Don’t flush anything that’s too big to fit through the pipes of the toilet. Then you’ll just have an additional mess to deal with. Assuming gloves are not an option, think on your feet and use some other object, such as a wad of paper towels or a plastic bag turned inside out, to protect your hand from the worst of the mess while you go after the dropped item. If you just can’t stand the notion of getting your hands dirty, certain objects, like jewelry or house keys, may be retrievable using a coat hanger that’s been bent into a hook.
Take a firm grip on the object so that you don’t drop it. If it slides further down the drain opening, you might never get it back.
Electronics and objects that are easily damaged by water should be dealt with by other means. A strong antibacterial soap and hot water may be all you need to disinfect items that have fallen into a clean toilet, but you may still feel better employing other methods.
Be sure to scrub between your fingers and beneath your fingernails, where bacteria is good at hiding. [3] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world’s leading hospitals Go to source It’s probably also a good idea to wipe down anything that the toilet water or salvaged item has touched with a disinfectant.
Products like Lysol Disinfectant Foam Cleaner, Clorox Disinfecting Bathroom Spray and Scrubbing Bubbles Super Concentrated Bathroom Cleaner can be found in most stores and will get the job done without the risk of any damage to your belongings. [5] X Research source Disinfecting wipes can be used to clean anything from toys to jewelry to sunglasses. Sprays will do a better job of cleaning things like hair brushes and non-machine-washable clothing items. Try to find a disinfectant that doesn’t use bleach as an active ingredient. Bleach can discolor and even eat through some materials.
Stay away from electronics with wet sprays and soggy wipes. These items are best restored using a small amount of rubbing alcohol. The fumes from disinfectant cleaners can be overpowering. Always handle them in an open, well-ventilated area. Point the nozzle or hold the wipe away from your face as you work.
Rinse and dry the item once more after applying a disinfectant to make sure that it’s completely clean.
Choose an alcohol with a 70% concentration that is free of additives or fragrances. A small bottle of rubbing alcohol only costs a few dollars, but is useful for innumerable cleaning tasks.
You don’t want the cotton ball to be too wet, or alcohol could leak out and find its way into the sensitive openings of a phone, watch or pair of earbuds. This method of sterilization has long been used in medicine and is proven to be effective. [10] X Trustworthy Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services Go to source
Rubbing alcohol evaporates very quickly and doesn’t form a residue.
Boiling is a good way to thoroughly disinfect solid, one-piece objects that aren’t easily broken, such as toothbrushes, combs, drinking containers and just about anything made out of plastic or glass.
Make sure you have a way of protecting your hands from the heat. Consider taking the precaution of wearing a pair of dish gloves or oven mitts, even if you’re using tongs. Leaving plastic and fragile metal items submerged in boiling water for too long could cause them to melt.
If the item has a lid or cover, leave it off to allow airflow and prevent mildew from forming inside.
