5 Solutions on How to Retain Soft Hands after Cleaning

For many stay-at-home moms (S.A.H.Ms), cleaning is second to nature. Whether you consider it a form of stress therapy or a chore to be handed down to your kids ASAP. Dealing with different kinds of soaps, detergents, cleaning liquids and chemicals (bleaches, disinfectants,pesticides) can be very harsh to your skin causing redness, peeling/scaling, hardening and/or itching. These products remove the natural oils that keep our hands moisturized leaving them dry. Ensuring one retains soft palms not only portrays our femininity but also decreases the appearance of aging. Listed below is a list of methods on how to retain soft hands/palms while still leaving your home spik & span.

1. Hiring a Cleaner

Being the obvious and most go-to option for most financially stable S.A.H.Ms, one may decide to hire a househelper who comes in daily, or is a live-in. In Nairobi, the charges may range between Kshs. 4,000 to Kshs. 15,000 depending on your requirements. Trusted bureaus include Nairobi Nanny and Bestcare Manpower Services.

Another option is to hire weekly or bi-weekly househelper to deal with laundry and thorough cleaning of the house. They charge approximately Kshs. 500 per visit.

2. Investing In Gloves

The yellow gloves are not only something seen on TV, they have become a must-have for the modern mom. Not only do they protect the very pricey manicures we have, but also they protect our hands from harsh chemicals/products.

Gloves can be found in most supermarkets (Tuskys, Nakumatt, Naivas) and online stores like Food Plus. They range between Kshs. 140 to Kshs. 300. For a worthwhile investments, one should go for the heavy-duty ones.

3. Use of Moisturizing Oils

Hand Moisturizers used immediately after cleaning help restore the oils removed by products thus ensuring hands remain soft. Good moisturizers include 

4. Exfoliate

We have inserted exfoliation of our faces in our beauty regime, but we often neglect our hands. Yet the skin on the hands is even more susceptible to damage than some areas of the face. Exfoliation helps you get rid of old, dry, dull skin cells so the newer, fresher ones can take their place. Try 

5. Home Remedies

I am an avid supporter of home remedies when it comes to beauty, health and wellness.

a. Coconut Oil/Olive Oil - Massage oil into hands for 25 minutes after cleaning. Rinse out with warm water and apply your favorite moisturizer. For a more effective approach, leave oil on hands throughout the night, Put on cotton gloves to avoid messiness and rinse out in the morning. Done after every cleaning.

b. Homemade Scrubs - Take a handful of raw oats, add a couple spoonfuls of milk and 1 tablespoon of honey. Massage hands with mixture for 10 minutes, Rinse out with warm water and apply your favourite moisturizer.

c. Banana Peel Mask - After enjoying your banana, rub the peel on your hands and put on gloves. Leave mask overnight. Rinse out with warm water to reveal smooth baby-like palms (works wonders on soles of feet too - thank me later).