Root of the Problem (Dettox Antibacterial Multipurpose Cleanser)

Member Name: Plumptious

Product:	Dettox Antibacterial Multipurpose Cleanser
Date:	11/02/01 (201 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stop breeding new strains of bacteria, save some money.

Disadvantages: Don't get to buy that snazzy new product on the shelf. Go on, you know you want to ...

We look back at the gullibility of the people of a hundred years ago and shake our heads. Mail order catalogues offered weird and wonderful contraptions such as the Dimple Maker - a tiny spoon with a needle in the middle. Yes, we may well cringe, but do we ever take a look at ourselves?

A new and significant market in anti-bacterial products has developed. Sprays, cleaners and impregnated plastics abound on our supermarket shelves. It is a multi-million pound industry.

And yet there is little mention of the basics of what is required for simple hygiene. The fact of the matter is that simple air and sunlight will often suffice. It's a fact. Ask any doctor or hygienist.

If a kitchen surface is cleaned with good old soap and water, all the person performing the task need do is to ensure that they don't do anything daft like wipe down the newly cleaned surface with a kitchen towel on which bacteria laden hands have been dried on. Simple.

So all we have to do is use different towels for wiping our hands on and wiping our utensils and suchlike with. At this point, I would like to refer you to the opinion by GlasgowGirl under this category, pointing out the potential pitfalls of overdosing your house on antibacterial products.


I have been spurred into writing this opinion by a product which appeared in Lakeland Limited. I adore their range of products - all those gadgets!

However, I was very disappointed that they felt the need to produce an anti-bacterial system for toothbrushes. It basically consists of little holders for you to soak your toothbrushes in. Refills of the antibacterial solution are available.

My problem with it is that unless the housewife/househusband/cleaner is meticulous enough to clean and dry these little pots really regularly, you will end up with little pots which are a breeding ground for new strains of bacteria which are resistant to the antibacterial solutio
n. Trust me when I say that it would be the ideal place to develop such a strain.


What is my proposed alternative? Well, I would like to begin by hanging a few architects.

Have you ever noticed that many bathrooms have a sink next to the loo? I'm not talking about separate rooms with a loo in them, but a bathroom with a three piece ceramic suite. These bathrooms are the generally accepted venue to brush one's teeth. As such, one may reasonably expect toothbrushes to be stored by the sink, usually on the righthand side for ergonomic reasons.

Studies have shown that whenever a loo is flushed, a fine aerosol type mist is produced. It consists of the fresh water from the cistern and less desirable materials that we generally expect that water to wash away. Putting the lid down keeps it contained, but this mist will hang around for two hours, hitting the next person to lift up the lid in the face.

And what do the architects do? Have you noticed the number of bathrooms where the loo is to the right of the sink? How do you think the toothbrushes feel?


(Deep breath. Put sensible and grown up disguise back on.)

To summarize, what I propose is that we
1. Ignore the advertising hype.
2. Buy fewer things and use more water,
which they don't push (no profit).
3. Use ordinary cleaners and degreasers where possible.
4. Fill our rooms and lives with more sunlight and fresh air.
5. Legislate capital punishment for daffy architects.

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