Housework may be the last thing on your mind as you struggle with an illness. However, I have done a bit of research to find the easiest house cleaning routine and checklist to help those with a chronic illness.
WHY DO HOUSEWORK
You might be asking yourself how can I even think about doing housework when I am in chronic pain. Well, I have found that light housework has actually helped to heal me not just physically but mentally.
Over time, this light exercise has built up my strength and confidence. It is exciting to be able to see my progress. For example, when I first started cleaning again, all I could do was pick up items off the floor and put them in a laundry basket. I even had to sit for a while after this task. But now I can mop the kitchen, clean the bathrooms, and vacuum. Quite frankly, I don’t think there is a task I can’t do now with a little help and that is so encouraging.
Pray, Prioritize and Plan
My easy house cleaning routine is to Pray, Prioritize and Plan. That’s it. Below I go into detail as to how these three work. While performing any physical activity, please remember to take breaks, to drink water, take your supplements and eat on time.
1. PRAY
Praying prior to each task is crucial for strength and to get rid of the feeling of being overwhelmed (Philippians 4:6). Prayer clears my mind and enables me to focus on the task at hand.
In my prayer, I acknowledge that I can do nothing apart from Him. I ask God to give me the wisdom as to how to complete the task in an efficient and orderly manner. This helps me use the least amount of energy (Proverbs 16:3)
If you have a helper, pray for them as well. Pray that they will be eager to help you and full of strength. Once you start building your strength up, pray for insight as to how they can help you a little to perform some other tasks on your own. As an example, I can do laundry as long as someone else helps me carry the heavy hamper to the laundry room.
Also, be sure to pray daily over your priorities and plan. Even though these are provided in steps 2 and 3 below, feel free to make any changes. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
2. PRIORITIZE
I have learned from Ultimate Bundles how to have the same three housework priorities every day. These include:
1. one load of dirty laundry per day,
2. get dinner going, and
3. wash the dishes (1). (The 3 d‘s.)
If I have these three things done, I find that the rest of the day (and week) runs smoothly. If you have kids or someone helping you, be sure to communicate or delegate these priorities by posting them in a visible area like on the refrigerator. Once you have established these three priorities as a daily habit, it will be much easier to keep your house in order.
3. PLAN
I use to wait for Saturday to clean the whole house. However, that is no longer possible with a chronic illness. Breaking up the housework (and any other project(3)) into smaller tasks performed all week-long (except Sunday) was a much more realistic plan.
After my three main priorities, I have a weekly schedule of housework that I have distributed throughout the entire week (2). The idea for my schedule below came from the Large Family Logistics book.
Monday – Wash Day,
Tuesday – Office/Trash,
Wednesday – Vacuum,
Thursday – Bathrooms,
Friday – Moping, and
Saturday – Refrigerator
Plan on everyone in your household doing the work (or at least help an adult) by assigning responsibility for the task(s). If you foresee issues with getting your kids (or caregiver) to do the work, include in the schedule the privileges or pay that will be taken away for each task that goes uncompleted. Don’t be afraid to adjust your weekly schedule due to unforeseen issues, the holidays or another event.
I have created a simplified cleaning checklist available towards the bottom of this article. This checklist includes a weekly schedule, a place to assign tasks and an area to address what privileges or pay will be removed for uncompleted tasks.
REALLY BEHIND ON CLEANING?
We have all been there so there is no reason to feel ashamed over how behind you are. A chronic illness has a way of taking over even the most ordered house. However, here are some tips for what to do when your housework is really behind:
Do one thing at a time.
DO use disposable silverware, plates, and cups at least temporarily.(2)
DO concentrate your cleaning in the common areas.(or the areas most visible to a guest)
DO spot cleaning.
DO use Lysol wipes to clean all surfaces.
DO buy dinner or other quick meal options on hectic cleaning days.
DO hire someone to do the harder tasks such as laundry, yard work, cleaning out the gutters, etc.
