5 RA-Friendly Spring Cleaning Tips
It’s that time again! The birds are chirping, the relentless cold is lifting, and you’re noticing the dusty, dingy dirt tracked in all winter long for the first time. It’s driving you mad and excites you all at the same time. That happens to mean spring cleaning is upon us.
RA-friendly spring cleaning tips
Living with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), large projects like spring cleaning require a lot of energy and negotiation with your body. However, there’s something about the invigorating nature of spring cleaning that feels worth the effort of all that bending, reaching, and scrubbing (and the pain that follows).
Here are 5 RA-friendly tips to help you make this annual endeavor much easier.
1. Make a realistic plan
As they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is your spring cleaning completed in a day. Bottom line: create a realistic plan that takes into account your own personal stamina and schedule. Maybe you are able to complete the cleaning over the course of a couple of days, or maybe you spread it out over a month.
Better yet, outsource what you feel is a stretch to accomplish yourself and hire someone to help you get it all done.
2. Store cleaning supplies strategically
Accessibility is your friend when it comes to finding motivation to tackle spring cleaning.
In order to make it easier on yourself, consider storing cleaning supplies in different locations in your home. If you live in a multi-level home, definitely have a cleaning caddy on every floor that’s easy to grab and go. You’ll thank yourself when you don’t have to drag the caddy up and down stairs and room to room.
3. Utilize the 'scan the room'
Before your big clean, spend some time using my go-to tidy tip: scan the room. It's a really simple, kind of obvious tip, but a great way to save energy and time when tidying up.
Before you leave a room, do a quick scan and gather any items (coffee cups, laundry, toys, etc.) that could be put away while you head to your next destination. Do this every time you leave a room in your home, and before long you will have tidied up in an efficient and energy-saving manner. It’s really that simple.
4. Consider rubber gloves
I know it may sound over-the-top, but rubber gloves may change your life when it comes to cleaning.
Rubber gloves are a great tool for people with RA who often lack grip and hand strength by giving them the traction they need to hold on to brush handles and sponges. They provide an extra layer of protection from harsh chemicals as well.
5. Extend your reach
Forget scrubbing on your hands and knees or tediously balancing on a ladder to reach hard-to-reach places. While cleaning with RA, it’s important to extend your reach with cleaning tools that are adjustable and accommodating.
Think extendable mops, dusters, and even grabbers for picking items up off the ground. Save energy and strength with this tip.
How do you tackle spring cleaning? Any tips you find helpful? Share your ideas below!
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