Cleaning is a demanding chore, even for those without disabilities. If you struggle with strength, mobility, or balance, those challenges often become even harder. While some theorize that convenience is key for habit-building, painful tasks rarely feel easy or convenient. Even everyday back pain can be a strong deterrent to physical cleaning tasks, such as mopping.
Whether you are disabled, experience chronic pain, or just find cleaning uncomfortable, we have 5 mopping solutions for you. We hope that these tips will help to make the task a little bit more accessible. From changing your tools to being more gentle with yourself, we hope these tips make mopping easier and more comfortable!
Mopping and Cleaning With Limited Mobility
Tip 1: Try a Spin Mop!
Mopping is often a difficult chore for those with limited mobility because it requires so much bending and scrubbing. Many of the mops available today are not very effective in removing dirt. This makes the process of mopping take even longer than it should. Ineffective cleaning makes the chore so much worse!
Spin mops have revolutionized mopping by using centrifugal force to expel dirt and grime from your mop head. With more effective tools, you can work smarter, not harder. The chore will go faster and you’ll have floors that are cleaner than ever.
Tip 2: Try a Mop With a Longer Pole
Tovar’s Easy Cleaning began because we were tired of bending over with standard 51” mop poles. We can imagine that for disabled individuals, or those with chronic back pain, straining to mop is even more painful. Even spin mops have this problem.
When we designed our Spin Right mop, we focused on improving the construction and extending the handle of our mop to 61”. Those choices have eliminated the pain of bending to mop. Because our handle is longer, the Spin Right mop also makes it easier than ever to sit and mop. The Spin Right pole is thoughtfully designed to last longer, too.
Our Spin Right bucket is also designed to make cleaning easier. With a stainless steel wringer, rather than the flimsy plastic that is so common and breakable, you’ll have even less work to do.
Tip 3: Try Reusable Mop Heads
If you struggle with mobility or have a disability, going to the store for cleaning supplies can likely be a tedious task. Instead of running to the store to buy disposable pads for a dust mop that will just push the dirt around your floor, consider reusable mop heads.
All of our mop heads and dusting cloths are machine-washable. Not only is this more convenient for you, it’s also much more environmentally sustainable! Once you buy your mop and microfiber mop heads, you’ll only need to restock on cleaning solution.
Tip 4: Take Breaks as Needed
Cleaning is a marathon, not a sprint. The tasks never seem to end! Instead of pushing yourself to get everything done at once, take it one task at a time. A half-mopped floor is still cleaner than an unmopped floor!
As the famous aphorism says, “Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good”. Go at whatever pace is right for you.
Tip 5: If you Can, Ask for Help
We recognize that not everyone has the community or ask for help, or the means to pay for assistance. If either of those options is accessible to you, however, we encourage you to consider it!
We all need help sometimes, and it’s okay to outsource the jobs that are too much for you. Whether that looks like a friend coming over to clean your floors or you hiring a monthly housekeeper, you don’t have to do it all alone.
Mopping Solutions for You
Most companies don’t make cleaning tools with disabled people in mind. This is an absolute shame, especially considering that 13% of the American population is disabled. Mops are constructed flimsily with short handles and can be painful to use. If you are disabled or have chronic pain, we can empathize with the struggle of completing chores around the house.
Cleaning is a task that everyone must do to some extent, and we believe that it should be as accessible as possible. We hope that if you struggle with mopping, these solutions help make the chore more comfortable. Happy mopping!
