Dear God

[lagilman]

I just caught a bit of a show called "How Clean is Your House." Two older British women come in and humilate some shlub who is living in a toxic waste dump, and get them back on the clean and narrow.

I'm not kidding about the toxic waste. Filth, everywhere. Not to mention gum stuck on the carpet, and blackened scum in the fridge. How does anyone live that way? I tend to be a bit cluttered when I'm working, yeah, but that....ugh. And I get the feeling that's the norm for what these ladies are called in to deal with.

(On the other hand, taking an ultraviolet lamp to your fridge to find bacteria may be a bit extreme. I'm not sure how many of us would come away spotless on that -- and I'm not sure we should be that paranoid about it, either. So long as you throw stuff out at the expiration date, keep things in their proper containers, etc. Then again, I don't use antiseptic hand washes, either.)

I don't think I'll ever watch that show again. I don't need to know about other peoples' bad habits. Especially ones that put me off my feed.

Comments

[bentleywg.livejournal.com]

I watched part of one episode then had to change the channel. The inside of the house (dried-up cat/dog/pet feces, slimy fridge, garbage and food trash everywhere, etc., etc.) reminded me of those houses you see on the 11 o'clock news with social services taking the kids away and the parents arrested for child endangerment and neglect. And these people (the ones being cleaned) volunteered their houses to be on national TV???

[lagilman]

Exactly. *shudder*

[neadods.livejournal.com]

And these people (the ones being cleaned) volunteered their houses to be on national TV???

Of course! Because they didn't want to be the ones to clean the mess!

Betcha in a year, the house looks just the same as the "before" pictures.

[vincam.livejournal.com]

I figure any house that makes me feel like a virtuous housekeeper has got to be a biohazard. Dust bunnies are one thing, but when it's unsanitary I can't deal. Makes it a little difficult to make my medieval castles true-to-history, but oh well.

[alfreda89.livejournal.com]

(On the other hand, taking an ultraviolet lamp to your fridge to find bacteria may be a bit extreme. I'm not sure how many of us would come away spotless on that -- and I'm not sure we should be that paranoid about it, either. So long as you throw stuff out at the expiration date, keep things in their proper containers, etc. Then again, I don't use antiseptic hand washes, either.)

Clutter is not frightening, within reason (says the world's slowest house unpacker. Yes, I have bad hands as an excuse, but still, Whit's given up and I am slow, so check back at the holidays...)

But Elizabeth Moon told me once that as long as the bathrooms and kitchen get a good cleaning regularly, a little dirt/dust and even a few germs are fine--strengthens a healthy immune system. She's a paramedic and her husband an doctor, so I hope we can trust them on that!

I also heard that the anti-bacterial things are actually not a good idea--overkill--and soap and water and good swishing over hands for 20 seconds will work as well or better--and not breed superbugs...

As for people watching this show...I suppose it makes some people feel like they're not so bad, but I wonder if it appeals to people who like horror movies? %^)

[lagilman]

I also heard that the anti-bacterial things are actually not a good idea--overkill--and soap and water and good swishing over hands for 20 seconds will work as well or better--and not breed superbugs...

Yep. Same reason that (They say) kids who play with pets when they're kids, and rough-and-tumble in the dirt, are far less likely to develop asthma, etc. later on in life. Let your body get used to the things that aren't really harmful, and save the energy for bacteria that is dangerous. Or so one theory runs, and it makes perfect sense to me.