Spring Cleaning for Disabled People: Accessible, Affordable & Empowering Tips

Let’s talk Spring Cleaning! The days are longer and lighter, the sun is shining (sometimes!) and we are starting to come out of the hibernation of winter and think about sorting out our homes. It’s more than just a tradition, it’s a chance to refresh your home and reset your mindset.

But if you’re disabled or living with a long-term health condition, tackling that deep clean can feel overwhelming or physically out of reach. Thankfully, there are a growing number of tools, services, and supports designed to make the process more inclusive, affordable, and even enjoyable.

From making the most of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) to using smart tools like those in Lynsey’s Cleaning Range by Swan or getting all your cleaning products delivered directly to your door by Smol, this guide is packed with helpful, realistic advice to help you reclaim your space and your energy. You can also find all our Purpl cleaning discount codes here.

Using Your PIP to Get Help With Cleaning

If you receive PIP (Personal Independence Payment), you’re entitled to use the money in any way that supports your independence and wellbeing. That includes hiring a cleaner, even just for a one-off deep clean to get things manageable again. You could use PIP to pay for:

A local cleaning service for a few hours a month
A trusted individual recommended in your community
A professional deep clean to reset your home

We asked our Purpl community how they spent their PIP and 6% told us they used some of their Personal Independence Payments on a cleaner or a gardener. PIP is there to help you financially with the extra costs of life with a disability and so if you are unable to manage your household cleaning or maintainance without support, then don’t be worried about hiring some help.

I use mine for a cleaner as I’m not longer able to manage that.
Jill

I have a cleaner for two hours a fortnight because my spoons are all (and better) spent on emotionally regulating the house.
Vic

Ask for Help

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a solo mission. Many disabled people feel reluctant to ask loved ones for help, but we don’t know what support we could have if we don’t ask! Your friends or family may be glad to lend a hand, especially if it’s for a specific task like moving furniture, sorting clothes, or scrubbing those hard-to-reach areas.

As a disabled woman who lives with chronic pain and an energy limiting condition, I know what it is like to struggle with cleaning and chores but not want to ask for help. You may have had those messages or texts saying ‘let me know if you need anything!’ but it is hard to actually reach out! But if you have had those conversations, then do ask for support. You may find that people are grateful to actually be able to do something to help!

If you have children, it is good to teach them how they can help out. Even from a young age, children can learn how to put things in the bin, or help tidy up. Older children can help with bigger jobs like hoovering or cleaning the kitchen sides. These are life skills that will benefit them as they get older and become more independent.

A woman and a young girl are cleaning a living room and smiling

Body Doubling: A Neurodivergent-Friendly Cleaning Hack

If you’re autistic, ADHD, or otherwise neurodivergent, you might have found that even simple tasks like tidying up can feel massive even if you know exactly what to do. That’s where a powerful little strategy called body doubling comes in.

Body doubling is when you have someone present with you while you do a task. They don’t even have to help, they just sit nearby, do their own thing, or quietly support you, even if that is on an video call! The presence of another person helps create external accountability, focus, and a sense of calm.

If someone’s on video call with me, I’ll actually get started.
Caroline

You can body double in person or virtually. Here are some ideas:

In Person:

Ask a friend, support worker, or family member to hang out in the room with you while you clean.
They can read, scroll their phone, or just keep you company while you do the task.

Virtually:

Set up a FaceTime or Zoom call with someone doing their own chores.
Try TikTok or YouTube “clean with me” videos – many neurodivergent people use these as virtual body doubles!

Pairing body doubling with easy-to-use tools like Lynsey’s Swan Cleaning Range makes the job even more accessible. For example:

Use the cordless vacuum while chatting to a friend over speakerphone.
Steam clean the bathroom while on a quiet video call with someone doing laundry.
Do a “10-minute tidy” alongside a YouTube video of someone doing the same.

Body doubling turns cleaning from an isolating task into something relational, encouraging, and even fun.

