How much cleaning is a safe level of cleaning your home?

Question

I've heard so many people lately say that too much cleaning is bad for your home and children's immune systems. But then, you get warnings to clean countertops daily because of food/meat germs. What is a safe level (a good balance) of cleaning your home without going overboard?

I vacuum regularly (house every 2-4 weeks, every week in kitchen) I only wash my hardwoods maybe once a month or two months, or longer. But I wash/vacuum the kitchen floor more often (son eats things off floor if I slip up). I wash countertops almost daily with METHOD cleaner (easy on lungs and environment). Sink every 2 weeks or so w/Ajax with Bleach. The only thing I use Clorox wipes on is the diaper pail maybe once a month because my son teethes the handle. I use Palmolive original soap for dishes. These are estimates.

Am I overdoing anything? How do you find a balance?

Answer 1

I don't know who the people you've been talking to about cleaning too much, but that is a lot of bad advice. When children are involved, you can never be too clean. You most definitely want to keep counters and bathrooms clean as possible. It doesn't take much to disinfect those things. A little, and I mean a little bleach in water will disinfect bathrooms, sinks, counter tops and even kids toys. You don't have to disinfect floors, that's impossible to do. But counter tops should be a several times a day, especially if you prepare meats a lot. Even a very little bleach in dishwater does the trick also. The vacuuming routine you have and floor washing seems to be good enough. Why buy wipes, if you keep bleach in your house, that is plenty good enough. I did with my kids growing up and kept illnesses down to a bare minimum. But when they get to school age, they seem to bring it home with them. And there is nothing you can do about that, other than what you already do at home.

No one could call you a fanatic and if they do, I would ignore them. Just do what you are doing.

Answer 2

You are doing fine. I would use the Clorox wipes on the kitchen counters after every meal and anytime you have raw meat on them. Other than that, you are doing fine! I actually vacuum more often. They say to keep your carpets in best condition, you should vacuum once a week per person. If there are 3 in the house, vacuum 3 times a week and so on up to once a day for 7 or more in the house. I clean my kitchen sink once a week and more often when I have raw meat, like a turkey or chicken, that I rinse before cooking. You have a good balance!

Answer 3

I'm not really sure where that came from- about too much cleaning being bad, I mean. Cleaning substances should be used with due caution, of course. But I've seen more homes with too much filth than too little.

Now, antibacterial products need to be watched because those provide a good environment to breed 'super-bugs'- that is, germs that are immune to most antibiotics and cleaning measures. But as long as cleaning isn't your main obsession, there really is no such thing as too clean. Though you shouldn't really sweat that speck of dust in the middle of the floor either.

Answer 4

Just ensure you wear a tight-fitting pair of swimming goggles as there is a high amount of chlorine, some dirt and urine in the water. I would suggest an hour of serious swim, covering as many complete laps as possible, for physical fitness purposes. Playing at the pool or just standing around watching others, for whatever reasons, is a pure waste of time, unless there are wave pools, water slides, etc. If you are a beginner, swim at waist-high or shallower pools--at least if you slip and fall, you dont swallow too much of the 'tasty' water!!(yuck!!) Best of luck!

Answer 5

clean enough to be healthy and dirty enough to be happy