Official Cleaning Day: IDEWE shares 7 tips for cleaning without physical strain

Cleaning work is often underestimated. Yet household helpers, cleaners and cleaning staff perform a wide range of physically demanding tasks every day. They frequently bend, lift, reach and twist, often for extended periods and in the same position. This places considerable strain on their muscles and joints, which can lead to physical complaints over time.

“Many people assume that back pain is mainly caused by heavy lifting”, says Kristien Selis, Head of Ergonomics at IDEWE. “However, in the cleaning sector, it is often the hundreds of small, repetitive movements that cause problems later on. That is why ergonomic cleaning involves much more than simply adopting the correct posture: it is also about planning tasks effectively, varying activities and making smart use of equipment.”

According to IDEWE, musculoskeletal disorders, such as back, neck and shoulder pain, remain one of the most common health issues in the workplace. Prevention is particularly important in occupations that involve frequent bending, reaching and carrying. Small adjustments to working posture, equipment and work organisation can make a significant difference in terms of comfort and employees’ long-term ability to remain healthy and productive at work.

Appreciation for cleaning professionals should therefore extend beyond recognising their dedication and hard work. It should also include a strong focus on their well-being and health at work. To mark Cleaning Day, Kristien Selis shares a number of practical tips for cleaning in a healthy and ergonomic way.

• Wear appropriate clothing and footwear
  Choose flexible clothing and comfortable shoes that allow you to move freely. The more easily you can move your feet in the direction of your hands while cleaning, the more stable and efficient your movements will be.
   
• Plan realistically...
  You do not have to complete everything in a single day. Spread tasks over several days and alternate physically demanding activities with lighter ones.
   
• ...and vary your tasks
  Avoid performing the same movement for long periods. For example, if you spend a lot of time working close to the ground, alter this with tasks performed at waist height or higher.
   
• Invest in good equipment and use it wisely
  Choose equipment with adjustable handles to reduce excessive reaching and improve comfort. Microfibre cloths also require less force to use. Providing cleaning equipment on different floors or using lightweight sorting bins with handles can help avoid unnecessary lifting and carrying.
   
• Ensure sufficient room to move
  Temporarily move objects out of the way so that you can move around your work area instead of having to reach over obstacles. This is more comfortable and helps prevent back problems.
   
• Move your feet instead of fixing your posture
  Use your whole body rather than relying solely on your back. When working at a lower level, place your feet slightly wider apart or position one foot in front of the other to avoid excessive knee bending. If you need to turn or reach, move your feet in the same direction as your hands. Movement is healthy, whereas staying in one position and twisting places additional strain on the body. Preventing back problems starts with good footwork.
   
• Keep moving when experiencing pain
  Back pain often affects the way we move. People experiencing pain may start avoiding certain movements, which can slow down recovery. Continue to move, vary your postures, and gradually reintroduce movements step by step.

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