Soup.’

Trying to mitigate damages, I attempted to get Richard’s assistance….but he was too busy laughing. Not a single plastic pod left unburst.

Oh and the featured image? That was just to get your attention.

What overly cautious thing have you done recently?

elizabeth-gottwald-oty_8uAjqP4-unsplash
Elizabeth Gottwald. Unsplash.

 

 

 

 

Published by Retirement Reflections

Prior to retirement, I lived and worked in Beijing China for fourteen years (Middle School Principal/Deputy Director at The Western Academy of Beijing). Leaving international life behind, my husband and I retired to Vancouver Island in June 2015. To document both this transition and our new adventures, ‘Retirement Reflections’ was born. I hope that you enjoy reading these reflections, and will be willing to share your own.

103 thoughts on “Laundry Soap Soup”

  2. Hi Donna, I had not thought about ordering favourite shampoos on Amazon. I am hearing more about leaving unopened supplies in the garage for three days.
    I saw something funny yesterday where someone was wiping down a Lysol container with Lysol. Yes, times have changed. For us, Day 25 in complete Solitary Confinement. My husband and I still love each other…….so far.

    A perfect story to make me smile………..all day! xx

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    1. HI, Erica – 25 days in solitary confinement…and still speaking as a couple?! You and Chuck are true inspiraitons. Amazon delivery is experiencing more and more delays as the company struggles to keep up with the intense demand. Still, it is a reasonable place to order from. Contact delivery is a wonderful option. Big hugs to you and Chuck.

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  4. Hi Donna! uh oh….some things should NOT be washed. 🙂 But it is REALLY important to keep our sense of humor about things… go Richard! Of course he probably didn’t have to clean up the soap soup did he? Keep finding new and exciting things to do with your time. ~Kathy

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    1. Hi, Fran – We haven’t placed another order. But, we did salvage what we could. We now have two recycled glass jars filled with Tide Soup. We’ve used it already. A couple of large tablespoons seem to be just right for a regular sized load. 😀

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  6. You gave me the laugh for the day. Yesterday we had food delivered. Hot food to eat. I washed my hands before I took the bag because that’s the right thing to do. I took the stuff out of the bag and put the bag in the trash. Then I washed my hands. I wiped down the containers with a Clorox wipe. Then I washed my hands because they smelled of Clorox. Something leaked so I had to transfer it. Then I washed my hands because they were sticky. I have no skin left. I think it’s easier to cook.

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  7. Oh oh. 😊 Hope you weren’t in desperate need of the pods. Sometimes we feel we’re being over cautious not visiting a couple of our friends. We haven’t been around anyone for weeks and neither have they, but we still feel safer just social distancing.

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  8. That made me chuckle. We are only supposed to shop for essentials but I gave in to the cheeping in my garden and went to the pet shop for bird seed. The owner has a £5.00 limit for contactless payments and is not accepting cash due to the germs so I ended up buying cat treats.

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  9. That was my chuckle for the day! Have you heard of Nellie’s Soap? Vancouver based, eco friendly, comes in a metal can and is a powder. Cleans so awesome. I highly recommend trying Nellie’s. And no I don’t get paid to endorse them!

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  10. Oh my! Sounds like something I would have done 😜🤣

    My overly cautious thing happened 3 weeks ago, when I carefully avoided a patch of ice, to instead slide and crash into the mud I had stepped in. My ankle was sprained in the process and I am still dealing with it. It IS getting better, but very slowly.

    Deb

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  11. Eek! That sounds like something that would happen to me, Donna. Did you at least hand wash your delicates? I’ve been wiping down everything that comes into our home, but as an admitted germaphobe, long before this pandemic, not much has changed. People used to laugh at my stockpile of Wet Ones. 🙂

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    1. HI, Jill – You are wise to have a stockpile of Wet Ones. My mom has always been one to have a full pantry and multiple fridges and freezers…even when there are just two people in her house. I used to tease her about this relentlessly. She now takes great pleasure in reminding me about this! 😀

