Spring Cleaning is coming soon
With warm weather right around the corner, it means spring cleaning is coming soon! Spring cleaning can be daunting and downright frustrating for anyone, especially those with mobility limitations. Below are some tasks that individuals can tackle from a chair.
1) Purge. It’s time to get rid of that article of clothing at the bottom of the drawer that you haven’t worn since your granddaughter’s wedding 5 years ago. Tackle your linen closet that has too many towels or utility drawer that has too many tools and barely shuts. Start by taking everything out and placing the items on your bed or table. Only put back items that you wear or use often. Donate or sell the remaining items. If this task is too overwhelming, break it down one drawer per day.
2) Medicines. Go through your medicine cabinet. Properly dispose of any expired medicines or ones you no longer take. Check with your local borough for disposal instructions. While you are going through your medicine cabinet, this is a good time to replenish your first aid kit…if you have one!
3. That paper mountain. Go through those papers and magazines that have been piling up on the side table or counter. Make a pile of bills to be paid, items to be filed, and papers to be shredded. Documents with important information, like your social security number, should always be shredded. Sort magazines by ones you haven’t gotten around to reading and those you are finished with that can be recycled. If you are holding on to a magazine because of a recipe you want to try or an article you enjoyed, tear it out, put it in a safe place or on your refrigerator, and recycle the rest. Not only will this take up less space, but by placing somewhere you will see it, you will be more likely make it or enjoy it.
4. Bottomless purse or fat wallet. Empty your purse or wallet on a table and sort through your items. Recycle or shred any old receipts credit cards, and other items you no longer need or use. Replace old school photos of children/grandchildren with current pictures. Put loose change in a jar…that change adds up!
5. Dust. Take pieces out of your china cabinet or off shelves to wipe down. You will be amazed how your dishes and knick-knacks will look after you are done! If
items are out of reach or not assessable, enlist the help of family members or a caregiver.
6. Smoke and CO2 detectors. Spring and fall are a good time to test and replace batteries in your smoke and CO2 detectors. You will sleep better when you know this task is completed.
7. Contacts. Check and update your emergency contact list. Place the updated list in an easy accessible location (on the refrigerator or in side table). You do not want to try to search for this information during an emergency.
8. Take up something new. Spring is also the time for new beginnings and fresh starts. Now is a good time to take up a new hobby or learn a new skill. Try chair yoga, design a scrapbook, create new recipes or take tried and true ones to make a cookbook that can be passed down to the next generation, join or create a book club,
paint or draw, volunteer, etc. There are many great things you can do to have fun and support your community.
Follow these tips to approach this spring with an open mind. You’ll enjoy the season more in a clutter-free home!