Bless This Mess?

This analysis revealed that it takes the participants an average of 5 days to start cleaning and sanitizing their homes after they first consider that it is time to clean and makeover their spaces. The respondents report that they spend an average of 6 days per year doing that deep cleaning.

When it comes to deep cleaning, 69% will dedicate an entire day to thoroughly cleaning and sanitizing a specific room in their home at a time. 63% of the respondents report that the kitchen requires at least a day's worth of the most in-depth cleaning and sanitizing, 57% report that the bathroom takes at least a day to get thoroughly clean, 57% say that it takes at least a day to clean and rearrange the living room, 47% think that the bedroom takes a full day to clean, and 47% said that their home office takes a day to clean and organize. 

Everyone appears to have different priorities for which items need the most cleaning and sanitizing as well, with 6 items being the most common: 68% spend a lot of time on rugs/carpets, 63% work hard to get the floors clean, 57% say that their clothing needs to always be clean, 30% make sure they get to the appliances, 29% wipe down the countertops, and shelves are less likely to be dusted and wiped down by 24% of the respondents. 

The respondents also have different perceptions about how bacteria and viruses might affect them, and what precautions they take when cleaning/sanitizing their homes before/after hosting guests to help minimize the possibility of spreading illness-causing germs. 61% of the participants encourage use/leave out hand sanitizer, 56% use/leave out disinfectant sprays, and 51% use/leave out disinfectant wipes. 

“Over the past few years, people have become more conscious of the viruses and bacteria that we encounter in everyday life, and preventing the spread of both starts in the home,” says R&D Senior Associate at Lysol Anthony Kevek, in a statement. “It’s not just about having a home that appears clean or smells great. Finding the right products with antimicrobial properties can help kill 99.9 percent of viruses and bacteria, whether in the air or on surfaces, and provide an added layer of protection when preparing to host guests.”

48% of the respondents worry about airborne viruses/bacteria when a person is sick, and 41% are concerned about this while hosting guests. However, only 22% are concerned about this while they are attending a large public gathering, and only 20% think about it when they are dining at a restaurant or cafe. In general, the respondents are more concerned about catching airborne viruses and bacteria when at least 5 other people share indoor spaces with them, and 61% think that bacteria/viruses could make them sick. 

“It’s important to take proactive measures and keep your home protected from bacteria and viruses throughout the year, whether or not you or someone in your home has recently been sick,” adds Kevek. “By doing so, you can help to prevent the spread of illness-causing pathogens, like cold, influenza and coronavirus, to you and your loved ones while keeping a sanitary environment year-round.”