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  16. Too funny! Soap soup! I’m becoming overcautious myself~But I’ve restrained from putting a plastic bag over my head walking into stores. 😏🤦‍♂️ However, I do use my onguard essential oil spray and any other “germ killer” I have nearby to spray down every box and every bag I get from a store. I’m trying to use humor to at least make people smile. It seems masks and over cautiousness has caused us all to be a wee bit standoffish. Hmmmm

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  18. Soap soup, indeed! I’ve begun to wipe down the outside of boxes and cans and bottles of wine before we bring them into the house. I feel like an idiot, but am being conscientious. 🤷‍♀️

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    1. HI, Ally – Originally, it was Richard who wanted us to isolate new packages, and wipe down anything entering our home. At first, I thought that he was being paranoid. Then I began to read this advice from respected medical professionals. (Okay, maybe not advice to bathe a jug of soap pods…that was my own unique twist!)

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  20. Uh oh! That would have tipped me over the edge! Gotta have a sense of humour about these things I suppose. Just heard our president announce on TV a further 2 weeks lock down which will take us to the end of April – been two weeks already. Our older son who lives in same town we do, does our (essential shopping- non essential shopping not allowed) shopping for us and delivers and we do our thing with wiping down etc – or rather my husband does. Have a lovely Easter Donna ..

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      1. The food stores in shopping malls are open. Sports, shoe shops, clothing, book shops, delis, restaurants, bnb etc etc are in lockdown. Mo alcohol can be bought. No walking on beaches, no jogging or walking in the burbs etc – at food shops strict protocol, 7 at a time, spritz, masks etc etc – lockdown extended until end April. We’re hoping SOME restrictions will be lifted – like walking on beach while practising social distance –

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      2. Hi, Susan – Interesting about the no alcohol policy. In Canada (at least BC), the concern was that those undergoing withdrawl may need medical assistance, or might resort to drastic measures, so our liquor stores remain open.
        The ‘no beach walks’ would be the most painful to me.

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  21. Oh, my…such good intentions. I keep meaning to be more cautious with our Amazon orders but we keep goofing up over here. Had a small bathroom rug delivered yesterday, and PC brought the box in the house but announced we should just let it sit there in the living room for a few days. Hmmmm.

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  23. Hi Donna, thanks for bringing a smile to my face. We are actually coping quite well and have only been out for essential food items. For some reason I just haven’t thought about online ordering, yet I’m doing everything else online! I also didn’t know about the 3 day rule with opened cardboard boxes. Hope you and Richard are well and looking forward to our next chat. xx

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    1. Hi, Sue – I hadn’t been an online shopper before, but I have become a total convert.
      The good news about cardboard boxes is that the virus is supposed to only last on this type of surface for 24 hours. It is plastics which are the concern — with viruses being about to live there for 3 days.
      Big hugs back to you!

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  24. Oh, gosh! Nothing like that has happened yet. But in getting packages and mail I go through extreme gyrations —alcohol wipes, gloves, no touching doorknobs, washing of the hands. Life in the time of a pandemic!

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  25. Sorry to hear about the tide pods. To add injury to insult, I heard Amazon Prime’s delivery dates are moving farther and farther away as people start ordering everything online like that… It might be hard to get more washing detergent for a while.

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    1. Hi, Mike – Great to hear from you. I believe that that is true about Amazon delivery. So far, they have been incredible in staying on top of timely deliveries. They now advise that they are prioritizing shipments of essential items into its warehouses to allow it to stock and ship them faster. Those items include baby formula, medical supplies, household basics and sanitizers.I believe that they are also prioritizing who receives delivery first, e.g. frontline workers.
      It does make sense.
      Hope that all is well with you and your family.

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      1. Oh near I didn’t know that. Sounds like they’ve put some thought into it… although now I’m afraid for our order of garden timers might be delayed 😱 !
        Anyways, take care!

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      2. I’ve ordered several novels from Amazon. I consider them essential…but others may not view them this way. Still, they have arrived fairly promptly. Fingers crossed on your garden timer. 😀

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  28. I bet you were already planning this blog post yesterday, as I saw you smile on camera when just thinking back about this hilarious event. You crack me up, Donna!

