Household Task
Tips

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GARBAGE
 When lining your garbarge can with plastic bags --- 
put ten or so extra in the botom of the can. When you 
pull one out that is ready to go to the garbarge you 
will have another at your finger tips to replace it. 

OPENING DRAWERS AND DOORS
       - Slide your fingers through handles so the force 
         used in opening is spread through the palm. 
       - On knob-type openings keep fingers straight and 
         spread the force through several fingers. 
       - Try to avoid opening cabinets and drawers with 
         your fingertips. 
       - Attach a loop of ribbon to slip over the hand then 
         pull open using strength in wrist or forearm 

CLOSING DRAWERS AND DOORS
       - Close cabinets using the palm of the hand with 
        fingers straight. 
       - Or close with little finger against the drawer. 
       - Never use your fingertips or thumb and index 
        finger to close cabinets 

REMOVING THINGS FROM SHELVES
      - Pull object from shelf with palm of one hand and slide 
         into pam of other hand
      -  If this is not possible, pick object off shelf with both 
         hands. 
      -  Place objects back onto shelf using both hands. 
      -  Store heavy items on center cabinet shelves, light 
         objects on high or low shelves 

LIFTING PANS   
       - Keep fingers straight as possible
       - Support pan under handle and on the side
       - Using both hands to distribute the weight and 
         minimize stress on the joints 

OPENING CANS, JARS
    - Alternating hands to open and close jars prevents 
      stress in the direction of the little finger
    - Use the palm of your right hand to open jars, use 
       left hand to close jars
    - Non slip type material provides a better contact surface 
       between the jar  and hand or the jar and table 

CUTTING AND SHOPPING
     - Position knives parallel to knuckles and keep 
        fingers as straight as  possible. 
     - Pull the knife thru the meat and towards the body
     - For chopping stabilize front of knife with palm of one 
       hands hold handle  with other hand and chop using 
       an up-down motion.

STIRRING AND MIXING
       - Hold spoon keeping fingers as straight as possible. 
       - Stir in the direction of the thumb
       - Build up handles of utensils if you are unable to keep 
         your fingers straight 

FAUCETS
       - Turn faucets on and off using the palm, keep 
         fingers straight 

PICKING UP AND WASHING DISHES
       - Pick up plates, bowls at the sides keeping fingers 
         straight
       - Use palm pressure to hold and lift items. 
       - When washing plates, counters or tables keep 
         fingers straight over cloth or sponges, wash in 
         direction of thumb.

CARRYING GROCERIES
       - Carry groceries and other bundles with your forearms. 
       - Wrists and fingers should be free and relaxed
       - A typical hand grip may be necessary when lifting 
         packages from a car trunk or floor but shift the package 
          into your forearms as quickly as possible 

BED MAKING
       - Make one side of the bed before moving on to 
       the other side. 
       - Smooth sheets with the little finger side of hand and 
        brush out and away from the body

DUSTING
       - Press on dust cloth with fingers straight
       - Dust in direction of thumb

VACUUMING, SWEEPING
       - Cradle the broom, dust mop or vacuum handle 
         with the left hand 
       - Lightly grasp the handle with the right hand. Build 
         up the handle at this point if necessary. 
       - Use shoulder and elbow movements to do the work. 

CLEANING SINKS, TUBS
       - Keep fingers straight and press down on rag or 
         sponges
       - Scrub in direction of thumb
       - A long handled sponge is recommended for 
        cleaning the tub. 
       - To wring water out of sponge press between your 
         palm and the sink 

IRONING
       - Hold the handle lightly or build up the handle to 
         prevent making a tight fist
       - Slide the iron and avoid picking it up and down
       - Sit to iron if possible
       - Buy clothes that don't need ironing 

LAUNDRY
       - Remove clothes from the dryer with a reacher
       - Use clothespins that push on instead of the kind 
         you have to pinch

- My kids are older, so instead of having three 
baskets to sort laundry, I gave each of them two 
(one white, one colored) and told them whites in one, 
darks and colors in the other.  "Now, when the white 
basket is full, you go to the washer and wash a white 
load.  When the dark basket is full, you do the same, 
or you further sort out your colors from your darks."

- It's a miracle!  They've learned that if they hang up 
their blue jeans and haven't tromped around in the 
mud or something, they can get more than one 
wear out of them!!!

- Heck, my daughter (who rarely sweats AT ALL) 
figured out if she put a Post it Note on her just worn 
blouse stating which perfume she waswearing and 
hung it up in the closet, she could get more than one 
wear out of a blouse.  She does her unmentionables 
in the shower whilewashing her hair and swears that 
the shampoo not only cleans them, but makes them 
feel softer.

-  Every few days I ask all members of my family
what they are in dire need of laundry wise.  My 
daughter it's nightgowns, myson it's jeans, my 
husband it's underwear.  I am then able to do 
"laundry to order" a just in time method.  

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