We don't use it at home unless one of us goes down with gastro and then I might splash some Dettol around. I'm have a small bottle of Dettol handwash for the car but not at home. I'm a firm believer that living in a home that is too sterile is worse for your immunity than living in one with relaxed standards.
As soon as we come home from the city DH and I both "wash the public off" by just using warm water and soap. But having said that I read a study recently that the average persons' mobile phone has MANY times the amount of harmful bacteria than a swab from a public toilet. Interesting.
Reading a Dr Karl book he says that if aliens came down onto Earth and went into the average house, they'd think they should go into the kitchen to 'relieve' themselves or go to the toilet for a meal due to the toilet actually being cleaner than the kitchen
We use it, but in my eyes, unless your scrubbing your hands with it every 10 minutes each day, you will still get some germs. I always use the no water stuff after visiting a baby change room at the shops and when other kids that i dont know have been poking around my kids. Was how DS picked up a really bad case of gastro a few years ago so im a little paranoid about that now. But also just generally when i feel it is necessary. We usually also use it a bit when someone else in the house is sick. Alot of germs are air born aswell so again, you wont be able to protect the kids entirely with the antibacterial stuff.
I personally dont use them, used to ALOT when working in pharmacy( and every second person comes and breathes on you then says "I have the worst gastro/flu/cold etc)
For you guys with small kiddies, please be aware of the safety issues associated with things like the dettol waterless and aquim hand sanitisers, they are 99% alcohol and could be nasty if swallowed by babies/toddlers, also HIGHLY flammable.
I just use the el cheapo home brand liquid handwash (not anti-bac), but I keep a pump pack of Aqium on hand for those yerk situations...(ie after emptying bins, de-pooing the kitty litter tray) and yes I use it more often when there is illness in the house.
I also keep a small thing of aqium in my hand bag and use it religiously after using public toilets (even tho I washed my hands well other people who touched the door handle on the way out have not), as well as things like atm touch pads, the pen at the doctor's, and anytime I blow my nose with a tissue & I'm not near handwashing facilities. I practically bathe in it whenever I go near the hospital, they are the dirtiest places of them all.
You can say what you like but I have managed to avoid illness throughout the time I was having chemo by following these guidelines...BUT I'm not yick about normal environmental germs at all, I don't use antibacterial cleaners in my house, for eg, am perfectly happy for kids to play in the dirt in the backyard. It's the people-germs I prefer to avoid.
we just have normal handwash, i don't really see the need for antibacterial stuff (unless someone was sick or prem/sick baby etc), and I believe that 'antibacterial' overkill is one of the reasons we have such nasty bugs around these days that are resistant to antibiotics. The bacteria have to adapt to the antibacterial environment in order to survive, leading to the creation of "superbugs", I'd prefer just everyday bacteria in my house
It is true that we totally overuse antibacterial products now. The result is that we kill most of the "soft" bugs which means the worse bugs are becoming more prevalent. It used to be that the really bad ones like MRSA were pretty much only contracted in hospitals but they are now becoming commonplace in homes. Personally I avoid antibacterial products for every day use. I think they have their purpose when you need to kill germs, but not in a product for everyday handwashing.
I use a hospital grade equivelant at work (instead of washing hands between patients we use this - more effective than hand washing, more convenient, and more gentle on our hands believe it or not).
I have a small dettol one in my handbag. I use it when I'm in a public toilet but very few other times. I usually forget I have it. I rarely use it on DD. The only time I religiously use it at home is when someone has gastro.
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