Save your Back (And your Nose) when Spring Cleaning
Bethaney Wallace on 17th Mar 2015
Ridding your house of allergens is part of everyone’s yearly routine. It’s a great way to get the home clean, as well as the air you’re breathing in every single day. And while you’re sleeping and can’t control your surroundings – such as moisture levels or allergens. Especially when sleeping with open windows as plants are thawing and shedding particles back into our breathing air. But when nice weather and more pleasant temperatures come around, oftentimes we want to clean out the house. Deeply and thoroughly. We’re ready for an update and to get rid of all the dirtiness that winter brought along. (And didn’t allow us to clean.)
There’s just something about springtime air that gets us motivated to get rid of the dust and switch out the closets.
When approaching deep cleaning, however, there are plenty of opportunities for a strained back. Because you use muscles that don’t receive regular use and must stretch and crane to perform certain duties. In order to gain a proper spring cleaning without hurting yourself, there are a few steps you can follow. Ones that will allow for a clean house without creating injuries along the way. Such as:
Stretch
Seriously. It might sound trivial or unnecessary for cleaning. But when performing any movement you haven’t done in a certain amount of time, stretching is critical. It warms up the muscles and gets the blood pumping. Failing to do so, and over stimulating cold muscles, can mean a greater chance at injury or strain.
Ladders and Steps
When you’re ready to reach up high, don’t balance up on your tiptoes or strain for extra height. Thought it might take a few more minutes, take the time to place a ladder (safely) wherever you need to climb. This is great for reaching ceiling fans, changing curtains (or taking them down to wash), wiping down window frames, and more.
Extension Rods
Similar to above, look for cleaning tools that help you reach. There are plenty of dusters that come with extra reaching power. Click together for an easy way to gain multiple feet of reach. Some will also bend and twist to fit hard-to-maneuver areas, such as light fixtures or above the cabinets.
Ask for Help
If you’re in a time crunch, there’s no shame in asking for help. In fact, it’s an efficient and simple way to clear out your list without straining yourself to do so. Ask kids or a significant other to lend a helping hand. Most often, it’s best to gain help with hanging curtains or any other big job that’s done best with more than two hands. If no one is available, you can ask for additional cleaning power. Hire in a professional, or ask a high school student to spend a few hours getting your home springtime ready.
Change the Filters
Don’t forget the filters! The air you breathe is one of the most important cleaning aspects of all. Remember to change the heater or any air purifier filters. Hose down the AC unit to remove lint or allergens, and clean out any ceiling or attic fans. You should also give attention to any humidifiers (or dehumidifier for the summer). Failing to do so can send dust and other particles back into your home, where they’re far harder to see, let alone eliminate.
Even the neatest of clean freaks can gain help from these cleaning tips. Ones that allow for a sparkling house, but without sacrificing health in the process. Get started on this easy-to-follow list each and every time you catch the spring cleaning bug.