How to make spring cleaning more comfortable, according to experts
'The body in general tends to function best in terms of energy efficiency and injury prevention when our joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles are placed in positions that do not deviate into extremes of bending, straightening and twisting,' said Julie Landis, a physical therapist and certified professional ergonomist.
Though it can be tempting to outsource your spring cleaning to the pros or skip it altogether, Landis explains keeping up with daily chores like spring cleaning 'limits our exposure to the ergonomic risk factors' that can put us at risk of injury and diminish overall quality of life. 'Anything that helps you reach better, grip better, distribute or minimize force are going to help,' she said.
No matter your age or mobility level, investing in the right spring cleaning products makes the chore far more comfortable. To find out what cleaning products can help alleviate pain while cleaning, we tapped experts on their favorite picks below.
Swiffer Sweeper 2-in-1 Dry + Wet Floor Mopping and Sweeping Kit
Landis is a fan of this user-friendly floor mopping and sweeping kit for the way it 'minimizes reach, supports reduced forces and supports reduced awkward postures' thanks to its extendable and comfortable handles, grips that contour comfortably around the hand and heads that rotate for easy access. It doesn't require a dustpan or a bucket, further reducing your need to bend down below the knees, which she cites as an 'awkward position' that can act as a major source of stress.
Buysenton Microfiber Duster for High Ceilings
'As mobility changes, bending down or reaching high places can become harder,' said Kathy Cohoon, cleaning expert and director of operations at Two Maids. 'Long-handled dusters and extendable microfiber mops allow you to clean baseboards, ceiling fans, shelves and other hard-to-reach areas without straining your back or shoulders. These tools reduce the need for excessive bending and reaching, making cleaning safer and more manageable.' This option features a telescopic extension pole of up to 100 inches, making it easier than ever to keep dust bunnies and cobwebs off your ceilings and remote spaces. Plus, its long reach omits the need to stand on a ladder or chair, which can further put you at risk of falls.
Trazon Scrub Brush Set, 3-Pack
Scrubbing the likes of grout and tile can place undue stress on the wrist and hand due to the repetitive side-to-side motion required of the wrist, according to Landis. 'Cleaning supplies and tools that contour and fit the hand comfortably and contour to the item being cleaned will also help reduce the forces associated with cleaning,' said Landis. To reduce strains, she recommends this three-piece set featuring brushes of varying angles with nonslip handles to help you comfortably target every nook and cranny of your home.
Zayad Reacher Grabber Tool
'If bending over or stretching to reach items is uncomfortable, a grabber tool is a simple but very effective solution,' said Cohoon. 'This tool allows you to pick up lightweight objects and retrieve items from high shelves without needing to stretch or climb, making them a safer alternative for a more senior audience.' Mobility assistance aside, this grabber tool acts as a buffer between your hands and any unsanitary objects you're looking to discard while you prep your home for spring.
Dyson V8 Absolute Cordless Vacuum
'Cleaning tools that are lightweight and small enough to easily push and pull and maneuver under furniture are also very helpful in minimizing force requirements,' said Landis. Her go-to pick for achieving sparkling clean floors, pain-free? The Dyson V8 Absolute, which should check off all your boxes in a cordless vacuum: It has powerful suction, a 40-minute run time and a built-in HEPA filtration system — all in a lightweight and cord-free 6-pound device.
Clorox Large Room True HEPA Air Purifier
Hack your way to a cleaner home and happier lungs with this air purifier designed to capture airborne irritants in rooms of up to 1,500 square feet. 'Additional tools can be incorporated into your spring cleaning] that reduce the amount of time needed for dusting, which have the added and primary benefit of improving the quality of the air we breathe,' said Landis. 'Using a purifier like the Clorox Air will remove circulating allergens found in dust and will purify the air circulating in the house.'
Oxo Good Grips Extendable Shower, Tub and Tile Scrubber
Cleaning your tub can place undue stress on the joints for numerous reasons, like the awkward barrier the bath wall creates against your hips and torso to the several vertical feet of tile coated in soap scum far out of reach. Make the task infinitely more efficient and productive with this extendable scrubber Landis recommends. It features an abrasive antimicrobial scrub brush that does the literal dirty work for you, along with a replaceable head shaped to tackle the most confined areas of your bathroom.
