If your suggested videos on TikTok and Instagram feature more than a few time-lapsed cleaning videos, you’re probably part of the #CleanTok movement. From stained carpets and simple fridge restocks to the jaw-dropping living rooms of extreme hoarders, the vast #CleanTok rabbit hole has something to satisfy everyone. 

But according to the latest data about cleaning habits in Australia, we’re spending far too much time watching others scrub, sweep and spring clean, when we should be picking up the mop ourselves.

Teaming up with Clean Up Australia, Australian household cleaning supplies brand, Oates, has uncovered how Aussies are really tackling their household mess – and spoiler alert, we’ve got a lot to improve upon.

Surveying 1,497 Australians about their cleaning habits, Oates’ newest data reveals some shocking insights about how often – and how efficiently – Aussies are embracing household chores. 

Despite over 5.3 million organisational montages and ‘homemade cleaning hacks’ posts on TikTok, young Australians are cleaning their homes the least frequently, with older Aussies over the age of 60 picking up the slack. 

In terms of when we’re most likely to pick up the vacuum or chuck on a load of laundry, the survey revealed Saturdays and Sundays are the most popular days for cleaning, likely given most people are off work. 

According to the respondents, Thursdays are the least likely day to clean overall, while Tuesday evenings were highlighted as the time most Aussies avoid their chores. With so much mid-week procrastination, it’s no surprise most household chores are being completed on the weekend – because who wants to head into a new work week with dirty underwear, a dishwasher full of grubby dishes and a kitchen floor full of crumbs?

Who is taking on more household chores? 

Disappointingly – but also unsurprisingly – the majority of household chores and deep cleaning tasks are being fulfilled by women. According to the stats, only 24 per cent of Aussie households are sharing the responsibilities evenly, with 82 per cent of women taking on most household cleaning. 

There also seems to be a big disparity between different generations when it comes to how often Australians pick up a dustpan and broom. A whopping 59 per cent of adults aged 18 to 29 years old opt to do one big household clean-up rather than smaller, more frequent sessions. Older Aussies prefer to stay on top of their accumulative mess more frequently. 

The filthiest room in the house

While postponing some household chores will lead to nothing more than a pile-up of unfolded laundry and kitchen countertop clutter, choosing to put off others could lead to more sinister outcomes.

Despite being one of the most important bathroom chores to tick off the weekly to-do list for the sake of our hygiene, only 70 per cent of Aussies are cleaning their toilet weekly, with 18 per cent cleaning their porcelain thrones every two to three weeks. 

While avoiding a dirty toilet is more than understandable, it seems Aussies are becoming lazy with their bathroom chores in general. Only 21 per cent of survey respondents clean the bathtub every month, and only 24 per cent clean the shower.  

Despite the fact that baths and showers are our go-to place for cleaning ourselves, even the newest bathrooms will experience an inevitable buildup of grime, soap scum and mould, so get scrubbing!

The kitchen was found to be another neglected area of the house when it comes to cleaning, with only 26 per cent of Australians cleaning their oven weekly, while 57 per cent clean it every one to six months. 

How often you should be cleaning your home

While the frequency of household chores depends entirely on an individual’s habits, preferences and availability, there are a few general guidelines experts recommend following in order to keep your home’s cleanliness in check. 

Daily tasks: Depending on the size of your kitchen bin, you may find leaving your rubbish to build for more than a day or two quickly causes an odour issue. As a general rule, consider performing a ‘closing shift’ each night where you tackle any of the day’s clutter and dirty dishes to set yourself up in the right mindset before bed.  

Weekly tasks: While it’s often viewed as a mammoth task (especially if you don’t have a dryer on hand) washing your bedsheets and towels weekly is a great way to ensure you’re not snuggling up to unwanted bacteria overnight. 

Monthly tasks: Every month, you should aim to tackle your staple kitchen appliances, subjecting your fridge and freezer to a total cleanout. This activity not only helps you take care of any spills, leaks and crumbs hiding away on the shelves, but you’ll also be able to spot any missed use-by dates or forgotten leftovers before you accidentally plate them up. If you frequently cook at home, you should also be cleaning your oven monthly. 

Quarterly tasks: Two household items often overlooked on the cleaning schedule are your dishwasher and washing machine. Even though these two appliances are built to clean, they also need a bit of TLC every now and then to prevent mould, bacteria and odour, and ensure they’re cleaning your clothes and dishes to the best of their ability. 

Yearly tasks: Easily forgotten about (until they stop working that is), are your air conditioner and household drains. It’s recommended you perform a maintenance clean once a year to avoid running into any issues unexpectedly.