Organizing and Labeling Clothing, Laundering, and Housecleaning Tips When Blind or Low Vision 

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Navigating laundry, clothing organization, and housecleaning tasks can be challenging for individuals who are blind or low vision. However, these everyday chores become manageable with the right strategies and tools. This article provides practical tips and suggestions to help you simplify these tasks, from labeling clothing and organizing your closet to efficiently washing laundry and maintaining a clean home. 

Organization and Labeling 

Organizing and labeling your clothing, undergarments, and jewelry requires attention and several different labeling techniques. Here are some organization and labeling tips that can help. 

Check the Lighting 

If you have low vision, it’s helpful first to check the lighting in your closets and dressing areas: 

  • Is the lighting bright enough for you? 
  • Is the lighting even and without deep shadows? 
  • Does the position of the lighting help or hinder you when you try to identify and select your clothing independently? 
  • Take your selected clothing to the nearest window and see if extra light can help you identify or differentiate colors. 
  • When you want to match colors, hold your clothing items side-by-side under bright or natural light. 
  • Keep a flashlight in your nightstand drawer or near the closet to help you read labels or distinguish colors. 

See Redesigning Your Home for additional information on lighting, color, contrast, and room-by-room modifications. 

Use Organizing and Sorting Systems 

Before implementing a labeling system, try using any of the following organizational techniques:  

  • Use tactile cues like texture, cut, style, and button design. Using these cues can help you identify many clothing items without labeling them. 
  • Place a matching outfit together on one hanger (suit, shirt, belt, tie, and slacks). 
  • Group similar clothing together. Place slacks in one part of the closet, shirts in another. 
  • Use egg cartons or plastic ice cube trays to organize small items like jewelry and accessories. 
  • Use plastic Ziploc bags to separate socks and hosiery. 
  • Establish a specific location for each item and consistently return it there. 
  • Organize clothing and personal items. Shoe boxes, fishing tackle boxes, craft boxes, and storage units can help you organize your clothing and smaller personal items, such as earrings, rings, watches, and hosiery. 

Storage and Labeling 

Simplify your wardrobe management by utilizing different-shaped containers, labeling options, and tailored storage systems. 

  • Use different-shaped containers: Group similar items together in separate drawers or containers. 
  • Store jewelry appropriately: Use a jewelry box with dividers or organize by color, style, or material. 
  • Consider custom-designed storage: Many companies specialize in custom shelving and closet organizers. 
  • Label clothing: Use large print labels, braille, tactile symbols, “no rust” laundry safety pins, iron-on patches, or buttons. 

Clothing Care 

Make laundry day a breeze! Follow these helpful tips to streamline clothing care routines and achieve clean, wrinkle-free clothes. 

Laundry 

Laundry can be challenging for people with low vision or vision loss. However, a few helpful techniques and tools can make it easier and more efficient. 

  • Mark washer and dryer settings: Use braille control panels, tactile marks, or count clicks to determine settings. 
  • Sort laundry efficiently: Use different-sized baskets or bags to separate clothing. 
  • Keep socks together: Sock Tuckers or Sock Locks can help you keep socks together when laundering and storing. 
  • Use mesh lingerie bags: Protect undergarments and other fine washables. 
  • Consider wearing all-white or all-black socks: These can be easier to identify by touch or sight. 
  • Separate new clothing: Wash new items separately to prevent color runs. 
  • Treat stains promptly: Use pre-treatment solutions and safety pins to mark stains. A stick-style pre-treatment on the stain before laundering can offer more precise application and control. When applying it, follow a pattern (such as left to right) and use overlapping strokes. 
  • Avoid wrinkles: Remove clothing promptly from the dryer and hang or fold immediately. 
  • Use wrinkle-remover spray: After applying the spray to clothing you’ve removed from the dryer, snap the garment wrinkles will come out.  
  • Measure detergent accurately: Use measuring cups or the detergent cap. 
  • Consider safety: Check lint filters regularly. 

Ironing 

The following ironing tips enable someone who is blind or low vision to iron safely and efficiently. 

  • If you have low vision, use a solid-color ironing board cover. 
  • Mark fabric settings on the iron as needed.  
  • Add water to a steam iron with a funnel or a turkey baster. 
  • Use a cord holder to prevent setting the iron down on the cord and help you locate the iron handle. 
  • You can monitor the water level in the iron by lightly shaking it. 
  • Instead of reaching out to locate the iron, always follow the cord to locate the iron safely. 
  • Rest the iron on a heat-proof pad. This will also prevent accidentally knocking over the iron. 
  • To find out if you’ve smoothed out the wrinkles, run your hand lightly over the ironed part of a garment. 

Housecleaning 

Here are some helpful house-cleaning tips for individuals who are blind or have low vision. 

