Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Cleaning as a blind (self.Blind)
submitted by r_1235
I am a fellow blind person, and I am just stepping in to the world of being fully independent. I understand that blind people have been doing cooking, and doing other household chores for a long time independently. One thing that I fail to manage on my own is cleaning. I mean grooming and self care works, but cleaning the actual house, or even flore is very tough. I suppose I could use Be My Eyes to get guidance on where to clean and to know whether the things are cleaned properly, but, that seems a bit weird solution.
Cleaning washroom and bathroom is even more tough. There are lots of places where you could knock down bottles and whatnot, and at the end, I don't even know if I've done a fine job. Same goes for Kitchen.
I suppose a made and housekeeping service could do the job for me if i decide to stay on my own, but even then, it's not really being independent, isn't it.
I can manage Dishwashing occasionally, but I feel that if i were to do that without anyone's watchful eyes, I could really mess up things there.
So, question to blind folkes out there, how do you do these tasks.
Cleaning washroom and bathroom is even more tough. There are lots of places where you could knock down bottles and whatnot, and at the end, I don't even know if I've done a fine job. Same goes for Kitchen.
I suppose a made and housekeeping service could do the job for me if i decide to stay on my own, but even then, it's not really being independent, isn't it.
I can manage Dishwashing occasionally, but I feel that if i were to do that without anyone's watchful eyes, I could really mess up things there.
So, question to blind folkes out there, how do you do these tasks.
retrolental_morose 11 points 2y ago
We live without sighted people for many days at a stretch. Apart from things you have to consciously think about, such as tea which may stain a surface but cannot be felt, there's very little that can't be managed.
Vacuum or mop floors by clearing them of obsticals then being thorough and methodical to cover all parts of the surface.
surfaces for food prep can be swept into a dustpan or bag before cleaning.
move sundries from bathroom or kitchen shelves before cleaning under and around them, and so on.
You can choose sprays, wipes or detergents as you prefer, whatever you are more comfortable with. it's just a matter of being regular, being organised, and knowing where things get dirty and making sure you are in a good routine.
I love my steam mop for floors, have a number of chopping boards for prepping meat and fruit/vegetables, and use kitchen towel when doing messy jobs (icing cakes, shaving carvings, refilling condiments etc).
Vacuum or mop floors by clearing them of obsticals then being thorough and methodical to cover all parts of the surface.
surfaces for food prep can be swept into a dustpan or bag before cleaning.
move sundries from bathroom or kitchen shelves before cleaning under and around them, and so on.
You can choose sprays, wipes or detergents as you prefer, whatever you are more comfortable with. it's just a matter of being regular, being organised, and knowing where things get dirty and making sure you are in a good routine.
I love my steam mop for floors, have a number of chopping boards for prepping meat and fruit/vegetables, and use kitchen towel when doing messy jobs (icing cakes, shaving carvings, refilling condiments etc).
achromatic_03 5 points 2y ago
I have some vision, but floors are most challenging for me. I have a roomba, which does well at "sweeping " the hard floors and vacuuming the carpet. Once in awhile I will also go around the edge of the room with a small stick vacuum attachment to get the very edge. For the hard floors, after the Roomba goes, I use a swiffer, doing a pass going side to side and then more long-ways as a second pass, to be thorough. Then I do the wet Swiffer pads, then a wash rag with water because the wet swiffer leaves a residue. Maybe that's a lot, and I feel bad because it is kind of wasteful, but it's what works best for me.
r_1235 [OP] 2 points 2y ago
Thank you all for those interesting suggestions.
I am a person who likes to learn things, and even if I can hire someone to do the job, I am always ready to get my hands dirty. So, I request you all to look at my original post as someone who is trying to learn things, rather than someone who just wants getting the job done.
I am a person who likes to learn things, and even if I can hire someone to do the job, I am always ready to get my hands dirty. So, I request you all to look at my original post as someone who is trying to learn things, rather than someone who just wants getting the job done.
Myerrobi 1 points 2y ago
Maybe a housekeeper who will teach you and give feedback
doodoobrown530 2 points 2y ago
Maybe reach out to a VRT to help you develop some of those skills. Otherwise grid-like patterns are your friend.
UpsideDownwardSpiral 2 points 2y ago
You said-
"I suppose a made and housekeeping service could do the job for me if i decide to stay on my own, but even then, it's not really being independent, isn't it."
