[Blindtlk] Keeping House Independently

Tue Mar 15 18:33:38 UTC 2016

If someone says to you, "You can't do it as well because you don't notice stuff," then work harder at it. But honestly, if you feel like hiring someone, do it. I would never, never use volunteer assistance. That has implications. I have a suspicion that you are unclear because you've been told you can't; ignore those voices, but if you need help with it, get someone to help you sometimes but do the work yourself. If there is something you feel your aren't doing well because you are blindness, ask these good people here.
Cindy Lou

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Judy Jones via blindtlk
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 1:19 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Judy Jones <Judy.Jones at icbvi.idaho.gov>
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Keeping House Independently

Hi,

I have never had someone coming in to keep house, have been trained from the git-go  to keep house independently, and unless you have any physical disabilities that don't allow you to bend, stretch or climb a ladder when need be, there is no reason you can't keep house independently.

I remember growing up and my mom saying, if you're not sure it's clean, clean it.  It's all a matter of regularly policing your house, policing your yard to make sure everything is tidy and in its place.  A sighted person can glance around to see what is needing done.  We can't.  The tasks can go amazingly quickly if done regularly.

If you do your cleaning on a regular basis, you shouldn't have any problems.  You can feel dust and do it once a week, unless doors and windows are open, then you may need to do it more often.

Bathrooms and kitchens a wipe-down every day.  Toilet, tub, and shower cleaning weekly, wiping the outside surfaces every day.  And clean kitchen, everything and wipe as you cook.  Don't forget the backsplashes of sinks.  Wipe down the stove hood.  Wipe finger print areas near door knobs and light switches.  We can't see those but they gather smudges.

One area I always manage to forget unless I reach up there is the top of the fridge.  My mom was sighted, but she was the same way, would not think of it unless she had occasion to reach up there.

Windows and glass clean weekly.  Dust sills and any edges, only takes a few seconds.  Don't forget any mirrors or the TV screen.

Vacuuming.  I used to have a guide dog, my husband, too, and should do this every other day to keep the hair down.  Use the cane to check under furniture for toys, socks, whatever, then either vacuum underneath or move furniture out and vacuum behind.  I recommend maybe once a month for moving furniture out, but others may think differently.  When doing the floor, work in a grid pattern.  In a large room, do one area, then overlap into the next area working back and forth slowly.  If your pattern does not reach the middle of the room because the room is too big, think of the middle as an area of its own.  In smaller rooms, you can also criss-cross where, you've done to be sure you have covered everything.  

Maybe my lack of using it, but I have not found the Swiffer to be a great tool.  Yes, it picks up, but I have a hard time telling how much.  Maybe it's my inability to use a Swiffer very well, but I prefer the good old vacuum to do the best job.  Make sure you give extra attention to perimeters, corners and under furniture.

When using a broom, sweep toward the edge of a porch, or to an area where you can pick up the dirt.  Since I use the vacuum in house, I use the broom for the patio and porch.

Also, one thing  we don't see is wals and ceiling corners.  Make sure to go over those with your vacuum extension when you do your main vacuuming.  Someone from Service Master told me once, that all walls need is to be swiped with a damp rag or mop to keep them clean, just using a little dish soap in the water, the way we would clean our countertops.  Make sure rag is not bordering on drippy, because don't want to ruin the paint job.

Here is a link to a wonderful cleaning site that helps organize cleaning, and I love it.  Lots of good ideas, forums, e-mails and some products.  And they really encourage us not to get overwhelmed with what needs doing.  Don't think you have to do everything at once, but start bit by bit doing small things consistently, and add to them as you get used to your routine.

http://www.flylady.net/

You can organize your cleaning chores in your calendar.

Oh, another thing, every week maybe, check to see that your light bulbs are functioning, especially for the benefit of sighted guests.  Any sighted person in the home will notify us if a light is out, but we have to check regularly if no one sighted is available.  This goes for porch lights, too.  My husband and I use a light probe.  And when I'm ready to check, I'll turn on the lights for a few minutes, then off, then replace the bulbs that are out.  Hot bulbs are working, cool ones are dead.

I am short, so don't know what I would do without my step ladders.  A 3 foot one, and a six foot one.  Don't be afraid to get up on that ladder, or get down on your hands and knees, whatever it takes to check and/or clean areas.

Hope some of this helps, and let us know if you have any other questions, always glad to help.

Judy

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Christine Olivares via blindtlk
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2016 10:49 AM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Cc: Christine Olivares
Subject: [Blindtlk] Keeping House Independently

Hello everyone,
I just wanted to get your opinion about keeping house independently. I used to have someone come in once a month just to help with things I may have missed, but I am debating whether to do this still or not. I did get some rehab training with cleaning, but I am not the best at it. My main hangup is using a broom, as I just can’t figure out how it is done. I just invested in a Swiffer so I hope that helps.

I was wondering if you keep house independently, or if you have someone sighted come in once in a while to make sure things are kept nicely and are not dirty. Thanks so much for your thoughts.

Christine
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