Many elderly people live in Brisbane or across Australia independently. If you are one of them, or you have a loved one, cleaning the house is essential to ensure a healthy environment.
Since elderly people have physical strength limitations, we suggest they follow the following tips while cleaning their house.
- Creating an elderly-friendly schedule and checklist
- Getting rid of unnecessary items
- Using lightweight and ergonomic cleaning tools
- Utilising low-impact cleaning techniques
- Ensuring safe cleaning practices for seniors
- Using senior-friendly cleaning products
- Breaking tasks into shorter portions
- Maintaining hygiene, etc.
In this guide, we will help you with 10 simple house-cleaning tips for seniors. These will ensure easy and safe cleaning completion for seniors.
10 Simple House Cleaning Tips for Seniors
As seniors age, they lose physical strength over time. But, if you are among the senior citizens in Australia and live separately, ensuring a healthy house is crucial.
Otherwise, you may face bacterial infections. However, 49% of Ausis find time to clean their house, and you may be one of them.
So, we have listed 10 easy cleaning tips for elderly persons so that you can ensure proper house cleaning without stress.
#1 Create an Elderly-Friendly Schedule
One of the best ways for seniors to maintain a clean home is by creating a cleaning schedule. This is to ensure that it suits your energy levels. A well-organised elderly cleaning schedule helps break down tasks into daily or weekly routines. Ultimately, the schedule makes them less overwhelming.
For instance, you can dust one day, vacuum the next, and clean the kitchen or bathroom on alternating days. By spreading out these tasks, cleaning becomes more manageable and less physically demanding.
Also, make a checklist for the cleaning tasks that need to be completed. This will help you balance the scheduling and complete the cleaning tasks within the time frame you targeted.
This also allows for plenty of rest between activities. This must-want rest ensures you don’t overexert yourself.
#2 Get Rid of Unnecessary Items
The homes the elderly live in get more chaotic with different items. Chaos not only makes a home more challenging to clean but also increases the risk of falls. This is a significant concern for seniors. The first step towards a safer home is decluttering.
Our decluttering tips for seniors include prioritising areas like hallways, staircases, and living rooms where items on the floor could pose a hazard. Consider donating unused items. You can also dispose of items with City Council bin waste disposal solutions in Brisbane. This will help you to keep your unnecessary belongings organised and out of the way.
To make the task easier, use safe reach tools such as long-handled grabbers. These allow you to pick up items without bending or stretching. Clutter-free spaces at your home will improve safety and make everyday cleaning much more straightforward.
#3 Take Breaks While Cleaning
Taking regular breaks while cleaning is essential and is one of the most efficient senior home cleaning strategies. This is especially needed for seniors with limited mobility and physical strength. Cleaning is physically demanding. So, it’s essential for you to pause and rest to avoid overexertion or injury.
Take a short break every 15 to 20 minutes. Sit down and drink water. This helps prevent fatigue and keeps your energy levels up.
During breaks, stretch your muscles to reduce stiffness and maintain good circulation. Pace yourself and relax your body. This will make cleaning easier. It will also keep your body safe and comfortable.
#4 Use Lightweight and Ergonomic Cleaning Tools
Using the right cleaning tools for the elderly can make a huge difference. Many traditional cleaning devices can be heavy and difficult to handle. This is especially true for those with arthritis or limited strength. Opt for lightweight cleaning supplies and ergonomic cleaning equipment designed for easy use.
Consider investing in senior-friendly vacuum cleaners, which are lighter and more manoeuvrable.
One of the most effective cleaning tips for arthritis sufferers is to invest in tools with padded handles and ergonomic designs.
A vacuum with a swivel head requires less effort to manoeuvre. Also, lightweight brooms or dusters are easier to handle. These reduce strain on hands and wrists.
Use easy-to-use mops with adjustable handles and dusting tools. These can help you clean hard-to-reach areas without the need for climbing or overreaching. These tools make the process quicker, safer, and more efficient.
Avoid harsh chemical cleaners such as
- ammonia
- bleach
- aerosol sprays
- rug cleaners like naphthalene
- oven cleaners like sodium hydroxide
- air fresheners with formaldehyde, etc.
Air fresheners include harsh chemicals, including VOCs, formaldehyde, toluene, etc. On the other hand, most household bleach comes with 5.25% sodium hypochlorite.
Ingesting the fumes of these chemicals is harmful, especially for seniors with respiratory issues or sensitive skin. These can cause serious respiratory issues. Choosing senior-friendly cleaning solutions is essential for a safe and healthy cleaning routine.
Look for non-toxic cleaners for seniors that are gentle yet effective, such as vinegar-based solutions or baking soda. You can also use products like castile soap and lemon juice.
These are the best cleaning products for seniors to ensure their health safety.
