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House Cleaning Tips?
What are some of your tips for house cleaning beyond lots of breaks and work at your own pace? I have mobility issues, flexibility issues and am generally REALLY FREAKING SHORT (>5'0) and can't climb or balance on ladders and step ladders. I feel like I can never stay on top of an even semi-tidy home and a flare up will end with a scrap heap that makes me want to cry.
It wasn't so bad when I only lived a half hour from my parents because my mom would come every other week and help me out, but I live an hour and 45 minutes away now and I would have hired a house cleaner if it was in my budget. I'm just so frustrated and could use some quick tips and tricks.




This isn't exactly advice on how to do it yourself, sorry, but - are there any people who might help you out with that sometimes? Maybe in exchange for you doing something nice for them? I like cleaning for others even though I hate cleaning my own apartment, and maybe your friends are similar.
I only know 2 people in the city besides my brother, (who is literally the worst house cleaner) well enough to even consider. I could ask one of them.
Are there any specific areas you especially struggle with?
Floors are a big one. The kitchen besides dishes. I've figured that one out.
I struggle with floors too. Vacuuming is my least favourite chore because it hurts so much. I get my other half to do the vacuuming but am seriously contemplating a robot. Heh.
Ok so kitchen... Do you have too much stuff? Need better storage solutions? What would help?
Honestly, it's both. It's a combination of too many small appliances that are frequently used and need to stay out because I can't dig them out and can't stand at the stove, lift pans on flare days. It's a badly designed kitchen that kind of spills into the extension of the house because there's an old 1 sink counter shoved in the corner, a weird counter top shoved on the other wall. I just really don't know what to do.
I have a plastic utility shelf shoved at the end of the sink counter to put my dishes on, but it just always looks messy.
Okay well one thing I will tell you that helps me... there is a big difference between messy and dirty. So be glad that the dish shelf is a mess because at least they're clean and put away as best you can manage.
Re small appliances any that could be "combined" or serve multiple purposes? Or if counter space is at a premium any space for a shelf or table you could put an appliance or two on instead of the counters?
I use a Swiffer a lot on the kitchen floor. Very easy on the hands and at least keeps the dirt it doesn't pick up in one pile so I can tackle it when I feel up to it.
As for the messy utility shelf, I'd agree that messy is far better than dirty. Throw a pretty towel over it? I'm not trying to be facetious -- a towel on a pile of dishes makes me feel like I'm in control of them rather than the other way around.
The small appliances are pretty much reduced to minimum (microwave, grill with interchangeable plates and fryer) and there's no place to put them on anything else. There's only 4 outlets in the entire kitchen centred on that weird counter the landlord installed to make up for the lack of anything else.
I tend to sweep the kitchen a lot and get stuff all into a pile, but even picking up the piles is difficult. I can't bend over and even a long handled dust pan can only do so much.
I pay someone to do it for me. I know that's not an option for everyone, but if you can even afford a one off clean on occasion it goes a long way to keeping the house clean.
Before we found money for a cleaner, I just lowered my standards! Didn't worry too much about floors beyond running a carpet sweeper every day and decided dust was a sort of decoration. :D
If you can afford one, get a Roomba. Ask for one for the holidays, or ask for gift certificates for a local housecleaning service.
A local church might have resources.
It sounds like you need to reorganize your kitchen also. I feel ya on that one - we live in a small house with almost no storage space (no linen closet, etc). We put plastic shelving everyplace we could find a spot for it, and put the necessary stuff in more accessible places (we have dishes and food in the bedroom, that's where the shelves fit!).