Yesterday afternoon, I was watching TV when I saw an advert for Dettol Antibacterial Laundry Cleanser which claims to " get rid of the bacteria that survive and can be transmitted within the wash when you wash at low temperatures". Now, I'm really sorry but is it me, or is the answer simply to wash your laundry on a hotter wash!?? I realise that what with everyone being encouraged to consider energy efficiency and with high electricity bills just now, it's recommended that we use a lower temperature in our washing machines but I'm sorry, rather than wash my clothes in even more chemicals, I would much rather hike up the temperature and kill the little buggers that way. Maybe I'm totally missing the point?? I really don't know. I realise that nowadays, parents are encouraged to blast everything with chemicals and sterilise things to within and inch of their lives in order to keep their precious darlings safe from germs but I have to say, the majority of kids today are growing up to be a generation of cotton-wool-swaddled-pale-faced-indoor-computer-playing clones. They don't play outside any more or run around in the fresh air and heaven forbid they should actually get dirty and they always seem to be ill. I have a theory. I personally believe it's because their lives are so sterile that they don't build up any immunity to anything. I might be completely wrong but, my kids always played outside, they got muddy, they rolled on the floor with the dog and they were hardly ever ill. Even now, as adults, they are robust, healthy human beings with well developed immune systems and I can say, hand on heart, that I have never used an antibacterial spray in my life. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we should let our kids run wild like savages, a-la Lord of the Flies, but come on people, use a bit of common sense, there has to be a middle ground between keeping them in a hermetically sealed bubble and abandoning them in the woods to be raised by wolves! Anyway, rant over. Sorry but I do sometimes wonder what the world is coming to.
On a much nicer note, I just thought I would show you a loaf of bread I made last week, inspired by The Great British Bake Off. As you know, I am now a lean, mean, bread-making machine and love nothing more than transforming flour, yeast, salt and water into something totally delicious and as I was feeling daring, I decided to make a plaited loaf.
On a much nicer note, I just thought I would show you a loaf of bread I made last week, inspired by The Great British Bake Off. As you know, I am now a lean, mean, bread-making machine and love nothing more than transforming flour, yeast, salt and water into something totally delicious and as I was feeling daring, I decided to make a plaited loaf.
Eat your heart out Paul Hollywood :-)
I'll have a slice of that please, with a slather of Cornish butter and some homemade jam. Oh YUM. Now I have to bake bread.
ReplyDeleteWhat rant? It all sounds perfectly reasonable to me!
ReplyDeleteThat is a gorgeous looking loaf of bread.
ReplyDeleteAs to the laundry quandry, isn't some white vinegar in the wash supposed to do the same thing as these special products?
I'm from Australia & we wash in cold water ALL. THE. TIME.
ReplyDeleteNever get told to KILL the bacteria.
When I first moved here I was surprised by the whole "30 degree wash" stuff.
I think it is just another way for some chemical company to sell you something you don't need.
Jealous of the bread (gluten intolerant)
Cheers
Lush
Worthing, UK
I totally agree, I think it's just another scaremongering tactic by the chemival companies aimed at the people who spray absolutely everything with antibacterial spray. A total waste of money if you ask me but then I think I might be turning into a grumpy old woman lol :D
ReplyDeleteHi Kay,
ReplyDeletethe only reason to use the chemical stuff would be on lycra sportswear which needs to be on a 30 degree wash, but this doesn't kill the bacteria which makes it smell bad. One of my friends a keen cyclist hates smelly washing powder and hates smelly sports kit, so soaks he stuff in white vinegar before washing, it does the same job as the chemical stuff.
I do agree about it being an over sanitised world. I eat stuff straight from the bush or plant unless there is visible dirt which gets brushed off.
You're quite right. When I was a kid, there was a family in our street and the little 'uns used to play around the drains, fishing in them with sticks and string (!) They were rarely washed, dressed in rags, bare backsides or soggy nappies - and they never had so much as a cold.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same nowadays with antibiotics - prescribed too regularly to do any good and no longer capable of fighting infection. Grrrrr!
I'd love a chunk of your bread right now with thick butter - and sod the diet!!!!
haha well I enjoyed your rant and completely agree ...now I just need a piece of that scrummy looking bread !
ReplyDeleteGail x
That bread looks good! I couldn't agree more with your view on children. They should be outside making mud pies and eating worms. Those anti-bacterial thingys are just clever marketing - and we come to believe that we need them.
ReplyDelete