#5 Ensure Safe Cleaning Practice
Slippery floors, wet surfaces, and improper posture can all contribute to accidents. So, home safety during cleaning is essential for seniors. Some simple adjustments can significantly reduce risk.
Fall prevention during cleaning begins with ensuring the cleaning environment is safe. Always ensure floors are dry after mopping. You can ensure it by using a quick-dry method, like placing dry and thick towels down to absorb moisture.
Install non-slip surfaces in key areas such as bathrooms and kitchens to reduce the chance of falls. For example, you can install non-slip surfaces like
- vinyl flooring,
- rubber flooring or
- ceramic/porcelain tiles with a textured finish.
Maintain good posture while cleaning and take regular breaks to prevent fatigue. Finally, keep pathways clear of cords and obstacles to reduce the risk of tripping while you clean.
#6 Utilise Low-Impact Cleaning Techniques
During house cleaning, low-impact cleaning techniques can be an excellent option for seniors to avoid unnecessary strain. Focus on methods to clean effectively without bending, reaching, or lifting heavy items.
For example,
- Vacuum or dust while seated. These can reduce stress on your back and legs.
- To avoid exhaustion, break tasks into smaller areas, such as one room or surface at a time.
- Alternate between tasks to avoid repeated strain on the same muscles. For example, after vacuuming, do a lighter task like dusting.
- Use microfibre cloths. These clothes are highly effective for cleaning surfaces with minimal effort. It can be used with or without water, reducing the need for heavy scrubbing.
You can also take mobility aids for cleaning. These include using long-handled dusters and mops to avoid the need for step stools.
#7 Maintain Hygiene and Health Aspects
Maintaining hygiene is crucial, especially for seniors. Regularly sanitise high-touch surfaces, like doorknobs and remotes. Otherwise, they will harbour germs.
A 2016 study by Penn State University shows that they found 14 different colonies of bacteria in a single door knob. And each colony had more than a million bacteria.
Pay special attention to the kitchen and bathroom, where bacteria tend to accumulate.
Ensure good ventilation when using cleaning products, especially if they fume. However, avoiding harsh chemicals is recommended, as we mentioned earlier.
Wear gloves and masks while cleaning, which adds an extra layer of protection. Keep cleaning light and consistent for a hygienic and healthy home environment.
Use separate clothes for different areas, such as one for the bathroom and another for the kitchen. This will prevent the spread of germs between spaces.
After handling cleaning tools or chemicals, wash your hands thoroughly. This will ensure removing any lingering dirt, bacteria, or chemical residues.
#8 Only Do the Light Housekeeping Tasks
As a senior, you should not do the heavy cleaning work. We only suggest doing light housework for seniors.
For example, you can do simple house chores for seniors, like surface dusting the kitchen, bedrooms, walls, etc. You also can wash the dishes, clean the refrigerator, clean your beds, etc.
If your energy supports you, you can do mopping and removing unnecessary items from pathways and floors. Leave heavy tasks like moving beds, sofas, tables, etc., and cleaning them for young people.
#9 Try Not to Leave Immediate Tasks for Later
You should follow precise time-saving cleaning hacks for seniors. Use multi-purpose cleaners. They reduce the number of products needed and simplify your routine.
For example, you can use multi-surface cleaning sprays. You can spray them on metal, glass, laminate, etc. This will simplify moving from one task to another without changing products.
Some mops have interchangeable heads. You can mop, dust, or scrub floors without switching tools.
Also, make a habit of cleaning small messes right away. This will prevent build-up, save you from later deep-cleaning sessions, and save you time.
#10 Hire a Professional Cleaning Service Provider
The ultimate suggestion we give for elderly care home maintenance is to hire professional house cleaning services. Professional cleaning service providers have advanced cleaning equipment and expert staff.
They will ensure proper cleaning of your house by providing safety measures. This helps with challenging tasks, like deep cleaning carpets, bathrooms, and heavy households. It also reaches difficult areas.
In the long run, a cleaning service can help you. It can keep your home healthier and more hygienic. This is vital for seniors and those with health issues. With professional cleaning services, you can stay with peace of mind that your home is well-maintained.
Final Thoughts
These simple, practical house cleaning tips for seniors can help them keep a clean, safe, and comfortable home. These strategies ensure housework is safe and stress-free. Still, cleaning a house is a challenging task for seniors.
So, if you want a professional house cleaning service provider to handle your cleaning tasks in Brisbane, we are here to help you. At Eco Cleaning Brisbane, we have been providing cleaning services for over 20 years.
To ensure your home is cleaned to meet your real-life needs, contact us at +61 7 31892759, or mail us to [email protected]. A clean home improves life and promotes health. We will ensure seniors enjoy their space with peace of mind.
