March 24-31 is National Cleaning Week. This national day starts on the fourth Sunday of March and is a time designed to inspire people to start spring cleaning. How well has your dad been cleaning? If he has arthritis or tires easily, he may not keep his home as clean as it should be.
It’s probably been a year or more since these following areas of your dad’s home were cleaned. It’s a good time to tackle them.
Clean Behind and Under the Refrigerator
Vacuuming off the coils on the back of your dad’s refrigerator can help extend its life. The refrigerator is able to release heat more efficiently when the condenser coils are clean of dust, hair, and pet fur. Vacuum the front bottom of the refrigerator, too.
Move the refrigerator out and clean the floor. This cleans up any spills that might attract ants. It also lets you check for signs of leaks.
Dust Light Fixtures
Light fixtures often get forgotten when you’re cleaning the home. Remove the glass and wash it of any grease and dead insects. Check that the bulbs work and replace those that don’t. Put the glass back in place and dust the outer metal parts of the fixture.
For lamps that have lampshades, check them for cracks and wear. Replace them as needed. Otherwise, use an upholstery brush attachment on a vacuum to remove any dust.
Scrub Shelves in the Refrigerator
Using bleach and water, scrub all surfaces inside the refrigerator. Wash out produce drawers. If any of them have liners, replace the liners. While you’re removing items to clean shelves, check for past date or moldy/spoiled items. Toss out anything that is past date or spoiled.
Steam Clean or Shampoo Carpeting and Upholstery
Once a year, you should rent, if necessary, a steam cleaner and clean all the carpeting and upholstery. Spray stains with a pre-treating solution in advance. It’s best to time this for a sunny day when the sun coming in through windows will help speed up the drying process. Fans will also help.
Tackle the Oven
An oven can get dirty quick. Ideally, your dad should clean up spills as soon as they happen. That won’t keep baked on grease away. The oven needs to be scrubbed at least once a year. It’s a fire hazard and keeps the oven from heating efficiently.
Once the home is clean, keep it that way by hiring a caregiver to do the housework each week. Your dad will have someone to do his laundry and light housekeeping. Caregivers can keep him company and drive him around. Call an agency to discuss the other benefits caregivers offer.
If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Aurora, CO, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Denver. Call today: (303) 756-9322.
