To stop using antibacterial products completely.

[Stormwhale]

I have a confession. I accidentally became one of those odd people obsessed with zoflora. I have many many bottles of it.

The problem is, since starting to use it about 6 months ago, I am sure I have been unwell more often and much more severely. I have had four or five vicious illnesses in that time, during which I have been laid up for days on end. I currently have pneumonia and bronchitis, which I have never had before.

I thought I was getting rid of nasty germs, but I think I have just been knocking out the weaker ones and allowing the stronger ones to thrive. Or is that nonsense?

I have also noticed that the way viruses are passing between dd and I has changed. Usually she would get a cold, i would catch it from her and have a similar period of illness. Now she gets it, then a few days later I catch it and am much worse.

Am I mad to blame the zoflora? Something is different this year and that is the only thing I think it could be. AIBU to chuck out all the zoflora and just use washing up liquid to clean instead?

I don't use any antibacterial stuff or heavy cleaners mainly because they smell awful and give me a sore throat. Method sprays or soap and water. Occasional bleach for the loo to remove any stains. I probably get about one cold a year, usually just a mild sniffle and I've only ever had one stomach bug that I caught from my son after he started nursery! Never been in hospital for anything other than childbirth and the only time I've had a day off work (or school) was a leg injury!

I let my children play in dirt and eat off the floor. 😂

I'm spraying anti bac round my house like a woman possessed. Currently all full of the most disgusting cold and it's a regular occurrence in our house.

Anti bac will do nothing to a cold VIRUS!

I think you can definitely go mad with the anti bacterial products. I'm not sure I'd blame Zoflora for your recent illness. It sounds as though you are very run down and your immune system has taken a battering. Personally I would be doing everything I could to build myself back up with supplements and food.

I buy liquid hand soap in Aldi, it's not anti bacterial. You don't have to buy method. But you do have to wash your hands properly. Isn't it a verse and chorus of Twinkle Twinkle with hot water?

I remember zoflora. I went on a school trip for a week and when I got home the whole house stunk of carnations. Mum looked pleased with herself but we hated it so much and could barely breath it in and she never used it again!

DD never gets ill. I get ill rarely.

I clean the house every 2 or 3 weeks. I sometimes use a bit of anti-bac and bleach then. I wouldn't use it on a daily basis for wiping the kitchen surfaces down etc. I've only ever used to Zoflora occasionally on the radiators to make the house smell nice.

I think your illnesses are because of a weakened immune system, possibly overuse of anti-bac has contributed.

msharry in dc's nursery they used to sing happy birthday whilst washing hands.

White vinegar is amazing. I use it in the washing machine for stains as well. For carpets and sofas I make a very dilute spray with clove oil, leave it a few hours and then hoover - apparently it kills dust mites.

I’ve been thinking this for years.

My mum kept a clean house but never really used anti bacs other than a little bleach from time to time. And she used dads old pants as a cloth so no microfibres in our house

We were so rarely ill. In comparison my relatives who are utter anti bac worshippers are constantly sick and quite seriously so at times. It just makes no sense to me.

DH and I have a cleaner and we leave Method multi surface, bicarb of soda, vinegar & washing up liquid to use. She asked me to buy cillit bang but I refused and said I’d be happy for things to be a bit more limescaley rather than have noxious chemicals sprayed around. I think she thinks we’re really eccentric

purple that's a good one. I oversee 30 chn washing hands in year 1 daily before lunch. Most try to get away after 3 seconds but they are up against me, the hand washing expert extraordinaire! makes me wonder what they do at home.

Totally agree about how un-necessary all these heavily marketed products are.

On a related matter does anone know a good place to bulk buy white vinegar?

Amazon is great for bulk buying vinegar and polish shops do some too.

Ive had to persuade DH that he doesn't need to buy anti bac hand soap for the bathroom. Hate it.

I have some anti bac wipes but mainly for use if one of the dogs is a bit sick.

We use Method multi purpose spray in the kitchen and I'm gradually moving to similar for bathroom and floors.

