Hey everyone. I’ve been struggling lately with the weekly deep clean. My lower back and knees just aren’t what they used to be, and pushing a heavy vacuum or scrubbing the tub leaves me laid up for two days. I’ve had to find some workarounds because I can’t stand seeing the dust pile up, but I also can’t keep paying for a cleaning service every week.
One thing that has been a total lifesaver is switching to a lightweight cordless vacuum. I used to lug around an old upright that weighed a ton. The new one is under 5 pounds and I can do a room at a time without feeling like I’ve run a marathon. Another trick I found is using a long-handled electric scrubber for the shower. No more kneeling on the hard tile or reaching up high and straining my shoulders. It does the scrubbing for me, I just hold the handle.
I’ve also started “micro-cleaning.” Instead of doing the whole house on Saturday, I do one small task a day. Monday is dusting, Tuesday is one bathroom, and so on. It keeps the movement consistent without the massive flare-up at the end of the day. Has anyone else found tools or routines that make tidying up less of a physical chore? I’m specifically looking for ways to handle mopping because that back-and-forth motion is still a real killer for my hips.
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The micro-cleaning idea is the only way I get through the week. If I try to do it all at once, my hips are screaming by noon.
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For mopping, have you tried a spray mop with a swivel head? They are much lighter than the old bucket and string mops. You just pull a trigger to spray the solution so there is no heavy lifting involved.
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I finally bit the bullet and got a robot vacuum. Best money I ever spent. It doesn’t do a perfect job in the corners, but it keeps the pet hair under control so I don’t have to pull out the big vacuum nearly as often.
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Which electric scrubber are you using? I’ve seen them on TV but wasn’t sure if they actually worked on tough soap scum.
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I use a reacher-grabber tool for everything. I use it to pick up laundry, stray shoes, or even to hold a microfiber cloth to wipe down baseboards without bending over. It saves my back a lot of grief.
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My trick is wearing my supportive walking shoes inside while I clean. If I try to do chores in slippers or barefoot, my plantar fasciitis acts up along with my knees. Good arch support makes a world of difference when you’re on your feet for an hour.
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Does anyone have a tip for making the bed? Tucking in the sheets is getting really hard on my finger joints.
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SunnyDaysAhead, look into ‘bed makers’ or mattress lifter tools. They are plastic wedges that slide under the mattress to hold it up while you tuck the sheets. Also, switching to a lightweight quilt instead of a heavy duvet helped me a lot.
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I’ve started using a rolling cart to move cleaning supplies from room to room. I don’t have to carry a heavy caddy anymore. I just wheel it along with me.
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I tried the robot vacuum but it kept getting stuck on my area rugs. Just a heads up for those with high-pile carpet!
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Great tips here. I definitely need to look into that long-handled scrubber. My bathtub is the bane of my existence right now.
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I second the spray mop suggestion. Also, use a microfiber cloth on a Swiffer handle for dusting walls and ceiling fans. No ladders required!
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Thank you all for these suggestions! I’m going to order one of those mattress lifters today. Making the bed is the worst part of my morning.
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