How Often Do You Clean?
We know Europeans enjoy more vacation days than Americans, but do you ever wonder how much time we spend on household cleaning, compared to others in France, Italy or England?
Stats just came out that Italians clean the most, about 4 days per week, where as Brits and Americans tackle household chores less than three times a week. Overall time spent cleaning has dropped slightly across the board (only in France has the number of cleaning occasions per week risen), which makes me think that people are now running lower-maintenance households. Do you believe easier-to-clean, longer-lasting home updates, like replacing carpet with wood flooring, help cut down on cleaning time significantly?
Let me know your thoughts and how you measure up.
Have a great weekend!
Rachel
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i think people are running more efficent households because everyone is so busy. it is a have to thing. who has 4 days a week to clean? not me.
I love to clean and take great pleasure in sudsing the dishes. It is one of the things that helps me slow down, appreciate the beauty and tactile quality of everyday things that surruound us, and experience what we live with and touch on a very basic level. Also, its satisfying to see something that is covered in doggy paw prints be wiped clean (till the next time LOL). Cleaning is one of those "familiar comforting constants" in life...I like to use things like baking soda, dish soap and white vinegar and lemons...a feather duster and microfiber cloth. Very satisfying experience! And to open the windows and air out the house...so nice.
I love the look of wood floors - but I can't wait to carpet over them. Dust bunnies,scratches from canine paws and little kids and "dulling" were way too much work. They are beautiful, but I'd rather spend that time, after vacuuming my carpets, doing a quick dusting and heading for the great outdoors! I love my swiffers, fresh smelling cleaners and the feeling of walking into a house that's really fresh and easy to deal with. We're selling our great big house, moving into a wonderful condo and using all the luscious colors that blend and say "WELCOME HOME" when you walk in. I love to read the comments from others. I actually, at age 74, learn a lot that I should have known - but I spent many years enjoying my children, who were, after all, the reason I needed to learn all the short cuts and tricks of cleaning. I do love the new products they didn't have when I began housekeeping. How much easier it is to get rid of spills, stains, wall scratches, etc. Life is full of good things!