Disposable Nappies!

[Andy Burns]

I notice supermarkets use a "snake" of silica gel or similar to mop up leaks from freezers

old bath towel and a shallow tupperware box always works for me ...

[Andy Burns]

9.99 for 3 - NOT a bargain.

to 45p each

[The Medway Handyman]

Hi

I'm often faced with the 'turn the water off & disconnect the pipe' scenario. Always get that 'pipe full' of water that goes everywhere.

It occurred to me that disposable nappies are incredibly absorbent - a little Google research reveals that they contain a chemical which absorbs water & turns into a gel.

Apparently a single disposable nappy will hold between 3 and 5 litres of water!

Given how cheap a pack is, it seems the ideal solution, especially when removing radiators.

Anyone ever tried it?

[Andy Hall]

They are probably quite effective at mopping up the results of plumbing activities as well.....

[Frank Erskine]

It sounds a good idea.

I wonder if it'll cope with inky-black sludgy water!

[Frank Erskine]

How much pi$$ does a baby emit at one go? I thought *I* produced quite a bit after a drinking session... :-)

[JohnW]

Yes but I'll bet there will be just too much for the one you have to hand :-)

They're also excellent for removing oily water from a boat bilge under an engine...

[Derek Geldard]

FWIR the "absorbent chemical" is starch, and it takes quite a long time to absorb the water and swell up. So probably wouldn't cope with

40 feet of pipe being disgorged in 2.5 seconds.

ASDA used to do a dirt cheap liquid detergent Ca 15p that was *ace* at removing that. They don't sell it any more (it was too good), but nevertheless we know it is possible ...

DG

[Jon]

[e-mail] declared for all the world to hear...

Well, as a father to a 4-month old baby boy, I can tell you that they cope with inky brown sludgy shit without too much difficulty!

[Lobster]

Not a lot, but the concept of modern hydrogel-filled disposables is that you only need to change the baby once every three or four days - so the contents do tend to mount up a bit over that time...

David

[dom]

Have you seen what they charge for the "pro" product!

for 3 - NOT a bargain.

[The Medway Handyman]

Just been looking on the interweb & its seems they use a moisture-absorbing gel of some kind.

[Stuart B]

So do you stop when you find one that satisfies you .Sleeps right through ,doesn't puke over your shoulder etc etc , :-)

[Andy Dingley]

They're convenient, but the same super-absorbent polymer is cheaper if you buy it as cat litter in a loose sack. Look for the clear or white crystals.

I use this stuff in houseplant compost.

[cynic]

Its actually "modified" starch which gelatinises at room temperature and not at the usual almost boiling for ordinary starch. The absorption/gelatinisation takes place in a minute or so.

[ARWadsworth]

I thought they used crystals which turned to gel when wet. But then again I have never changed a nappy. I might get one off my nephew and open it up.

Adam

[Andy Hall]

Probably a bit nicer to get one out of the box.

[The Medway Handyman]

My youngest daughter works in an old peoples home - she is going to get me a large (unused) incontinence pad to try out.

"Hello, Incontinence Hotline - can you hold?"

[Owain]

There's a Little Britain sketch in there somewhere

Owain

[Helen Deborah Vecht]

Frank Erskine typed

Nappies are easily available for children up to 8 or 9 years old. I suppose they can produce a good half-pint and the nappies should easily hold this.