Don’t clean to make a mess. If you know you are going to leave a bigger mess than when you started, don’t do it. Wait until you have the right tools, sufficient time, and may be some help.
DO soak everything prior to scrubbing.
DON’T make a mess cooking. Use the crock pot and use Reynolds’s plastic bags to cook for easy cleanup.
DON’T clean what is not dirty even if it is on your cleaning schedule. Leave your energy for what is dirty.
DON’T have pets. If you absolutely have to have a pet, opt for a Beta in a bowl.
A FEW WORDS OF ADVICE
There are ways to enjoy cleaning. Put on an audiobook, movie or something else you have been wanting to listen to or see and play it while you wash the dishes, clean the bathroom, etc. I personally listen to books by Amy Carmichael on librivox.org or to sermons on the radio while I do the dishes or clean the bathroom. I play these on my portable DVD player or tablet.
Try to mix in rest or sitting with your physical work. The way that I am able to get the most done is by resting a lot after exerting myself. For example, I will sweep an area, then I will go sit at the computer and pay some bills. After I mop a portion of the floor, I will sit or lay on the couch and take a break until I feel I have more energy to take on another area. While doing the laundry, I sit down while folding the clothes. Also, don’t be afraid to take a short nap. Here is what I do on really bad days with my illness.
Mix in easier tasks with the harder tasks. I tried to do laundry all day but realized that laundry is just too physically hard. Also, I found it difficult on the joints to sit for an extended period of time to pay the bills. Consequently, I quickly changed that to doing one load per day and paying the bills while waiting for the washer or I would perform another task that does not require a lot of physical strength.
Stop to eat, take supplements and drink water. I have noticed that I am able to do more and not get as tired if I am constantly rehydrating myself with lemonade and eating light snacks throughout the day and taking my vitamins. Protein shakes and egg drop soup are another good source of energy.
Eventually, you will have to de-clutter. One easy way I to de-clutter (from Large Family Logistics) is to put items that are not being used into a box. If you don’t use them after three months, it is time to go to the thrift store and make a donation.
If it is something that is important to you for whatever reason, give it to someone who you know will appreciate and take care of it properly.
Break up the work into smaller more doable tasks(3). For example, in order to clean out my refrigerator, I will clean only one shelf at a time. The same goes for a closet or any other large area in need of deep cleaning.
Make sure you have the best tools. Invest in the microfiber mop, the telescoping pole duster, the long-handled scrub brush to clean the sides of your shower or whatever tool you think will help you. These tools will save you a lot of time and energy.
Avoid harsh chemicals. Due to my Lyme Disease, there are quite a few chemicals I can’t use anymore. Anything with bleach or ammonia really makes me sick. Also, a lot of the heavy-duty cleaning products contain heavy fumes. A lot of times, I just end up using dishwashing detergent.
Use what you have on hand. In order to avoid having to walk all over the house for that one spray or cloth, I have learned to take a look around the room and see what is available. For example, I have cleaned the mirror with a little water and a clean washcloth. This morning I used cheap clarifying shampoo to clean my bathtub. Then, I try to make a note to stock that room with what was missing for next time.
Do the next thing. This old saying has saved me quite a few times. When I don’t know what to do next or I have lost my list for the hundredth time, I just remember that I should do the next thing. Just look around and see what needs to be done next.
FAVORITE VIDEO LINKS & TOOLS
I have included a few links to my favorite cleaning videos and tools below.
My favorite cleaning videos:
My favorite cleaning tools/cleanser:
FREE PDF DOWNLOAD
If you would like to download (and print off) the checklist with the cleaning routine, just enter your email below for an immediate download. (Be sure to go to file, copy, to edit.)
In conclusion, a chronic illness can wreak havoc on the most organized home. However, a simple routine and checklist can put order back into the home. Steps can also be taken to decrease cleaning, enjoy cleaning, and mix rest in with labor. It is also important to hydrate yourself and eat light snacks to keep up your energy.
These tips have helped me tremendously and I hope that they help you.
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