In thinking you can't keep a dirty mop with baking trays?

[ProfessorMoody]

We've just moved house and now have a pantry type cupboard in the kitchen. The bottom part is tall enough to store cleaning things, like a sweeping brush, a long handled dustpan and a mop and bucket.

I've put baking trays and mixing bowls on the top high shelves as I have a lot of them and there isn't much other storage - the cupboards are full of crockery, pots and pans.

DH has been using the mop and bucket for the kitchen floor and the boot room as we are puppy training and there is about one dog wee a day. He'll use the same mop water for about three days then change it. I cannot get him to use fresh every time, we've had that argument many times and as I'm disabled and he does it, it's apparently not up to me.

AIBU in not wanting a dirty mop with water in a cupboard with baking trays? The water smells lovely as it's full of Zoflora, but I know what's in it and I'm worried about airborne germs. Can that happen?! We don't really have anywhere else to store the mop and bucket unless I leave it outside but DH is adamant that won't be doable.

I'm scared of getting upset stomachs from dog pee germs! Help!

He’s just being lazy!

Your dh is disgusting. And my cleaning standards are not high so that is saying something.

euuuughhh. I use a different mop head (and bucket of water) for the bathrooms and the kitchen and the bedrooms and wash them with bleach after every use. I am a little more careful than the average person because my ds has autoimmune issues, but still....tell your dh it's gross and hardly even worth mopping up if he's just reusing the same mop with the dog's wee.

As long as the trays go into the oven, I'm sure any bugs will be killed. However it is manky and he should be emptying it out each time!

Ordinarily I'd say it was laziness, but he works full time, does all the cooking, cleaning, laundry, school runs, shopping, dogs, cats and is my carer, so he does a huge amount of work.

I don’t think there would be airborne germs....

But yeah, it’s grim.

I don't think it will do any harm to your baking trays etc - if you are worried just rinse before use?

Or...get a steam mop. No buckets of water to contend with.

Could you store your trays anywhere else?

He should change the water... but if this is his only bad point amongst all that he does, I’d try and find a way around it I think..

I am no domestic goddess but mopping the floor with pissy water is rank.

Second what @AuroraFloyd says .... and my standard aren't high either

Ooh yeah, buy him a steam mop!!

Unfortunately we've had to go to a food bank this week as we can't afford to eat, or I'd love to buy him a steam mop!

That's the thing, I can't really complain because of all that he does - house floors get done with a spray microfiber mop thing as they're laminate, so it's only the boot room and kitchen, but still. He's just pushing piss round isn't he? Will the Zoflora not kill the piss?

Thankfully the kitchen floor is brand new and has only been mopped once with the fresh water, so the piss water is literally only in the boot room. Still though.

He is manky! Surely you change tue water several times each mopping session not every few sessions?

Eh? For one small pee in a tiny boot room? No, that would be a horrific waste of water.

Once our garden is levelled on the weekend, I can get out there to the shed in my wheelchair, so I'll take the mop and bucket out there myself and empty it down the outside drain while he's at work every time he mops. He can't moan if it's already done then.

I'm saying changing the water a few times per mop is a waste of water. I absolutely want it changed after every session, I don't like a wet mop stewing in dirty water anyway, let alone in my kitchen cupboard.

Can he put some water and Zoflora in a squirty bottle (old water bottle?) And just put some down when cleaning up? Then he'd just need to rinse the mop head. Less water wastage that way too.

I doubt there will be any airborne germs from mop water if it's full of zoflora. It's still pretty grim though.

The mop bucket of water is definitely not going to infect your baking trays in any way.
Using old water for mopping is a bit grim, but all germs will be killed by the zoflora and as you say it is only the boot room.

Try not to think about it, it isn't going to hurt anyone.

And if only one wee a day sounds like the pup has almost got the hang of things so won't be an ongoing situation anyway.

That's a good idea - you used tk be able to buy that direct to floor squirty stuff too, it would be much better than a manky bucket. I've asked him to soak the pee up with kitchen towel first, spray with bleach then mop, and he's said OK to that. Although that's wasting paper then. Hopefully it won't be for much longer. I'll still keep the mop in the shed though from Saturday onwards.

I think I'll also run the trays and tins through the dishwasher once it's out there too, just in case. Thanks everyone

Thanks bumper, pup is very very nearly there! Just gets excited sometimes when waiting for the back door to open and can't quite hold it

Could you store the trays in a spare supermarket bag? I'm thinking just having a covering over the trays would help keep any 'stray dirty water molecules' off them. TBH they are probably fine being kept how they are but even so - I am with you and would be feeling a tad squeamish too.

I'm a massive hygiene freak but actually agree with the posters who say it will be fine. Germs can't jump from the mop to your baking trays. I agree it seems grim but scientifically speaking it's actually okay. .

I'd be worried that the water would be growing mozzies.

You're looking for evidence to support your side of the argument (and most of mn will agree he's being lazy). Your panda will be fine. I'd personally tip the water out when he's done ane remind him that this is important to you. You don't require more evidence to back up that position.

Here is the thing, bacteria LOVE water! It’s a brilliant environment for bacteria to breed. So any bacteria introduced to the mop, bucket and water will happily multiply when left. Zoflora is great but it won’t stop this process entirely, especially where dog pee is involved

Your panda will be fine

I wish I had one

I'm going to empty it this morning when he goes to work and leave it outside to dry. He can put it in the shed when he gets home. Bleh.

Can he keep the bucket and mop in the boot room?

Also, if it's just one wee a day then maybe he could wipe that up then just use a spray cleaner to clean that spot. I have laminate/wood floors and a puppy who isn't fully house trained. She has one accident every day or so and I just wipe it up and clean where it was. I don't mop the whole floor every day (Maybe I'm lazy, lol)