To wish the toddler group mums wouldn't spray disinfectant everywhere?

[CailinDana]

I go to a great toddler group on Tuesdays that DS really enjoys. But there are a couple of mums there who regularly get out that dettol aerosol stuff and spray it all over the toys, usually while tidying up, but the children are still around and playing. The toys are often wet with the stuff and the place stinks to high heaven. Sometimes there is so much of it in the air that it makes me cough. I'm not a big fan of disinfectants anyway, I think they're way overused, but AIBU to think that they shouldn't be used while the children are around and if they are then they should be sprayed sparingly and then wiped off?

As a bonus extra, AIBU to think it's not actually necessary to disinfect everything to within an inch of its life, especially as the principle way infections are spread is from child to snotty child?

principal

I fucking hate this nonsense but I don't really know what you can do. Get some literature about allergies and disinfectants? I don't think they'll listen as Febreeze and Dettol addicts are obsessed and frequently have borderline OCD.

If it's the spray I'm thinking of, it's designed not to be washed or wiped off, but to air-dry. I think it's reasonable to give the toys a good wash regularly, and possibly spraying the ones that can't be washed, BUT no, they should not do it when the children are around.

I can't picture a dettol aerosol other than the yellow stuff that goes on wounds. Is it that?

One particular mum who does it admits to being a disinfectant junkie MrsPratchett. It is that airdry stuff Jamie, but they spray so much of it that it's actually dripping off the toys. I know the toys should be cleaned or at least wiped now and again but actually soaking them in disinfectant seems like overkill to me. Besides they're sprayed but not cleaned IYSWIM - washing them in soapy water would be far more sensible IMO.

Oh, just googled it.

It wouldn't bother me tbh.

This is the one I was thinking of. I use it on door handles when someone in the house has D and V

It's this stuff queen. It's absolutely foul.

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It can't be very good for the Dcs breathing it in, or touching it while still wet, Surley, its not a good idea as may trigger astma?

I agree with you Cailin. It's OTT and potentially unhealthy in itself. Lazt to just spray.

I used to help run a toddler group, and we used to wash the toys

That's what I was thinking seeing. Even without the danger of asthma the idea of the children breathing in disinfectant bothers me.

I agree OP. Do they ask parents if they are ok with it? I'm not sure what you can do unless you are prepared to tackle directly or speak to 'leader'.

Washing the toys makes much more sense a bit of soap and water and a good scrub is all you need. Disinfecting everything to within an inch of it's life is not healthy, even without them breathing it in.

If it was me, I'd stop going I think.

The main mum who does it, the "disinfectant junkie" is a very strong character that I wouldn't like to tackle. I don't think she would get why I wasn't happy about it.

It is an easy way of looking like a good mother without actually doing anything constructive or difficult, "look at me, I care about my child getting sick" without any science to back it up.

We just shoved our toys in the cupboard,

I agree, I don't think it's a good idea when children are around.

I have the same problem with my mum. She thinks it's acceptable to spray Dettol over the high chair tray when DS is still sitting in the high chair. And she can't seem to understand why this annoys me

Its a shame because its a great group Are there other groups you can try?

I really don't want to stop going there, the people there are great, for the most part, it's just a couple of mums. If I said anything to the leader I think she would be a bit and not really listen. Last week I had to drag DS out of the small play room because one mum was spraying like a madwoman right next to him.

I've never been to a playgroup like this! It sounds completely OTT to me.

DC3's favourite playgroup is one where the toys haven't been washed since about 1990. I think it's good for his immune system!

Are they volunteers running the group, or just attending mums? If volunteers then I'm sure your objections to the spraying of disinfectant would go down better if you offered to take the toys home to wash every now and then. If they are mums running the group then they may also not particularly want to wait behind until after all the children have gone. You may also find out that the disinfectant is being sprayed after another parent has previously complained about toys not being cleaned every session...

I am quite careful re hygeine but I would not use that spray round children, or at all. Seems so silly to make all the particles airborne so kids can breathe them in. Can you either leave before the end so you aren't on the receiving end of the spray? I wouldn't go if my child had to breathe in that crap. Toddler groups aren't the be all and end all. Neither of mine went to them and they are perfectly fine and sociable.

I do have antibac wipes and I use them if: raw meat has been out or I am worred about shit smears being trodden into the hall floor from dirty shoes. Nothing else. Never ever on toys. Toys can be washed or babywiped.