Spring cleaning is an excellent opportunity to rejuvenate and restore order in your home. However, engaging in tasks like organizing closets and cleaning out the basement can result in the following:

• Uncomfortable joints
• Muscle stiffness/strains
• Muscle/tendon tightness/pulls and more

Here are a few valuable suggestions to help you prevent injuries while doing a bit of spring cleaning.

Think of it this way: It’s important to avoid spring cleaning injuries because you certainly wouldn’t want them to interfere with the high level of fun you plan on having this summer!

Manage Your Pace

Cleaning the entire house can be physically demanding and time-consuming. Avoid attempting to accomplish it all in a single day. Overexertion during household chores often leads to people seeking assistance in the emergency room!

What is meant by overexertion? Examples:

• Continuously going up and down stairs
• Cleaning nonstop for more than six hours
• Kneeling on the tile floor to clean it
• Reaching overhead to wipe shelves for an extended period of time, etc.

Maintain Proper Body Mechanics

If you need to move heavy objects, remember to use the correct lifting techniques:

• Bend at the knees
• Keep your feet shoulder-width apart
• Hold the item close to your body
• Maintain a strong, flat back, adopting a squatting motion

Here are a few more tips:

• Refrain from repetitive movements
• Utilize cushions for kneeling
• Relax your shoulders when working overhead
• Avoid tensing your shoulders/arms toward your ears

Use Appropriate Tools

Rather than getting down on your hands and knees to clean the kitchen floor, choose a mop with a long handle. Vacuum cleaners can be cumbersome and lead to back pain due to pushing and pulling. If you have a history of back pain, consider using a cordless vacuum cleaner. They are usually lighter and easier to maneuver. When cleaning up high, like ceiling fans or tall windows, make sure you have the proper step ladder to access those areas safely. Never stand on a chair.

Take Breaks and Stay Hydrated

Cleaning should not be treated as a marathon or sprint race. If you clean on a daily basis, you might strain specific muscles. This could increase the risk for injury. To avoid injuries, take short and frequent breaks. During these breaks, remember to drink plenty of water to maintain hydration levels. Adequate hydration is important for preventing injuries to your muscles.

Divide Big Jobs into Smaller Tasks

When tackling significant cleaning projects, especially if you’re alone, it’s important to have a plan. Break down the larger task into more manageable smaller jobs and complete them one at a time.

Listen to Your Body

If you experience pain while cleaning, it’s important to stop and take a break. You may have a natural inclination to complete a task but pushing through the pain can escalate a minor issue into a major one.

Cleaning can strain your body and, as a result, it may signal discomfort and pain. When your body tells you to stop – pay attention!

Do You Clean for a Living? Seek Legal Counsel for Workplace Cleaning Injuries

Contact Corradino & Papa, LLC for workplace cleaning accidents. If you or someone you know has experienced a workplace cleaning accident resulting in an injury, engaging a well-trained and highly experienced team of workplace injury lawyers could only help in the pursuit of the financial aid needed to cover your losses.

Reach out to a New Jersey personal injury lawyer from Corradino & Papa, LLC. Phone us at 973-574-1200 or use our online form to get in touch with a representative who can assist you.