Most Americans Spend Less Than 7 Hours a Month Cleaning

Whether it’s due to a lack of time or a belief their homes are clean enough, a new study found that most Americans spend only 4 to 6 hours cleaning their homes each month.

Home improvement resource ImproveNet surveyed more than 4,000 American adults to learn about their cleaning habits. Among survey respondents:

• 29% spend 4-6 hours cleaning monthly
• 22% spend 10 to 15 hours
• 20% spend 3 hours or less
• 16% spend 7-9 hours
• 13% spend 16 hours or more

Respondents in Houston spent the most time cleaning while those in Philadelphia reported spending the least time.

When asked if they had dirty dishes in their sink at the time they did the survey, 59% replied they did while 41% said their sinks were clear. A high majority (70%) said they cleaned their television remote in the last year. Most (63%) say they try to keep their floors clean by not wearing shoes inside their home.

When asked about the frequency of performing common household cleaning tasks, here’s how the majority responded:

• Sweeping and vacuuming is done once a week (36%)
• Dusting is done once a week (42%)
• Doorknobs and light switches are cleaned every couple of months (30%)
• Bedsheets are changed every week or every two weeks (tie at 38%)