Brits – like everyone else – are no strangers to the challenges of maintaining a clean and tidy home, but when it comes to household chores, there are some clear preferences. While no one enjoys living in a messy house, there’s an odd satisfaction that comes from seeing an organised space.
Yet, for many, the idea of doing the work to achieve that tidy environment can be overwhelming. According to a study by Currys, a surprising revelation emerged: Brits would rather scrub their toilet than clean the oven.
It might seem unexpected at first, but when you break it down, it makes sense. Cleaning an oven can feel far more daunting than scrubbing the toilet. While both tasks are unpleasant, oven cleaning is often perceived as much harder and more time-consuming. Yes, cleaning the toilet might not be anyone’s idea of fun, but it’s generally quicker and more manageable, with fewer complex steps involved.
Oven cleaning is widely regarded as one of the most physically demanding and time-consuming household tasks. Unlike scrubbing a toilet, which typically requires only a brush and a few minutes of physical activity, cleaning an oven often involves dealing with grease, burnt-on food, and grime that has accumulated over time. The very thought of scraping away stubborn stains from the oven walls can be overwhelming, which leads many to put it off indefinitely.
Additionally, the modern lifestyle, with its busy schedules doesn’t leave much room for deep cleaning. Most people would rather spend their free time doing less demanding chores, which may explain why oven cleaning is one of the most procrastinated household tasks.
According to the same study, only one in five people admit to deep cleaning their homes every few months. This means that for many, cleaning tasks like oven scrubbing, which require significant time and effort, tend to be avoided. However, those who maintain a relatively clean home throughout the year don’t need to deep clean as often, avoiding those intensive tasks altogether.
Work, studies, socialising, and family commitments add up to the reasons why many Brits don’t feel they have the time or energy to dedicate to cleaning. In fact, 8% of people admit to rarely or never deep cleaning their homes at all. For these people, cleaning may not be a priority, and the idea of setting aside hours to scrub an oven seems unnecessary. Still, for others, the satisfaction of having a clean, organised space is a huge motivator.
Interestingly, while oven cleaning tops the list of the most avoided chores, cleaning the toilet isn’t far behind. In fact, other studies show that toilet scrubbing comes in second place for the most dreaded task, following closely behind washing dishes and hanging laundry. People who enjoy cleaning are more likely to skip tasks that involve chemicals or extensive scrubbing.
For those who enjoy the act of cleaning, it seems that more manageable tasks, such as wiping surfaces, vacuuming, or tidying up, are preferred. These smaller tasks, while still requiring effort, are less physically demanding and don’t involve dealing with tough stains or bad smells.
It’s clear why so many Brits would rather scrub their toilet than clean their oven. Combined with the pressures of a busy lifestyle, it’s no surprise that many would rather avoid the oven-cleaning and focus on quicker, more manageable tasks. Yet, despite the dread surrounding these chores, there’s still a sense of satisfaction to be found in having a sparkling, clean home.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Notice.