Are you getting into the spirit of cleaning but finding it harder to keep up the way you used to? That’s very common as energy levels, stamina, or mobility change over time. Below are a few practical cleaning tips that can help make household tasks more manageable. You may also find it helpful to revisit this CareBuilders at Home Louisville blog post, which touches on adapting activities to fit changing abilities and routines.
Start Small
You may not be able to tackle cleaning your entire home in a single day or weekend the way you once did. Breaking tasks down by room or area—and spreading them out over time—can help conserve energy and reduce fatigue. Writing a short, realistic to-do list can make cleaning feel more achievable.
Find Accessible Products That Suit Your Needs
Adjusting your cleaning routine with more accessible tools can make a big difference. An accessible product is anything that helps you complete a task more easily or safely. Common examples include robot vacuums, lightweight or long-handled dusters, or tools that reduce bending and reaching. Even small changes can help preserve independence.
Clean As You Go
Staying tidy throughout the day is often easier than setting aside long cleaning sessions—especially if stamina or mobility is limited. Simple adjustments, like placing a small trash bin near a favorite chair or keeping cleaning wipes in frequently used rooms, can help make this habit more practical.
For general guidance on safe household cleaning practices, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides clear, easy-to-follow recommendations that can be useful when planning a routine that works for your home.
This article is for general informational purposes only and is not medical advice. CareBuilders at Home provides non-medical home care services designed to support daily living and independence.
How has cleaning changed for you as you’ve gotten older?
Written by Brigid Coffey
