When the birds start chirping, flowers start blooming, and buds on the trees grow bigger every day, they’re sure signs spring has arrived. And that means it’s time for spring cleaning. Granted, you may prefer to go for a walk or get out in the garden, but giving your home a good clean can be a liberating experience. Spring cleaning for seniors can lighten your mood, lower stress, boost self-esteem, and make your living space a place to thrive.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled our top spring cleaning tips for seniors. So roll up your sleeves and put on some music if you need extra motivation. Once you get going, you might even enjoy it.
1. Clear Clutter to Reduce Fall Risks
Anything on the floor that could trip you up should be cleared away. Magazines that have piled up over the winter, shoes left lying around, boxes and bags waiting to be put away. If you have throw rugs in your home, consider rolling them up for good. They’re one of the most common causes of falls indoors, often leading to hip fractures. Electric cords present another fall risk. Consider rearranging furniture so corded lamps are closer to an outlet. You can also buy cord covers to hide wires.
2. Refresh Your Fridge
Start by trashing those neglected containers of leftovers you wouldn’t feed to a dog. The same goes for food past its expiration date. If there’s grime, now’s a good time to wipe it away. Dishwashing gloves, hot water and a sponge should do the trick. To disinfect your fridge, try using equal parts vinegar and water on shelves, the sides and bottom of your fridge, and the handles. A deep clean of your refrigerator will help you start spring fresh.
3. Deep Clean Your Bed
The next time you wash your sheets, pay attention to what’s under the sheets. While you can’t fit your mattress in your washing machine, you can clean it. Use the upholstery tool on your vacuum cleaner to go over the top and sides of your mattress and as much of the box spring as you can manage. Then use the crevice tool to remove debris from the quilting and along the edges. If you notice any stains, use an upholstery spray cleaner to remove them. A spray of disinfectant will kill bacteria and eliminate odors. If you’re worried about dust mites, use a garment steamer or iron to kill dust mites near the surface. Then vacuum afterward. (A typical mattress contains tens of thousands of these microscopic creatures.)
4. Let the Sunshine In
It’s time to wash off the grime of winter from your windows and let the sun shine in. Wait for a cloudy day, and work on the shady side of your house. Cleaning windows in direct sunlight can leave streaks that are tough to buff out. Using a mix of water and dish soap, start with the frame. Use a microfiber cloth to wash the glass, and then squeegee the glass from top to bottom to scrape away excess water. For high exterior windows, use a sponge mop on a pole and rinse clean with a hose. A squeegee fastened to an adjustable pole will make the job easier.
5. Bust the Dust
Once your windows are clean, you can dust your blinds using an old pair of socks and some tongs. Put the socks on the tongs and run them through each row of blinds. To dust crown moulding, light fixtures, fans and other hard-to-reach places, use a duster with an extended handle. Another tip to help remove dust from baseboards is to use a dryer sheet. One last thing: Remember to replace the air filter in your furnace or air conditioner. All those blooming plants in spring are primed to release clouds of pollen in the air.
Leave Spring Cleaning to Us
If cleaning the windows and fertilizing the yard aren’t your idea of a good time, we understand. Sedgebrook residents leave their to-do lists with us so they can spend their time doing what makes them happy. To learn more about our life-enriching, maintenance-free lifestyle, get in touch.
