As we age, some basic things that were easy start turning into an ordeal. Keeping a tidy home is one of those things that becomes more of a challenge with age.
Whether it’s labor-intensive aspects of housekeeping like scrubbing, backbreaking tasks like vacuuming, time-consuming chores like dusting the shelves and items on them, or safety risks like stepping on a stool to clean the light fixtures, what once was simple becomes tricky, to say the least.
The good news? You can turn to reputable cleaning services in Cottleville, MO, and let pros take care of the hard part on your behalf. If it’s too late for that or your trusted provider is booked, today’s post is made to order for you. We look at 5 smart strategies designed to help seniors keep their homes fresh, organized, and safe without overexerting themselves.
How to make house cleaning easier for the elderly?
If you’re a senior looking for practical ways to lighten the load or a family member trying to support an aging loved one, scheduling cleaning services in Cottleville would be the most obvious choice. However, many seniors still like doing some housework on their own as it helps foster a sense of independence. What can help is breaking tasks into bite-sized chunks and outlining clever ways of doing the most with minimum effort. Three main buzzwords to make housework manageable instead of tiring and stressful are: safety, simplicity, and sustainability.
1. Embrace short bursts of activity
Instead of tackling the entire house in one go, like you did when you were younger, spread out the tasks throughout the week. You can focus on one room or one chore per day. This is a great way to manage your workload and avoid physical exhaustion. You could also set a timer for 15-20 minutes to remind you to take a break before you get too carried away.
2. Use lightweight & easy-to-handle tools
Speaking of physical exhaustion, if it’s not the repetitive tasks, it’s the cumbersome equipment that makes house cleaning such a challenge for the elderly. Luckily, there are various tools that are designed with ease-of-use in mind, including:
- Lightweight, cordless, and robot vacuum cleaners
- Long-handled dusters and scrub brushes to avoid bending and overstretching
- Smaller trigger-spray bottles with ergonomic grips
- Microfiber cloths that clean well without abrasive chemicals
- Electric spin scrubbers for hard grime
3. Always prioritize safety in every chore
No matter the type or complexity of the task at hand, house cleaning should never come at the cost of safety. If you wish to clean your Cottleville home on your own, without scheduling professional house cleaning services, you should:
- Avoid standing on chairs or ladders
- Wear non-slip footwear
- Stay mindful of tangled cross
- Sit while folding laundry to reduce fatigue
- Never risk reaching for items if it feels risky
4. Use labels & organizers
Sometimes, the elbow grease isn’t the only challenge, and cleaning anxiety or tiredness is caused by memory issues or impaired vision. Labeling shelves, drawers, and containers can make a big difference and help seniors stay on track and avoid confusion. Clear storage bins and organizers can also help keep things in place and make finding and putting items in their place much easier.
5. Keep things simple, focus on priorities
Less stuff means less to clean and less chance of a nasty fall, it’s as simple as that. Try to keep your living space as decluttered as possible. Remove all the items you’re not using regularly from cabinets and drawers that are close at hand. It’s also important to stick to the basics. Turn your focus to rooms and areas that you use every day. If you manage to keep high-traffic areas neat and mess-free, your upkeep will be so much easier, and the whole home will feel cleaner.
Which company provides dependable cleaning services in Cottleville, MO?
As a cleaning company with a decades-long experience, a reputation for excellence and consistency, and bespoke cleaning services, Cleaning Concepts is the top choice for homeowners in Cottleville and the wider Saint Louis area.
Whether you want someone to debunk common cleaning myths, create a perfect living environment for a newborn, or instruct you in spring cleaning’s best-kept secrets, we’re the ones to call. Feel free to spend a relaxing day by the lake at Scott A. Lewis Park, and we’ll make sure your home is healthy, cozy, and bright when you get back. Reach out to us today!
