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Being odor sensitive, how will I deal with changing bedridden mom when she comes home soon?

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I bought an odor exterminator candle on Amazon that I think is great. I think it's called a smoker's candle, and it is vanilla. I absolutely hate artificial air fresheners, and this doesn't smell like chemicals. I've also heard you can put a bowl of vinegar in the room and leave it for at least 24 hours. It gets rid of the diaper smell but then your room smells vinegary. I mop with vinegar, and the smell goes away after several hours.

Another thing I do is put all the mess (diaper, pad, wipes, gloves) into a plastic grocery bag and tie it tight. Then I take it to the outside trash.

Changing my mother's diaper tends to make me gag. To cover up the gagging I often start laughing. :0) I sometimes put Vicks in my nose. I also do my level best to breathe through my mouth.
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I immediately take out the trash. If it’s not garbage pick up day, it’s okay because the trash is outside and not inside the house.

I had the nurse explain to mom that she must take a shower every week, plus I keep those wet wipes to wipe herself to stay cleaner than just wiping toilet paper.

Mom likes those wipes. I use coupons when I can to help keep cost down.
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I like all of MidKid's advice, especially about taking soiled items out of the house ASAP. Also, when I first started assisting my father with his bowel program when he came home from spinal cord injury rehab, I happened to be getting over a cold and thus wore cheap drugstore face masks for infection control. It totally eliminated any odor sensitivity issues for me. Might be a good thing to have handy for the short term, at least.

Keep the room aired out with open windows when possible. An air purifier is good too.

This suggestion is kind of unique to my own wackiness but if you like essential oils at all you might find it nice to mix up in a small glass spray bottle half vodka/half distilled water, with about 40-50 drops of essential oils that you like. I spray a eucalyptus/tea tree mixture liberally about during my father's bowel program and love it. Recently I've also done a few sprays of a nice eucalyptus/lemon/cinnamon/clove/rosemary blend when we are all finished and the trash is out for a final "purifying" effect. It's wacky but very effective along with fresh air.

Good luck!
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Try to keep out flies,especially with warming season soon to start
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I bought a trashcan that you open with your foot. The top goes over the edge. I lined it with a trash bag. This is wear I put depends and wipes. There are airfreshers you can stick to the inside of the lid. I have used bowls of vinegar to help with smell.
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shad250 Apr 2019
Does this repel flies?
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Changing her ASAP and don't let her lie around in wet depends. Wipe her as clean as possible, They make big "wash wipes" that do not require rinsing. I would still soap and water bathe the privates everyday. Hopefully she can help you with that. Some peri-bottles filled with warm soapy water and then warm clean water along with soft wash cloths will make this easier, esp if showering is a challenge.

Get the diaper/pads OUT of the house, pronto. We have 14 g-kids and we never let the kids drop a diaper, wet or messy in the house. They went straight out to the trash. If that's not possible, a Diaper Genie can help, but the fill up with adult size diapers really fast.

Pads (either chux, which I hate the look of, and the crunchy 'sound' of...or try these PeaPod pads I see advertised on this forum)--pads everywhere your mom sits or lays. Mother's recliner has been soaked so many times it's beyond salvaging. I also hate the smell, and I will literally gag..I don't mean to, but 'old' urine is one of the worst smells to me.

Wash with detergent meant for urine removal. Rinse in vinegar. Some people use detergent meant to clean up after dogs--altho that may be really harsh.

Do NOT dry clothing on HIGH. It will set the smell.Put some big plants in the bathroom and bedroom. Keep the windows open when possible. Don't try to mask the smell with strong room scenters--makes it worse. Better to clean up and avoid the wet carpet, etc. before the smell sets.

This is one enormous bugaboo I have with mother's care. She only allows her bathroom trash to "go out" once a week as that fits her 'cleaning schedule'. It's ridiculous. And her place just reeks beyond bearing. Once in a blue moon she will allow me to clean and I go crazy with the bleach and carpet cleaning. Too little too late, but for a week or two, the smell doesn't choke you.

Mother tends to use feminine hygeine sprays and those simply coverup the smell. Once in a great while--OK, but not in place of a good under carriage scrubbing.

Good Luck--you'll figure out what works for you & mom.
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shad250 Apr 2019
I take it flies are an issue as well with the smell?
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