Microbial Madness: Menacing. Miraculous. Misunderstood.

Posted by LoCo, December 3, 2007 at 6:04 PM

Bacteria, mold, viruses… Microbes are such a mixed bag. Miraculous wine, vinegar, beer, cheese, and even penicillin. Menacing food poisoning. Misunderstood with the help of marketers and the media. What's your stand? Toss leftovers the second they hit two days old? Always buy antibacterial? What’s under your sink? Personally, I firmly believe that ordinary soap and water take care of virtually all the nasties. It’s how you use it that counts. No anti-bacterial anything for me. Vinegar cleans produce and disinfects the cutting board, Bar Keepers Friend on stubborn pots and sink stains, ammonia cuts grease and shines mirrors, a little bleach on rare occasion. That’s about it. My hang-ups are...
- Sponges. Extremely dangerous, not permitted in my house.
- Kitchen textiles are primary germ transmitters. I’m compulsive about changing my dishcloth/towel at least daily. I wash them in a separate load, without any other laundry. My washer has a sanitize setting which I use for all towels.
- Hands are the other primary transmitter; I wash mine compulsively. Years in healthcare taught me that washing thoroughly (palms, backs, between fingers, wrists, under nails), with hot water, for a minimum of 30 seconds is the key. Kind of soap doesn't matter. Just use one.

So what’s your M.O.?
A. Disinfect and sterilize everything, all the time.
B. Clean where it counts but not obssessive.
C. What germs? I don't see any germs.

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Tags: cleaning