to think you can over sanitise?

[Happymummy21]

Since becoming a mum I've noticed many parents are very paranoid about their dc coming into contact with germs etc and seem to be constantly spraying antibacterial everywhere etc.

The cynic in me hates the 'clean freak' adverts by big corporates which seem to perpetuate parents desire to over sanitise. I'm concerned about the chemicals in all these products, probably more than the germs they kill.

I do like to have a clean house, but AIBU to think that you can over sanitise and them chemicals can be more harmful than the bacteria?

Thanks for all the replies. Shoshe that is very sad. I think I will be sticking with the filthwizards too then, hehe. The changing mat and toilet, as well as food hygiene will be rigorous still, but the rest of the house can be unsanitised. I've decided to look for some eco friendly type cleaning products when I go to the supermarket later, not sure I want to use the harsh chemicals anymore.

YANBU.

I have a child who is immunosupressed. I don't over-clean or over sanitise.

I too have a child with a health condition which leaves her more prone to serious infection than the average child, but I do not over sanitise or use anti-bac gels either. I firmly believe it helps her build up immunity.
At DDs SN school there is an anti-bac gel dispenser outside the reception area door with a sign asking everyone to use it before entering. It was placed there during the swine flu outbreak. I make a point of ignoring its existence - it is completely pointless. All the children and escorts enter through a different door in the morning and there is no anti-bac there!!!

Shoshe, I am so sorry about your DB.

OP, YADNBU. I keep the house clean, and do sometimes use antibacterial sprays in the kitchen etc but we have a cat and three dogs, plus 4DC, so the house is in no way ever going to be 'sanitised'. My DC rarely get ill.

On the other hand I have a friend who is a clean freak and constantly bleaching everything in her house, it always wreaks of bleach. Her DC are constantly ill. I am not exaggerating when I say constantly either. Of her 4 DC one has some sort of illness or bug at least once a fornight.

:( shoshe that is so sad

Yes. I've long thought children from over clean, bleached, dettoled homes will pick up every germ going once they start school, nursery and so on. My kids never had that problem.

Sorry I didn't see your post Shoshe. That is so very sad.

YANBU. It's good to be clean of course, but I agree too much antibacterial stuff will only lead to resistant bacteria.

I'm not sure where I stand on this really. I grew up on a farm and am allergic to dust, cats, horse hair etc and have awful hayfever - neither of my sisters do. So I don't think it's as simple a matter as getting dirty = better immunity or keeping clean = lower immunity. I have had my fair share of illnesses through life, though nothing serious.

I do think it's important to be clean and we do have anti-bac spray in the house because of this. However... I rarely use it and a bottle seems to last forever . Dd is allowed to play in the garden and gets filthy - not because I don't want her to be clean, but because I don't have the time to keep her any cleaner! She isn't bathed every evening because I think that will dry out her skin and is probaby more damaging than leaving her a little bit grubby. She hasn't been particularly ill (so far) though she's had the usual sniffles.

I do think though that some people over use chemicals in general, not just anti bac stuff either, so in answer to your question, no YANBU and sorry for the rambling!