How to Clean Your House with a Chronic Illness

August 24th, 2015 8:55am

Have you ever taken a look around your house and wondered how it got so messy?  More than that, you may be racking your brain trying to figure out when you will actually get around to cleaning it.  You have a chronic illness and the thought of cleaning the entire house is unnerving.  Nevertheless, the house needs to be taken care of and the challenge falls on you.  How can you make it easier?  Is there even such a thing?  Although cleaning your house may never be easy, here are some tips to make it actually bearable.

1. Start with something simple.  Place the cleaning supplies in the rooms that they will be used in.  This will make it easier when cleaning because they will be right where you need them. Additionally, you can avoid adding the task of putting the supplies back in the cleaning closet.  If you do not have the space in each room then have a set of supplies on each floor of the house, or each end if you live in a one story home.  This will make a tremendous difference when your energy is low and you are using it strictly for cleaning.
2. Clean just one room or area a day.  Choosing one day to clean the entire house may seem too daunting.  By splitting the cleaning up, you can get each job done quicker and with more energy.  This may lead to prioritizing what needs to be cleaned first, but it will be well worth it.
3. Take breaks.  It is important not to over work yourself and taking breaks after each task can help you maintain your energy.  Try to work in short bursts and see if that makes the challenge any more bearable.
4. Find easy-to-use cleaning supplies.  Look for spray bottles that won't make you cramp up and containers that are not too heavy to lift and pour.  If reaching or bending to dust is causing pain, then look for a duster with a long handle.  Little changes like these can make the overall experience a lot more pleasant.
5. Ask for help.  It is ok to ask for help when cleaning your house.  Family and friends want to help and support you, sometimes they just don't know how.  By asking them for help, you will feel loved and they will feel needed.  If that is not a route you want to take, there are many local cleaning companies that may be able to help reduce your cleaning load.  If certain tasks cause too much pain then opt out, let someone else take it on.

These are just a handful of tips that can help make house chores a bit more bearable.  You know what you are capable of and what you can handle, let that help you determine how you should clean.

Recovia is a functional flex-care program that aims to maximize recovery for individuals suffering from chronic pain, injury, or dependency.  The mission is to provide a compassionate, comprehensive, cost effective, and individualized functional rehabilitation program.  For more information, please contact us at 480-712-4600 or visit our information page.

The advice and information provided herein is for educational purposes only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.  Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites.

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