One in ten Britons confess to having neglected certain areas of their homes for over a year, a survey of 2,000 adults has revealed.
The most overlooked areas when it comes to cleaning are behind and under furniture, as well as inside cabinets and drawers.
A quarter of respondents admitted to rarely cleaning their curtains, while 9 per cent said the same about their sofas. Moreover, 4 per cent confessed to leaving their bedsheets unwashed for an extended period.
The majority of respondents (two-thirds) often procrastinate cleaning tasks because they believe it will take too long. Others avoid cleaning due to difficulty in accessing certain areas or a lack of motivation. However, a third of respondents simply don’t think these areas require frequent cleaning.
A spokesperson for Febreze Fabric Refresher, which commissioned the research, commented: “Knowing how to freshen larger items can be tricky, especially those you can’t get into the washing machine.
“There’s a whole number of reasons why we put off tasks like this, and more often than not, we make them bigger in our minds than they actually are. But using the right tools to get it done can make it an easier job than you think.”
They added: “For example, a quick spritz of the curtains or sofa cushions can save you a job of having to take them to the dry cleaners, leaving them feeling fresher for longer, smelling great and with odours eliminated.”
The study revealed that 34 per cent of respondents acknowledged that neglecting certain areas of their home has led to household tension. However, 70 per cent confessed to often overestimating the time required for various household tasks, often overestimating the time required.
Nevertheless, one in four respondents reported feeling a sense of accomplishment after completing a challenging cleaning task.
A spokesperson for Febreze Fabric Refresher commented: “While it might not always be at the top of everyone’s to-do list, there can be a great sense of reward by doing difficult things in your day.
“And freshening up your home can certainly fit that bill, our research shows that tackling something tricky gives people a sense of pride and can make people feel good about themselves.
“Making sure you’re equipped for the task at hand can go a long way, helping to make it much more manageable.”