Any Advice For Clean Up After C-diff In Home?

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R Robyn918 Asked April 2019 Any advice for clean up after C-diff in home? FollowUnfollowShare XShare with friendsSend To: Your E-Mail: Your Name: Your Last Name: Send Email Cancel

What to do first after 36 hours of c-diff full out diarrhea on bed, sheets, floor, rug, wood floor, shower & bath, contaminated clothes?

What do you use? What kind of bleach? Bleach to water ratio?

Soiled laundry needs to be cleaned. Do I get laundry powder bleach or can I use liquid bleach?

What kind of gloves can I use with bleach wipe?

How to ventilate? should I get a gas mask?

I feel exhausted writing this list. Can you help?

C. Difficile Home Safety Hygiene This question has been closed for answers. Ask a New Question.Find Care & HousingIn-Home CareAssisted LivingIndependent LivingMemory CareNursing HomesAdult Day CareHospice GO

13 Answers

Most Helpful Newest First Oldest First R Robyn918 May 2019https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2017/08/10/Probiotic-uses-glycerol-to-kill-superbug-in-laboratorylooks very important. But where to find Glycerol?05/03/2019 21:26:44Helpful Answer (0)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplySee -1 more replyC cwillie May 2019I've been checking on line - those wipes and solutions are expensive! They may be convenient but it only takes seconds to mix up a fresh 1:10 bleach and water solution every day, which is all that is needed.05/03/2019 20:02:00Helpful Answer (3)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplySee -1 more replyW worriedinCali May 2019Robyn, Amazon, Lowe’s and Home Depot all carry the germacidal Clorox you are looking for.05/03/2019 19:40:42Helpful Answer (1)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplySee -1 more replyA ACaringDaughter May 2019My daughter had C-diff. (This was undiagnosed for awhile, so we didn’t know to take all the precautions immediately.) I used “Clorox Clean-up” spray (with a scrub brush) to clean all household surfaces. I washed items on the sanitary cycle of my washing machine. This cycle uses 1/4 cup liquid bleach for a regular load. I used rubber gloves, paper towels. I tossed anything stained - most things were fine. We didn’t have any problems.05/01/2019 22:36:11Helpful Answer (3)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplyD Daughterof1930 May 2019I agree, this is much like we handled it and also had no problems(3)ReportSee 0 more replyN Nancymc May 2019Robyn 918, about the mattress topper... I would look for washing instructions ON it, (on a tag perhaps ?) because these can be made of different materials. If there is rubber or a similar water-proof material in it, there will be specific instructions. That should not go into clothes dryer because heat will melt it. I’ve had mattress covers that were washable, and dry-able. They were semi-waterproof, ie no rubber or latex. These can go into the washer and dryer with the same guidelines as any linen. Hottest water, + detergent(any type), and some bleach. Stains may well remain. To make stains less likely, wash in cold water first. (If that’s a concern for you.) If it’s rubbery textured, you may have to drip dry. Or just partial dry on low setting, then drip dry. Above all, TRY to RELAX ! ! It is an unpleasant task indeed, but probably not as risky of self contagion as many people fear. Often people who carry C-diff in their stool live with others, and with basic general precautions it is usually not passed on to housemates. Hand washing is key. No one likes cleaning feces, espec diarrhea ! If you are highly squeamish, is there anyone else who can help you ?05/01/2019 22:18:38Helpful Answer (2)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplyR Robyn918 May 2019Thank you. You got it I am squeamish. I can imagine the word (((squeamish))) is what the c-diff shouts out. haha. I have cleaned and cleaned...my hands are red from gloves, bleach, and hand washing. But I am applying a wonderful homemade hand cream. Using a lot of zinc for the rough patches and it seems to calm the skin down.(2)ReportSee 1 more replyD Dogmom43 May 2019My mom battled Cdiff for several years until she had a fecal transplant in 2014. As her current caregiver I am truly grateful for the advancement in health science!!!05/01/2019 19:14:51Helpful Answer (3)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplyR Robyn918 May 2019Yes, it's a good way to save the intestines.