As people age and their mobility and strength decline, home maintenance can become less achievable since it includes a lot of bending, stretching, and walking. Wiping can strain arms and vacuuming can put a lot of stress on the spine. You have probably noticed that your loved ones need more time to complete some tasks while others seem almost impossible, so you want to make it easier on them.
Maids in Kansas City who offer reliable cleaning services are always there to help. If you stll prefer to do it on your own, here are 7 essential tips for cleaning elderly people’s homes. Read on!
How do you clean an elderly person’s house?
When cleaning an elderly person’s home, being thoughtful and respectful is very important. It’s not just about keeping their environment tidy, but also about ensuring it’s safe and comfortable, making them feel relaxed.
Also, you must understand their needs and preferences. Some might have certain allergies, others have limited mobility or respiratory issues. That being said, take a look at the following 7-step guide:
- Prepare all the necessary supplies, such as microfiber cloths, mops, trash bags, a vacuum cleaner, a bucket, dish soap, white vinegar, baking soda, and PPE. Handle the supplies yourself so that the senior wouldn’t have to worry about it.
- Start by decluttering all the rooms, one by one. Return all the belongings to their place and discard all unnecessary items. It would be best to discuss everything with your elderly loved one and get their OK before putting or throwing anything away. It’s important for their belongings to be easily accessible.
- Dust all the living room and bedroom surfaces, starting from the highest areas (ceiling fixtures, top shelves, closet tops, etc.). Dish soap and warm water mixture are excellent for this purpose as they remove dust and grime efficiently without damaging the materials or leaving any toxic residue behind. This is especially important for those whose health is already compromised.
- Wipe down the windows with the white vinegar solution. Simply mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, spritz onto the glass, and wipe with a microfiber cloth. You can use this solution for any other glass surfaces in the house.
- Vacuum the carpeted and uncarpeted flooring with a HEPA filter vacuum that can trap airborne impurities and allergens, improving the indoor air quality. Again, this is very important to protect the respiratory health of your elderly loved ones.
- Address the kitchen surfaces and appliances, applying the top-to-bottom approach to limit dust circulation. White vinegar and baking soda do wonders for your microwave, fridge, dishwasher, coffee maker, etc. You can also use them to remove stains. But if you have some sensitive surfaces, mild dish soap is the best option. The seniors will certainly appreciate a fresh and clean area where they can have their meals.
- Tackle the bathroom. Since bathroom surfaces are notoriously difficult to clean, seniors often find it hard to keep up with regular bathroom maintenance. You can use white vinegar to unclog the showerhead and make the mirror and bathroom fixtures shine. Combine it with baking soda to refresh the toilet and the drain. Also spend some time on the grout, as it requires bending down and reaching up, so seniors usually have trouble with it.
Safety tips:
- Don’t use any heavily scented products as they can irritate the respiratory system and cause allergic reactions.
- Keep the windows open to ensure adequate fresh air circulation and protect everyone in the household.
- Always inspect the living space to see if there are any potential hazards (wobbly furniture, loose or tangled wires, etc.).
- Professional help is sometimes indispensable as the experts are trained to face any maintenance challenges safely.
Where to find highly qualified maids in Kansas City?
Living in a tidy space positively influences our mental health. But with so many things to do and limited resources, it’s sometimes difficult to even do a quick clean-up to make your home presentational for your guests. Luckily, Sunflower Maids is just a call away.
We understand that wiping, vacuuming, and mopping can be tiring for people of all ages. That’s why our army of experienced hygiene enthusiasts is here to create a healthy living environment for you and your family. Relax at Kaw Point Park while true experts make your house spotless. Schedule an appointment today!