Overview
Spring has sprung! With the nicer weather upon us, it’s a great time to refresh your living space. In this article, our Home Management Instructor, Jodie, shares some tips and techniques you can use, including wiping down counters, vacuuming, sorting laundry, and changing bed sheets.
Tip 1: Wiping down counters
When wiping down surfaces nonvisually, following a pattern can help you keep track of which areas you’ve already cleaned. Wipe from left to right, and use your nondominant hand to feel in front of your cloth for crumbs or sticky spots. Finally, run a clean, dry hand over the surface to make sure you didn’t miss anything.
Tip 2: Vacuuming carpets
When vacuuming a carpeted room, try using the “grid method.” Break the room into sections, push the vacuum forward in straight-line passes, and after each area, take one step to the side and repeat until it’s completed. You can also use your foot and the wall as guides to track your progress as you move through the room.
Tip 3: Washing and sorting laundry
Using laundry pods can simplify the clothes washing process, since they are pre-measured—just toss one into the load. When adjusting the washer or dryer settings, consider adding tactile labels (like bump dots or braille), so you know exactly which setting you’re using. For sorting clothes, use safety pins, buttons, or braille tags to mark items and differentiate them from one another.
Tip 4: Changing bedsheets
Start by identifying the corners of your sheet and lining them up with the mattress. You can determine the correct orientation by checking the tag or seams. Once the sheet is in place, secure one corner at a time, moving diagonally across the mattress so the sheet stays in place.
Interested in brushing up on your home management skills? Learn more about the Orientation Center for the Blind and all the classes it has to offer.