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 agree with the others-3-4 days is dirty..

I have a stack of cotton cloths, on a busy cooking day I will use 3-4 in a day. THe get washed on a hot wash with towels.

I use one of those spongey things, which gets washed when I use it to wash up with. I rarely spray kitchen surfaces, usually just wipe them down with the washing up water.

Nobody gets the kind of illnesses that people would have you believe lurk on every single surface. We are far too keen on 'Nuke All Germs' in this country for my likin.

I was thinking the poster has some eco concern, so paper wipes make no difference.

@MissRhubarb, yes. I bet only a minority are like this - people must read and think "oh shit, I don't even remember the last time I changed my cloth, I just use it till it looks a bit grey" and disappear off the thread.

When people say wash the cloth do they mean in the washing machine? Every day? What wrong with anti bac and rinse in the washing up water? I only machine wash my bathroom ones. No one in my household has had a tummybug in the last 7 years!

Get him to read the book 10% human alannacollen.com/in-print-2/10human/

It links our obsession with cleaning and the destruction of important microbes. Its a fascinating read.

I have a stack of cotton cloths, on a busy cooking day I will use 3-4 in a day Whattt? how is that possible?

Just run it under water, squeeze it out and reuse?? You are spraying anti-bac on the surface anyway.

God, I use the dish sponge I've just washed up with, maybe spray some anti-bac if I'm feeling fancy and wipe the side. Dump the sponge in the sink and use it for the washing up the next day.

I use kitchen roll and Milton spray.

Dish cloth gets washed every so often when we remember to do it - but then we don’t use them to wash up with as everything goes in the dishwasher.

Worktops get wiped down with a piece of dry kitchen paper if they are wet or with the tea towel to remove crumbs - which are put on the chopping board to be tipped into the bin. Sink gets rinsed out when it’s used and washed when it’s grubby. Kitchen spray with orange oil gets used on the hob if that’s dirty and we use a double sided sponge to clean it and that is then rises out.

We are rarely ill in our house and never get food related illnesses. And, if that’s not good enough for other people, that’s their problem!!

Honestly? We run a rule in my house: the person who does the job decides how the job is done. Your DH doesn't complain about your cleaning methods and you don't complain about his.

I am queen slob and environmentally unsound -- sponge-cloth and occasional microparticle cleaner over all the worktops , the sponge is rinsed and left to dry and is replaced, ooh, every year or two. Whether it needs it or not.

I use a cloth for washing up and wiping down the sides, then it goes in the top of the dishwasher each time it goes on - I have two cloths, so one in use, one in the dishwasher.

I'm pretty green minded but it's just dawned on me I use one use toilet wipes for cleaning the loo. I will change immediately and want to ask to you use the same spray to clean the loo seat, etc as the one for the sink, counters, etc?

I don't even know what "method" is. Assuming it's a product of some kind but I have never come across it.

I spray with flash or similar and wipe. job done. wash the cloths if there's been raw meat, otherwise about every other day.

To save waste I'd suggest using your old knickers to wipe down the surfaces - that will put the cat among the Mumsnet pigeons

I love competitive cleaning threads. I wipe surfaces with water, we will die. Fact.

Inform him of the damage caused by anti-bac chemicals, particularly to the respiratory system.

I use spray because i a cat who could be dancing the fandango all over my counters while i'm at work all day for all i know.

He's not allowed on counters, but judging by the paw prints on the dining room table that rule only applies when someone's watching

I use recycled kitchen roll and eco friendly spray. Wipes are dreadful as they take so long to break down.
I don’t like the idea of dish cloths being used over again
.
Compromise with kitchen roll and spray.

If I have a bowl of clean washing up water I'll use that to wipe round otherwise I use spray and a cloth and the finish off with a clean damp tea towel to get rid of any smears.

I do however use wipes for cleaning the toilet with spray/bleach as i don' t want a dirty scourer hanging round the house

Just stop buying the wipes and let them run out.
If he thinks your way isn’t clean enough, he can design another system that is hygienic enough wo damaging the environment and costing a fortune.

Don't buy any wipes.

Don't buy any wipes.

Love the assumption that he doesn't shop or even write the shopping list. And you can blame Mumsnet if he stops wiping the surfaces altogether, because that's what I would do if my partner tried to be that controlling.

Errr.... if you assume that this man is doing the shopping at least some of the time , then surely he can pick up some wipes from time to time?

And if he isn’t and is REALLY keen on the damm wipes, he can stop and buy some himself?

I’m struggling to see how this could be controlling as no one is suggesting to force him to never use them again. Just to make it a bit harder.

I hate antibac wipes too op so can see where you're coming from!

I change my cleaning cloths daily. Would your husband be more on board if you just chucked yours in the wash every day too?

using one cloth for days is grim.

But why, if it's covered in anti-bacterial spray? How do germs spread then?

Precisely