Cleaning can be a very labor intensive task for anyone, regardless of whether or not they are affected with rheumatoid arthritis. The weight of the cleaning supplies and the motions used to clean can require a lot of energy and put excessive strain on the joints. Below are some tips that can be used to help save a little energy while cleaning so that you have it for more important things in your day.

1) Eliminate all unnecessary tasks. For example, use a dishwasher to wash and dry dishes. If you do not have a dishwasher, let the dishes air dry. Soak dishes in soapy water before starting to scrub them so that it is easier to get food off.

2) Keep all necessary cleaning supplies in a basket so that they can be carried around easily and unnecessary trips to and from rooms to gather supplies can be avoided.

3) If you live in a 2 story home, keep a set of cleaning supplies on each floor to avoid having to carry supplies up and down stairs.

4) Clean everything in one room before proceeding to the next.

5) Use two hands to clean whenever possible. Use smooth and symmetrical motions rather than short jerky ones, as they can aggravate the joints.

6) Avoid keeping a lot of clutter around. This creates more work as you will have to first move all of the clutter before cleaning the area.

7) Sit whenever possible to complete cleaning tasks (i.e. dusting, ironing, using a riding lawn mower)!!!

8) Sit beside the bathtub to clean it! This eliminates the need to bend over as far to clean. Also, try to use self-cleaning foam or aerosol tub and tile cleaners to accomplish this task as they help reduce the amount of effort needed to clean.

9) Use a long-handled sponge when cleaning to avoid needless bending and reaching. 

10) When washing windows or walls, move from top-to-bottom so that the movements are with gravity and not against it.

11) Always use a mop or broom to clean the floor and avoid getting down on hands and knees to clean whenever possible. Although, if it is necessary to get on hands and knees, only do so for short periods of time and wear knee pads (or put squirt bottles with water underneath the knees). Whenever dusting or vacuuming, maintain proper posture to avoid putting extra stress on the muscles.

12) When doing repetitive tasks such as vacuuming or mowing the lawn, take frequent rest periods or break up the tasks. For example, mow the front yard one day and the backyard the next to avoid fatigue.

13) Hang clothes on hangers to avoid wrinkles and ironing.

14) Put garbage cans on small cart and wheel them to the street to avoid having to pull or carry them.

15) When ringing out dish clothes or towels press the moisture out with the palm of the hand instead of the fingers. A sponge should be used whenever possible as it is more absorbent than a towel, and therefore requires less energy. Sponges with handles are recommended as they are easy on the joints and more energy efficient.

16) Store dishes close to the sink so that it will be easier to put them away once washed.

17) It is easiest to make a bed when it is away from the wall. If it is possible to move the bed away from the wall, move it to avoid expending needless energy every time you make your bed. To make the bed, start at the top, tuck the sheets under as you move down the bed, and work your way around, smoothing as you go. Then swing around to the foot of the other side of the bed and do the same thing. Fitted sheets are recommended, as they do not require a lot of tucking and adjusting.

18) When doing laundry, avoid lifting and carrying as much as possible (especially wet clothing). Either slide or kick the basket across the room, or ask for help. Wash clothes frequently to avoid large loads. Set up an ironing area next to the washer and dryer so that these tasks can be completed in the same area. Sit while ironing, and use a light weight or travel iron!!! Do not iron unnecessary items (i.e. do not iron bed sheets, hang dresses or skirts in the bathroom during showers and allow the steam to get the wrinkles out).

 19) Use paper towels to clean up to reduce the towel laundry load!

20) Use assistive devices to help clean your home!