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Got any safe cleaning tips?

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Fibromyalgia
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Posted 4/6/2010 11:40 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone -

I'm in the mood to clean something, and that means trouble, because whenever I apply any pressure my muscles get really mad at me that night or in the next couple of days.  The same goes if I reach much at all for any length of time (like 5 seconds).  Not that this is a new problem for me or probably anyone else here......I just suddenly wondered if anybody has any helpful secrets on how to clean without actually scrubbing.  Usually I just smile at the grime and move on, but it would be nice to have a truly clean - anything, anything at all, no matter how small!

Posted 4/6/2010 11:47 PM (GMT 0)
OK, I seriously thought you wanted to know how to clean a "safe." Gotta love fibro brain.
Posted 4/7/2010 1:42 AM (GMT 0)

So I thought you wanted to know how to clean without using anything hazardous, sharp, penetrating, or any product that gives off fumes...you lnow how delicate we are, as well as forgetful and clumsy...LOL.  Seriously...other than a maid or a hand grenade, I can't think of anything.  I hope someone else has some tips...my kitchen floor is calling my name...

donna

Posted 4/7/2010 2:20 AM (GMT 0)
Cleaning?? What's that?  devil

My tip: hire a house keeper two times a month.   (you know, for the scrubbing stuff).

Sue

oh oh oh ps - I just remembered - that mold and mildew spray stuff for the shower . . . it works really well on white kitchen sinks.  Spray it on and wait a few minutes . . .presto chango . . . pretty white sink no scrubbing.

Posted 4/7/2010 3:08 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks, Sue!! I'll take all the hints I can take. I do have a friend who I pay to help me clean and move objects once in a while, a real lifesaver.
Posted 4/7/2010 5:33 AM (GMT 0)
when I clean my floors I dont use a broom because the back and forth movement hurts my arms and shoulders so i use a small vacume with a hose and attachments. I take my time and If i need to i can do one room each day. As far as the scrubbing i dont scrub, I go to the dollar general store and buy a product called mean green mildew destroyer and it works great. It actually worked better than bleach. I learned to do a little bit every day instead of trying to do it all at once. This also helps me get a little exercise in the process. good luck with your cleaning and i hope this helps.

Tressia

Posted 4/7/2010 11:28 AM (GMT 0)
I don't have anything great, but when I'm having to scrub my bathroom sink and having a bad falre up I will wrap a handy wipe around a dishwashing brush and use a rubberband to secure it and having the big handle and something to push on that has cush helps.  Or vacuuming you can lunge (I'm not sure of the spelling) forward keeping you back straight and atlernate legs when pushing the vacuum.  Otherwise you could look for cleaning products with big handles or easy to modify ones that have cush and or can add cush and that way its a little easier.  Otherwise I don't know.
Posted 4/7/2010 3:36 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks, everybody! Will have to try these out.
Posted 4/7/2010 4:00 PM (GMT 0)
The only thing that works for me is cleaning in spurts - like 5-10 minutes. Yeah, I know this is the slow way to do it but if I don't I'm in so much pain for days afterward. So I'll sweep, mop or do dishes in tiny bits, take a 10 or 15 minute break (yeah, I know, blah, blah, blah) then go back to it. I'll also do stretching exercises for my hands and arms inbetween. That's the only way my house is able to stay "semi-clean". LOL
Posted 4/7/2010 5:09 PM (GMT 0)
Sounds like you're all in the same boat I am. I appreciate the feedback. What is so weird about this disorder is that we CAN actually do things, we'd just better not! This morning, my cat was scratching to get out of the room, and it made me mad 'cause I wanted to sleep in a little, so I went, "aargh!" and quickly shot up out of bed. Now, I know I "can't" do that, it always leads to trouble, but early in the morning and late at night are my dumbest times. I try not to do much then because I'm not thinking. But I forget...
Posted 4/19/2010 2:06 AM (GMT 0)
I try to use scrubbers with extensions on them, as my hands and wrists tend to cramp alot. I try to spray things that I'm going to clean a few minutes in advance, and let them soak. Then, I find that they are much easier to clean. I also take frequent breaks. I find that if I go for longer than 15 minutes, I will not accomplish much that day, as I will be in too much pain.
Posted 4/19/2010 11:13 PM (GMT 0)

Cleaning!!!!  Scrubbing Bubbles has the automatic shower cleaner spay thing.  It works great.  Just push the button after the last person showers in the morning.  You can usually find pretty decent coupons for it too.  I also do the cleaning and everything else in short spurts.  20 minutes up doing something and 20 minutes laying down.  I have to admit I have days where I can lay down all day, but at least try to get up and walk around every 20 minutes.  Have a great day!