    Today, at Trader Joe’s in North Carolina, all the employees were wearing masks and they let one person in for one person leaving. Everyone lined up outside was easily six feet away, but in the store, I didn’t notice any social distancing from the shoppers. Sometimes you wonder about certain intentions and the ones ignored, cancelling them all out…

    We wash our hands a lot, since we still don’t have wipes, sanitizer, or masks – all remain sold-out in the stores we visit once a week. No wiping groceries or letting things sit for three days (no space for that and we only buy what we immediately need).

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    1. Hi, Liesbet – You are very perceptive. I hadn’t originally planned this as a post. When we were speaking yesterday, I had planned to go with this high/low tale, and then went with our foster dog instead. Instantly, this blog post was born! Sending warm hugs your way. You continue to inspire so many (including me)!

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  30. That’s too funny, Donna, sorry for giggling! I have three things of wipes that I found stashed away in my garage “pantry” from last year, I guess. I actually cut the big wipes in half and use those to wipe things delivered to the house. Once the temps get to over 68 degrees F, I’m told COVID-19 can’t live at that temp! Pray for heat!

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    1. Hi, Terri – I agree that over 68F temperatures kill off many viruses. Sadly, this is not true with all viruses (e.g. Spanish Flu). From what I’ve read, many scientists believe that warm temperatures will not kill off the virus. If you have research that contradicts this, I would very much love to read it.
      Hope that all is well for you.

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      1. Donna/Teri, Take a look at Florida and you will know this is not a fact. We have had temps over 80 since January and the virus is still spreading. I wish it were true. Keeping the Lysol spray by the front door is an unfortunate necessity these days.

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  31. Please don’t take this personally – but I laughed out loud upon first reading of this!
    Upon reflection, I hope you get your pod replacements soon as they are afterall part of our arsenal of keeping things clean…best wishes on your bouncing back after all of that.
    🙂

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    1. Hi, Laura – Thank you for laughing. That was the whole purpose of this post. 😀 Richard still laughs hysterically when he thinks of the exact moment that I realized my error. I was able to salvage some of the soap (with plastic bits floating inside), so all is good!

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  32. Oh Donna that’s classic! I must say that you’ve been a lot more thorough than I’ve been with purchases. We just do a lot of hand washing after shopping and unpacking groceries – no three day quarantine in the garage and no washing of the products – and now I think we might have saved ourselves a disaster! Great laugh for Richard and the rest of us though xx Happy Easter xx

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    1. Hi, Leanne – There is so much different advice there, even from the medical experts alone. Thus, we decided to go the extremely cautious route. Richard is 72, with a compromised immune system, so this has guided are path. Still, there will be no further soapy baths for any soap products!

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  33. Thanks for the laugh, Donna. Down here in NZ, I have never in my life until lately washed/wiped down so many tins, fruit etc though no pods, I will leave that gem for you 🙂

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  34. Hi Donna – oh yes things like that can happen … thankfully haven’t had anything disastrous happen – other than a very irritating visit to the pharmacy … but not dwelling on it.

    I can imagine Richard laughing for ever … and being doubled up … well I guess your soup will last for a long time … and you’ll be spring cleaning as much as possible … I’ll be happily remembering and giggling on and off for a few years …

    Take care – and with best wishes – you are probably better off than many of us being on the Island – I’m fine down here … Hilary

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  35. Oh no, not your detergent pods!! I’m naturally a germaphobe anyway so everything that comes into our house gets wiped down with homemade bleach wipes, better than Clorox wipes in my opinion cause there’s more bleach in the homemade. Yes, I overdo it but better safe than sorry.

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  36. Good morning, Donna,
    Thanks, I needed a good laugh. I did a very “under-cautious” thing recently. Ran into a friend at the market this week. She was in face mask, rubber gloves, and sanitary booties. Without thinking, I moved closer to chat–she almost fainted and jumped six feet away. I gotta take this distancing thing more seriously! I do use a lot of hand sanitizer. Stay well!

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    1. Hi, Joe – The last time I did any regular, non-social distancing activities was early in the second week of March. I went to the hairdresser and she grabbed my hands and squeezed them before I left. Although I really like her, I must admit that that made me very uncomfortable.
      Hope that you and Helen are well.

