Filed under: Storage & Cleaning, Storage & Organization, Cleaning
When you're living with disabilities, a simple household task -- like mopping the floor -- can seem overwhelming. But as our writer has learned first-hand, it doesn't need to be. Here are her top cleaning tips.I never gave much thought to housecleaning when I was younger. I cleaned my room (sometimes) and that was about it. But with adulthood comes new adult responsibilities, and on the top of most people's "adult responsibility" list is cleaning. The house, car, garage...you name it. The cleaning, like pesky grocery lists, can go on and on and on. And if you're physically disabled, a simple household task can seem overwhelming. But as I've learned first-hand -- I was born with Freeman-Sheldon Syndrome, a bone and muscular disorder -- it doesn't need to be. I consulted the experts and combed the best products to make things a bit easier:
The author cleaning her home. Photo: Courtesy of Melissa Blake.
The first step is making sure your home is fit for you. When my family moved into a new house in 2003, we made sure it was fully accessible. We had two ramps installed: One off the patio and one off the garage. We made sure the island in the kitchen was at a height that I could reach. And we "road tested" all the corners and room entryways to make sure I could maneuver my wheelchair easily.
The same goes for housecleaning, says Kelly Rouba, author of "Juvenile Arthritis: The Ultimate Teen Guide," who also suffers from the chronic condition. "If one can get around better and reach things more easily, that will make it easier and faster to clean!" This could involve lower countertops, more easily accessible appliances or wider doors.
Use the Right Tools
There are cleaning tools that can make house cleaning easier. Years ago, a family friend gave us a gripper and I've found it to be a lifesaver ever since. Whenever I drop something, all I have to do is use the little claws of my gripper to pick it up. Also, I've outfitted my wheelchair with a basket. This makes it easy to carry items around the house. For example, when I'm doing the laundry, I can put all the clothes in my basket, which saves making multiple trips back and forth. It helps to have everything in one place. Also, make sure you use items with long, extended arms or swivel heads that keep you from having to bend over.
Swiffer makes a Wet Jet that allows you to clean your floor without the hassle of a bucket or a mop. And iRobot makes the Roomba robot vacuum, which does all the vacuuming for you.
Two products the author recommends: Swiffer Wet Jet and Roomba. Photo: Swiffer; iRobot.
Teresa Ward, owner of a Long Island cleaning service, emphasizes thinking of how cleaning supplies can be used in a unique way to make things easier. A sponge mop isn't just for floors, she says. You can use it to wipe down your shower walls and even clean windows. The kitchen sink can substitute as a mop bucket, so you don't have to bend down to rinse out the mop or pick up a heavy bucket filled with water. Baby wipes can be used to wipe up sticky, dirty counters and are easier to remove from their containers than traditional kitchen wipes.
Take It Easy
Make sure you pace yourself, is one thing all the experts advise. Do housework in small doses. Pick one room, say the kitchen, and just focus on that one for a day. The next day, you can move on to another room, say the bathroom. So it may take longer (things always take me a bit longer), but remember that it's not a race. It's OK to do what feels right for you. Ward recommends doing the most important items first and working down the list from there. "You know your limits," says Ward. "Make adjustments to your surroundings to make your home more manageable to clean at your own pace."
Ask for Help
No, this doesn't mean you're a weak person. It means you're a wise person who knows when you need help. Even if it's only a little help, friends and family will be more than willing to pitch in. If not, consider hiring a professional organizer who can provide tips for making this process easier based on your specific needs. They come to your home and help you develop an individualized plan of attack that is suited just for you.
And remember that making adjustments to your daily living can be stressful. Just do what you can and try not to overdo it. So whatever your plan of attack, always remember that you're the best judge of you.