A (probably wierd) question for anyone who uses Mould and Mildew Remover

[Servalan]

Hi, I have to get rid of some mildew around my windows today.

I have OCD and especially have a fear of chemicals

I want to use the Dettol mould and mildew remover (spray in the green bottle) to get rid of it, as that is what DH uses, and because I'm scared of it, I need to face my fear to move forwards.

My therapist has suggested that I do a general survey to see what people without OCD do in situations and to compare my response as part of my recovery.

So - if you were squirting stuff with Dettol mould and mildew remover, would you change your clothes afterwards? My obsessive thoughts are that some of the spray will get onto my clothes, I'll hug my daughter later, and she'll inadvertantly swallow some of the residue. However, I don't want to be indulging in OCD behaviour (changing and washing my clothes/showering) - if it is abnormal behaviour.

Thanks to anyone who takes the time to answer :)

[Lexiesinclair]

I use it and I don't change my clothes after, unless some gets on. (Which you would know about).
You do need to open the windows and ventilate the area well though.

Good Luck.

[OldBeanbagz]

I bought Dettol mould and mildew remover for the first time last week. I didn't change my clothes after i'd used it, nor did i shower but i did hug both my DC later that day.

[Wandawingsthe2nd]

I used this yesterday and all I did was open the window after and carried on with the rest of my cleaning. I washed my hands at the end of the while cleaning session.

Good luck! Sounds like you're doing great.

[Wandawingsthe2nd]

*whole

[AllBellyandBoobs]

I would change my clothes if i had accidentally sprayed them directly but otherwise i wouldn't bother. I would wash my hands after use if i wasn't wearing gloves but that's all.

[AllBellyandBoobs]

Oh yes, i would also ventilate the area

[DeafLeopard]

I use gloves as I have dermatitis, but I wouldn't change my clothes unless I got some spilt on me.

I open the windows for about 15 minutes.

[DadPharma]

I'd probably wash my hands afterwards, probably using the Dettol No-Touch dispensers we have in every bathroom, thereby ensuring they're disinfected too.

I'd only change clothing if I'd sprayed/spilled some on them, but that would be more due to rinsing-out the clothes, as Mould & Mildew remover can "bleach" the colour from clothing.

[lightrain]

I'd put an old top over my normal clothes, as I've ruined a nice cardigan before getting a tiny bit of the spray on it (bleach, so turns clothes funny colour where it spots). You could do that, then take it off afterwards and you wouldn't need to worry.

Anyhow, say a tiny bit of the spray did get on you, then you hugged your daughter, and she swallowed it (all v unlikely). What would happen? Such a tiny amount wouldn't cause any issues. It would a tiny, tiny amount otherwise you'd know about it being on your clothes (plus, it soaks into fabrics). Does that help to think if like that at all?

[stickylittlefingers]

well done you! Facing up to your fear and doing it anyway is very brave.

I clicked on this thread actually because I thought it might have tips on mould removal...

I would be wearing old clothes to do the spraying in, in case I sprayed myself (I have bleached things accidentally before!). I would wash my hands well afterwards because it is nasty stuff. But I would not worry about hugging the DC afterwards. And definitely yes to ventilation - I use the HG mould removal spray and it really needs wafting away, horrible stuff really, if effective.

[WowOoo]

I wouldn't change my clothes, but I would certainly leave the windows open whilst cleaning and for 10 mins after.
Best of luck.

[ouryve]

I open windows, wear latex-free rubber gloves and old clothes. I usually do have a shower or bath afterwards, since I tend to drop the boys at school, do any mucky cleaning work that needs doing and then have my bath for the day. If I don't I just wash my face and forearms and blow my nose. Slightly OTT but I have very sensitive skin.

[CooEeeEldridge]

I don't change clothes after, it does smell very strongly though. It's also v good!

[FloatyBeatie]

Hello, I use it. It has a strong smell and I don't like to get any of it on my flesh. But I absolutely wouldn't change clothes afterwards, and I wouldn't worry about residue getting onto my children.

In fact I used it in the shower yesterday and forgot to rinse it off before son had a shower, so I imagine that very dilute residue might have made contact with him. My reaction to this is to tut at myself for being slack, but not at all to be fearful for his welfare.

I hope that helps a bit. Dealing with the OCD must be tough for you. Best wishes.

[ChilliChips]

I always open a window. I don't bother with gloves, but if I'm treating a high part of the bathroom I put on old clothes because if any landed on me it would bleach out the colour. And I'd wash hands afterwards, because that's what I always do after cleaning.

Good for you on getting the mildew away! Reminds me I need to have a good go at our bathroom ceiling .

[Servalan]

Thanks so much for all the replies - haven't built up the courage to tackle it yet - but have set myself a deadline to have it done some time before tomorrow lunchtime - all your responses will help enormously with preparing myself to do it (I know that sounds ridiculous - my head is so annoying) and I know I'll be able to tackle it and work through the anxiety. Mumsnet is so fab :)

[FloatyBeatie]

Let us know how you get on, won't you. And give yourself full credit and a large slice of cake for any success.

[Poledra]

Hi Servalan. I've been on one of your threads before, so thought I'd pop onto this one and give my tuppenceworth. I'd use the spray with the window open, and I'd wear rubber gloves. I'd wash my hands afterwards. As far as clothes go, I have an old hoodie I always wear for doing chores like this which require bleach as I ruined it when it was still fairly new but getting some bleach spots on it So, once I'd finished, I'd change it but more because it's a manky old cardi and I wouldn't want to be seen in public in it rather than because it had the spray on it, IYSWIM.

[BehindLockNumberNine]

I would use the spray with the window open.
I would then wash my hands.
I would not change my clothes, I would be hugging my dc.
Even if some minor residue had got onto my clothes, the fabric of the clothes would absorb it and chances of the dc ingesting it is minimal (unless they spent a prolonged period of time sucking that particular patch of clothing which they don't do )

All the best with it and reward yourself with a cuppa and some cake afterwards

[specialsubject]

I would use gloves, ventilate the room and wipe it up properly. I wouldn't do it in my best clothes but I would check that the spray was facing the right way before squeezing the trigger. (I've done dafter things in my time...)

No need to shower or change clothes. Wash hands afterwards, don't breathe the spray directly, don't get it in your eyes. That is all that you need to do.

good luck with overcoming your fears. and LOVE your username. :-)

[GreatUncleEddie]

Good for you OP.

I used this this morning in the shower cubicle. I didn't wear gloves or change my clothes, though you do have to be careful not to get it in your clothes as it bleaches them. I washed my hands afterwards and left the bathroom window open for a bit.

[GreatUncleEddie]

So with regard to your fear that the spray will get onto your clothes - if t had you would know, because it would make a mark.

[TwoKidsAndCounting]

Do you have a fear of bleach too? Because that's what the mildew remover is. I use Milton as its half the strength of normal bleach and you can use it on a multitude of cleaning and sterilising tasks! Hope this helps! Good luck!