(1)ReportSee 0 more replyN Nancymc May 2019Been there and done this. I too was fearful of self contagion, but came through ok. Luckily she was out of the home for a time for total disinfection. . Got large box of disposable gloves. Any clothes or linen that were heavily soiled with feces were trashed. Double bag it ! As advised by hospital staff, I used bleach (about 1:4 with water) mixed with a general cleaner such as Mr Clean or Simple Green. Do NOT mix bleach with any product containing ammonia, though ! That can make toxic fumes ! ☠️ Wearing old clothes, I washed all hard surfaces with this solution. Toilet, sinks, faucets, etc. Some floors, espec bathrooms. Laundry was done with hottest water that the material could tolerate, detergent, plus I added a cup or two of bleach per load. Enough to kill germs but not remove colors. I also opened windows (though mid winter) to ventilate, AND sprayed Lysol disinfectant on many surfaces. Do door knobs, handles, think “where hands may have been ?” You should change your gloves often so as not to contaminate any new surfaces. Thus get large box disposable gloves. (At least 50-100 count.) If you want more specific guidelines, ask the doctor or nurses who are treating the patient. Above worked for me. Some patients continue to have Cdiff in stool, and will need to be on continued precautions. Frequent hand washing is key ! I know there are enzyme cleaners that may be even better for dissolving feces, but that wasn’t necessary in my situation. Hospitals use that. For a rug that can’t be washed (ie large or wall to wall), I’m not sure. Ask around. I’m a retired RN, and got advice from Infections Disease nurses. Best of luck to you.05/01/2019 14:16:55Helpful Answer (5)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplyR Robyn918 May 2019So I have a mattress topper that got soiled. I wondered if I soaked it in strong bleach for 2 hours....can I save it?(0)ReportSee 1 more replyG greeneracres May 2019Below I've included the links to the cleaning products that we used. They are the products used in hospitals. They are expensive but they kill c-diff. We also had a hospital grade hand soap pump in the bathroom, but I can't find that link. We were terrified when we brought my FIL to live with us after being hospitalized with multiple issues including c-diff. We're not young ourselves. In addition to using hospital grade cleaning products below, we washed his everyday clothes in hot water and we washed clothing and pajamas every single day to prevent any carryover and spread to furniture etc as much as humanly possible. On the bed we had a waterproof mattress pad and a couple of large absorbent crib pads under the sheet. We also continued using depends, just in case. The products below are Epa-registered to kill a total of 51 microorganisms, including all escape pathogens in 30 seconds, Norovirus in one minute and TB and C. Difficile in three minutes. https://www.amazon.com/Clorox-Healthcare-Bleach-Germicidal-Wipe/dp/B075RWLPL3/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2RTQY81BEK1ZR&keywords=clorox%2Bmedical%2Bgrade%2Bwipes&qid=1556723216&s=gateway&sprefix=chlorox%2Bmedical%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-3&th=1https://www.amazon.com/Clorox-Healthcare-Bleach-Germicidal-Cleaner/dp/B00INAWJZ8/ref=pd_bxgy_328_img_3/141-1780233-2429050?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B00INAWJZ8&pd_rd_r=d9d34452-6c22-11e9-bef6-397a2872612d&pd_rd_w=qHO1T&pd_rd_wg=nJTKF&pf_rd_p=a2006322-0bc0-4db9-a08e-d168c18ce6f0&pf_rd_r=CS09JFZ8281B0M1N6Y66&psc=1&refRID=CS09JFZ8281B0M1N6Y66https://www.amazon.com/Clorox-Healthcare-Bleach-Germicidal-Cleaner/dp/B0056LUPJY/ref=pd_sim_121_3/141-1780233-2429050?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B0056LUPJY&pd_rd_r=2c57b069-6c23-11e9-b421-cdcde3290510&pd_rd_w=DO98S&pd_rd_wg=HImH1&pf_rd_p=90485860-83e9-4fd9-b838-b28a9b7fda30&pf_rd_r=AXMJFY7F86VF7PE86A4B&psc=1&refRID=AXMJFY7F86VF7PE86A4B05/01/2019 11:21:51Helpful Answer (2)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplyR Robyn918 May 2019I have looked everywhere for the Clorox Germicidal bleach...not at Walmart or Walgreens or hardware store or Staples, or local grocery stores...what's with that?