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Here at Boas Cleaning Services, we are all too aware of the importance of carpets and general cleanliness in households with elderly or disabled individuals. We have gathered our favourite cleaning tips to keep seniors healthy and the best advice from our experts.
The importance of cleanliness
A 2010 study found a direct correlation between the physical fitness and general well-being of elderly occupants and the cleanliness of their living conditions. Some of the advantages it was able to pinpoint included:
- Increased energy levels and ability to combat fatigue
- Improved air quality and reduction in respiratory issues
- Inhibited transmission of bacterial/viral infections
- Fewer injuries and incidents requiring hospitalisation
- Reduced stress-levels
Cleaning tips to keep seniors healthy
Put a roster/routine in place
Whether you are tackling the cleaning solo or enlisting help of other family members and friends, it is important to agree on a roster and a cleaning routine. The last think anybody needs in bickering among siblings about whose turn it was to do the cleaning. For the sake of harmony and better understanding, try to sit down and agree on a feasible roster based on everyone’s commitments.
The cleaning schedule should hopefully be easier to agree upon and might look something like this:
- Daily: General tidying. Washing up. Disinfect kitchen/bathroom surfaces.
- Monday: Vacuum carpets
- Tuesday: Change bedding/towels
- Wednesday: Laundry
- Thursday: Clean windows and dust surfaces
- Friday: Miscellaneous
Breaking up the routine in this way makes it seem more manageable and less time-consuming.
Carpet cleaning
The carpets might seem like a lesser concern when considering the overall cleanliness of a house, but that could not be further from the truth. One of the most important cleaning tips to keep seniors healthy, which also applies to those with disabilities and compromised immune systems is to clean carpets regularly and thoroughly. Carpets can be a major cause of health problems as they are a natural collector of easily disturbed dust and allergens that can be released into the air inside the house. This is an issue for any occupant with severe allergies or acute respiratory issues.
If occupants suffer from asthma, allergies or other respiratory problems, it must be a priority to vacuum carpets thoroughly at least once a week. Ideally, they will be professionally cleaned at least once every 18 months, more frequently if possible. A reputable, professional carpet specialist like Boas Cleaning Services will remove everything contained in the carpet that traditional vacuums cannot touch, including:
- Dirt and dust
- Pollen
- Pet dander
- Dust mite allergens
Don’t forget any hard flooring like linoleum or tiles, and be sure to vacuum and mop regularly as part of the cleaning regime.
Consider quick-drying carpet-cleaning options
Wet carpets are not something anybody would recommend in households where there are vulnerable people to think about. That’s why quality service providers like Boas offer alternative carpet-cleaning methods when the preferred steam cleaning is not appropriate. Our alternative methods include:
- Dry cleaning
Using significantly less liquid than many other forms of cleaning, dry cleaning uses compounds to loosen dirt and allergens, that are then vacuumed up. This leaves the carpet practically dry as soon as the treatment is completed and can be walked on almost immediately.
- Bonnet Carpet Cleaning
Also known as spin-pad, absorbent-pad, or carbonated shampoo cleaning, the carpet is sprayed with a cleaning solution, and the bonnet machine buffs it to loosen unwanted particles. These are then drawn into the bonnet, prolonging the life and cleanliness of your carpet significantly without a full steam-cleaning
Choose natural cleaning products where possible
It is a fact of modern life that we have grown accustomed to an incredible range of cleaning products for any and all possible applications throughout the home. However, not all of those are exactly environmentally friendly, and some are downright toxic to individuals spending extended periods in the house after they have been used.
Elderly family members will probably extol the virtues of good old-fashioned cleaning products and techniques, and there’s a very good reason for that: because they work. The number of applications for vinegar and baking soda is quite staggering, and you can virtually clean an entire home with just those two substances.
Pay special attention to highly-contacted surfaces
There is a much greater probability of picking up bacteria or viruses from the surface of a door handle than almost anywhere else. Focus your attention on heavily used objects and surfaces before tackling less used ones. Do not neglect things like:
- Door knobs
- Cabinet handles
- Remote controls
- Countertops
- Light switches
- Cups and dishes
- Toilet seats and handles
Contact us
If you would like to learn more about cleaning tips to keep seniors healthy or any other elements of what we do, please get in touch with a member of our team here at Boas Cleaning Services. They will be only too happy to discuss your requirements, discuss costs, and answer any questions you might have.