When my kids were little, I washed every toy. If it couldn’t handle being washed, I did not buy it. As they grew, they brought home less germs (well that they weren’t immune to) and I didn’t have to be as picky. Wouldn’t want to wash a game boy.

I spray down the plastic toys when sickness is upon us. I even run the little people and their zoo and farm animals through the dishwasher with a bit of bleach added in!

TUB:

If the kids have been taking tub baths and they are sick, I scour the tub to kill the germies!!

BOOKS:

After a few days have passed…..I hit all the board books and the covers of the hardbacks with disinfectant, too!!

For years, I’ve sprayed the bed and pillows down with Lysol between changes of sheets. I’ve started to periodically spray other upholstered things, including inside the car.

I started using white cotton washrags that are kept soaking in a mile bleach solution for wiping up in the kitchen. They do a better job of disinfecting than just using a clean rag for wiping.

I already heavily use Lysol for regular bathroom cleaning, and Clorox wipes for knobs, handles, phone, keyboards, and computer “mice.” Remembering to wipe the phone is my biggest challenge, but it’s probably one of the germy-er items.

I’ve also got a premie grandson with several health issues, so basically, with him, it’s Germ-X before touching him or anything that will touch him (docs orders), with Hubs, it’s germ-x after touching him or anything that’s touched him.

I figure if it helps to keep grandson healthy, it just may help to keep me healthy.

Oh, and lip balm! If your sicky has used it, TOSS IT.

For sensitive electronics, I use rubbing alcohol on a microfiber cloth.

I also keep a tub of disinfecting wipes on the back of the toilet – and wipe the seat and handle with every use.

alternatives for disinfectants —

2 tsps of tea tree oil in 2 cups of water.
or
50% vinegar, 50% water
or
1 pint rubbing alcohol, 1/2 cup ammonia, a couple of drops of dish soap and 1 gallon of water. (great all purpose cleaner as well)
or
1/2 cup of lemon juice in a quart of water.

I’ve also heard lavender oil is a disinfectant, but I haven’t done any checking on that.

Good luck!!

I work at a preschool, and try and keep germs down there as well, so today was disinfect the room day. The mommas seemed to appreciate the clean smell when they came in to pick up the kiddos.

Once I told my doctor hubby thought I was crazy for cleaning doorknobs and the remote with cleanser once a week. She looked at me and said in all seriousness, “Frankly I think you are crazy for waiting so long.” Now I clean them more often in cold and flu season. I once read that most bacterial infections in hospitals come from the remote control, so now I wash ours down at least once a week. I also wipe down computer keyboards once a week with a lysol wipe. Those things are great for electronics, since you don’t have to spray anything.

Another thing I do is my mop heads can be removed and washed in the washer. I NEVER use the same mop in the kitchen that I use in the bathrooms. That means I have to have several mop heads. I have a special bucket for them to go into until wash day and then wash all of them in super hot water and a little bleach.

Yes, I can be a bit of a germiphob, but did I mention our last stomach bug was in 2005?