A man and woman are cleaning a home, he has a feather duster and is giving a thumbs up

The Game-Changer: Swan x Lynsey’s Cleaning Range

If you’ve ever watched Lynsey Crombie, AKA Lynsey Queen of Clean, you’ll know she’s made a name for herself by making cleaning simpler, quicker, and much less boring. She’s teamed up with Swan to create a line of products designed to be effective, easy to use, and budget-friendly — and for disabled users, this range is full of gems.

pink background with image of Linsey Crombie and cleaning products with text reading effortless cleaning starts here favourites for every season

Highlights from the Swan Range

Cordless Handheld Vacuum Cleaner

Lightweight and powerful with a brushless motor, making it easier to use with limited strength or mobility.
No cords to trip over or untangle — ideal for wheelchair users or anyone who struggles with heavy equipment.
Comes with attachments to tackle pet hair, crumbs, and tight corners.

Handheld Steam Cleaner

A brilliant option for deep cleaning without scrubbing.
Uses just water to remove grime and kill bacteria, so it’s eco-friendly and great if you’re sensitive to chemicals.
Includes a 9-piece accessory kit for tackling kitchen tiles, bathrooms, ovens, and even curtains.

Spray Mop

No buckets needed – this all-in-one spray mop includes a built-in floor cleaner dispenser to make housework easier than ever before.
Comes with 3 different machine washable mop heads
The 500ml anti-leak bottle can be filled with any floor cleaning solution, whether it’s homemade to save money or shop bought.

Cordless Window Vacuum

The Swan x Lynsey window vacuum cleaner has everything needed to clean your tiles, windows and shower screens in a few simple steps. Just spray the surface, wipe with a cloth to loosen dirt then suck up all residue and condensation into the 100ml dirty water tank for fuss-free cleaning.
Cordless cleaning with up to 35 minutes continuous use from a single 3 hour charge.
Comes included with a spray bottle, cloth holder, 2 washable microfibre cloths and an extension pole for all your glass cleaning essentials.

Purpl members get 15% off (items over £39.99) in Linsey’s Swan cleaning range, alongside all other full price Swan products!

A montage of images of Linsey Crombie cleaning up wearing a pink jumpsuit for Swan

Discounts for Disabled Customers: Save While You Clean

Being budget-conscious is important, especially with the cost of living impacting everyone. Fortunately, Purpl offers exclusive discounts for disabled people and there are some fantastic deals available on cleaning products and home supplies:

Swan and Purpl

Get discounts on the full Swan range, including all of Lynsey’s products.
Great for upgrading to user-friendly, energy-efficient tools without breaking the bank.
Purpl members get 15% off items over £39.99 from Swan.

Poundland and Purpl

Essentials like microfibre cloths, sprays, gloves, and sponges – all made even cheaper with 4% off sitewide.
Perfect for stocking up on refills and smaller supplies.
Get 4% off sitewide at Poundland.

Morrisons and Purpl

If you’re already grocery shopping there, you can pick up cleaning staples and get a discount at the same time.
If you struggle with carrying heavier items, your delivery or Click and Collect from Morrisons makes buying those big bulky and weighty items a lot easier!
Exclusive Morrisons discount of 10% off every shop!

Smol and Purpl

A brilliant eco-brand offering dishwasher tabs, laundry capsules, surface sprays and more.
Their refillable model means less packaging and fewer trips to the shop – ideal if mobility or fatigue is an issue.
No measuring or spills, just use the pump bottles, sprays and capsules!
Exclusive Offer – Home Bundle for just £8 including p&p. Saves you £14.50!

A woman is sat down and cleaning a living room, she is wiping a coffee table that has a vase of yellow tulips on it

7-Day Gentle Spring Clean Schedule

Here’s a gentle, realistic Spring Cleaning Schedule designed specifically for someone who is disabled, chronically ill, or has an energy-limiting condition (such as ME/CFS, fibromyalgia, long Covid, POTS, etc.). This plan focuses on small wins, low-effort tasks, regular rest, and flexibility. It’s built around pacing, not pressure.

