I have a T10-T11 injury, so I can use my arms very well, but I have the hardest time getting an upright vacuum across the floor in my wheelchair, since I can't push my chair and the machine at the same time. I have purchased a small, hand held version, which works well enough for small messes, but it would take forever to use it on a whole room. Does anybody else vacuum from their wheelchair? Do you just do whatever you can reach from a single spot, then let it sit while you wheel over to the next spot? Is there a style of vacuum that works particularly well? Thanks for any help.

That's what I do (when my conscience gets the better of me ). I can't see any other way, whatever machine is used. Putting the wheel locks on helps move the cleaner around.

I have so thought of asking this question before!! When I push the vacuum forward. I roll backward!! I think I am going to start a new thread on "Household hints"

i start off by plugging it in and powering it on

nah i normally do one spot at a time but i've managed to stick it between my legs and push so i get it to go where i want. the only trouble i have is in passages.... other than that i find it really easy doing rooms

I have no idea how to describe the vacuum I have but it is an old one, shaped like a rectangle with a long hose attached and you stick various attachments on the hose. It's not one of those upright ones. Anyway, I'm able to use it relatively easily. I don't have brakes on my chair so I find that I will roll backwards a bit but I sort of push myself along with one hand, stop and vacuum the area, move forward again, etc. It's really just trial and error and finding the right model of vacuum that works for you. I've never tried pushing one of those upright vacuums around and the long hose on my vacuum makes it easy for me to get it into little corners and such.

I brought one of those robotic roomba vacuum cleaners!

I put my left hand on my left wheel to hold myself in place and the right hand pushes the vacuum back and forth. I make sure that I'm pushing the vacuum away from me to the side mostly so that the force of pushing isn't in the direction the chair rolls, that limits the movement effect on my chair. To move around I mostly just slide the vacuum forward and drop the handle, then wheel up to it pick it up and do another section.

I HATE vacuuming but it does have to get done. It's one of the worst chores I have to do. But it is better then sweeping, I can never do a good job sweeping.

Just get Greybeard round to do it for you; he'll even wear his little maids outfit.....

That's so obviously a wind up. Anyone who knows me, knows I always do the housework naked!

Hi

I usually vacuum around my chair then move, and repeat, takes time but gets the job done.

Go to the link below has hints for vacuuming in a chair- also has other handy hints for spinal injuries

http://www.spinalistips.se/index.php?q=vacuum

Good luck

Tanya

oh sorry when i read the title of the post i thought it was another sex topic i get someone else to do it [mcp]

Yeah, me too.... I abused my grandma's Electrolux when I was a horny youngster......

Jim Click to view attachment

Sweeping sucks... I have always just cleared out a room and swept everything towards one wall....... its way easier than trying to maintain some pretty little piles. I havent mastered picking up piles of dirt from a WC... I usually leave that for someone else.. or grab the vacuum to finish the job.

i got a roomba too, its great, plus i did away with carpet for hardwood, sweep alot..........

With brakes on my chair I tended to push outward from my wheel & then move forward & strip by strip the carpet got vacuumed......hrs & hrs later of course. But we've got hardwood floors.....which means sweeping & that believe it or not seems to be harder for me to do than the vacuuming was........but the vacuum we had also had a motor on it that helped propel itself.



That seems kinda "odd" to me; awesome site but the odd part is that it's sweedish.......I thought they were the ones who had SCI as "cause" to seek help to commit suicide.

Funny this topic should come up after I just vacuumed! I use a vacuum with a long hose and changable fixtures. It works well for me, never roll back and i can vacuum pretty much everywhere! I have never tried use one of those upright dyson type vacuums but i can see how it would be alot more difficult!

i also have a whole house vac, just drag the hose around, love it also, going to redo it and put the vents in the floor also so i can just sweep into the floor and not hook up the hose in the wall.......

How to use a vacuum.
1. Turn the sucker on. There should be a button somewhere.
2. You'll notice a loud sucking sound. That will be the vacuum sucking.
3. Place nozzle on floor near dirt.
4. Start sucking.

Simple fast and easy.

E

Edog not everyone just vacuums random spots of carpet.. Try again.