Having sore, stiff joints can make housecleaning a challenge. Here are some tips and products to make it easier.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT
Housecleaning is never fun, but when you have sore, stiff joints from arthritis, it can be downright painful.
Here are a few tricks and tools to make cleaning easier.
For starters, avoid cleaning early in the morning, when your joints are stiffest.
Before you begin, do some gentle stretches to warm up.
Focus first on the busiest areas of your home – like the kitchen, living room, and hallways.
Don’t try to conquer the whole house in a single day. Do a little at a time.
No need to do all your chores standing up either. Sit down when folding laundry, for example.
If you have to stand for long periods, relieve pressure on your back by propping one leg up on a stool or low chair.
If you start feeling tired or sore, take a break. Sit down and rest for at least 15 minutes to get refreshed so you can tackle another cleaning task later.
Arthritis-friendly cleaning tools can also make your life easier.
For example, mops and brooms that have ergonomic handles to protect your wrists and fingers.
And dusters with extending handles to help you reach high places and get into tight corners without having to stretch or bend.
Got sore hands? Then trade your duster for a microfiber mitt.
It’ll pick up dust just as well, and keep you from having to grab a cloth or hold onto a duster handle.
You can even find self-propelled vacuum cleaners that do much of the work for you.
As for cleaning products, look for ones that come in lightweight containers.
Store your products in easy-to-reach cabinets, not too high or too low, so you don’t have to stretch or bend to retrieve them.
And keep a set of supplies on each floor so you won’t have to climb the stairs every time you need something.
In addition to protecting your joints, these simple tools and techniques can save you time, which you’ll be able to spend on things far more enjoyable than cleaning.