Spring cleaning study reveals messy environments cause stress, anxiety and arguments

Nearly a third (28%) of Brits are cleaning their home every other day, despite 16% admitting their home never feels perfectly clean and tidy.

One in seven (14%) even went as far as to admit they only clean when they’re expecting guests.

That’s according to our study where we surveyed 2000 UK based adults to reveal their thoughts and feelings about a messy home environment and the impact is has on their mental health.

So, how does mess and clutter at home really make us feel?

What emotions does household mess trigger?

When asked how a cluttered home can make you feel, we found out...

1.    It makes them feel disorganised - 37%
2.    It makes them feel irritated - 36%
3.    It makes them feel stressed - 26%
4.    It makes them feel overwhelmed – 26%
5.    It makes them feel anxious - 23%

Our study revealed that disorganised, irritated and stressed we’re the top emotional responses invoked by mess however, the survey responses showed it was making people argumentative too.

Other emotions harvested by a cluttered household environment were revealed as less productive, embarrassed (16%) and sad (9%). Interestingly, some people (12%) confess to not being bothered by mess at all. 

Top reasons for household arguments

We wanted to uncover top reasons families, couples, friends and housemates argue at home. No prizes for guessing...hoarding is causing tension as its revealed to be the top reason (21%) for arguing amongst households.
Not doing chores, such as cleaning a tidying was the second most popular reason families and partners argue at home (20%).

The top 10 reasons are:

1.    Hoarding – 21%
2.    Not doing chores such as cleaning and tidying – 20%
3.    Energy expenses such as leaving lights and heating on – 17%
4.    Finances and money management – 16%
5.    Leaving dirty dishes in the sink – 14%
6.    Cooking responsibilities – 11%
7.    Snoring – 10%
8.    Not flushing the toilet – 9%
9.    Devices such as phones, games consoles or TV’s – 6%
10.    Finishing food at not replacing it – 5%

Although our study revealed that there are plenty of reasons for household arguments, a significant 29% of households say they don’t argue at all – we wonder what their secret is?

The generational differences in a mess-free mindset

It turns out, adult Gen Zs are the cleanest generation of them all, with 16% of 18-24-year-olds saying their home is ‘perfectly clean and tidy’ every single day.

Nearly a quarter (24%) of over 65’s said household mess doesn’t impact their mood however, for two in five (41%) 45-54-year-olds, they feel irritated by it.

Our research suggests that older adults may become more selective about what they prioritise. For some, tidiness remains important, while others may shift their focus to more meaningful activities, placing less emphasis on keeping their homes perfectly presentable.

Which cities are the most house-proud?

Our study revealed the most house-proud cities across England, who describe their home as perfectly clean and tidy ‘every day or most days’...

1.    Sheffield – 45%
2.    Norwich – 45%
3.    Edinburgh – 44%
4.    Nottingham – 42%
5.    Glasgow – 42%
6.    Newcastle – 42%
7.    Birmingham – 41%
8.    London – 40%
9.    Manchester – 40%
10.    Southampton – 40%

Opposite sides of the country however, the two cities of Sheffield and Norwich share the same sentiment when it comes down to keeping things clean and tidy.

Keep it tidy with this simple organisation tip

Struggling with hoarding clothes? Try out the 70:30 rule.

The 70:30 rule means that 70% of your wardrobe should be simple wardrobe staples. This means denim jeans, classic black t-shirts, a white shirt and more. By having basics on hand in neutral colours that go with everything, you’ll always have an outfit to wear. 
This leaves 30% for trendy and fun pieces, such as a hot pink jumper or a multi-coloured floral print jacket. Here’s 4 reasons why using the 70:30 rule will revolutionise the way you buy clothes...

1.    Helps you avoid the ‘ultra trendy' look.
Whilst the debate around fast fashion continues, many consumers are looking for ways to slow down their clothing consumption, and therefore create a timeless style, opposed to trendy.By creating a capsule wardrobe of basic pieces, you will find yourself searching for new items less and less, as well as always having something to wear.
Following the 70:30 rule doesn’t mean you won’t have room for experimentation. 30% makes plenty of space for trending or colourful items, creating an overall balanced wardrobe.

2.    Save money
This rule helps you avoid repeat purchases, by always knowing what items are in your wardrobe. Once you have a solid foundation of clothes you can wear on repeat, you can allocate a small budget for new necessities.
By reserving a smaller portion of your wardrobe for trending clothing items, you’re less likely to throw them away and re-buy something new when the next trend comes along.

3.    Declutter
This rule helps whittle out the pieces you don’t reach for often, by sorting out your existing clothes into ‘timeless’ and ‘trendy’ piles. By sifting through you can help identify items you no longer need, as well as beginning to create a 70:30 split between wardrobe staples and fun pieces.
By knowing each item in your wardrobe, you can keep a better grasp on clothes that no longer fit, need replacing or simply do not align with your style.
Remember, fashion is subjective. Clothing that you may be ready to move on from, could be another person’s dream item. Make sure to always donate your unwanted clothes to family, friends or charity where possible.

4.    Organise 
Wardrobes can often become overcrowded, with items having no real home. This easily leads into a messy, unorganised space. The 70:30 rule can be adjusted seasonally, meaning that you always have the most appropriate clothes on display. For example, when the weather begins to warm up in April, consider vacuum packing any winter jumpers or sweatpants away, to make ample room for your spring and summer wardrobe.

Smart storage is key in creating an organised wardrobe. Features you can find in fitted wardrobes such as hanging space, drawers, shoe racks and shelving will help you maximise the space, keeping it organised.