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Original poster

germ lifespan question

11 replies

SenoraPostrophe · 25/01/2004 15:15

As many of you know, I have a 20 month old dd who's just come out of hospital and a 10 day old ds.

Dd caught a nasty bought of gastroenteritis in hospital and has also just finished a very very heavy course of antibiotics. Her nappies are still rather messy - we don't know whether this is the end of the gastroenteritis or just a side effect of the antibiotics, but we're not taking any chances with ds around (lots of handwashing, seperate changing mats etc).

But today we had a bit of an accident with a very nice dry-clean only dress. I'm hand-washing the dress now, but I can't wash it at 60 degrees so any germs will still be there. How long would they live after the dress has dried?

OP posts:
Beccarollover · 25/01/2004 15:19

what about wrapping it in a bag and putting out of the way in a cupboard for a while - possible attacking it with some steam for good measure?

sb34 · 25/01/2004 15:20

Message withdrawn

Original poster
SenoraPostrophe · 25/01/2004 15:21

That was my plan, but I wanted to know how long it needs to be put away for.

Not sure about steam (kettle is rubbish! )

OP posts:
Original poster
SenoraPostrophe · 25/01/2004 15:23

hmmm to the febreze. Worrying about this fabric.

The dress was a gift by the way. Obviously I'd never buy a dry-clean only dress for a 20 month old! (it is lovely though).

OP posts:
suedonim · 25/01/2004 17:46

What about hanging it in the sun, SP? (Yes, it's been sunny here in Scotland today so, surely, it's sunny in Spain, lol!) I think that's supposed to kill off bugs.

hoxtonchick · 25/01/2004 18:28

i don't mean to be facetious, but could you dry clean it, just this once? admittedly, i'm a terror for throwing everything in the washing machine, but i bet those chemicals would blitz any nasties.

jmg · 25/01/2004 19:27

This sounds mad but the freezer kills bacteria very effectively. I would freeze it - overnight should do and then hand wash it the following day!

Evita · 25/01/2004 20:57

Evan madder sounding maybe ... my aunt microwaves her tea towels to get rid of germs. 2 mins on full power should do it for a dress.

Demented · 26/01/2004 00:18

SP, sounds like you are having quite a time of it just now, hope your DD is feeling better soon. If it was me in would go with Suedonim's sunshine suggestion, I've heard my Mum talking about the germ killing qualities of getting the washing out in the sun and I'm sure I've heard it talked about on cloth nappy boards for not only germ killing but getting rid of stains.

marthamoo · 26/01/2004 00:23

SP, can't believe Lucas is 10 days already (you did call him Lucas in the end?)

Am blessed with a microbiologist dh so will ask him for you (he is at work tonight but will email and if no reply ask him tomorrow).

You do sound like you are having a rough time atm - are you OK?

marthamoo · 26/01/2004 21:57

SenoraP, I have been well and truly blinded by science by dh (rota virus, viral gastroenteritis, lizards, side effects of anti-biotics, normal gut flora etc) but I think the gist of it (in my layMum's terms) is this:

most buggy-wuggies need water to survive, thus once dress is dry it should be OK.

Oh and you must be super-vigilant with hand washing etc (as I know you already are) and if you are breast-feeding Lucas this should confer some protection against some kinds of gastroenteritis.

Sorry I took so long to get back to you - dh on call all night, got home and went to bed, has only just got up again. We are like ships that pass in the night...

Hope dd is feeling better soon, you are having a nasty run of it atm

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