Gransnet forums

Chat

Fell off the stepladder again,

(64 Posts)
thisisnotme Tue 22-Oct-19 10:17:06

Busy cleaning the conservatory this morning which I hate. The ceiling is very high and I’m very short therefore I have to stand at the very top of the stepladder to reach with a long handled broom etc.

Last time I fell off the ladder was because I was listening to Elvis which necessitates singing and ultimately dancing along to the music. Needless to say I fell off, wasn’t hurt and carried on cleaning.

This morning on the advice of my OH, I was listening to Bach. The reasoning being that you don’t dance to Bach!

However what neither of us had anticipated was the fact that I would be compelled to ‘conduct’ the orchestra - with both hands of course - hence today’s little accident.

What daft things do you do when cleaning?

nipsmum Thu 24-Oct-19 11:45:31

I have quite a small home with not too high ceilings, I have an IKEA step stool which allows me t reach most things. As there is nothing in the loft I don't need to use the step ladder. So climbing is not a factor for me but then cleaning is seldom a factor either.

CatterySlave1 Thu 24-Oct-19 14:10:54

I like to sing along to the radio as I’m cleaning and it may or may not involve (Uhum) a bit of hip/bottom wiggling (can’t call it dancing). As I can trip over my own shadow I don’t climb up things so use those extendable feather dusters which are great.
OP maybe you should listen to a debate or play on Radio 4? Just don’t shout at the radio and fall off again lol

anniesgrannie Thu 24-Oct-19 17:21:32

I have a long handled (bamboo) soft brush that belonged to my grandmother, it must be over a hundred years old. Perfect for dusting high ceilings.

cas58 Thu 24-Oct-19 18:26:39

thisisnotme....I really have nothing to say but you really made me laugh! xx

cas58 Thu 24-Oct-19 18:29:54

Margs, you always hoover last! You have to, all the dust falling to the floor. Just makes sense. smile

jocork Sat 26-Oct-19 19:44:21

I'm relieved to hear that many of you consider cleaning as something to be avoided as much as possible. I admit to being a slut so if I was to dust after hoovering I'd need to hoover again for sure. I'm currently trying to build myself up to a bout of cleaning during the half term holiday, but cleaning is the easy bit. It's the tidying I'm really dreading. I've just got to set my procrastination to one side. I've already wasted the first day! blush

jocork Sat 26-Oct-19 19:46:07

I won't be going up any ladders though. If it's out of reach it doesn't existas far as I'm concerned!

welbeck Sat 26-Oct-19 19:54:18

Quentin Crisp — 'There is no need to do any housework at all. After the first four years the dirt doesn't get any worse.'

i follow that wise man's approach.
it's true by the way.

please avoid working at height. your health is more important. think of your loved ones, if not yourself.

sharon103 Sat 26-Oct-19 20:35:15

I'm with you Margs dust first and then hoover. Not both in the same day. wink

M0nica Sat 26-Oct-19 21:47:09

I always dust ceilings a day before I do the rest of the cleaning. We live in an old timbered house, so lots of spiders and several high ceilings (as well as low ceilings).

Dust the ceiling, which only gets done occasionally, the day before so that the dust descends onto furniture and other items you dust before vacuuming.

Callistemon Sat 26-Oct-19 21:51:35

Some years we seem to get lots of those little 'harvest spiders' which come in and make webs in the corners of the ceilings but so far I haven't noticed any this year.

AllotmentLil Sat 26-Oct-19 22:06:55

I recently tripped on the first of a flight of stone steps (in the middle of a crowd of people naturally) knelt down neatly (said a prayer wink) then got up as if I’d meant to do it all along and carried on. I’m glad to say nobody offered to help except DH! When I got home I realised I’d ripped my jeans so it was obviously worth it as I’m now in fashion!
But seriously, my friend fell off a step ladder several years ago in her early seventies and her ankle has never been right since - so be careful everybody.

Granny23 Sat 26-Oct-19 22:38:21

Having recently fallen while trying to leap onto a small platform, breaking my humerus in the process, I believe my leaping and climbing days are over. I am in a lot of pain and cannot shower or dress without assistance. Consultant at the fracture clinic reckons that it will be months rather than weeks, of rest and physiotherapy (because I am "ELDERLY")
before I can drive, change duvet covers etc.

Being used to being the carer, rather than the "cared-for" I am finding this situation very difficult and have vowed to exercise caution rather than bravado in future.