Don't Try To Turn Your Home Into An Operating Room

According to those who push antibacterial and "sanitizing" products, the world is full of vicious germs that must be hunted down and slaughtered via a whole host of sprays, wipes and and gels.....or you and your home, your family and yourself will end up stinking, sick or dead.

Uh-huh.

You've seen the commercials, I'm sure. Bacteria. Vile, nasty bacteria. Too small to see with the naked eye, but still...just the thought of those tiny creepy-crawlies anywhere in your home is too horrible to contemplate.

Right. If you've bought into this idea, I suggest you quit reading now.

Why? Because unless you plan to float for the rest of your life in a swmming pool filled with alcohol or bleach, you will come in contact with microorganisms. In fact--brace yourself-- you, like almost every other living thing on earth, are a jungle teeming with such life. Your entire skin surface, mouth and innards are full of microscopic life, and if you managed to kill off all or even most of these critters, you yourself would soon die.

For example, without hundreds of different kinds of bacteria in your intestines, you couldn't digest what you eat. In fact, such microorganisms are so important that some of the hottest new food products around are various types of yogurt that contain probotics, the kind of bacteria that breaks down food.

So the "kill all bacteria!" tactics used by those who sell sanitizers are a bit exaggerated, no? Actually, most bacteria is either neutral--it doesn't help you or hurt you--or benign, like your friendly intestinal critters. There are some nasties out there, especially salmonella and e-coli, that can give you a very bad time, but you don't need to nuke your home with "sanitizing" chemicals to get rid of them. You just have to use good sense--handling raw meat with care, for example, and scrubbing food prep and other germ-gathering surfaces thoroughly with soap and hot water. Also, since letting your kitchen sponges or dishwashing cloths sit in a wet heap invites damp-loving fungi and mold to move in, rinse them thoroughly and let them dry between uses.

As for keeeping your kids healthy, the smartest thing to do is teach them to wash their hands frequently, especially every time they use the bathroom and before they eat--and we're talking about a honest whole-hand washing with hot water and soap, not a quick flick of their fingers under the tap.

Meanwhile, take a look at the labels of some of those "sanitizing" and "antibacterial" products. You'll see a lot of phrases like "hazardous to humans and domestic animals" and "avoid contact with food and utensils" or "wash throroughly with soap and water after handling."

Do you really want your family aborbing, ingesting or breathing in all those chemicals? Or does it make more sense to just clean thoroughly, or when it comes to bad smells, open a nearby window? (Actually, since interior air pollution is endemic in this country, opening windows and letting your house air out occassionally is a good idea even when you're not trying to get rid of a specific stink.)

So...how much can you save by not trying to kill every microorganism in your house?

Well, here are a few of the most heavily advertised "sanitizing" products. If we assume you'd use the amount listed, it would cost you, per month:

• Clorox Disinfecting Wipes 35 count, one container per week, $10.27
• Oust Surface Disinfectant and Air Sanitizer, one container per month $7.90
• Purell Hand Santizer, one container per week $13.54
  

That's a total of $31.71 per month or more than $380 per year, a lot more than you'd pay for ordinary soap and water.

If you're in a situation where something stronger than soap and water is needed--like disinfecting surfaces that have been touched or coughed on by someone who has the flu--use alcohol, or bleach if the item is colorfast. And if you're in a situation where soap and water aren't available, there's no problem with carrying a small container of hand-cleaner or a few cleaning wipes. But don't load your pantry with these products because you've being told you have to kill every bacteria in your home. You can't do that, you don't need to do that, and you shouldn't pay extra in an attempt to do that.

Spend your time and money instead on regular cleaning with soap and water, thorough handwashing and sensible food handling.....the best ways to keep your family healthy.