It seems some Brits are keeping secrets about their cleaning habits, and they’re not pretty. A recent survey of 2,000 adults revealed a shocking truth: one in 10 Britons confessed to neglecting certain areas of their homes for over a year! The most commonly overlooked spots? Behind and underneath furniture, inside cabinets and drawers – those hidden nooks and crannies that rarely see the light of day.
But the neglect doesn’t stop there. One in four admitted their curtains are among the most neglected parts of their home, while 9% confessed the same about their sofas. Perhaps the most shocking revelation? A full 4% admitted they had left their bedsheets untouched for ‘ages’ – a fact that might send shivers down the spine of even the most relaxed homeowner.
So why the widespread cleaning procrastination? Two-thirds of respondents cited time constraints, claiming they believe cleaning tasks will take too long. Others simply lack the motivation or find those hard-to-reach areas too daunting. However, a surprising one-third confessed they simply don’t believe those areas need frequent cleaning.
This reluctance to tackle these cleaning blind spots might be creating tension in some homes. The survey revealed that 34% of respondents admit that their lack of cleaning in certain areas has caused tension in their households.
Despite the challenges, there’s a silver lining: conquering these cleaning tasks can be incredibly satisfying. A whopping 70% of participants admitted to overestimating how long certain household chores take, suggesting that many of us are needlessly putting off those tasks. Furthermore, a quarter of those surveyed manage to clean the most neglected parts of their home every few months – while a shocking 13% admit to only addressing those tasks once a year! While the time dedicated to these challenging cleanings is significantly less than what’s spent on the more frequently cleaned areas, a satisfying sense of achievement is consistently reported. One in four respondents always experience a sense of achievement when they’ve tackled a challenging clean.
This survey sheds light on the complex relationship many of us have with cleaning, revealing the hidden struggles and surprising satisfaction that come with tackling those neglected areas. So, the next time you find yourself procrastinating on a particularly daunting cleaning task, remember the sense of accomplishment that awaits you on the other side. And, as a spokesperson for Febreze Fabric Refresher, the company that commissioned the research, suggests, the right tools can make even the most challenging cleaning tasks easier than you think. A quick spritz of fabric refresher can freshen your curtains and sofa cushions without the hassle of dry cleaning, leaving your home smelling great and eliminating unwanted odors. Ultimately, the survey underscores the importance of finding a balance between maintaining a clean and comfortable home without letting those daunting tasks overwhelm us.