Berkland Extra Long Bed Sheet Tucker Tool
Whether you're on the shorter side or struggle with mobility, the effort required to make your bed is enough to send anyone into a nap. Landis recommends this sheet tucker to facilitate the task, as its long ergonomic handle acts as a lever to lift the mattress.
Tantea Mattress Lifter Wedge
Speaking of making your bed with ease, Landis recommends this mattress lifter to help you effortlessly apply the fitted sheet over your mattress deep enough so it doesn't slide off mid-slumber. It's durable enough to lift mattresses up to 1,000 pounds and its comfortable curved grip is also a dream to use on achy hands.
Bissell Steam Shot OmniReach Handheld Steam Cleaner
'If strong cleaning products irritate you, consider using a steam cleaner,' said Cohoon. 'These cleaners use hot steam to sanitize surfaces, so they eliminate germs and grime without harsh chemicals. They're perfect for deep-cleaning floors, countertops and even upholstery while also being gentle on your lungs since they don't use harsh chemicals like other cleaning products.' The Steam Shot OmniReach from viral brand Bissell got the stamp of approval from cleaning expert Jolie Kerr in testing. It excels in cleaning everything from grout to faucets and caked-on food to countertops, making it a versatile investment no matter your spring cleaning needs.
Timoxi Wearable Cleaning Caddy Bag
'We're all familiar with the best practice of bending at the knees and not at the hips and to not twist the spine when lifting,' Landis said. But when swiftly switching from one cleaning supply to the other or reaching for an item in a high-up cupboard, we often take shortcuts that can put our bodies at risk for injury. Skip risky movement patterns altogether by keeping all your cleaning supplies within arm's reach. This wearable cleaning caddy bag perfectly organizes your essentials, and its cross-body strap helps evenly distribute weight across your back.
Highyes Electric Spin Scrubber
'Scrubbing grout, bathtubs and tile floors can be pretty demanding on the body. That's where electric scrubbers and drill brush attachments can come in and do the hard work for you,' Cohoon said. 'They use rotating bristles to lift dirt and grime with minimal effort, which means you can keep your bathroom and kitchen sparkling without putting stress on your joints.' A version of the TikTok-famous electric scrubber we appreciated in testing is also available under a different brand with numerous attachments and a motorized rotating brush for a precise and deep clean. Its cordless and portable design makes it particularly suitable for cleaning all areas of your home, from the bathroom to the kitchen and everything in between.
Gorilla Grip Extra Thick Kneeling Pad
'Housemaid's knee is a term that originally referred to scrub maids who developed the injury from spending a lot of time on their knees cleaning floors,' said Landis. If you'll be stationed in a kneeling position for an extended period, consider this thick cushioned kneeling pad designed to protect your knees from hard unforgiving surfaces like tile, cement and hardwood. Its water- and slip-resistant construction allows you to clean safely in moist or damp environments and it's thick enough to shield your knees from rocks and rubble should you be taking your spring cleaning to the great outdoors.
Troozy Folding Hand Truck
Spring cleaning is about so much more than disinfecting your space, but of giving a new life to items collecting dust in your home. Instead of struggling with boxes of clothes and household items destined for the donation bin, move them effortlessly out of your home with this folding utility cart. It's designed to hold up to 500 pounds, it features an extendable base plate to stabilize wider items and it comes with a flexible rope to prevent heavy items from tipping over.
RollaReleasa Pikk-it Tool For Vacuum, 2-Pack
'Repeating the same task over and over can add to injury potential,' said Landis. Instead of painstakingly removing each strand of hair and each particle of dust from your vacuum cleaner, leading to potential hand, finger or wrist overuse injuries, tend to the task effortlessly. This unique gadget features zinc alloy teeth to rake right through hair so your vacuum can function to its full potential.
Simple Houseware Heavy Duty 3-Tier Utility Rolling Cart
This rolling cart not only allows you to organize your supplies into categories, but it makes transporting them from room to room a breeze. Its side hooks also give you quick access to smaller cleaning essentials from scissors to sponges and cloths.
Eko Mirage-T Touchless Motion Sensor Trash Can
A touchless trash can is the solution to safely discarding items with full hands or an aching back. It features a sleek smudge-proof design that'll fit neatly into compact spaces and a generous 50-liter capacity to maximize storage.
