To be annoyed by table spray bottles!!

[Maltybiscuit]

I've always found it annoying why people clean tables in cafes/eating establishments by using the spray bottle directly onto the table from a distance rather than spraying onto the cloth directly and then wiping the table.
Today I was in a cafe with ds 18 months, happily eating in his highchair to have a mist of cleaning spray over his head and lunch from the member of staff cleaning the adjacent table.
I did point out what had happened but she said she doesn't have time to spray the cloth first and the spray bottle doesn't contain anything nasty .

Am I being precious?

I'll find another cafe.

Sorry mate you are being a bit precious

Oh I hate this too. I always cover my cup as the spray does travel.

I think an increasing number of places just use water in these bottles now, because of the risk of an allergic reaction if harsher detergents are used.

It does mildly annoy me, not because of the fear of ingesting random chemicals but because table wiping always seems to be done in such a half-arsed way leaving half the table sticky or dirty anyway.

Theres probably loads of other germs/poo particles/vomit particles/dead skin/fluff/cat hair/dog hair etc in the air and in and around tables/chairs/floors etc in cafes anyway as well as countless other chemicals from air con/heating/dishwashing/other cleaning stuff to be worried about a little mist of anti bac cleaning spray. Get a grip.

because table wiping always seems to be done in such a half-arsed way leaving half the table sticky or dirty anyway.

If we made employers pay people properly and provide them with proper contracts with guaranteed hours, and a manageable workload, we might see standards rise again.

Yeah you're being precious!

I think there's certainly a lot of truth in that Tottie. Sometimes though it is just half-arsedness as the staff in question stand around doing not very much at all before and after the wiping.

Yes, probably that too, but we really need to hike the NMW and outlaw zero hour contracts for low pay staff.

Absolutely agree there.

All of these products have to be regulated if in a food service industry so honestly, nothing will happen to your LO.

Cringing thinking of you telling the woman how she should be cleaning the table in the correct way.

I don't think you're meant to spray on the cloth. Otherwise why have a spray bottle at all not just a dispensing bottle like a washing up liquid one?
They should do it from close enough not to hit neighbouring customers though, that sounds unpleasant.

Yes I agree they should have more time to be able to complete tasks and the abolishing of zero hour contracts is an absolute must!

I merely pointed it out to the lady quietly and to not cause a scene or upset.

Cringing thinking of you telling the woman how she should be cleaning the table in the correct way

This! Toe curling.

Without wanting to sound like a girly swot, from a food hygiene training perspective, you're right - the standard advice is not to spray when there are people eating in the vicinity. I did mine a few years ago, and from what I can remember, they also made a point about not spraying equipment with detergents / disinfectants and then placing food on them directly.
Think this was the course, and I think some of the course stuff is open access so you might be able to check without paying for it (but might have changed since I did it!) www.thesaferfoodgroup.com/level-2-award-in-food-safety.php

Today I was in a cafe with ds 18 months, happily eating in his highchair to have a mist of cleaning spray over his head

She did you a favour, will save you giving him a bath later.

NerrSnerr

Thanks never thought of that

Tbh I wouldn't say anything if this happened in a cafe but my DH does it at home (more so over my tea and our DS) and it drives me potty 😂

Your precious Snowflake will be fine!

PineappleLumps

Harsh

Since I am allergic to almost all cleaners and restaurants are unlikely to have sourced the difficult to find and more expensive allergen safe versions, this drives me crazy. Spraying cleaner into the air is dangerous for some people. It should never be done with customers nearby. They might as well be sending a fine mist of peanut dust into the air.

The ones I use at work have a "foam" setting on the nozzle. It sprays heavier dollops that don't turn into the mist a normal sprayer makes. They work well.

That is the most boring opinion/post I have ever publicly said.

@Maltybiscuit sorry 🤷🏼‍♀️

Ohhh is THAT what the foam setting is for? Every spray bottle has those in Germany and I could never work out why, but that actually makes sense (and fits with Germans' obsessive fear of excess chemicals)

My first job was in a cafe and we were told to spray it onto the cloth first, although as cloths were filthy we used the blue paper (not sure if it's still used as I guess it's wasteful!). I don't think you're being precious though, it wouldn't take extra time to spray the cloth assuming it is going to be used to wipe the table anyway, and who wants to have chemicals sprayed over them 🥴