Fibromyalgia Support Group

Mine is to use the washing machine as a mop bucket. I use a self wringing mop. Fill the washing machine with water for at least a large load. Add whatever you are going to use to clean the floor with. Let it wash a minute to mix it up good. Put the mop in and use the washer like a mop bucket to do the floor. When finished let the washer finish it's cycle to clean it out and I usually run it through an extra rinse.

No lifting and bending for nasty mop buckets. You always know where it is and it is self cleaning!

that is a wonderful idea, too bad i have a front loader danggit! lol.... i wish i had some tips to share but this all new to me and im still learning

well for the memory things i put everything in my phone. i have my phone on me at all times. and i set the alarm to go off when i am suppost to do something. plus i have got rid of most of all of my nick nacks. so i don't have that much dusting to do. since sweeping and mopping really hurt me, i bought me a very small shop vac and i use that on all of my floors and when i do mop i mop on my hands and knees.

What an awesome idea, Nitalynn! I would have never thought about that one! If you have a rag mop that can be changed, you could always run it through each time to clean it as well! I use the swiffer mop, which is nice, but I still like my rag mop better.

My tip-designate household chores to other people in the house if there are any. Lighten your work load up some. Dishes-do them as you dirty them, even if its just a glass or a pc of silverware. Buy yourself a shiatsu massager or ask for one for Christmas. They're awesome!!!

What a great idea Nitalynn! I am not sure that I have any tips, and darn it, I just bought a front load washing machine and they lock shut, and wash clothes differently. One thing my mom taught me to do was (I have severe back problems) is to sit at the kitchen table when doing many things. like peeing potatoes, rolling out dough for anything, etc. When peeling potatoes, spread newspaper on the top of the table and when done, just fold up the papers with the potato peels inside and throw them in the garbage. If you need to cut the potatoes, have a cutting board on the table and cut the potatoes, all the while you are sitting down doing all of this so you don't have to bend over and have a very much more painful back. If you put your potatoes in cold water, just (before you start) also bring a bowl of cold water to the table so you can drop the potatoes in the water immediately after done peeling or cutting. Think about it,most anything you do at the sink where you have to bend over, can be done while you sit at the kitchen table.

This is a great topic. Too bad we don't have more input on it here. There must be some more fibro warriors out there with great ideas. Let's hear them friends~~~don't be shy!!

Hugs~

Christine

Hmm I was sitting here trying to figure out what I do to make things easier for me. FIBRO BLANK!! Well the only thing Ican think of right now is when I peel potatoes I usually peel them into the sink on a papertowel and then throw it away when I am done instead of trying to lean over the garbage basket. I also use a stool and sit at my island to do alot of things which makes long jobs easier. I know a tool that sometimes makes things easier in the kitchen for me because my wrists are so weak. It looks like a bottle cap remover but a little wider and has a hook underneath it to lift lids, that does make life easier for me. I will try and think of some more.

Greta idea Nitalynn, I try to do all tasks in little bits. Do a little and then rest and do a lttle more. My favorite kitchen appliance is my slow cooker, I put everything in to cook turn it on and go take a nap.lol I'm fortunate in that I can delegate tasks to my son or hubby who are always happy to help. If I think of anymore I'll be back. Happy Turkey Day to everyone!

I use some of the millions of plastic bags from the grocery store for peeling vegetables into. Also if I am using veggies that I have to peal like carrots and potatoes (a starch not a vegetable, I know) for dinner at night I rinse them off at the sink, put them into the plastic grocery bag and bring them to my computer where I work on them while I am working at the computer. When I get up from the computer most of the prep work is done and then I can rerinse the veggies, throw away the bag and start cooking. I would not try this with onions though. You could end up accidentally rubbing your face or eyes and that would be a mess.

When I am folding clothes I sit on the end of the bed with the laundry basket on a box I keep in the bedroom for that purpose. That way I can stack clothes on both sides of me in several piles within relatively easy reach without having to stretch or bend too much.

A long time ago someone suggested using a disposable mop like the Swifter or the Clorox system to clean the tub.

I just came across this just now....for those of you who like to blow dry your hair but whose arms get tired, did you know they make stands to hold your dryer? Here's a link to a sale on one! http://www.bradsdeals.com/deals/hair-dryer-styling-stand-6- p58956.html#instructions

When cleaning, bring your garbage bag or the whole container with your from room to room. Put your supplies in a caddy you can carry from room to room. Open your mail over the garbage can or keep your "to shred" box under your desk and open your mail there, that way you won't end up with huge piles of junk mail that you end up going through everytime you clean.

exercise even when it hurts

be organized-learn to do a little cleaning every time you go to the bathroom or the kitchen-if we keep it simple it all gets done.

we keep our medications and due dates on a calendar- this way we know what is coming up and plan around that for going to town-the trip is quite long and we cannot run in and back easily.

for me it has gotten to the point that I simply can't cook any more- so we buy the good TV dinners, healthy choice, Stouffers, Lean cuisine. Albertson's always have something on sale, and that way they are affordable.I suspect that your grocery store has the same sales.

By buying on sale they are surprisingly economical. My honey buys ground round at a butcher shop, again shopping the sales, and he makes it up into patties and bags them in sandwich bags. They defrost in a thrice in a cup of warm water and this makes for economical meals, add a can of corn, some frozen broccoli or some other veg and he has made up a meal in no time.

Usually the sale price goes down to $2.5 and frequently $2.00. on the frozen meals, there is a large variety and for 2 dollars a meal that is not a bad price.

I never buy anything online that isn't on sale....

If you are near a costco and are a member pay for the upgraded membership, they let you in an hour earlier and there are fewer people there. If you know your way around and split up the list you can be in and out in half an hour without too much pain. And the prices are much better when you uy in bulk.

Ditto everything Rayn said re: cleaning

Always buy the sales. If you are not use to it get used to it....food prices have gone up 30% in the last 5 years and are going to go up much higher since the Fed has devalued the dollar so much this month....so economy is going to be crucial.

A lot of us live in pajamas at home. I buy cheap but comfortable ones online at wallmart....$10.00 for something comfortable? I try to keep enoughSo that a whole washload is just tht

hugs