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  38. Oh boy! I don’t think I can top that one. I’m glad you can laugh about it. These days it’s laugh or cry, huh? Take care and stay safe!

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  39. This reminds me of the time my younger brother put washing-up liquid in the dishwasher. We had our very own foam disco that evening.

    I can’t top what you did, Donna. The only strange thing I’m scratching my head about with jobs I’ve done during lockdown is why I’m finding so many odd socks in drawers all over the house? It wouldn’t be bad if some of them matched up, but none of them seem too. I can only imagine they’ve been left my various houseguests over the years, but who knows?

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  42. OMG Donna, thank you for this! I so needed some levity!
    I’ve been preoccupied with COVID things; still in Florida, worried about my kids up north and my brother “the doc” at ground zero at the Javits Ctr in NYC.  Instead of blogging I’ve been sewing masks and distributing to the docs in our family, family members, friends and neighbors. We are REALLY self-isolating.  Groceries delivered, etc.  I have become the queen of germophobes.  LOL.  Don’t want this thing…rather wait for the vaccine, but that could be a while, I know.  May put a kink into our big RV trip.  We are just patiently waiting and playing things by ear.
    So glad to hear from you and glad you are well.  This is an odd part of history to be living through.  
    We plan to head back to NH probably around mid May.  A bit anxious about what travel will look like at that point, but we plan to take the inland route along I81 instead of I95 corridor and avoid big cities, etc.  
    Please keep in touch…even if I don’t blog for a while.  I know I’ll get back to it, but am too antsy to sit and write just now.
    🙂
    Nancy

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    1. Hi, Nancy – It’s wonderful to hear from you. We’ve been like you (without the mask sewing part). Richard and I have been extremely cautious, figuring if we need to self-isolate, we may as well go big time. Although we try not to worry, it’s hard not to — especially about our family. Hopefully there will be a positive end to this soon.
      Sending big (germ-free hugs) to you!

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  43. Gosh, Donna, I don’t do anything over-cautiously for certain reasons. I ‘m not stupid either but I just don’t over-worry about things. I see people going out to their mailbox with masks and gloves on. I just don’t go that far but if it makes people feel better, go for it. I take things out of my mailbox and don’t worry. I get my vitamin shipment box and don’t worry about it.

    Some friends and I are sharing humorous stories and videos via WhatsApp. We dance (it lessens tension in the body) and play ukulele and tell jokes. Anything to make us feel human! Because if truth be told, I feel like a prisoner many days and looking forward to clemency ha ha. But I’m making the best of it and staying calm inside. I want to be smart but I don’t want to be ruled by fear over a virus that has a 98-99% survival rate.

    Susan Grace

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    1. Hi, Susan – Dancing, playing ukulele and telling jokes sound perfect…and sound infectious! Richard and I are not wearing mask and gloves to the mailbox, but we have significantly reduced our contact with the public. Definitely looking forward to the light at the end of the tunnel! 😀
      Bug hugs!

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  44. Oh Donna, you cracked me up. 😂 Can’t day I’ve done anything like that. I ordered some online hair colour a few weeks back but no washing dramas yet. My hands feel like they’re shrivelling up like sardines I’ve washed them so much! But I’ve never had soap soup. That’s a first. Stay well and safe. xx

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    1. Hi, Miriam – I woke up this morning thinking, “Is anyone else sick and tired of washing their hands”? I was a frequent hand-washer before, so I definitely join you in the shrivelled hands department. Last September, I began letting my hair return to its natural colour. So there is one less thing that I can mess up! 😀 Thanks for dropping by and commenting. I greatly appreciate it.

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  46. I’m glad you were able to recover most of the soap soup and put it in containers. The frugal part of me cringes at the thought of wasting the soap pods. Have you ever tried the Tru Earth laundry strips? I’m seeing a lot of ads for it. It would be a great way to avoid having to buy laundry detergent in plastic jugs. I’m cautious about laundry soaps, though, because of sensitive skin. I currently buy an eco brand of liquid detergent that is fragrance and colour-free and that comes in giant jugs.

    Jude

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