One in ten Britons have not cleaned their home in more than a year

ONE in ten Brits admit they haven’t cleaned some parts of their home for more than a year.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that behind and under furniture, and interior cupboards and drawers are the most neglected places when it comes to cleaning.

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One in four admit that their curtains are among the most neglected parts of their home, while nine percent say the same about their sofa.

And four percent admitted their bedding had been left untouched for ‘ages’.

It also emerged that 60 percent often postpone cleaning work because they think it will take too long, while others avoid it if it is difficult to achieve (48 percent) or if they are not motivated (34 percent).

However, 31 percent simply do not think these areas need to be cleaned that often.

A spokesperson for Febreze Fabric Refresher, which commissioned the research, said: “Knowing how to refresh larger garments can be tricky, especially if you can’t put them in the washing machine.

“There are a whole host of reasons why we put off these types of tasks, and more often than not we make them bigger in our minds than they really are.

“But using the right tools to make this happen can make it an easier job than you think.

“For example, a quick spritz of curtains or sofa cushions can save you the hassle of having to take them to the dry cleaner, keeping them feeling fresher for longer, smelling great and eliminating odors.”

The survey also found that 34 percent admitted that the lack of cleaning in some of the most neglected areas has caused tension in their households.

But 70 percent admitted that they often overestimated how long certain tasks around the house would take.

A quarter spend every few months cleaning the most ignored parts of their home, while 13 percent admit to completing these tasks only once a year.

And typically only 27 minutes are spent completing the difficult tasks.

This time commitment is significantly lower compared to the areas of the house that are cleaned the most.

However, there is a real sense of pride among the British when people do start spraying or scrubbing the troublesome areas.

One in four respondents, via OnePoll, always feel a sense of achievement after cleaning something difficult, while a further 29 percent often feel this way.

A spokesperson for Febreze Fabric Refresher added: “While it may not always be at the top of everyone’s to-do list, doing hard things in your day can bring a great sense of reward.

“And freshening up your home can certainly be part of that. Our research shows that tackling something difficult gives people a sense of pride and can make people feel good about themselves.

“Ensuring that you are equipped for the task at hand can go a long way because you can make the task much more manageable.”

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