The Chores Americans Hate The Most (And How To Make Them A Bit Easier)
It is funny how we all collectively agree that some parts of adulthood are just a bit more draining than others. I was looking through a survey recently that ranked the chores we dread the most, and honestly, I found myself nodding along to almost every single one. It is nice to know that when I am procrastinating on cleaning the bathroom or folding that mountain of laundry, I am not alone. Here are the chores that Americans hate the most, and you probably do too.
Cleaning The Bathroom
Cleaning the bathroom consistently ranks as the most hated chore in America, and it is easy to see why. Between scrubbing the toilet and dealing with soap scum in the shower, it is a physically demanding and kinda gross task. To make it easier, I have started keeping a dish wand filled with soap and vinegar right in the shower. Giving the walls a quick swipe while the water is warming up keeps the grime from ever getting out of hand.
Washing Dishes
Dishes are the chore that never stays finished, which is probably why so many of us find them so frustrating. You finish one load and five minutes later, someone puts a cereal bowl in the sink. The trick here is the "one-in, one-out" rule. If you empty the dishwasher first thing in the morning while the coffee brews, it is ready to be filled with dirty dishes throughout the day. It prevents that overwhelming amount of dishes from piling up in the evening.
Folding Laundry
Many people actually enjoy the act of washing clothes, but folding and putting them away is where the motivation usually drops off. We have all had that "clean clothes chair" that sits there for a week. I have found that if I fold my clothes directly out of the dryer while they are still warm, I can usually get it done in under ten minutes. Pairing it with a favorite podcast makes the time go by so much faster.
Dusting
Dusting feels like a losing battle because the moment you finish, a new layer of dust seems to appear. It is tedious to move every little knickknack just to wipe a shelf. To simplify this, I switched to using a damp microfiber cloth instead of a feather duster. The damp cloth actually grabs the dust instead of just pushing it into the air to land somewhere else. Focusing on just one room per week keeps it from feeling like a marathon.
Mopping The Kitchen Floor
Sweeping and mopping are a double whammy of effort, especially if you have pets or kids. It feels like you are just pushing dirt around sometimes before more dirt gets tracked in. A great way to lower the barrier is to invest in a spray mop with a washable pad. Being able to quickly spot-clean a spill without filling a whole bucket makes a huge difference. If you can clear the crumbs once a day, mopping becomes way quicker.
Cleaning The Oven
Cleaning the oven is the ultimate "I will do it next weekend" chore. The burnt-on grease and harsh chemical smells are enough to make anyone put it off for months. Instead of waiting for a spill, try lining the bottom of your oven with a reusable silicone liner. It catches all the drips from your pizza or casseroles. When it gets dirty, you just pull the liner out and wash it in the sink, saving you hours of heavy scrubbing.
Cleaning The Fridge
Cleaning out the fridge usually involves finding old, forgotten food in the back corners, which is why we avoid it. My favorite realistic tip is to do a "fridge sweep" the night before your trash is collected. Toss anything that looks suspicious and wipe one shelf with a damp cloth. By the time you come home with fresh groceries, you actually have a clean space to put them, and the task never feels too overwhelming.
Washing Windows
Washing windows is one of those chores that can take an entire afternoon and still look streaky if the sun hits them wrong. Most pros suggest skipping the expensive window sprays and using a simple mix of water and a drop of dish soap instead. Use a squeegee rather than paper towels to get that clear finish. If you only tackle two or three windows at a time every week or so, you can maintain the whole house without losing your entire Saturday.
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We all have that one task that we would happily pay someone else to do if we could. It is okay if your house doesn't look like a magazine cover every day of the week. Most of us are just trying to keep the chaos at bay. Hopefully, these small shifts make your least favorite chores feel a bit less like torture. Do you have a specific task that we missed on this list?
Bliss Donahue-Power
