Ergonomic Cleaning Tips to Help Care for your Body

September 9, 2020 by Mulberry Maids

Tweet

Now that we are getting close to the end of summer, and the start of the beautiful fall season in Colorado, it is important to talk about ways to make sure you are cleaning your home safely and with the proper ergonomics.  Late summer is a great time to do a deep cleaning of your home, however, you need to make sure you are doing it safely so you can enjoy the autumn season in good health. 

While trusted and reliable cleaning in Fort Collins can be hard to come by, you can use our expert advice to be able to clean like a professional. Keep reading for key tips to help keep your body feeling great, even after a hard hour or two of home cleaning. 

Why is it important to think about body ergonomics when cleaning your home?

We love giving tips on all sorts of cleaning related matters, including what products we use as professional cleaners, how to make your own natural cleaners, and how to clean parts of your home with salt. But before you worry about what cleaning products to use, we can not stress how conscious you should be about your body ergonomics and positioning.  Here are some of the reasons you should pay attention to ergonomics while cleaning:

Save your muscles and joints from additional stress

Our bodies take a beating through the day, between running errands, doing common household chores, and trying to keep up with your kids.  Cleaning will easily add additional stress to your muscles and joints if you are not careful about your posture or the equipment you are using to clean your home. 

Think about the products and equipment that you are currently using

While it is never fun to go buy more cleaning products, it is important to take stock of what you are currently using to see if it actually is helping or hurting your body.

• Vacuums
• Mops and brooms
• Spray bottles
• Brushes and sponges
• Step stools

Vacuums should be suited for the type of work you are looking to use them for, and additionally, any handles or attachments should fit comfortably in your hand.  If your home has very little carpet, consider getting a lift away canister vacuum.  This type of vacuum will typically be lighter weight (as you can leave the heavy bottom carpet section on its own).  Additionally, it is best to look for one with multiple hand held attachments to aid in vacuuming hard floors or furniture more efficiently and not as awkwardly. 

While string mops have been popular for decades, they are not an efficient way to actually mop.  They require many passes over the floor, as the mop head only touches one small area at a time.  It is best to use a large flat head mop with an extendable pole.  Being able to extend a pole is key to good posture while mopping, so you are not hunched over reaching for the floor.  Additionally, the large mop head will be much more efficient in cleaning the floor, requiring few passes over, overall reducing the time it takes to mop a floor. 

Similar to the mop, using a large broom with a long handle will make sweeping much more efficient – this will specifically help your back and hands, as sweeping can be very uncomfortable on those areas of the body.

Spray bottles are also important to take a look at.  Go to the store and try out different types and sizes – a spray handle that is too far away can stress your hand and fingers.  Look for a bottle that fits well in your hand, and has adjustment features.  This is the same for brushes and sponges, and different types and sizes will work differently for different sized hands.  It is also important to use the right tool for the job – if your home has a lot of stains and constant food splatter that requires a lot of scrubbing, you should look for powerful enough brushes and sponges to save some wear and tear on your body from hard scrubbing with the wrong tool. 

Be conscious of body positioning

First and foremost, like with so many physical tasks, never lift with your back!  Even if you are just dealing with relatively lightweight cleaning supplies, you should be very aware of using your legs and not bending over to use your back.  

When scrubbing, mopping, and vacuuming, it is very important to stay relaxed – especially in your hands while gripping your tool.  Over gripping can stress out your whole body, as the tightness in your hands will continue up your arms, affecting other muscles and joints. 

While doing any stand up cleaning, it is crucial to try to remain in a good upright posture.  A slight bend in your back will lead to back pain and is very stressful to the body.  Trying to continually look up (and not always staring down) will naturally draw your body into a more upright position. 

Another helpful tip to reduce the chance of lower back pain from constant bending is to use a step stool.  This can be very effective when cleaning low areas, such as cabinets and shelves at ground level.  Instead of bending at your back or knees to reach them, you can safely sit on the stool for a much more comfortable position to reach the areas you are cleaning. 

Reliable cleaning in Fort Collins has never been better!

If you are in search of trusted and reliable cleaning services in Fort Collins, Mulberry Maids has got you covered!  We pride ourselves on reliability and professionalism, from our customer service to our home cleanings.  

What are you waiting for?  Give us a shot today and spend your hard earned time exploring  the Fossil Creek Natural Area and other outdoor recreation areas this fall.  As always give us a call or book your cleaning appointment online in less than a minute!