We all love our homes to be clean - they make us feel comfortable, happy, and healthy. And because of that, every day, we do some of the following chores - washing the dishes and laundry, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, cleaning the appliances, taking out the trash, etc. But, doing all of this, although great for our bodies and souls, can take its toll on our hands. Over time, they can become like sandpaper - something that neither feels nor looks good! But fear non! There are ways to protect sensitive skin while doing housework! And we are here to share those ways with you! We assure you that if you follow these tips every time you clean, your hands will not only become soft but also rejuvenated. Thus, without further ado, here are some ways to protect your sensitive skin while doing housework.
Always Wear Gloves When You Clean
This just goes without saying - if you want to protect sensitive skin while doing housework, you must always wear gloves. Most of the cleaners we use have toxins in them. And those toxins are responsible for our dry and cracked skin, among other things. Thus, go and by cleaning gloves this instant! And, be sure to buy some that are in your size—having gloves that are either too big or too small can make you clumsy.
Wear the gloves while doing all household chores - not just the ones that involve getting your hands wet. When ‘dry’ cleaning (moping or dusting, for example), you will certainly get in contact with dirt, water, and chemicals. The same applies to doing chores such as doing the laundry and dishes. Even if you have help (read: a dishwasher and a washing machine), your hands will still get wet. So, wear those gloves!
If Something Hurts—Stop
“Let me just finish scrubbing this oven,” and “It doesn’t hurt that much, let me just finish cleaning this room.” We have all been in these situations. We use harsh chemicals, we don’t wear gloves, and we don’t stop even if it starts itching, burning, and even hurting. Doing this will not only leave you with burns, cuts, itches, and bloody blisters, but it will also leave us with permanent marks. Thus, if you notice that something doesn’t feel right - stop immediately!
The same thing applies to doing other ‘heavy’ work with your hands. For instance, if you have to move, don’t try to pack and heavy-lift all by yourself. That can hurt not only your hands but who knows what other part of your body. Instead, when you need help with bulky items or items that are just too heavy or too tricky to carry with bare hands, simply hire professional furniture movers. They know how to protect themselves when doing the ‘heavy’ work.
Use Gentler Cleaners
Another very, let us say, simple way to protect sensitive skin while doing housework is to use gentler cleaners. Yes, strong chemical cleaners will clean your home better. They will clean the dirt, kill the germs, and disinfect your home in all possible ways. Use those cleaners when spring cleaning your home, for example. That is, use them when you haven’t cleaned your home in a while and a lot of dirt has accumulated over those weeks (or months).
On all other occasions, use cleaners that have either natural or gentler ingredients. Usually, those cleaners have some kind of a sign on the packaging, so read it carefully before buying. Or, if you are not sure what to buy—opt for homemade cleaners! Most of the things you clean every day can be cleaned with natural ingredients (and the ones you have in your home. For instance, if you need to scrub some surfaces, make a mixture of lemon and baking soda. If you need to clean windows or some other glass surfaces, make a mixture of warm water and white vinegar. Look for some other DIY solutions online - all chemicals can be replaced with natural ingredients.
Clean Your Nails
When cleaning, a lot of dirt can accumulate under our nails. And, if we don’t clean them thoroughly, that dirt (together with all the germs and bacteria) can spread to other parts of our body. The worst-case scenario that can happen here is that you transfer that dirt to your eyes and month and end up with severe infections. Save yourself from these! You have three options to do that - hire professional cleaners, wear gloves when cleaning, and give your nails some TLC after every clean.
For TLC-ing (for giving your nails some tender, loving care), you should start with removing everything under your nails. Use a toothpick for that. Then, once you ensure there is no dirt left, scrub your nails and, if you want, disinfect them with some alcohol. Finally, put on some cuticle oil and apply a couple of coats of hand cream throughout the day.
Give Your Hands Some Proper Care
What we said about TLC-ing your nails applies to your hands as well. You don’t want to age prematurely! Yes, you heard us—hands (and neck) are the first to show signs of aging. And, if you don’t take care of them properly, your hands will age long before you do. Don’t allow this to happen - all you have to do is have a good hand care routine. That is, you should have a weekly routine and a routine for after cleaning the kitchen or bathroom, for example.
One of the best hand care routines anybody can do starts with a gentle scrub. Use a sugar scrub (not a salt one as it is too harsh) once a week. Then, put on a hand mask (also once a week). And finally, slather your hands, from the tips to the elbows, into a hand cream. If you want, you can also explore with some oils and serums too!
Use SPF
Let us finish the article by mentioning how important putting on sunscreen is. SPF not only protects us from burns and wrinkles but also from serious diseases such as melanoma. So, whenever you find yourself outside, either going for a long walk or doing some short outdoor chore, put your sunscreen on! Put it everywhere - on your hands, face and neck, and all the parts of your body that are not covered with clothes.
As you have seen, there are many ways you can protect sensitive skin while doing housework. So, you have no excuses. Take care of your hands - you will need them for the rest of your life. And, don’t be lazy; doing all the previously mentioned things will only require minutes!