Posted 12/21/2011 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
When I can, I fill the kitchen sink with hot, soapy water in the morning and put dishes in throughout the day. Then, I basically just have to rinse at the end of the day. Also, the Swiffer is my friend! I love the Scrubbing Bubbles products, too!
Posted 12/21/2011 11:12 PM (GMT 0)
Oh lovveeee the scrubbing bubbles!! I use it on alot of things besides the shower..lol, it's a great cleaner. I usually do stuff in spurts too. Sometimes I really get into cleaning and the next thing I know when I slow down, the sick feeling creeps up on me and Im out for the rest of the day.

karen
Posted 12/21/2011 11:20 PM (GMT 0)
Debbie...if I want a clean house...I just conjure up an image in my mind's eye...visualization does wonders. turn ...really safe too, it isn't too taxing on my brain or my bod.

When I do get around to the real thing I try to make it as easy as possible...keep bathroom cleaning supplies in each bathroom, so I'm not lugging things around...also keep a small squeegee in the shower. I'm the only one that uses it but it helps. I'm sensitive to some of the cleaning products so I try to buy "green" products.

I like using using the sweeper with the disposable cloths...easy to push on tile and wood floors and great for picking up cat hair.

Cleaning seems easier when I am playing some of my favorite music, so music is a must so I can dance while I dust. smilewinkgrin

Remember to take breaks my friend, and don't work too long. yeah

Happy Cleaning. wink

Hugs, Robin

Posted 12/21/2011 11:29 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, swiffer vac is lifesaver. I also have a floor steamer, so you can skip the mop stuff cause steam sanitizes it all, has attachments to clean shower door , toilet tight places...love it

But by the time I get it all done, it's time to start again-lol!!!

Maggie
Posted 12/22/2011 5:44 AM (GMT 0)
I do my housework in spurts too. I don't have the mindset that I must achieve perfection. Even if I can just clean half a room & not the whole room, at least it's something. If you are watching TV, get up during the commercials & get something done. Oh, and instead of lunging with the vacuum cleaner & jerking it back and forth, I do straight lines & just walk. I put the vacuum on a lighter suction setting and vacuum more often instead of killing myself.
Posted 12/22/2011 12:28 PM (GMT 0)
Great topic, Achey!

 

I hate mopping and sweeping!  This kills my back.  Unfortunately, half of my floors are tile.  I bought a Shark vacuum (cheap) and use that instead of a broom to clean the tile.  Moving my arm forward and backward is easier than the side to side sweeping motion.  

 

When I mop, I have a Libman roller mop.  The handle is curved so the mop head is flat on the floor without bending over.  Also, there is a lever halfway up the handle that you pull to wring the mop.  No more bending!  I also can use the forward/backward movement to mop because of the curved handle.  Now I can mop with no backache.

 

I use Clorox Clean-Up for my shower.  You just spray it on and walk away.  I never tried the Scrubbing Bubbles thing because I have a shower stall and don't want the water marks on the glass.  (I use a squeegie after every shower...takes 30 seconds).  I do use Scrubbing Bubbles spray for my sinks.

 

We have really hard water here and cleaning the toilet used to be such a chore.  I even had to use a pumace stone stick to scrub the scale off the bowl.  Then I discovered Clorox toilet bowl cleaner with bleach.  Again, squeeze it on and walk away.  Come back a half hour later, go over with a toilet brush and it's sparkling clean.

 

I like the swiffer duster...the one with the long handle.  I don't have to reach using that.  I also have long handled brushes...one with a rounded head to reach cobwebs and the other is designed for ceiling fans (I have seven of those!  This is a MUST for me.)

 

Even though I have these things that help me, I have to pace myself like others have mentioned or I pay a price.

 

Sherrine 

Posted 12/22/2011 3:43 PM (GMT 0)
I need to get one of those Swiffer dusters with the long handle. My biggest problem is having my arms over my head, so it's hard to use the vacuum cleaner attachment on the ceiling. And vaccuming cat hair off the couch, so exhausting. I can only do that when I feel good. My two middle kids have the chore of brushing the couches in between vacuuming now.
Posted 12/23/2011 3:40 AM (GMT 0)
Yeah Mamanan! Way to delegate! It's good for them kidlets!
Posted 12/23/2011 4:04 AM (GMT 0)
I can't use any cleaning products except for Method...what a God send! No harsh chemicals and yet they really clean. My biggest issue is dog hair...three Golden Retrievers...OY VAY!! Feel good or not, I have to pick up dog hair but sometimes I use that long pole thingy with a duster on the end, made to do ceiling fans and such, but I just turn it around and do the wood floors and tile floors with it and the dog hair sticks right to it, so as long as there isn't a lot of hair, it works! Then I just shake it out, outside. I use this in between vacuuming, much less painful. I also wash my floors sitting in a chair...I know, I know...but seriously I do. I have a scrub brush with a very long handle, fill a bucket with hot sudsy water and use old towels. I dip the scrub brush in the hot water, do a small portion of the floor, and then absorb the water up with the towels. Sometimes I go over it with the Shark steam cleaner, okay, rarely do I do that...lol...
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