I have recently switched from shower gel to soap in the shower. Mainly as I'm trying to use less plastic but I'm finding I much prefer it. Feel cleaner. I still use liquid handsoap in kitchen and bathrooms though but am going to experiment with making my own.

Hadn't realised about microfibre cloths though stupidly. We generally use old face flannels which get washed wth towels but do have a few micro fibre ones. Hate sending stuff to landfill but I suppose that is the best way to dispose of those in a way where the particles won't end up in the sea.

You dont have to go from one extreme to another. Use antibac products in the kitchen and bathroom if you have an outbreak of D&V. Otherwise just use standard cleaning products and hot water.

helpmum2003 We get 5l jugs of white vinegar from a local Asian supermarket, and you can also get it on Amazon.

I buy liquid hand soap in Aldi, it's not anti bacterial. You don't have to buy method. But you do have to wash your hands properly. Isn't it a verse and chorus of Twinkle Twinkle with hot water?

www.gosh.nhs.uk/parents-and-visitors/coming-hospital/infection-control-and-prevention/podcasts-and-videos/handwashing-video

--theatre scrub nurse here so handwasher extraordinaire*

Thanks for the vinegar tips!!

So, on the food shop this morning I bought extra washing up liquid and a method cleaning spray. No more antibac here!

It's no wonder it feels like antibac is a necessary. This is from the current MN competition with dettol:

Here’s what Dettol have to say: “We all know children can do some pretty disgusting things. Maybe it’s not surprising then that kids are one of the main carriers of cold and flu viruses, with 41 percent of cold and flu outbreaks last year reported from schools. With cold and flu season rapidly approaching, it’s important to keep your family safe - both at home and on the go. Dettol Surface Cleanser range provides trusted protection against winter bugs by preventing the spread of germs and bacteria around the home.”

I always like these threads, as I always learn something, in this case re microfibre clothes creating micro plastic particles. In hindsight, with a bit of critical thinking I could have worked that out for myself!

Except, spurred on to be more environmentally friendly, I started Googling "natural cleaning clothes" thinking, cotton, bamboo, etc and all the hits were for micro fibre clothes.

Ecover is another brand btw, there was a health food shop where I used to live that would refill your empty contains for a discount.

Cellulose sponges are great(and really absorbent) and survive a few rounds in the washing machine. Other than that, I use old cotton t-shirts or tea towels or kitchen paper for truly revolting mess.

I use antibacterial cleaners for the bathroom floor / toilet, and antibacterial soap for washing my hands after handling raw meat and that's it.

When the dcs were babies it was very difficult not to get sucked in by all the marketing around antibacterial cleaners. The marketing can make you feel like you're failing your kids if you don't regularly scrub every inch of the house with antibac.

Another one here who cleans with hot soapy water. I fill the sink with hot water and a squirt of Fairy Liquid before I start to cook. Refill after cooking and wipe down cooker and surfaces.

I wash my floors properly about twice a year but I do vacuum them regularly. I'm also not that fussed about washing bedlinen that frequently as we all shower and wear clean pj's each night.

My kids are almost never ill. The Doctor once commented on how one of my children was last seen for toddler jabs when I took him for a sports injury aged 12!

A peck of dirt never did anyone harm!

The quicker Dettol is banned the better.

Just remembered another top tip. Instead of antibacterial handwash I buy the very cheapest bubble bath at 50-70p per litre to refill 250ml bottles. It tends to be simple, kind to skin but with fewer chemicals and works out between 12p-20p compared to £1.95 for antibacterial handwash. Saves a fortune.

Here’s what Dettol have to say: “We all know children can do some pretty disgusting things. Maybe it’s not surprising then that kids are one of the main carriers of cold and flu viruses, with 41 percent of cold and flu outbreaks last year reported from schools. With cold and flu season rapidly approaching, it’s important to keep your family safe - both at home and on the go. Dettol Surface Cleanser range provides trusted protection against winter bugs by preventing the spread of germs and bacteria around the home.”

So how does anti bacterial product known as dettol plan on killing all those viruses? It's bollocks marketing crap.

That dettol message might as well say, "Use this or you are a terrible parent."