I am disabled with arthritis in my back and on pain meds that make me tired and distractable. I am limited on bending over and twisting. I am unable to afford a housekeeping service, and would like tips on ways to clean my own house.
2006-06-17 03:11:07 · 7 answers · asked by Peggy P 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Cleaning & Laundry
My brother was paralzyed from his chest down.
One of the things we did was make it easy for him to reach everything so he didn't have to strain himself.
First, we took everything down from the high shelves and stored it where he could reach it.
We also rearranged the furniture to make everything easily accesible.
We also got him a lighter vacuum that attached to his chair and we moved several of the electrical plugs up where he could reach them from the chair instead of bending over.
We took all of his collectibles and put them in a glass case. They were still on display and didn't collect as much dust so he didn't have to clean them as often.
As for the bathroom, which is the hardest to clean when you are disabled, we renovated that for him. He used a special waterproof chair to bath with and he would clean his shower after each time.
Finally, I or someone else would come over about once a month and help him clean his ceiling fans and other hard to reach places.
2006-06-17 03:20:30 · answer #1 · answered by JoeyIngles 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do a little at a time, take a break,and regroup. Rome wasn't made in a day. Pick and choose what's important to you to clean. A unmade bed can be skipped, you're just going to hop in there later,and sleep. To sweep, buy a dust pan with a long handle. This eliminates bending over. Use the sink as your bucket, when you mop this eliminates heaving the bucket around, and bending over, and establishes easy clean up. Also, if you are able to afford just a little bit of money on cleaning, post a sign at your local supermarket, for light housekeeping chores ideal for a young preteen or teenager. Advertising this here would be free. You will probably have better luck negotiating with a young person who wants to earn extra money, but not old enough to get a job. Also, enlist close family or friends to help you out. Trade out other skills (babysitting, cooking, arts/crafts,sewing, mending) in exchange for housekeeping. Good luck to you!
2006-06-17 03:30:44 · answer #2 · answered by truthbetold 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Get cleaning supplies that have long handles so you won't have to bend so much or stretch too far. Sit down when you have to dust and use a long-handled duster. They even make them with telescoping wands so that you can reach in the corners of ceilings without causing too much pain; they are very light-weight.They also make a product that increases your reach, it has grips on the end to pick up things. Sit in front of your dryer and remove the clothes with these. As far as vacuuming goes, I don't think you can vacuum without some problems. Maybe you could just do one room a day to help save your back. I hope this helps. Good luck.
2006-06-17 03:35:03 · answer #3 · answered by organic gardener 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sorry for the trails that you are going thru however I have a suggestion for you.If you have ceiling fans in your home turn them on early in the morning lift your windows and let the cool air come into your home. What does this have to do with a cleaning tip? Nothing really, but I have found if you have a beautiful breeze surrounding you when you interacting with something it kinda makes you feel alright. If I could I would hire someone for you take care of your self.
Cherokee
2006-06-17 03:21:15 · answer #4 · answered by Cherokee 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can ride in your wheel chair, or walk and use a dust mop without bending. I cleaned house for an aging lady several years
ago. She had suffered a light stroke, and she also could not bend. Before I got to her house she would take a large cloth throw it on the floor and use her foot to move it around and dust mop the floor. I did this without pay and she tried to make it easier for me! I am sure you can think of ways to make your job
easier. I am sorry for your affliction and hope you will be better.
2006-06-17 03:24:14 · answer #5 · answered by Bethany 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pick up all the trash and throw away. Get all the clothes and shoes and put in the Laundry room. Then get the vacuum out, and run it. Get a bottle of Mr. Clean. Put some Mr. Clean in a bucket, and fill the bucket up with water. Wipe down the wood paneling on the walls with it, and get a Mop. Put the mop in the bucket, then mop your Tile floors with it. It makes the whole house smell good.
2016-03-15 07:20:06 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I also have spinal arthristis, so "I know where you are coming from!"
First thing I have to tell you, is pick your battles, you are not going to get everything spotless everyday! If you have kids, delegate responsibilities!! Same goes for a husband, they live there too!!!
But for those things you just have to do yourself, a sponge mop comes in real handy not just for mopping the floor, but for cleaning shower walls or washing windows.
Good luck to you!
2006-06-17 04:33:47 · answer #7 · answered by dragonlady 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
MY mother in law is in a wheel chair and she gets a glass of water and pours it on the floor of her kitchen then takes a dish towel and cleans the floor with her feet. It really gets clean and she doesn't even have to bend over to mop the floor.
2006-06-17 03:26:41 · answer #8 · answered by 38C 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