To ask how to wean DH off antibacterial wipes

[jamoncrumpets]

DH generally loads the dishwasher most nights and gives the kitchen a quick wipe around afterwards. I do the deeper cleaning, sink scrubbing etc as and when I can.

If he's away or busy or watching tv or whatever and I clean up I clear all the surfaces as much as I can, spray with Method and wipe over with warm damp microfibre cloth, which I then drape over mixer tap to dry. I wash the cloths about once every 3-4 days.

DH claims this is 'spreading dirt' and insists on single use antibacterial wipes being used. He will not do any cleaning at all unless it's with his beloved Flash wipes and makes disgusted faces at me using my Method spray and cloth.

I've tried explaining about the environmental aspects but he says that's not what's more important, what's more important is not 'spreading around the germs'.

He isn't OCD in any way whatsoever, if anything he's more careless with his personal hygiene than I am, and he doesn't pick up after himself. So don't suggest OCD.

How can I convince him that my method is better, from a financial and environmental standpoint?

I use a cloth and spray and wash it after one use. For cleaning the loo I use bog roll and spray. The anti bac wipes are a scourge on the environment.

I use bog roll and spray for the loo too 👍

Is every 3-4 days minging, then? I could wash more frequently but I generally put them in on hotter washes with towels/bed linen.

I'm a bit of a slattern by MN standards (weekly towel wash and all), but do think you need to wash the cloth more often. We use a fresh one daily, would that work for him? Minimal extra washing, still better than disposables.

Why can't he use Flash spray and a cloth?

I'd just buy more cloths (or even better, use old towels/rags). Also for even more environmental help you can just use hot water and fairy liquid, just as good, fewer airborne chemicals for you to breathe in and less packaging.

He’s right. Not about using wipes, but using one cloth for days is grim.
I have a big pile of microfibre cloths
I use dettol anti-bac spray and a cloth and throw the cloth in with the washing basket when I’ve used it. Best of both worlds

I just use the those sort of spongy cloths and a bit of washing up liquid to do the surfaces I only crack out the anti bac if one of us has been ill. Which is rare as hens teeth.

I've got a load of old muslins from the baby's newborn days. Will use those and wash daily. 👍

It could still be OCD.
If you looked at my house you wouldn't know I had OCD. However, I went through a time where my sink was wiped down so many times a day in a certain routine.
It could certainly be an obsession related to using them.

Anyway, either way he needs to realise it himself. You can only tell him the facts.

spray with Method and wipe over with warm damp microfibre cloth, which I then drape over mixer tap to dry. I wash the cloths about once every 3-4 days.

I agree with your DH your approach is unhygienic & spreading germs. I suggest either buy more cloths so you have one to use each day or wash the cloths you have every day...no need to buy wipes.

You should wash the cloth every day like @Northernsoullover

Do that and show your DH you are.

There have been plenty of food/science programs on TV that explain about how dirty tea towels and kitchen cloths are after one use.

Also explain to your DH has horrible antibacterial stuff is for your immune system.

I change dish/wipe/tea towels cloths at least once a day, if not twice.

Who does the shopping? Dont buy the wipes.

Do you do the grocery shopping or does he? If it is you, just don’t buy them.

Change the cloth every day and Method do an antibac spray. He has no argument then. Also show him the War on Plastic episode that featured wet wipes. There are huge mountains of rancid wet wipes sitting in landfill and they aren’t going anywhere soon!

OP, I don’t wash my cloths every day and our family are never ill. There’s too much washing of everything nowadays - that’s also bad for the environment.

However I’m guessing washing daily is better than wipes so I suppose that would be the compromise?

Luckily my dh isn’t that anal .

Am I doing something really wrong here because I literally never anti bac work tops just wipe it over with the dish cloth. I clean the sink with anti bac and boiling water that's about it....

I use kitchen towel and spray. Using the same cloth over and over again is disgusting

I wash my cloth weekly but i do leave it in the sink each night with boiling bleach water and then ring it out each morning!

Spray and cloths here too. The only wipes we use in the house are water wipes for ds’ nappy changes as I can’t use reuseable ones for that. Too much for me!

I have a stash of about 30 cloths. And use seperate for bathroom kitchen surfaces etc. Seperate ones for toilets. Then just chuck them in the wash with towels/underwear

I probably swap cloths three times a week actually

How is it disgusting? I don't get it. Unless you're wiping your arses on the worktops daily then a bit of food is surely not that bad.

Raw meat goes straight on the chopping board which goes straight into the dishwasher. The packet of meat goes on our hob and not the work top either.

Surely just washing the cloth once a week on a hot towel wash is going to get the majority of nasty stuff gone?

@Tunnocks34 I thought using bleach to clean kitchen cloths was carcinogenic. I don't remember where I saw it, but might be worth researching.

Put the cloth in the microwave for 30 seconds. Kills any bacteria without needing to wash it.

I'd get more cloths and wash after every use