Ways Older Family Members Can Keep Their Home Clean

In an online Nielsen survey, 31% of global respondents stated that they cleaned their home daily. However, Nielsen Global Business Partner, Sarah Peters, commented that a one-size-fits-all approach to cleaning does not work. In addition to varying preferences and expectations, issues such as financial situation, family members, and age, health, and mobility should be considered.

There is a difference between being messy and actually being unclean, although the two can often meet. Maintaining a clean house can be difficult at the best of times but for elderly people, it can become an increasing burden. Improved understanding and convenience for the elderly, seeking ways to keep their house clean, can range from useful cleaning hacks to longer-term prevention methods, such as understanding that items that are unsafe to pour down a sink shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet, dumped in a storm drain or buried in the yard.

Drain Care

There is a lot of material and waste products that end up being thrown down the sink or flushed down the toilet that can result in blocked pipes, which can lead to a whole host of further problems. Coffee grounds are one such product that should not be flushed away but should be disposed of in the trash. Grease left over from cooking is another one that must not be washed down the sink as it can build up in the pipes, eventually leading to them becoming completely blocked. One further product that shouldn’t go down drains but may be overlooked by an elderly person is any sort of medication.

A great, simple way for elderly people to keep their household drains clear is to once a week, fill the sink with a mix of warm water and vinegar and then release the water. The combination of vinegar and pressure from a full sink will help to flush the pipes.   

Cleaning Hacks

For older people, possibly with reduced mobility and health issues, convenience is a top priority when it comes to household chores. Thinking of a few quick-fix hacks can make life easier. For example, instead of storing cleaning supplies in just one place, keep set of supplies in different locations around the house. If you have pets, especially dogs that are using artificial grass, convenience also means using the right products—discover the best artificial grass cleaner for dog urine to help keep outdoor spaces fresh and hygienic with minimal effort. In doing this, it makes it easier to clean as you go, whether it’s quickly wiping down a work surface or bleaching the toilet bowl. This in turn reduces the need to regular deep cleans which are laborious and tiring.

Hoarding

That mess we mentioned earlier can often be in the form of hoarding, with elderly people often having huge collections of things that they have accumulated over the years. While mess itself can bother some house-proud folk, it might be considered cozy by others. Either way, depending on how excessive a problem it is, keeping the chaos organized can be one step to ensure cleanliness in the area can be seen to.

Of course, for some, hoarding is a genuine problem. In which case, letting go and having a spring clean may be in order. In this case, Dr. April Benson suggests a shift in perspective and the importance of elderly people understanding that letting go does not have to signal loss, but can also mean making space for something, which can ease anxiety.

Keeping your house clean does not have to be a strain for elderly people. Maintaining good habits can make cleaning easier and quicker and reduce the need for regular intensive spring cleans. Knowing the tricks and understanding how to prevent longer-term issues can help keep a home clean and fresh for longer.

Having the best cleaning product for each situation is always helpful. Review this guide reviews available cleaning products for each situation.

Aging and Safer Homes

A cleaner, less cluttered home offers one big benefit for aging parents and loved ones: a reduced risk of falls. If you have an older parent, grandparent, or even a neighbor, helping them lower their chances of falling is one of the best ways to support their health and independence for as long as possible.

Falls are often the trigger for long-term care. Whether it’s in a facility or at home, care is expensive. Without Long-Term Care Insurance, those costs typically come out of pocket unless you qualify for Medicaid, which requires having little to no assets. Depending on family members for daily care is also challenging since they have their own careers and responsibilities. 

The National Council on Aging notes that the good news about falls is that most can be prevented. Beyond keeping the home clean and organized, it’s important to recognize common risk factors:

• Balance and gait: Aging often reduces coordination, flexibility, and balance—especially with inactivity—making falls more likely.
• Vision: Older eyes receive less light, which makes it harder to see edges, obstacles, or tripping hazards.
• Medications: Certain prescriptions and even over-the-counter drugs may cause dizziness, dehydration, or interactions that raise fall risk.
• Environment: Many older adults have lived in the same home for decades without considering simple safety modifications.
• Chronic conditions: More than 80% of seniors have at least one chronic illness, such as diabetes, stroke, or arthritis. These often increase fall risk through lost function, inactivity, pain, depression, or the need for multiple medications.

Being proactive can make a difference. For your loved ones, that means taking steps now to reduce risks. For yourself, it also means planning ahead for the costs and challenges of aging. Long-Term Care Insurance helps protect assets and relieves your family of the heavy burden of providing care as you grow older and may need help with daily activities. 

Experts recommend purchasing coverage before retirement, when premiums are lowest and your health qualifies you for the best options. With guidance from a Long-Term Care Insurance specialist, you can design a plan that matches your health, finances, and family needs. Most people acquire an LTC policy between the ages of 47 and 67, but both younger and older adults have available options.