Day 1: Set the Scene and Surfaces

✅ Goal: Light reset of your living area

Put a bin bag or laundry basket in each room
Clear surfaces (just one or two!)
Throw away rubbish or expired post
Use a duster or Swan’s microfiber cloth to wipe shelves or side tables
Open a window for 10 minutes if you can

Rest idea: Light a candle or spray a calming room mist after you finish

Day 2: Soft Stuff & Smells

✅ Goal: Refresh fabrics and boost comfort

Change pillowcases or duvet cover (ask for help if needed, I definitely need help with a duvet!)
Spritz bedding or curtains with fabric spray
Use the handheld vacuum on the sofa or bed
Throw throws, blankets, or cushion covers in for a wash (if manageable)
Use a Smol laundry capsule to save effort and waste

✨ Rest idea: Sit with a cuppa in your cleanest space

Day 3: Bathroom Blitz (Light Version)

✅ Goal: Sanitise key spots without overdoing it

Spray and wipe sink and tap with antibacterial spray
Use Swan’s handheld steam cleaner on shower tiles or toilet seat
Swap out hand towel and flannel
If you’ve got the energy, clear one drawer or shelf

✨ Rest idea: Put on soft music and let steam from a hot shower help relax muscles

Day 4: Kitchen Calm

✅ Goal: Clean just the essentials

Clear one worktop or part of the sink area
Steam or wipe down one appliance (kettle, microwave, fridge door)
Empty expired food from fridge or cupboard
Sweep or vacuum the floor (cordless tools save effort here)

✨ Rest idea: Enjoy a hot drink or small snack after – you’ve earned it

Day 5: Declutter One Zone

✅ Goal: Tackle “the pile” – slowly

Choose a single drawer, basket, or shelf
Set a 10-minute timer, sort into “keep / bin / donate”
Use a Cleaning Caddy to organize as you go
If you find sentimental items, take a photo and move on gently

✨ Rest idea: Watch a short cozy video or rest with your eyes closed

Day 6: Windows, Mirrors, & Light

✅ Goal: Let in a bit more brightness

Use a glass cleaner to do one or two mirrors
Wipe down your main window (bottom half only if standing is hard)
Dust off one lampshade or light fixture if reachable
Let natural light in for a mood boost

✨ Rest idea: Sit in the sunlight for a few minutes if possible

Day 7: Reset & Reflect

✅ Goal: Celebrate your effort – not just the outcome

Empty the bin or laundry basket you’ve been using
Light vacuum of most-used room
Refresh your cleaning cloths and tools
Make a “done” list of everything you’ve achieved this week
Set a reminder for a future easy tidy (not a full clean!)

✨ Rest idea: Treat yourself – a snack, a nap, a call to a friend, or something joyful!

About the Author

Image of Sam Cleasby and text reads Sam lives with a stoma, chronic pain and an energy limiting condition. She is a disability activist and award winning blogger, writer and public speaker. SHe lovesa storytelling to create connection within the disabled community.

Sam is marketing manager at Purpl and creates our blogs, she runs the Purpl facebook community and page and looks after people and charity connections. She is passionate about Purpl and saving the disabled community money as well as giving them information, guides and sharing how to make a difference in your life. Sam creates space for community members and disability activists to share their stories and allow their voices to be heard.

Sam lives with a stoma and chronic illness, she runs a blog and does talks and events all over the UK and Europe and she is a mother to three adult children, she lives by the sea with her husband, two dogs, one cat, one duck and six chickens. She’s a disabled artist and loves creativity, nature, textiles and jigsaws.

Are you a Purpl member?

Joining Purpl couldn’t be simpler! If you are a disabled person in the UK who has one of our eligibility documents, then you can join Purpl for free and start saving money on the brands you love the most! We are the UK’s first disabled discount website to help offset the cost of living with disabilities.

It’s free to join and members are saving hundreds of pounds a year! Join Purpl today!

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