(0)ReportSee 2 more repliesK KUStilley Apr 2019Robyn, I am in the same situation as you right now and I spent last night reading everything I could find. The ratio for cleaning with bleach is 1 part chlorine bleach to 10 parts of water. There is also a Clorox Germicidal Bleach and wipes which are recommended. Regular Clorox wipes are not recommended. Wipe down every surface, tub, shower, door knobs, light switches, faucets, handles, the floor with the bleach solution and let them dry naturally. Everything the patient comes in contact with should be cleaned with the bleach solution if possible. All linens, rugs, shower curtains, in the bathroom should be washed with detergent and bleach. Toothbrushes, toothpaste and the like should be kept in a ziplock bag or something similar to prevent spores from infecting them. Use soap and water rather than alcohol based hand sanitizers. when washing your hands and use a towel or something similar to turn off the water faucets. Only use a towel, washcloth, cleaning cloth, etc. one time then wash them with detergent and bleach.Stay well.04/30/2019 11:56:42Helpful Answer (4)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplyR Robyn918 Apr 2019So regular Clorox wipes do no good? wow. I have used straight bleach on everything: floors, clothes, bed-frame, mattress, etc. So straight bleach is not effective? I soaked some clothes in bleach for 2 hours. haha...I'm so worried. I have washed the floors everyday with bleach. Threw away bed clothes after a washing with non-chlorine bleach and then with real bleach...just didn't want to take a chance. it's a huge learning curve but it's a matter of life and death to get it right.(0)ReportSee 1 more replyC cwillie Apr 2019I've found a good guide from the C Diff Foundation:https://cdifffoundation.org/cdiff-infection-homecare/04/29/2019 07:11:03Helpful Answer (4)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplySee -1 more replyC cetude Apr 2019If he's elderly, he's at high risk for dehydration. C-diff is also present in raw meat due to routine use of antibiotics as produce animals are chronically sick due to overcrowded, filthy, stressful conditions. The are sent to slaughter septic. So when you buy meat you probably brought it to your home and contaminated all surfaces. Superbugs resisted to antibiotics is routine in grocery store meat and never talked about by the government since it's a $1.02 trillion a year industry in USA.04/29/2019 06:34:53Helpful Answer (4)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplyR Robyn918 Apr 2019Yikes! how scary and very important to remember(0)ReportSee 0 more replyH Hope2009 Apr 2019I lived with someone who had C-Diff. This was about 10 years ago. I wore good quality gloves (Playtex?) on top of latex or vinyl ones, when I cleaned. I can't really say what the ratio of bleach-to-water was. I just made sure that I wasn't knocked out by the smell. For dishes, I added bleach (regular Clorox, no fancy scents) to the sink water and then soaked, washed and rinsed. Then, I put those dishes in the dishwasher and ran it when it was full. I used paper towels for a lot of things, also.For the bathroom, I did regular cleaning, but made sure that I added bleach to the water that I used. (Make sure that you aren't mixing cleaners that can't be mixed with bleach.) When done and dry, I used clean bleach water and towels to re-wipe surfaces that are touched often (vanity, faucets, door knob, etc.). I left those surfaces very wet and let them air dry. I read somewhere that leaving bleach on the surfaces kills the spores. I bought large packages of white towels to clean. I washed them and threw them away after one use. I didn't want to discard them with infectious waste still on them.For clothes, I washed them separately from mine. I added bleach to white clothes. If something was soiled with waste that could be ruined by using bleach, I just washed it in soap and water and threw it away. As far as laundry soap goes, I used what I normally do - Tide powder.For ventilation, I opened up a window where I was working. I'm not a fan of the bleach smell. Fortunately, it was summer.It may sound like a lot of trouble, but I got used to it quickly. My goal was to not catch it myself! I don't think it lasted more than a couple of months or so. The medication brought on a full recovery, thankfully. (Oh, and I'd be wary of using disinfecting wipes. I'm not sure that any of them claim to be effective against Clostridium difficileI bacteria, and I don't think they actually contain bleach, either.)I wish you all the best!04/28/2019 11:11:58Helpful Answer (9)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplyR Robyn918 Apr 2019thank you for your comments. I am not a fan of Chlorine smell but it sure cleans, I am impressed with it's ability to make my bathroom shine.(4)ReportSee 3 more repliesJ JoAnn29 Apr 2019Here is a number for communicable diseases. Says they are open 24/7. CDiff is listed. They can tell you what to do.1-877-687-373604/28/2019 10:21:13Helpful Answer (12)ReportXThis field is required.Post ReplyR Robyn918 Apr 2019I will call that number, thank you!(3)ReportSee 0 more replyThis question has been closed for answers. 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