Relationships across the nation are coming to an end due to one half of the couple suggesting their partner isn’t clean enough, new research reveals. The report from Ideal Home Show in partnership with NatWest, analyses attitudes towards cleaning at home as well as how much importance Brits put on the cleanliness of their partner when it comes to finding a potential match.
One in ten (10%) people admit they’ve broken up with a partner due to their lack of cleanliness and the findings show this is the second most important thing people look for in a potential partner.
| Most important qualities in a potential/current partner | Percentage | |
| 1. | Their humour | 61% |
| 2. | Their cleaning habits | 59% |
| 3. | Their grooming upkeep | 39% |
| 4. | Their family/friends | 26% |
| 5. | Their looks | 25% |
| 6. | Their financial situation | 15% |
| 7. | Their job | 13% |
With over a third (36%) of houseproud Brits cleaning their homes every single day, it’s no surprise the nation is spending almost an entire week (6 days and 7hrs) cleaning every year. Some are so obsessed with keeping their home life clean that they go behind their partner’s back and hire a secret cleaner (6%).
Whilst most of the nation prefer to clean their own homes, those who hire a cleaner do so because they are too busy with work (49%) and almost a quarter (24%) simply do not like cleaning or admit to being too lazy to do it themselves (15%).
On the other hand, one in ten (10%) worry their family and friends will think they’re lazy if they hire a cleaner and even a small 2% say they clean because their partners think it’s attractive.
With the rise of cleaning social media stars like Sophie Hinchliffe, 32% of respondents said they are inspired to clean more because of Mrs Hinch, and just over a third (34%) like to pick up tips and tricks on the best cleaning hacks from the influencers they follow.
The Ideal Home Show, in partnership with NatWest, the world’s longest running exhibition, will return to Olympia London from Friday 11th to Sunday 27th March 2022. A host of experts and celebrities will be hosting Q&As on stage throughout the 17 days at the show. For more information and tickets, please visit idealhomeshow.co.uk
