Four Spring Cleaning Tips for Seniors
The arrival of spring means longer days, but it can also mean it's time to give your home a deep clean. Spring cleaning is a tradition that allows many of us to freshen up our homes. It's also the perfect time to clear the clutter to create free space. Studies have shown that cleaning can help ease feelings of stress, decrease stress, and alleviate insomnia.
Yet, spring cleaning can become a challenge for many older adults. However, with a little planning and precaution, seniors can take care of the tedious task of spring cleaning their home. Here are four tips for seniors to help make the process easier and more fun.
Enlist Help
The first tip to help ease the burden of spring cleaning is to enlist help. Ask family members to help you. Assign them areas of the home that are more challenging for you, such as dusting top shelves or cabinets. Designate a separate area of the house for each person assisting in making the cleaning process more efficient. If the family cannot help, hire help as needed. Treat yourself to a cleaning service to deep clean areas of the home that you've neglected.
Take One Room at a Time
It can be very overwhelming to deep clean the entire house in one or two days. Instead, focus on cleaning one room at a time. Give each room the attention to detail that it needs—work from top-to-bottom, back-to-front for efficiency. Resist the urge to overlook drawers and cabinets; now is the time to open them up and clean them out. Whether you take the day to clean a room or the entire week, give yourself time off between rooms.
Focus on the Big Tasks
Another way to break down spring cleaning is to focus on the big, essential tasks. If your oven doesn't get a lot of use, skip it and focus your efforts on cleaning out the refrigerator. Guest linens that haven't been used much this past year can wait to be laundered after you've taken care of your bedroom. Carpet clean only the highly trafficked areas of the home, instead of the entire house. Let self-cleaning appliances, such as your washing machine or dishwasher, clean themselves by running an empty load. Everything else can wait for another time of year.
Clean First, Organize Later
The final tip to make spring cleaning a breeze is to separate the task of cleaning from organizing. Cleaning and organizing, although they go together, are separate tasks. It's easy to get caught up in spring cleaning's organizational aspect, making the job seem even longer than it needs to be. Instead, clean first, then go back and organize as needed. Place donations in a box to give away later. Toss trash immediately. Gather items that have drifted from one room to another in a box to sort through once you're ready to start reorganizing.
As you spring clean your home or help your aging loved one complete this annual task, it may be time to consider a new living arrangement. Visiting Angels Punta Gorda is the perfect solution for seniors who need assistance to maintain their independence in the comfort of their own homes. In addition to assisting with bathing or grooming, our compassionate caregivers can assist with light housekeeping and organizing. If you're ready to explore senior home care, please contact us today by calling 941-347-8288 Charlotte County or 239-226-1620 Lee County.