UD5 Toolkit
Guitar Action Height Checker – Online Feeler Gauge Sim
Select fret and string to see recommended action height in mm/inches. Aim for a pro setup.
DIY Handwashing Station Planner – Bottle, Soap & Bleach Setup
DIY Handwashing Station Planner
Plan your portable handwashing setup — calculate water, soap & bleach needs for camping, job sites, parties, or emergency preparedness.
CDC: 2–4 drops/gal for stored water
2.5
Gallons / Day
(~9.5 L/day)
5.0
Total Gallons Needed
(~19 L total)
2.0
oz Liquid Soap
(~1 bottle of 8oz)
15 drops
Bleach for Water
Surface cleaner: ~0.5 oz conc.
3
× 2-Gallon Containers Needed
Including 10% buffer for spillage & extra use
Shopping & Prep Checklist
- Food-grade water container(s) with spigot — 3 × 2-gallon dispensers
- Liquid hand soap — 2 oz (travel bottle or pump)
- Unscented liquid bleach (6% sodium hypochlorite) — small bottle
- Paper towels or clean hand towels
- Wastewater bucket (catch basin under spigot)
- Sturdy table or stand (container at ~3 ft height for gravity flow)
- Measuring dropper or small spoon for bleach dosing
- Trash bag for used paper towels
Quick Setup Steps
1
Fill container(s) with clean water. If storing >2 days, add bleach (see dosage below).
2
Place container on a stable elevated surface (~3 ft high). Ensure spigot clears the edge.
3
Position wastewater bucket directly under the spigot.
4
Place soap dispenser and paper towels within easy reach.
5
Clean surfaces daily with diluted bleach solution (1 tbsp bleach per gallon of water).
Bleach Safety:
Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar, or other cleaners — this creates toxic gas. Use only unscented 6% sodium hypochlorite bleach. Store out of direct sunlight. Diluted bleach solution loses effectiveness after 24 hours; mix fresh as needed. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Per CDC guidelines, add 2 drops of unscented 6% bleach per gallon of clear water (4 drops if water is cloudy). Let it stand for at least 30 minutes before use. The water should have a faint chlorine smell — this indicates proper disinfection. If there's no chlorine odor, repeat the dose and wait another 15 minutes. For long-term storage (>1 week), retreat every 5–7 days. Do not use splashless or scented bleaches — they contain additives not safe for water treatment.
Beverage dispensers (2–3 gallons) with built-in spigots are the most popular choice — they're affordable, food-safe, and widely available. 5-gallon water cooler jugs work great for larger groups but require a separate spigot attachment or a dispenser stand. 1-gallon jugs with spouts are ideal for solo or small-group use. Always choose food-grade HDPE or PET plastic (look for recycling codes #1 or #2). Avoid containers that previously held chemicals or non-food substances. The spigot should be easy to operate with soapy hands — push-button or lever-style spigots work best.
A typical handwash uses 6–10 oz (180–300 ml) of water when using a gravity-fed spigot. For basic hand rinsing, 6 oz may suffice. For thorough washing with soap lathering and rinsing, budget 8–10 oz per wash. In settings like job sites where hands are heavily soiled, allow up to 12 oz. Using a spigot with a controlled flow rate (rather than free-pouring) significantly reduces water waste. Our default of 8 oz per wash is a practical middle ground suitable for most scenarios.
Wastewater (greywater) from handwashing typically contains soap residue and should be collected in a bucket placed under the spigot. Dispose of it by scattering it over a wide area at least 200 feet from water sources, streams, or lakes. Avoid dumping concentrated greywater in one spot, as it can create odors and attract insects. If you're using biodegradable soap, the environmental impact is reduced. Never dump greywater directly into natural water bodies. At organized campgrounds, check for designated greywater disposal stations.
Yes! Bar soap works perfectly in a DIY handwashing station. Place it in a draining soap dish or hang it in a mesh bag near the station. Bar soap tends to last longer than liquid soap and creates less plastic waste. One standard 4 oz bar can serve approximately 80–120 handwashes. The downside: bar soap can become messy in outdoor settings and may attract dirt if not stored properly. For group settings, liquid soap in a pump dispenser is generally more hygienic since multiple people aren't touching the same bar.
Daily cleaning is recommended: wipe down the spigot, container exterior, and surrounding surfaces with a diluted bleach solution (1 tablespoon bleach per gallon of water). The interior of the water container should be rinsed and sanitized between refills, especially if the container has been sitting in warm conditions. If you notice any slime, biofilm, or odors, sanitize immediately with a stronger solution (1 teaspoon bleach per quart of water), swish thoroughly, and rinse well before refilling. In hot weather (>85°F), check water quality more frequently as bacteria grow faster in warm conditions.
A well-designed DIY handwashing station has five key features: (1) Gravity-fed water flow — no pumping needed, just open the spigot; (2) Stable elevation — the spigot should be at a comfortable height (about 3 feet) with enough clearance for hands underneath; (3) Hands-free operation — ideally, users shouldn't need to touch anything with dirty hands (consider a foot-operated spigot or sensor if budget allows); (4) Soap and drying within reach — keep soap and towels within arm's reach of the water flow; (5) Wastewater containment — a bucket or basin that prevents greywater from creating mud or slipping hazards. For high-traffic settings, consider multiple stations to prevent lines.