While we Brits might pride ourselves on our tidy homes (well, some of us, anyway!), there are definitely some tasks that we hate and avoid until the very last minute.
A recent poll discovered that all across the UK, there are certain chores that pretty much everyone hates performing, even though we know they have to be done. Here are the most dreaded, along with a few simple tips that might make them slightly less painful.
1. Cleaning the oven
The baked-on grime from Sunday roasts and shepherd’s pies makes this a particularly grim task. The chemical smell of oven cleaner and the awkward crouching position required add to the misery. To make it easier, try cleaning more frequently with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. Or, if all else fails, there’s always the option of a self-cleaning oven — a worthy investment for those who’d rather watch paint dry than scrub burnt-on grease. (You could also pay a professional oven cleaner to do this, like I do!)
2. Ironing
Standing for hours, wrestling with stubborn creases and constantly adjusting the ironing board — it’s no wonder many of us have a “chairdrobe” of clean but crumpled clothes. To make it less of a chore, try ironing while watching your favourite programme or listening to a podcast. Alternatively, invest in a good steamer for a quicker, less laborious option.
3. Cleaning the bathroom
Source: Unsplash From scrubbing the loo to tackling limescale on taps, bathroom cleaning is universally despised. The awkward nooks and crannies around the toilet and sink make it particularly frustrating. Make it more bearable by breaking it into smaller tasks throughout the week. A quick wipe of the sink each morning can prevent bigger build-ups. And remember, a squeegee for the shower screen after each use can save hours of scrubbing later.
4. Dusting
Source: Unsplash It seems no matter how often you dust, those pesky particles reappear within days. The tedium of moving knick-knacks and reaching high shelves makes this a particularly loathed task. Try using a microfibre cloth to trap more dust, and consider an air purifier to reduce overall dust in your home. For those hard-to-reach places, a long-handled duster can be a game-changer.
5. Defrosting the freezer
Source: Unsplash A uniquely British problem, given our love for cramming as much as possible into tiny freezer compartments. The dripping water, risk of food spoilage, and time-consuming nature of this task make it particularly unpleasant. To make it easier, use a hairdryer to accelerate the process, and place towels around the base to catch water. Better yet, invest in a frost-free model for your next freezer purchase.
6. Cleaning windows
Streaky glass and precarious ladder balancing make this a universally hated chore. The Great British weather doesn’t help either — why bother when it’ll probably rain tomorrow? For easier cleaning, use a squeegee and a drop of washing-up liquid in water. For upstairs windows, consider a magnetic window cleaner to avoid risky ladder work.
7. Hoovering under furniture
The back-breaking work of moving sofas and beds to reach those dust bunnies is enough to put anyone off. Not to mention the horror of what you might find under there! Make it easier by using furniture sliders to move heavy pieces, or invest in a vacuum with a low-profile attachment. For a laugh, turn it into a treasure hunt — you never know what long-lost items you might recover!
8. Cleaning the fridge
Source: Unsplash Discovering forgotten vegetables turned to mush and mysterious sticky spills makes this a particularly unpleasant task. To make it less daunting, tackle it more frequently — perhaps before each big shop. Line shelves with cling film for easier cleaning, and keep a box of bicarbonate of soda in the fridge to absorb odours.
9. Putting away laundry
While doing the wash isn’t so bad, the prospect of folding and putting away clean clothes often leads to the “floordrobe” phenomenon. Make it more manageable by doing smaller loads more frequently, and folding straight from the dryer to avoid wrinkles. Put on your favourite music or podcast to make the task fly by.
10. Descaling the kettle
In hard water areas, this becomes a depressingly regular task. The thought of chemicals in our beloved tea-making device is enough to put anyone off. Make it easier by using natural descaling methods like vinegar or lemon juice. Or, invest in a water filter to reduce limescale build-up in the first place.
While these chores might be universally disliked, they’re a necessary evil for a comfortable home. Perhaps the most British solution of all is to reward yourself with a nice cuppa and a biscuit after tackling any of these tasks. After all, everything looks better after a good brew!
