One Thing I Will Never Tell My Husband

on February 24, 2011 at 12:47 PM

vacuum cleaner Houston, we have a problem. According to a USA Today poll, women are claiming they like housework. Not just some women, 70% of us are saying we "enjoy cleaning the house." It doesn't stop there. Apparently 64% of women can't relax if their home isn't clean.

Okay, ladies, let's talk about this. Hold on while I shut off the vacuum cleaner.

I get the appeal of a clean house. I don't like living in filth, nor do I live in a pigsty. And yes, I'm in that 70%. I like housework -- up to a point. It gives me satisfaction. With so many things on the never-ending To-Do List, a sparkly kitchen sink gives me a nice feeling of, whew, something is totally done. I can cross it off of the list. I get a sense of accomplishment, so to speak.

But the whole "can't relax if the house isn't clean" -- that I don't get. Sure, as I watch the dust bunnies build condos under the couch, I'm not pleased, but dang, I can still relax. Especially with my feet up, a glass of wine in hand, and a DVR-ed double-header of Modern Family and Joan Knows Best.

Now here's when I admit I'm a hypocrite. I can relax if there's dust, but if there's clutter -- fuggetaboutit. Piles of things, toys strewn willy-nilly, papers everywhere. That drives me bonkers.

With so many of us feeling this way, it must be a DNA thing. But, I beg of you, don't tell your husbands. If we tell them that we like doing the housework, we'll never be able to complain ever again. Think about it -- if he knows you like it, you won't be able to use the "I cleaned the whole house; you need to take the kids to Chuck E. Cheese while I take a bath" line anymore.

Let's keep this our secret, shall we?

Can you relax if your house is dirty?

Image via WordRidden/Flickr

Filed Under: chores, clutter buster

Comments (50)

JessecaLynn

on Feb 24, 2011 at 1:12 PM

My house is usually clean, but cluttered. Right now I am looking at a basket of laundry that need to be folded and put away but it has been there for a day or so, kids games and books all over the living room. Now at some point today it will be cleaned up and I wil have to vacuum, but hell I can relax until I get a bug to get it done. :)

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bwill626

on Feb 24, 2011 at 1:28 PM

I can relax but I always feel better when the house is clean. We keep ours pretty clean in general, so it's never a huge issue.

HeartCharmMama

on Feb 24, 2011 at 1:35 PM

Living in a house with boys only, it's SO HARD keeping it clean. We broke the record of the kitchen being spotless for 3 days! Yes!! It's difficult for me to get any sleep when the house is a mess although I do admit to slacking once in a while. :-/

ShanonP

on Feb 24, 2011 at 1:49 PM

<3 this!! hahaha!

Nonmember comment from Ash

on Feb 24, 2011 at 2:31 PM

It really doesn't bother me if the place isn't spotless, but I'm ashamed for anybody else to see our mess so I keep the floors swept, toys picked up, and my husband's dirty socks out of the living room. I definitely don't enjoy cleaning (except for the bathroom, because it's tiny and sparkly), and I refuse to do dishes so my husband takes care of them, bless him. Before we leave on a trip, I always want the house to be spotless so we can come home to a clean house, and that's the only time I stress.

Caroline2010

on Feb 24, 2011 at 2:51 PM

lol i keep it some wat picked up all day! but its a never ending battle with my 1 year old running about!! so at night when she is in bed i clean the house and make sure everything is put away!! it makes me feel better to go to sleep with the house clean or at least picked up!!

MaggieCC

on Feb 24, 2011 at 5:22 PM

I truly can not relax if the house is not clean! I can come home tired and not have the energy to clean it but it bothers me to no end until I get it clean!

LindAngeLevi

on Feb 25, 2011 at 2:33 AM

I hate cleaning but I can't relax if its not clean in high school I lived with my sister I usually did the cleaning because she had a full time job and was always out. So I always had the place to myself. I would get home make something to eat really quick sit down to eat and wouldn't even take a bite because the living room was a mess so I would get up clean the living room and then was able to eat comfortably. Its weird now that I think about it but I think it was because I knew if I didn't clean I would have to get up after I ate and clean. Rather than eating and just relaxing or doing homework

bsawyer84

on Feb 25, 2011 at 9:51 AM

I used to clean religiously, floors scrubbed with a toothbrush once a week religiously, but my partner could mess up the entire house in 5 seconds flat. I've given up. I make him clean now. But I enjoy organizing.

Nonmember comment from mb

on Feb 28, 2011 at 5:24 PM

I also LOVE a clean house and have trouble relaxing if it's messy but I don't like to do housework. My solution: I hired a housekeeper. Takes her 4 hours to do what would take me twice as long and while she's cleaning my house I can spend time studying (which I DO like).