Germaphobe?

[colleenbunny]

 My sister has no hygiene. She ALMOST never showers, changes her clothes, or washes her hands. It’s absolutely GROSS!!! And the worst part is, I have to share a room with her.  Any tips for sanitizing laptops? (Yep, she touched it.) I told her that she needs to wash her hands more, and she lied to my face. She said that she washed her hands after she went to the bathroom. Am I actually becooming a germaphobe, or am I just trying to not be … there is no good word to use, maybe gross? I get sooooo ruffled up when she touches my things. And whenever she touches my hand, I feel the urge to wash it. 

[Jessie1990]

I think it depends on where she touched it, unless you are wanting to sanitize the entire laptop. For instance, if you want to sanitize the keyboard you would need to be more careful than you would with the exterior. I can ask my boyfriend which chemicals would be safe. I know when I’m at work the only thing we can use on the touchscreens are alcohol, so I would think that would be safe for everything. Just put it on a cloth and not on the surface itself.

[Baxter n Boos Mom]

When I want to sanitize the keyboard, I just wipe down the keys with a clorox wipe. I hope your sister’s young….and quickly learns the benefits of good hygiene. Good luck!

[Roberta]

Nope, I don’t think you’re a germaphobe… I would be grossed out too. In fact on occasion when I have had to work with people whose hygene was questionable at best I have gone out of my way to prevent them sharing any equipment and even brought my own teaspoons, coffee etc for breakse incase they used them. I am not a clean freak by any stretch of the term but really can’t stand plain filth. There are many products and sprays available for cleaning computers and most contain alcohol or spirits so it evaporates and does not damage any components.

[Roberta]

Can I also recommend some Glen20 for general use in and around your room. Sooner or later your sister is going to get very sick from her habits and it will help prevent you from sharing whatever gastro bug or disease that manifests itself.

[colleenbunny]

Okay! Glad to know that I’m not a germaphobe. I’m trying not to let her anywhere near my stuff.

[colleenbunny]

I’ve been doing well so far. Washing my hands 5 or more random times a day, not touching common germ pools, such as light switches (I’ve been flipping switches with my elbows), using hand sanitizer every-so-often, ect. The only problem is that I touch a lot of door knobs every day.

[Roberta]

Good Grief… Have your parents said anything to her ???/ I mean she must be getting pretty ripe. I am surprised teachers have not mentioned it to them.

[colleenbunny]

No. I don’t think they know. She is homeschooled, but will be going to school next year.

[Roberta]

Well, Hopefully being thrust into an extremely social and peer based environment will cause her to rethink her washing habits. I am just amazed your parents haven’t noticed unless she is being particular deceptive about it, it might be an idea to mention something to your Mum. I am guessing your sister is younger than you and can get away with it for now to a degree, but the time will come when its going to be very noticeable and extremely unpleasant to all in her general radius.

[Beka27]

I agree that mentioning this to your mom seems like the best idea. It’s not abnormal for kids to be “water-avoidant” at certain ages, but esp. with summer coming (if you’re in this area of the world), it’s only going to get hotter and stickier and sweatier. This is something your mother should be aware of, and it’s up to her to instill good habits, altho you can help by setting the example.

[Sarita]

Definitely this is a problem to discuss with your mom. I agree with Beka, it’s probably an age related behavior and she will grow out of this. She’s probably not as bad as you think though, sisters and brothers can just be an overall bother sometimes.

[colleenbunny]

 She used hand sanitizer last night! I had a big case in my room to keep myself clean, and after I used it, she went up and used it! And she washed her hands after I told her to! YAY!!!  I’m so happy!  But I will still talk to my parents about it. I just hope I won’t cry… For some reason I cry whenever I talk to them, and sometimes they end up thinking I’ve done something bad. 

[Roberta]

Excellent progress Colleen… and yes still mention it to your parents but remember to add the positive that she has used the hand sanitizer etc. Maybe your parents have already said something to her and have not mentioned it to you out of regard for her dignity.
I know how hard it was talking to my parents when I was in my teens it gets easier but at this stage you want to be heard as an adult but still feel like a child when discussing things with them. Just remember they love you and will listen, you are acting out of concern for your sister and the family not out of malice.

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