The Pool Noodle Hack That Will Save Your Knees When Cleaning The House

There is no shortage of minimal cleaning hacks to keep your home tidy. However, some of these cleaning tips and tricks can put undue stress on your joints, especially your knees. It doesn't matter if you're scrubbing baseboards or giving your bottom cabinets a thorough wash-down, kneeling is often unavoidable. This also means that your knees are absorbing pressure, which can quickly become painful and even lead to injury. But thanks to an incredible hack, you can easily save your joints with nothing more than a pool noodle and some tape or rubber bands. You can even use glue for a stronger adhesive. The trick is to attach several lengths of foam pool noodles, creating a soft and absorbent pad that's perfect for comfortable cleaning, gardening, and so much more. 

There are plenty of reasons why you need a cushion when on your knees. For example, you're putting stress on your joints. It's even been reported that kneeling can cause patellofemoral cartilage damage and eventually lead to osteoarthritis in this area (via Musculoskeletal). This makes this hack something worth investing in before the next time you clean your home. Although you can purchase kneeling pads online, DIY projects can save your wallet while repurposing old materials. Additionally, online kneeling pads come in various price points, and some can be more than $30. But this amazing pool noodle hack can provide fast and affordable relief for your knees. 

The first step in this hack is to purchase a pool noodle (or two, depending on how many kneeling pads you need). For an affordable fix, you can purchase them at the Dollar Tree for $1.25 each. You could use hollow or solid noodles, altering your pad's density. Next, cut your pool noodle into even sections the desired length of your DIY kneeling pad. Traditionally, these pads are about 18 inches long, so use this length as a template. You should attach three pieces of foam, but you can use four or five sections for a wider pad when comfortably cleaning your home. 

Use rubber bands, tape, or glue to secure the pieces together. You could also get creative and use yarn, twine, or thin fabric scraps if you're looking to upcycle items you already have in the house. Although you can use hot glue, it could melt the pool noodles, so consider using something more suitable. The best glue for this type of foam is a waterproof rubber adhesive. If you want to take this hack a step further, you could create an outer cover for your kneeling pad using some old fabric. Whenever your pad needs cleaning, just remove your makeshift cover and toss it in the washing machine. If you choose to keep your kneeling pad as-is, you can easily spray your noodles with diluted vinegar, a versatile cleaning tool. Simply wipe your pool noodles clean with a soft cloth in between uses.