Ok. Can I tell you an irrational fear I have? The stomach flu. You guys know I suffer from anxiety a lot and one thing that triggers my anxiety & really sends me in a tailspin of fear is…. THE FLU. I wish I was kidding, but I work very hard to ward off the flu in our home by using just some basic cleaning tips on a regular basis with some of my favorite cleaning products. I went to Target this week and did a little haul of some of my favorites so I thought I would share some tips and my favs with you guys in case you wanted to know our winter cleaning tutorial in case you are scared of the flu like I am. Also, this just reminded me of a story of an older woman I met on a plane one time who said that she only got sick twice in her life because she was so scared of vomitting & once was because of food poisoning. She’s my hero. Well, if you aren’t as lucky as that woman is, let’s talk cleaning tips…
- Use Tide fabric disinfectant spray for all your non-washable fabrics like sofas, pillows, curtains, dry-cleaning only items, & so much more.
- Clean your washing machine with Tide washing machine cleaner regularly to ward off mold, mildew, & bad odors. Oh, & flu germs!
- Wash clothing, bedding, towels, wash cloths, & other washable items used daily frequently with Tide Plus using hot water to kill germs and bacteria.
- Clean wipeable floors more frequently using Swiffer Wet Heavy Duty pads to get up all the dirt & germs that are on the floor from pets, shoes, people, & much more. Clean all the surfaces!
- Clean all the dishes! A little tip: Don’t reuse glasses this time of year.. you never know what’s lingering on those surfaces. I love the Cascade Platinum it has Dawn grease fighting power so I know all the surfaces are clean & germ free.
- One thing that makes me clean more often and remember to stay on top of the germ war is keeping some Bounty paper towel in each room along with one of my favorite surface sprays so that it promotes cleaning up more often and it makes it a whole lot more convienent.
- Bonus: I also love all the things to smell fresh and clean which helps my flu anxiety because it also smells clean. Things I love to keep our house smelling fresh: Febreze Gain spray, Febreze plug, Downy fabric softener, & Downy dryer sheets.
Honestly these simple tips keep me on my toes all winter long & have become healthy habits over the years to keep those icky germs at bay. The best part? If you purchase $50 worth of P&G products at Target in-store or online you get a $15 gift card back to use at the most magical store on earth. Treat yourself to some new winter slippers or even a Starbucks treat while you shop at Target don’t forget to use the cartwheel app while you are there for additional savings! I hope the simple tips help you out and keep your families feeling healthy. I love hearing about others routines and favorite products so I hope you guys loved this as well & find it useful this winter season! xx
Liz. I feel like we are the same person, I could of written this blog! I too suffer from extreme fear of the flu. Although fall/winter is my fav time of year, the entire time I’m terrified to get the stomach flu!
I also have a fear of vomiting and have actually done therapy for it!
I will say that while I understand your cleaning routine, there are a lot of items you mentioned that have a lot of chemicals and/or are not great for the environment. Also, if you read the directions on Lysol/Clorox wipes people often don’t use them correctly and they aren’t actually killing germs. I began using Norwex a year and half ago and it’s completely changed my cleaning (and I’m a MAJOR neat freak). It’s quicker and I feel so much better about my baby crawling around on our floors that are cleaned with microfiber and water instead of chemicals. Plus I’ve reduced my waste a TON!!! The ultra bonus is that my two little boys, hubby and I have been healthier than EVER!!! Something to think about! 🙂
U Should Keep in mind that all These germ Killers are Not Environment Friendly unfortunately….
For instance Vinegar or Soda would clean your washing machine as well
My daughter has the same fear. She’s can be paralyzed by it too. No one likes to be sick,but I do know this fear is so real. We use all natural cleaning supplies. They say febreze and plug inns are like smoking to the lungs. Also our detergents sink into our skin and cause hormone and health issues. Having a toxin free home is actually healthier than using chemicals.
Kindred spirit! Stomach flu that goes around this time of year is usually Norovirus and is only killed by BLEACH. Those disinfectant wipes don’t kill it. I have emetophobia and have tons of anxiety about germs this time of year too! (I work in a hospital lab so I know about killing the germies!)
I completely empathize with your fear as I have extreme anxiety about stomach bugs too (like paralyzing fear if I think me or my family have it). I wish I didn’t and I know most people don’t understand it. I thought it would get better with age, but now with two littles under 3 it’s gotten worse! I like to have Clorox hydrogen peroxide cleaner on hand for if it hits since that’s one of the few things to kill it.
Ok, this is me too. Just want to share a NYT article on the norovirus and cleaning to prevent…it was eye opening to me: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/29/smarter-living/norovirus-prevention-stomach-flu-winter.html
All that said, we’re an adoptive family too — our 21yo daughter was born in China. We *look* different than other families but we’re NO different honestly. So, wishing you all love, luck, and light and sorry to hear you’re just like me with the puke phobia!
Hi Liz Marie…Thank you so much for sharing the tips for cleaning Home in the winter and I am going to personally apply that. I like the winter so much but the matter of sorrow that in winter most of the time I remain sick. I am not lucky like women you met on the plane. Hope this tips will going to help me. Thank you! Love from Sarah.
I always enjoy your posts but this one has me at odds. I have lupus and avoid these cleaning products on the recommendations of my doctors. Please do some research on their ingredients. I have a rational fear to what they do to me and the environment (especially Febreze). I am less afraid of the flu than to what theses chemicals do to me.
I use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer when I wash bedding, dog blankets, and towels. Also all my daughters basketball uniforms etc since they sweat and stink! It smells good and it’s 99.9% kills germs.
Hi Liz!
All natural is they way to go! Your body will thank you for it! The commenters above are correct, and their comments are made kindly, as are mine. It took me awhile to get to the point I am at now. I avoid chemicals at all costs. I clean with baking soda, vinegar and Theives essential oil cleaner. It is a Young Living essential oils product. I encourage you to do a little research of your own. Your home can be clean AND toxin free. Wishing you all the best in the New Year Liz!
I have to agree with several of the other posters – the products you mention are toxic – they just have great marketing behind them. Even products like Mrs Meyers and Seventh Generation – they hide the chemicals under ‘fragrance’.
Apparently many manufacturers can apply hundreds of chemicals to a product as long as they label it under ‘fragrance’…you think they’re just adding a nice smell to the product, but one of these sub-products could be formaldehyde.
We removed chemical cleaners from our home and replaced them with natural ones. We also eliminated the soaps, shampoos and conditioners that are harmful, and make our own laundry detergent. Also, instead of paper towels we bought a bunch of microfiber cloths – much better for the environment. Please research non-toxic cleaners and personal products for your home.
Hope your wishes come true in the New Year.
Hi Liz,
I love your posts. However, as others have mentioned, these cleaning products reek havoc on the body. They are endocrine disrupters and since PCOS is an endocrine disorder, I would recommend avoiding them at all costs. I also have PCOS and struggled for a long time to get pregnant with my second baby. One thing I know for sure, go natural with everything you can. And do a little research on PCOS and cleaning products/any and all unnatural products you may use. This includes body products, hair spray, shampoo, lotion etc. These tips are sent with love. Ps. I also have severe anxiety and panic disorder, so I get it.
Katie
Cleaning services are required very much by people. They help to save time as well as they are affordable. Home cleaning as well as office cleaning services can be hired especially during the holidays. These tips were quite useful. Really good information this was. I would like to see more.
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