Apple Watch Series 10
If you think of spring cleaning as your low-impact cardio for the day, it helps to have the latest edition of our favorite smartwatch on hand. Use the timer function to organize your cleaning session into manageable time blocks and even check out your steps at the end of your session to help you feel accomplished after all that movement. Because spring cleaning can indeed feel physically rigorous, take advantage of its advanced health features to get alerts when your heart or respiratory rate becomes irregular.
Conair Fabric Shaver and Lint Remover
Pilling isn't only unsightly, but it can leave your favorite upholstery susceptible to further unraveling. This Underscored-approved fabric shaver and lint remover breathes new life into household and sartorial fabrics while limiting additional force or effort from your wrists. Its ergonomic grip makes it comfortable to handle, its cordless, battery-powered operation offers practicality and it features three controls to customize your shave level, whether you're restoring your favorite reading chair or saving your couch from the wrath of your cat's paws. The following FAQs were answered by Julie Landis, physical therapist and certified professional ergonomist.
How can you make spring cleaning more manageable?
How can you make spring cleaning more manageable?
Don't do it all in one swoop. According to Landis, 'Breaking work into smaller units keeps the cleaning and clutter under control, more manageable and less stressful both physically and mentally,' said Landis. 'When work is done little by little, the body has time to recover and reenergize. Think of cleaning as mini workouts and the same principles of restoration between bouts of exercise apply.'
Landis also recommends enlisting cleaning tools that minimize reach (like a grabber tool) and awkward postures and support your joints (such as a knee pad).
For this article, we consulted the following experts to gain their professional insights on how to make cleaning easier and the cleaning products they love.
Kathy Cohoon, cleaning expert and director of operations at Two Maids
Julie Landis, physical therapist and certified professional ergonomist
CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, contributing editor Marissa Miller tapped a cleaning expert and physical therapist on how to make cleaning easier, along with the cleaning products they love.
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If you're a parent, 'tummy time' is probably a familiar term, considered by many to be key to the physical development of babies. But now, tummy time is trending for adults, too. Getting out of your desk chair and spending some time on your stomach might seem awkward at first, but if you think about how long you sit in the same position much of the day — at the office, on the couch and in the car — it makes sense. Experts say it's offsetting the effects of tech neck and tight hips, too. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average worker spends 45% of the day sitting. In addition to sitting, they stare at electronics all day; 91% of Americans own a smartphone. Screen-based lives might be causing a variety of orthopedic problems. 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'Over time, this pressure placed on the discs can accelerate disc degeneration, pinch nerves, reduce mobility and trigger symptoms that radiate into the shoulders, arms and hands.' He said not addressing poor posture affects your spine's function in the long term. 'That strain can lead to chronic neck pain, stiffness, instability and pain throughout the rest of the body. If left uncorrected, poor posture can lead to wear and tear on the spine that's harder to reverse down the line.' Tummy time can impact hip and back pain. Adult tummy time also helps to open up the front of the hips and activate the core and back muscles, which are key players in everyday back pain. 'Many people spend far too much time sitting, whether at a desk, in a car, or on the couch. The human body was not designed for such inactivity,' said Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, a spinal and orthopedic surgeon at the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care in New York and New Jersey. He fears if we don't change these habits we will soon see 'an increase in musculoskeletal issues across all age groups.' These include: Degenerative disc disease, where the discs between the vertebrae begin to wear down due to constant pressure and a lack of movement. 'This can lead to stiffness, pain, and even nerve compression.' Sciatica, occurring when the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed, often by a herniated disc or tight muscles in the lower back. 'People may experience sharp pain that radiates down the leg, along with numbness or weakness.' Tight hip flexors, leading to pelvic misalignment and lower back pain. 'Over time, this can impact your gait and make everyday movements more difficult.' Flipping onto your stomach can counteract extended sitting just as it does for infants, he said. 'When you lie on your stomach, you naturally extend the spine, which helps reverse the flexed posture that sitting creates. 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If you're a parent, 'tummy time' is probably a familiar term, considered by many to be key to the physical development of babies. But now, tummy time is trending for adults, too. Getting out of your desk chair and spending some time on your stomach might seem awkward at first, but if you think about how long you sit in the same position much of the day — at the office, on the couch and in the car — it makes sense. Experts say it's offsetting the effects of tech neck and tight hips, too. