Walk Me Through Making House gluten-free

[SGWhiskers]

I got another mystery glutening today. CC seems to be the likely suspect. Hubby is feeling bad for me and agreed to a 2 week trial of a gluten-free kitchcen. (I can't make it past 2 weeks without glutening myself right now). I plan to extend that 2 weeks to at least 3 months. I know how to get rid of the remaining gluten foods, but how do I degluten the house? We eat in every room except the bed.

Kitchen counters (granite)

Stainless sink

keyboard

wood desk

carpet???

Can I use regular household cleaners? Should I be doing an alcohol wash?

Can DH have processed food that does not appear to contain gluten, but that I wouldn't eat just to be safe. (I'm thinking about his Planter's peanuts or canned chili).

If this experiment fails, I'm gonna have a hard time convincing hubby to try again.

SGWhiskers-who is sick of being sick

[Hummingbird4]

What I would do (and have done!) is this:

Empty your cupboards/pantry and put away all food items that contain gluten. Box them up and place them somewhere else. Pull out everything else so you can wash down the cabinets (front, back, and knobs!) and the shelving. Use warm soapy water and wear gloves. While you're at it, go through all of your other cupboards and drawers and get rid of things that might harbor gluten, like cutting boards and anything that's porous (wooden spoons, wooden rolling pin). Empty your silverware holder and wash it - you will be amazed at all the crumbs in there! Run the silverware through the dishwasher so everything is crumb-free.

I would also empty and clean the refrigerator too. Wash down your sink and countertops with warm soapy water. I think I used Oxy-clean as my soap when I did my kitchen. Wipe your keyboard with Q-tips soaked in a little rubbing alcohol. I wouldn't worry about the carpet. The 5-second rule no longer applies when you drop food, though!

This will take most of a day, but your kitchen will be so clean and gluten-free!

Then, keep gluteny foods out! Try peanuts or chili that definitely don't contain gluten. There are brands out there. Trader Joe's has good chili with no gluten, and most peanuts don't have it either.

[cyberprof]

What I would do (and have done!) is this:

Empty your cupboards/pantry and put away all food items that contain gluten. Box them up and place them somewhere else. Pull out everything else so you can wash down the cabinets (front, back, and knobs!) and the shelving. Use warm soapy water and wear gloves.

Yes, wear gloves. BUT, wear a respirator (like housepainters wear) or at least a paper dust mask. When I cleaned my kitchen, I didn't do this -although my husband suggested it - and later got sick and wished I had. Wheat particles float and get in your mouth/nose.

~Laura

[Hummingbird4]

Good suggestion, Laura!

[mommida]

Put all pets on gluten free food if possible.

Double check all personal hygeine products. A lot of shampoos and conditioners have wheat in them and are commonly accidentally ingested.