...I actually think it's a perfectly independent thing to have a cleaning service come to your home to do normal cleaning. Obviously, you want to know how to clean up a spill or something like that when it happens though,
I have lost most of my vision at age 35, so I have the benefit of knowing how cleaning goes, and can imagine what things look like though actually seeing them.
But I was referred to some training classes to adapt and be independent. Maybe there is some kind of services that can teach you as well. The classes I will be using are somehow affiliated with the school for blind children in my area. If you have a school for the blind near you, you should ask them about some kind of independence training.
I have not taken the classes yet because COVID, but it was briefly explained to me very simply. I was told- "When you are cleaning, be very thorough, then when you are sure that it is clean, clean it again." This may help you with simple things like washing dishes and simple cleaning.
"I suppose a made and housekeeping service could do the job for me if i decide to stay on my own, but even then, it's not really being independent, isn't it."
...I actually think it's a perfectly independent thing to have a cleaning service come to your home to do normal cleaning. Obviously, you want to know how to clean up a spill or something like that when it happens though,
I have lost most of my vision at age 35, so I have the benefit of knowing how cleaning goes, and can imagine what things look like though actually seeing them.
But I was referred to some training classes to adapt and be independent. Maybe there is some kind of services that can teach you as well. The classes I will be using are somehow affiliated with the school for blind children in my area. If you have a school for the blind near you, you should ask them about some kind of independence training.
I have not taken the classes yet because COVID, but it was briefly explained to me very simply. I was told- "When you are cleaning, be very thorough, then when you are sure that it is clean, clean it again." This may help you with simple things like washing dishes and simple cleaning.
julesB09 2 points 2y ago
I agree with you here in regards to hiring someone and yet still being independent. Especially if they find the right help. This can be used as a step towards fuller independence. For example OP could clean to the best of their abilities and then have someone come over to do a professional cleaning and show them recurring missed spots. Eventually this will help OP create a mental checklist of what to do different next time.
Also, while I myself am not blind, my mom is. One thing we've learned in helping her adapt as her vision declines is picking battles. I truly want her to feel like she is capable of anything! But there are tasks that while possible, they aren't practical. OP, you get to define what independence means to you, but consider if you spend 10 hours cleaning what it would take someone else to do in 2, it might be worth considering if your time is better spent in other ways. This is especially this case of toy work in a job that pays more per hour than the cleaning service charges. Look at the cost of the time it takes to clean vs. how much money you can make in the same time. If you have a job that pays enough to pay for a cleaning service, it's still being done. At the end of the day, finding a way to get things done is very independent.
Also, while I myself am not blind, my mom is. One thing we've learned in helping her adapt as her vision declines is picking battles. I truly want her to feel like she is capable of anything! But there are tasks that while possible, they aren't practical. OP, you get to define what independence means to you, but consider if you spend 10 hours cleaning what it would take someone else to do in 2, it might be worth considering if your time is better spent in other ways. This is especially this case of toy work in a job that pays more per hour than the cleaning service charges. Look at the cost of the time it takes to clean vs. how much money you can make in the same time. If you have a job that pays enough to pay for a cleaning service, it's still being done. At the end of the day, finding a way to get things done is very independent.
Prefect316 2 points 2y ago
100 percent this. Thanks for putting into words what I came here to say.
julesB09 2 points 2y ago
No shame in the hiring someone game!!
DrillInstructorJan 1 points 2y ago
To all of the people who have said they can clean perfectly well - you never tell them that! Jeez, what's wrong with you people! I've become expert at allowing a tear to trickle deftly down my cheek as I lament my total inability to vacuum, sweep or do the washing up! Haven't you guys read my book, Using Your Disability to Get What You Want?
But in all seriousness, yes I can do it reasonably okay, I'm never that confident in it, and yes usually we have someone come in. Not during virus, though. You end up spending a lot more time on it because you don't want to have missed things. I have a thing about not wanting to fulfil any cliches about disabled people being untidy either personally or in terms of how we live and it is something I really want to get right.
But in all seriousness, yes I can do it reasonably okay, I'm never that confident in it, and yes usually we have someone come in. Not during virus, though. You end up spending a lot more time on it because you don't want to have missed things. I have a thing about not wanting to fulfil any cliches about disabled people being untidy either personally or in terms of how we live and it is something I really want to get right.
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