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average worker spends 45% of the day sitting. In addition to sitting, they stare at electronics all day; 91% of Americans own a smartphone. Screen-based lives might be causing a variety of orthopedic problems. 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She shows viewers a progression of lying on your stomach with multiple pillows under you, and then reducing the number, assuming pain goes away each time. She recently made a new video, noting her old one probably gained traction due to tech neck, a term used to describe the chronic shoulder or neck pain experienced from using technology. She showed some updated techniques in the video and stated that it's even hard for some patients in her clinic to get into that position on their stomachs — but it's important to be able to do. Tummy time can have an effect on tech neck. 'I've seen a noticeable increase in patients of all ages complaining about neck stiffness, tightness or pain, which can be linked to prolonged screen time,' said Dr. Ehsan Jazini, a spine surgeon at VSI in Reston, Virginia. 'The mechanics of looking down for long periods squishes our spinal discs, which I refer to as 'shock absorbers' of the spine,' Jazini said. 'Over time, this pressure placed on the discs can accelerate disc degeneration, pinch nerves, reduce mobility and trigger symptoms that radiate into the shoulders, arms and hands.' He said not addressing poor posture affects your spine's function in the long term. 'That strain can lead to chronic neck pain, stiffness, instability and pain throughout the rest of the body. If left uncorrected, poor posture can lead to wear and tear on the spine that's harder to reverse down the line.' Tummy time can impact hip and back pain. Adult tummy time also helps to open up the front of the hips and activate the core and back muscles, which are key players in everyday back pain. 'Many people spend far too much time sitting, whether at a desk, in a car, or on the couch. The human body was not designed for such inactivity,' said Dr. Gbolahan Okubadejo, a spinal and orthopedic surgeon at the Institute for Comprehensive Spine Care in New York and New Jersey. He fears if we don't change these habits we will soon see 'an increase in musculoskeletal issues across all age groups.' These include: Degenerative disc disease, where the discs between the vertebrae begin to wear down due to constant pressure and a lack of movement. 'This can lead to stiffness, pain, and even nerve compression.' Sciatica, occurring when the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed, often by a herniated disc or tight muscles in the lower back. 'People may experience sharp pain that radiates down the leg, along with numbness or weakness.' Tight hip flexors, leading to pelvic misalignment and lower back pain. 'Over time, this can impact your gait and make everyday movements more difficult.' Flipping onto your stomach can counteract extended sitting just as it does for infants, he said. 'When you lie on your stomach, you naturally extend the spine, which helps reverse the flexed posture that sitting creates. This gentle spinal extension relieves pressure on the discs, especially in the lower back, and allows the back muscles to stretch and activate differently.' In addition, you are able to open the hip flexors, which are often tightened and shortened from sitting too much. 'By relaxing into a prone position, the hips and pelvis can realign more naturally, which supports better posture when you return to standing or sitting,' Okubadejo said. So, your tummy time actually makes you better at sitting too. Here's what tummy time looks like for adults. 'The adult tummy time position isn't natural for most of us, so I recommend starting slow, and breaking adult tummy time into increments,' Jazini said. 'Take three to five minutes at a time, a few times a day, lying on your stomach while propped on your elbows. You should feel a stretch in the front of the neck, as well as in your back and in your hips.' Katie Breaker, a sales director in Denver, said she'd tried various seat cushions and stretches without much improvement in back pain. Then, her physical therapist suggested tummy time — simply lying face down for 10 minutes per day. 'No devices or setup. Just a flat surface, arms by the side, and a quiet room. After about a week of doing this twice a day, I added a thin towel under my chest and held it for fifteen minutes,' she said. Two weeks later, she could feel her back decompressing and had less hip tension and more flexibility. 'I could walk longer during event setups without fatigue,' she said. So, she kept upping her time and now does two 20-minute sessions per day, especially during long workdays on a computer. Jazini recommended pairing this practice with a screen break, too. 'Take five minutes to do something away from your screen whether it's going for a short walk, stretching, or grabbing some water.' You can work up to hourly breaks of around five to 10 minutes, setting a reminder or timer to stay on schedule. Breaker said: 'I still sit most of the day, but I do not carry the same tightness I used to. It has been the simplest thing I have added, and it has worked better than anything else I tried.' Related... Should We All Be Squatting More? This Surprising Posture Has Serious Health Benefits As You Get Older If You Notice This Sensation When Walking, Your Shoes Are Probably The Wrong Size
