I wish I could say that having a chronic lung disease makes you exempt from cleaning your house, but alas, it does not. However, here are some tips that can help you prepare and maybe make it easier to accomplish.
- Use your controlling bronchodilator before you start. If you take it only once a day in the evening and you think you’ll get winded in the morning or afternoon while you clean, take two puffs of your rescue medication before you begin to clean.
- Put all your cleaning products in one place such as a pail that you can easily carry from room to room.
- Don’t overdo it. Clean whatever you can and rest when you need to. The rest of the stuff will still be there tomorrow.
- Keep your windows open for ventilation while cleaning.
- Use non-toxic cleaners that don’t have a strong scent. Mom used this back in the day for everything-it works!
- 1 tsp. liquid soap
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1 quart warm water
- Still washing walls? Use a mop to reach for those high areas.
- Use a damp cloth for dusting and spray water on the bottom of a broom to prevent dust and animal hairs from filling the air you’re breathing.
- Check for water leaks that can cause bacterial and mold growth such as in your shower area or basement.
- Use long-handled dustpans to avoid bending over after you sweep.
- Use a lightweight vacuum and make sure it has a clean filter.
- Have a professional clean your air ducts.
- If you choose to hire a cleaning service, make sure to ask what type of cleaning products they use. A service might save you time, but the products they use could cost you a trip to the ER.
For a list of cleaning products deemed safer by the EPA visit www.epa.gov/saferchoice/products.
If you take proper precautions before cleaning, you can tackle your tasks in a safe way. Grab those buckets!