5 Cleaning Hacks for People with Mobility Issues

Keeping your home clean as a differently abled person can be a challenge. Depending on the size of the area, cleaning can require an hour or more of intense physical activity. Moving around is necessary to cover different areas and may require reaching up to wipe windows and high shelves as well as bending down to clean floors. Even regular chores like washing the dishes and doing the laundry require a fair amount of moving around. As such, cleaning can be especially tough when you have a disability or suffer from mobility issues or chronic pain.

Thankfully, there are five cleaning hacks that you can use today to minimize the obstacles you face in completing your household chores.

Buy PWD-Friendly Appliances And Tools 

Cleaning becomes easier when you have the right tools. These days, more manufacturers have different gadgets specifically designed for disabled people or those with mobility issues. Because each person expresses their disability differently, there is no exact strategy for selecting the right appliance or tools for them.

Nevertheless, try to look for tools that work around your physical limitations and make cleaning easier for you. For example, a front load washing machine is generally easier to access, making it much more convenient for those in wheelchairs or with back problems. Similarly, a portable, lightweight vacuum makes cleaning floors easier to manage, making it better suited for those suffering from chronic pain.

Be More Strategic About Where You Place Your Appliances

If you have accessibility issues that prevent you from bending your back or extending your arms, you should place your larger appliances, such as your single door refrigerator or clothes dryer, at a height where you don’t need to bend. This is especially important if you live on your own.

Always consider your comfort and safety first when deciding where to place your appliances. Not only does this make cleaning easier for you, but it also prevents accidents. Make sure that appliances aren’t in the way of footpaths, where someone could trip over them or walk into them. They should also be placed in more spacious areas so that wheelchair users can freely move around them without worrying about tight spaces.

If you live in a household with multiple people with mobility issues, it’s a good idea to allocate cleaning tasks based on each person’s preferences and capabilities. This also helps determine how and where to place each appliance within the home.

Maximize Soaking and Steaming

It’s a misconception that the best cleaning happens when you’re actively moving around. Sometimes, it is best to let your cleaning products do the work for you through soaking and steaming. For example, many bleaches and cleaning liquids work better when they are allowed to soak in the applied area for a few minutes. This allows the product to lift any deep-seated dirt to the surface, making it easier for you to wash or wipe it off. This way, you don’t need to overexert yourself or spend too much time cleaning.

Likewise, you can take advantage of steam to remove debris from your cooking appliances, including your microwave oven. Simply place a bowl of water in the microwave and heat for a few minutes, or until the water begins to boil. Leave the bowl inside the microwave for several more minutes to allow the steam to fill the appliance interiors. Then gently wipe the inside panels with a clean cloth. Splatter stains and hardened food bits will come off more easily after exposure to the heat and moisture.

Take Regular Breaks

An underrated cleaning hack for those with mobility issues is taking regular breaks. Learn to rest in between cleaning sessions and listen to your body so that you don’t overexert yourself. Start by cleaning the dirtiest areas in your home for around 30 minutes, then take a 10-minute break while watching your favorite shows on your LED TV before starting again. Go at your own pace, and remember to drink lots of water throughout the entire process.

Ask For Help When You Need It

Don’t be afraid to reach out to your family, friends, or neighbors if you find a particular chore overly strenuous for you. Keep in mind that cleaning can be physically and mentally taxing for anyone, so it’s perfectly okay for you to ask for help, especially if you live with a disability. Remember that asking for help as a differently abled person does not make you any less capable or independent. Rather, asking for help reduces the risk of injury and can remove that mental burden and stress from your shoulders.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning does not have to be an impossible task for a differently abled person. While there are unique challenges that you need to face, there are work-arounds that allow you to remain independent and be able to keep up with your house chores on your own. Try different cleaning hacks and find the ones that suit you best. You’ll find that taking these simple but powerful steps can do wonders for making your home a clean and comfortable space.

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