One bathroom

[OneHippoOnThePhone]

We have a small flat with one small bathroom. There are three of us living here. Two adults and a 10 year old.

What should we do regarding using the toilet and washing if one of us needs to self isolate?

DH thinks the self isolated should use a commode and a bucket of water for washing.

I say that I can’t fathom being ill and dealing with a commode, getting rid of dirty water. Or if my heavy period starts.

He says he’d rather we were dirty for a week than die. Which I suppose makes good sense but it’s surely not what most people would do? Or is it?

Guidance is that whoever is ill uses the bathroom last and then cleans it.

I personally wouldn't do what your DH is suggesting.

We have had medical advice on this, DS1 is high risk. The person self-isolating uses the bathroom last, and cleans it after they have used it. Set up a rota. Our bathroom is cleaned 3 times a day every day (hot soapy water) paying particular attention to handles and switches. The window is kept open, ventilation helps. Everyone has their own towels and they are washed on a hot wash regularly.

This came from a nurse, hope it helps.

Hi, yes, I’d read the guidance.

I’m not sure if DH thinks the guidance isn’t enough or that he just doesn’t want to do cleaning.

We have one of those dangly cords to turn the bathroom light on. I usually take it off and bleach it every month or so. I can’t be doing that three times a day!
Also how do you clean shower curtains? I wash them in the machine but I can’t do that every time someone uses the toilet.

I was wondering this since virtually everyone I know lives in houseshares!

*We have one of those dangly cords to turn the bathroom light on. I usually take it off and bleach it every month or so. I can’t be doing that three times a day! "

You could just spray it down with a dilute solution of washing up liquid, that's just as good as bleach for this virus. The same goes for the shower curtains.

Dilute washing up liquid it is then-brilliant, thanks.

I'm on day 12 of The Symptoms. 4 days of that in bed, and that's as the mum of a 3 and 6 year old. There's simply no way I could have cleaned the bathroom after every use. It's a 2 bed terrace, no chance of keeping away from everyone.

Just use separate towels and clean the bathroom regularly.