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Daily Living > Do It Easier > Around the House > Smart Moves for Safe Cleaning
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Smart Moves for Safe Cleaning

Protect your joints with proper safe cleaning, housecleaning techniques

To minimize trauma, first warm up by walking around the house, then follow these joint-friendly easy cleaning moves.

Back-safe bending

Common mistake: Bending from waist
Typical tasks: Unloading washer, dryer and dishwasher; gathering and picking up items; washing dishes; ironing; cleaning under furniture; scrubbing tubs; making beds

Safe solutions:

Follow the old saying, “bend with your knees, not your back.” Slightly flex knees, and keep a hollow in your back.
When standing, minimize back pressure by placing one foot on an elevated surface, such as a step stool or bottom shelf.
When unloading, use a “golfer’s lift.” Simply kick back the leg opposite of your extended arm.
Kneel or get help for floor-level or awkward tasks.
 Reach right

Common mistake: Reaching with arm fully stretched
Typical tasks: Dusting; washing dishes; reaching overhead shelves; cleaning windows or walls; picking up objects

Safe solutions:

Keep arms close to body to minimize strain on shoulders.
Bring objects to waist level instead of reaching out with arms.
Utilize wands and poles with extended handles.
Avoid excessive back and arm extension by using a sturdy stepstool when reaching overhead items.

Knee know-how

Common mistake: Kneeling on both knees
Typical tasks: Washing floors; cleaning low cabinets; scrubbing tubs and showers

Safe solutions: 

Kneel on one knee and switch knees often to minimize and disperse pressure.
Wear kneepads or cushion knees with a piece of clothing

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april
09 Oct 2011, 07:41
I keep an old "secretary" chair in my kitchen; the kind of chair that is adjustable height, swivels and adjusts up to counter level. I sit in it to do things such as wiping counters, chopping food, washing dishes, and cooking. I am tall and my kitchen counters are too low for my height. The chair helps relieve strain on my back from stooping over and relieves stress on my knees and feet for tasks that require standing at the counter in one place.
Chris
04 Oct 2011, 15:28
Great idea about using an exercise ball to sit on. I have one from my pre-arthritis exercise days and it's just been gathering dust.
Freta Villanueva
04 Oct 2011, 01:34
I use a rolling stool that locks when weight is put on it, and I also use the gardener's kneeling pads for getting on my knees - works great & is very inexpensive. I do like the exercise ball idea, and think I will initiate that trial this week!
Nina Aguilar
05 May 2009, 15:58
For cleaning low shelves, like in the fridge, I use a car mechanics stool. It rolls, it has a shelf underneath, and it eliminates me having to kneel----if I get down on my knees, I might just spend days there, because I can't get up!!
Other places, I use an exercise ball to sit on. I kick it around the house, to where I need to work, then sit on it; kick it again to the next spot. And it is light enough to carry up stairs if I need to.

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