  • Use a schedule to determine when things are likely to need cleaning. By following a regular cleaning schedule, it’s easier to maintain a minimal standard: 
  • Store your cleaning supplies in a bucket or plastic carrier. You can also use an apron with pockets to carry your cleaning supplies as you work. 
  • Label your cleaning items and keep them in a location separate from your food supplies.  
  • Never mix ammonia and bleach; the mixture can produce a deadly poison. If your cleaning products contain either ingredient, they should never be combined or mixed with anything else. 
  • Clean the stovetop immediately after cooking. 
  • Routinely wipe all countertop surfaces after food preparation and clean the microwave after each use. 
  • Sweep, mop, and vacuum regularly. If you miss dirt or dust during one cleaning, you can pick it up the next time. 
  • Wipe the shower immediately after bathing when the soap film has not yet adhered to tub and wall surfaces. 
  • Clean the bathroom mirror regularly. It tends to gather spots from activities at the sink, such as shaving, tooth brushing, and hand washing. 

Cleaning Surfaces and Windows 

The following techniques enable someone blind or visually impaired to clean surfaces and windows independently. 

  • A “static” duster, such as a sheep’s fleece or acrylic duster on a wooden handle, will collect the dust rather than move/push it from place to place. 
  • A vacuum or dust buster will pick up the dirt or dust rather than move/push it from place to place. 
  • Use a feather duster to dust small objects. 
  • Dustcloths with furniture polish included are now available. They can be found in grocery stores in the cleaning supplies section. 
  • When cleaning a tabletop or window, apply the cleaning agent to the cloth. 
  • If you use a spray cleaner, locate the nozzle and spray the product into the cloth instead of onto the tabletop or window surface. 
  • You can also use multi-purpose pre-moistened cleaning cloths or wipes designed for unique surfaces, such as stainless steel. 
  • Clean windows in vertical and horizontal patterns, using overlapping strokes to avoid streaks. Always work consistently, from left to right, to ensure you’ve cleaned the entire surface. 
  • When cleaning a tabletop or other surface, use the locating technique to remove all items from the area to be cleaned. Be sure to place the items in a memorable location. 
  • Measure the work area with your free hand and use it as a border marker each time you move to a new section. This helps divide larger areas and surfaces into smaller, more manageable sections. 
  • Run your fingertips lightly over the stove, countertop, and table surfaces to locate food residue or areas requiring special attention. 
  • When cleaning tabletops, follow a pattern. For example, begin in the far right corner of the table surface, working from the far edge to the front edge. Use small circular movements or overlapping strokes. Work until the entire surface or section is covered. 
  • Use a tray or cookie sheet at the front edge of the table surface to collect crumbs. 
  • Always check picture frames, windowsills, and door panels, since dust settles on horizontal and electrically charged surfaces, such as televisions and radios. 
  • Check the cleaning cloth periodically to determine if it needs to be turned or requires more polish. 
  • Go over the entire surface once more with a clean cloth. 

Floor Cleaning Tips 

  • When sweeping or mopping, divide the floor into smaller sections using furniture or appliances as “landmarks.” 
  • Gather dirt toward your feet and move it with you as you sweep. When cleaning one section of the floor, use a dustpan or dust buster to collect the dust and dirt. 
  • Hint: Use the width of your shoulders as a basic sweeping stroke. 
  • Use a dustpan with a long handle. That way, you don’t have to stop. These often come with a broom attached. 
  • Remember to plan your cleaning so that you end up near the dustpan or dust buster and do not “lose track” of the collected dirt. 
  • Familiarize yourself with your vacuum cleaner so that you can find the attachments you need, change the settings, replace bags, or clean filters. 

Use Preventive Cleanup Techniques 

Specific locations in the home are more likely to accumulate dirt and grime, such as the sink and stove in the kitchen or any other place where you tend to stand and work frequently. 

  • Work over the sink or on a tray whenever possible. 
  • Routinely wipe all countertop surfaces after food preparation, clean the microwave after each use, and wash/mop the kitchen floor weekly. 
  • Use the principles of “over cleaning.” Clean well beyond the working space or area to ensure you reach all soiled areas. 
  • The areas around handles on cupboards and appliances, switch plates, and doorknobs will likely have finger marks. 
  • There are usually splashes and drips on the counter and walls near the coffee maker. 
  • Check the wall behind the trashcan for dirt and splatters. 
  • If you spill something on the counter, it usually runs down the outside front of the cupboard and inside it. 
  • Splatters are likely on the stovetop, counter, and walls when making spaghetti sauce. 

Tips for Washing Dishes 

  • Ensure the sink is clean before filling it with hot water. 
  • Fill the sink with hand-hot water, with the water level no higher than one hand’s length from the top. 
  • Wash glasses first and finish with pans containing cooking residue, grease, or other hard-to-remove materials. 
  • Use your hand to locate a free/open space before placing dishes in the rack. 
  • Ensure the sink is free of objects or debris after washing the dishes. 

By incorporating these practical tips and strategies, you can effectively manage laundry, clothing organization, and housecleaning tasks with blindness or low vision. With careful planning, organization, and the right tools, these everyday chores can become accessible and less stressful. Remember, the key is finding what works best for you and adapting these techniques to fit your needs and preferences. 

By Maureen A. Duffy, M.S., CVRT