Now that spring is officially here, it's time to get started on your annual cleaning ritual. While scrubbing the walls and vacuuming the rugs probably aren't everyone's favorite activities, there are some incentives to busting out the mops and rags that extend beyond simply having a tidier home. Did you know, for example, that common household chores can actually help you burn calories? This means that maybe you can skip your afternoon walk around the neighborhood or allow yourself that extra scoop of ice cream on the days when you've spent hours beautifying your home.
Although, states the Huffington Post, the results will differ depending on certain variables, a 150-pound person can expect to lose the following amount of calories during these spring cleaning tasks:
Scrubbing tubs – Tackling mold, mildew and soap scum is a great workout for your arms, as you've probably noticed if you've done this before. It only takes 15 minutes to burn 90 calories doing this strenuous chore.
Vacuuming floors – This task is important for allergy and asthma sufferers, as various allergens can accumulate on carpets over time, causing symptoms to flare up. For every 30 minutes you spend using this machine, you can potentially ditch 119 calories.
Washing windows – Remember to leave this for a cloudy day, since too much direct sunlight can cause the cleaning solution to dry too quickly and leave streaks. Oh, and you may burn up to 167 calories in 30 minutes doing this necessary activity.
As always, when cleaning out any part of the home, it's important for people who suffer from allergies and asthma to use cleaning products, such as those from EnviroRite, that will effectively remove allergens without aggravating their symptoms. It's also advisable to invest in a respirator mask since these devices can ensure that you don't breathe in dust, mold, pet dander, pollen or other irritants.
