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Covid

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Original poster

Coronavirus: how clean is your house

75 replies

catsandlavender · 09/04/2020 20:29

Is anyone else watching this on channel 4? I feel like it’s giving me heart palpitations

What I don’t understand is why we need to wipe everything down with diluted bleach/soap and water if we’ve been home all day/washed hands?

It also worries me that it stays on clothes for a day and on plastic for 3-5 days. I haven’t been washing my clothes when I get in or washing my shopping.

OP posts:

Standrewsschool · 09/04/2020 22:26

Soapy water, as the soap breaks down the fat membranes, or diluted bleach (although bleach isn’t suitable for all surfaces)

ssd · 09/04/2020 22:29

Can I spray handles with diluted bleach then dry with a paper towel that I then bin?

spinthebottle · 09/04/2020 22:32

@ssd I spray mine with Dettol spray. But I’m
sure diluted bleach does the job I have anxiety too so I’m not watching the programme!

Judystilldreamsofhorses · 09/04/2020 22:35

I found this programme quite frightening - I only caught some of it - and think it was really OTT.

TiddyTid · 09/04/2020 22:36

I didn't watch it but surely if we go overboard we will lose our already millions of years-built-up immunity to other stuff and be susceptible to everything.

Like my mother used to say in her Suffolk accent " Ah peck o dut dont hut"

Sleepingboy · 09/04/2020 22:37

Did it say does Zoflora kill the virus? Been trying to find that one out.

TK1930 · 09/04/2020 22:38

Yep turned off when I saw her take out two separate mops & 2 buckets to do the floor

Flaxmeadow · 09/04/2020 22:46

Didn't watch it but if you got covid from touching something and then put your hands in your mouth etc the viral load would be small.

Not sure what you're trying to say here, but the virus IS passed on in exactly the way you describe.

Butterer · 09/04/2020 22:51

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Wingedharpy · 09/04/2020 22:54

Just with a damp cloth Butterer, not a dripping wet cloth for obvious reasons.

Butterer · 09/04/2020 22:58

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Amummyatlast · 09/04/2020 22:58

Not sure what you're trying to say here, but the virus IS passed on in exactly the way you describe

And they are not saying anything different. Have you not seen any of the other threads discussing viral load? Viral load is the amount of virus you get exposed to, and some people think that a higher viral load can lead to more severe symptoms.

PickAChew · 09/04/2020 23:02

Well we've done 3 weeks of lockdown with no symptoms but have always been fans of soapy water. Long may it reign.

DropZoneOne · 09/04/2020 23:08

I haven't done any of that. No washing my shopping, i wash my hands after coming back into the house and usual times (before eating/after using the toilet), but as I'm in the house all day I'm not in contact with anything else.

In fact, because my cleaner isn't coming, there's 3 of us at home, and I'm working full time, the house is messier than ever!

But none of us are in the vulnerable category, i might act differently if i thought cleaning would help keep a family member alive.

Original poster

catsandlavender · 09/04/2020 23:09

I think I will start giving shopping a wipe down with soapy water, I suppose it only takes a minute. The whole thing has put me on edge now, which is stupid, but I suffer from anxiety and see cleaning as a form of control (mildly!) so it’s just exacerbated that. The bit where she said “when you come in treat it as if you’re covered with the virus” - no thanks! Then went on to say don’t bother washing your clothes if you’ve just been for a walk... felt quite contradictory.

OP posts:

Samtsirch · 09/04/2020 23:15

Not a helpful programme.
It’s a wonder any of us have survived.

Samtsirch · 09/04/2020 23:18

@ssd
No you absolutely can’t
What on earth are you thinking of?
🤣

Flaxmeadow · 09/04/2020 23:27

Viral load is the amount in your blood.
The amount you're exposed to is viral dose.

But it was rather what was meant by surfaces. The post seemed to be suggesting that touching surfaces, with the virus, and then touching your face is a low risk. But how can it be, when this is one of the main ways it's passed on.

youkiddingme · 09/04/2020 23:28

What are you supposed to do with things that can't be washed at 60? And won't the surfactants in the washing powder plus the agitation of the machine get rid of the virus in the same way washing hands does?
We simply aren't fit enough to do that amount of cleaning every day.

torthecatlady · 09/04/2020 23:31

@ElbasAbsentPenis me too! I was going to say that I feel like I've been doing loads of cleaning and tidying but my house looks no better for it and is still a tip

SoapIsYourFriend · 10/04/2020 00:48

Oh man, I thought this was going to be a lighthearted thread where we could all talk about how messy our houses have become since lockdown. Mine is very messy.

Oh thank goodness, I was beginning to think I was the only person not cleaning like crazy.

DressingGownofDoom · 10/04/2020 01:26

I'll watch it tomorrow but I won't take the tips from it. You can't live a totally sterile life.

DressingGownofDoom · 10/04/2020 01:27

Well I might take some tips if it turns out I'm doing something totally obvious and disgusting, but you know what I mean. I'm not going to start bleaching doorknobs 20 times a day.

ssd · 10/04/2020 07:15

@Samtsirch, sorry, what do you mean?

Schmoana · 10/04/2020 08:24

I also think viral load is important. If you get a little, then your system has more chance to fight it off naturally.

Some NHS staff/care workers are getting a high viral load which is why they’re putting themselves in a risky position.

You’re not going to get a huge viral load from things you’ve touched round your house or from delivered shopping, especially if you wash your hands straight after. Re: clothes, if they’re in the basket for a cpl days before washing, the virus would likely be dead anyway. Same with shopping kept in fridge or cupboards. Sounds like this programme was OTT.

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