please wash your hands
did you just use chemical cleaner and then eat a
panic disorder
anxiety
panic attacks
This is Why I Hate it When He Cleans
By StacyB
@Srbageldog (7716)
United States
July 3, 2017 10:36pm CST
Usually I complain that my boyfriend doesn't help clean our apartment. Lately he has been helping to clean to get our apartment ready for an inspection by our rental company later this week, but his cleaning efforts cause me stress. He doesn't wash his hands after cleaning things, even when he's using chemical cleaners, and then he goes around touching other things in our apartment, which triggers my anxiety as I have bad paranoia about coming into contact with something that may hurt me. A while ago he was scrubbing the shower wall with CLR and now I see him rubbing his mouth with his hand and eating Little Debbie cupcakes, even though I never heard him wash his hands while he was in the bathroom. Now imagine if he gets that crap on the cat and the cat ingests it -- yeah, I'm panicking again.
But am I allowed to say anything, or would that make me seem ungrateful to his cleaning efforts? I'd rather not be around when he cleans, as then I won't know WHAT he did or didn't do. Chances are he's not doing anything that will hurt any of us -- after all, he's managed to make it to his late 30s going about life this way, but that doesn't really help my anxiety any. I wish my guy was more sanitary and washed his hands more often -- that would help my anxiety a lot. But then I have a problem with overwashing my hands, so I'm probably the one with the problem.
Anxiety sucks, especially when your panic attacks are triggered by things like the possibility of ingesting something that might harm or kill you. Even if there's no logic to your panic. A couple years ago I probably wouldn't have given a second thought to his cleaning methods, but now I sit around obsessing about what he's contaminated with toxic chemicals, and whether or not my cat is going to wind up ingesting any or not. Or if I will.
It wouldn't be any better if I cleaned things myself, though. Then I would be panicking over having to use chemical cleaners myself. I never used to be like this, and I don't know why my brain decided to break and obsess over these particular things. It's exhausting going through life constantly panicking over things most people wouldn't think twice about. I wonder if using non-toxic cleaners would help ease my anxiety, but I don't know how well those actually clean. The only way I know to get rid of things like mold is using bleach -- vinegar and baking soda isn't going to cut it.
6 people like this
6 responses
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
4 Jul 17
Another thing is that you are usually in control of the cleaning and you cant really do it all. So can you do this to help calm yourself, take a clean wash rag and plain water and wipe off things? Or would that be to much for you since you are recovering?
I am sure he at least rinsed his hands or CLR would eat holes in them.
3 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
4 Jul 17
Yes, I can do that. I will do that, in fact.
He probably did rinse off his hands in the shower, since he did have the water going. I would hope he would at least have the common sense to do that. I probably don't give him enough credit and just assume the worst.
1 person likes this
@josie_ (10033)
• Philippines
4 Jul 17
I also will get anxious with the way your BF is handling chemical cleaning agents. He should at least wear gloves to protect against the corrosive materials. I hope you keep them in a safe storage out of reach to your cat. Consider using as an alternative natural cleaning materials instead.
3 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
4 Jul 17
Yes, we lock that stuff up where our cat can't get into it. On the plus side, my boyfriend DID get the shower very clean! I have been considering alternative cleaning materials, at least then I wouldn't have to worry about toxic chemicals being spread around my home.
2 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
4 Jul 17
I am aware of this and am seeing a therapist.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67089)
• United States
4 Jul 17
Oh no, you should say something. Thats not good to use cleaners then do things without washing hands. Especially eating and touching pets. No, no.
2 people like this
@Srbageldog (7716)
• United States
4 Jul 17
I am seeing a therapist. I refuse to take medication for it. I've been on anti-psychotic meds in the past and they cause too many problems.
1 person likes this
@RubyHawk (99367)
• Atlanta, Georgia
5 Jul 17
@Srbageldog You know what's best for you. Good luck.
1 person likes this







