A new survey has revealed that, for 83% of us, happiness is a clean house and cleaning gives 57% of the population a feeling of satisfaction. And yet less than half of homes in the UK get that annual spring clean, with a quarter of us neglecting house chores claiming that we are too busy and stressed.
It seems that 14% of us have dismissed the seasonal big clean completely as belonging to the 1950s. Which is odd considering how 38% women and 24% of men feel real stress about living in a messy environment! So If living in a clean environment makes us feel good, why aren’t more of us cleaning our homes?
Spring-cleaning can actually relax us!
Cleaning is the new therapy. Psychologists have found that there is a marked difference in mood before and after doing cleaning, just as with a therapy session.
Research maintains that a clean house makes people feel happy, satisfied, comfortable and healthy. The According to Carol Nemeroff, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology at Arizona State University, spring cleaning may have been in existence for ages. This psychological boost may be derived from a satisfied urge to clean out our nests.
“The urge we have to clean may be a trait that is biologically programmed into us,” says Nemeroff. “And, because we know that good hygiene leads to good health, cleaning may ultimately be related to a basic survival instinct.”
Brian Sansoni, Vice President of Communication for The Soap and Detergent Association (SDA), which examines cleaning habits and behaviours through its National Cleaning Surveys, agrees. He says
“Let’s face it, most of us get an emotional kick out of having a cleaner, de-cluttered home.”
Check out all our tips and hints for spring cleaning – from how to make your own natural cleaning products to how to clean your clutter
>> Spring cleaning – any time of the year
>> Make your own natural household cleaners
>> How to de-clutter your home
>> How to clean kitchen appliances
>> How to clean drawers and cupboards (without losing your mind)
