Cleaning with Chronic pain

This article may not work for everyone because everyone has different abilities and ways that their bodies work. But hopefully this can be beneficial to those who have chronic pain & fatigue.

1.       Use a wheelchair

Cleaning to me is what I call a wheelchair activity, meaning basically even on a good day there’s just too much walking back forth and about to get anything substantial done just using my cane. 

2.        Take advantage of good moments or days

I spend a lot of time in bed, but I am still able to get up. When I have my good moments or days I always do what I call micro cleaning I pick up a little here and there so that it never gets to the point that it’s a huge mess. I keep things in an “organized mess” as well. Like if I was too tired to put my clothes away after an outing or just montaging haha. I will put them all in a bag until I can sort them back out. & dishes always go in a designated area, no scattering! Some things have to be left for good days and that’s okay, it’ll never be 100 percent spotless but as long as it looks nice that’s what matters!

3.       Minimize!

If there is less stuff to be misplaced and thrown about your house there will be fewer messes to clean.

If you live in a 2 person household keep 3-4 sets of dishes and cutlery & only take out the extra dishes when you have guest if you have more guests than that pop over to the dollar tree/99 cents store and get yourself some disposables.

& Put that  dish washer to werrrk! A dishwasher is a great tool as long as you make sure it doesn’t malfunction.  If bending down is an issue for you put things on the top rack.  & going through your things every now and then to see what you REALLY use is also beneficial.

4.       Get a reacher / robotic arm if bending down is an issue.

I love my reacher! & it was only $1 at the 99 cents store. I’ve seen reachers go up to $35 on disability tools websites. It’s ridiculous.  I even use my reacher to tuck in unfurled blankets on my bed.  A trash picker is also a good object to get and of course, a vacuum or even a knock off roomba if you can afford it.

5.       Sleep on top of a pre-made bed.

This way all you have to do is tuck in those sheets with a reacher for extra neatness and just shove the blanket you use to sleep under to the side of the bed or closet. Whichever you prefer