As one reaches the golden years of their life, they may be retired or are planning to soon. Mobility usually decreases and friends and family members may move far away. The culmination of these factors means that one spends a lot of their time indoors, at home. This means that the quality of your home environment should be top-notch. Fresh air and a decluttered environment are key. It is important to be mindful of safety as fractures in this demographic are common. With these house cleaning safety tips, we hope that you or your loved ones can improve your home life without compromising on your safety.
Throw Away What You Don’t Need
This tip applies to all people but especially those who are homebound. Decades worth of accumulated items slowly add up and you are left with items with questionable value, The trick to throwing away items that are sentimental is to ascertain whether they “spark joy”, in Marie Kondo’s famous words. Clutter poses a major health hazard when items are messy and take up walking space. Food items and medication should also be regularly checked to ensure that they haven’t expired.
Use Technology To Your Advantage
The days when you have to bend over backwards to clean that unreachable spot underneath your dining table are long gone. You should invest in user-friendly smart cleaning products. These can come in many forms. For example, robot vacuum cleaners are useful if you have a big house to vacuum and have mobility issues. A dishwasher can ensure that the sink doesn’t pile up and you won’t have to strain your back too! Cleaning dishes or vacuuming might seem minor, but these stressors add up and can impact your mental well-being.
When In Doubt, Let The Professionals Handle It
Are you thinking of moving your bookshelf or dresser to do some deep cleaning? Try and resist the urge to move heavy things by yourself if you are in two minds. Heavy objects falling on you can cause grave injuries. Do remember to hire professionals who are capable of handling these tasks. You could for example hire a cleaning crew or housekeeping service to help you with hard-to-clean areas once a month. It’s worthwhile to fork out money when your safety is in question.
Always Be Prepared For An Emergency
It’s common for older adults to tell their loved ones or family members when they go out for a walk or to exercise. Just letting someone know your whereabouts can help in case you get lost or injured. You could also practice this habit indoors when you are doing a strenuous activity. Just let someone trusted know that you have begun and tell them you’ll check in with them in a few hours. This can be beneficial and put your mind at ease in case something happens. You could also consider cleaning with family and friends to be doubly safe. We hope you remember these tips the next time you do some spring cleaning!
