Keeping your home clean is essential, but with busy schedules, how often do Americans actually clean their homes? What tasks are skipped most often? And how much time do people spend on cleaning each week? These questions are more important than ever, especially as the cleaning industry grows and cleaning habits evolve.
In this post, we’ll explore house cleaning statistics that give you a deeper understanding of how Americans approach their cleaning routines. Whether you’re a homeowner looking to improve your cleaning habits or a cleaning business owner trying to stay competitive, understanding these key insights can help you make better decisions.
House Cleaning Frequency and Time Spent
How Often Do Americans Clean Their Homes?
Americans clean their homes at varying frequencies, depending on factors such as income, lifestyle, and household size. According to recent surveys, the average American spends a significant amount of time each week cleaning their home. However, certain areas of the house receive more attention than others.
- Kitchens are the most frequently cleaned part of the home, with Americans cleaning their kitchens an average of 20 times per month. High traffic and the need for hygiene in food preparation spaces drive frequent cleaning.
- Bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms are cleaned 14-17 times per month, depending on the household. These spaces are typically cleaned more often in homes with children or pets, while single-person households might clean these rooms less frequently.
Generational Differences in Cleaning Frequency
- Gen Z and Millennials tend to clean their homes more frequently than older generations. They clean common areas like bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms an average of 16-17 times per month, whereas Baby Boomers clean these areas only 12-14 times per month.
- Younger Americans also spend more time cleaning floors and kitchen surfaces due to increased awareness of hygiene and cleanliness.
This generational gap reflects a shift in cleaning behaviors, with younger Americans more likely to maintain cleanliness as part of a routine. At the same time, older generations might rely more on professional cleaning services or clean less often.
Time Spent Cleaning
Cleaning time varies based on income and gender, with wealthier households spending more time cleaning than those with lower incomes.
- On average, Americans spend around 56 minutes per week cleaning floors (vacuuming, mopping, etc.). However, households earning $200,000 or more pay 28 minutes more per week on floor cleaning than those with incomes below $25,000.
- Women spend about 54.2 minutes per week cleaning floors, while men spend 58.9 minutes cleaning the same areas. This slight difference may be due to women often taking on more household responsibilities, especially in homes with children.
While these numbers provide an overview of how much time Americans dedicate to floor cleaning, other tasks such as dusting, surface cleaning, and organizing also take additional time, totaling several hours each week.
Cleaning Frequency Breakdown Table
| Room/Area | Frequency (per month) |
| Kitchen | 20 cleanings |
| Living Room, Dining Room, Bedroom | 14-17 cleanings |
| Bathrooms | 16-20 cleanings |
| Floors (Vacuuming & Mopping) | 56 minutes/week average |
Cleaning Blindspots: What Gets Skipped Most Often?
As dedicated as many Americans are to cleaning their homes, certain areas are often overlooked. These cleaning blind spots can accumulate over time, creating buildup of dirt and dust in places that may not be immediately visible. Let’s dive deeper into the areas Americans skip most often and why they tend to ignore them.
Commonly Neglected Areas
- Window Blinds: 29% of Americans report skipping the cleaning of window blinds. This task is often missed because it requires a ladder or extended reach, and blinds don’t show dirt or dust as easily as floors or countertops.
- Baseboards: 27% of Americans neglect to clean their baseboards regularly. Baseboards collect dust, pet hair, and dirt, but many people avoid cleaning them because they are low to the ground and hard to reach.
- Ceiling Fans & Windowsills: 23% of people skip cleaning ceiling fans and windowsills. Ceiling fans accumulate dust and can spread it throughout the room when turned on, yet they’re often overlooked in regular cleaning routines.
Why Do People Skip These Tasks?
Many of these areas require more time and effort to clean compared to visible spaces like countertops or floors. However, neglecting them can result in dirty air, allergic reactions, or a generally unkempt appearance, even if the more obvious areas look clean.
Cleaning Challenges: Motivation, Time, and Pet-Related Issues
Even when people are committed to cleaning, several barriers prevent them from sticking to a consistent routine. Understanding these barriers can help homeowners find practical solutions to keep their homes clean without feeling overwhelmed.
Motivation and Time Struggles
- 33.3% of Americans struggle with the motivation and energy to clean their homes. Whether it’s a busy work schedule, family obligations, or simply a lack of energy after a long day, many Americans find it challenging to maintain consistent cleaning habits.
- 15.6% of people admit they don’t have enough time to clean. With long working hours and other responsibilities, fitting cleaning into the daily routine can be challenging. As a result, many rely on professional cleaning services or make use of robotic vacuums to manage the load.
Pet Cleaning Challenges
- Pet owners face unique cleaning challenges that require constant attention. 23.9% of pet owners report dealing with pet hair and food spills daily. They must clean up after their pets constantly to maintain a clean home. Some pet owners even opt for pet-specific cleaning tools, like pet hair vacuums or odor-neutralizing products, to deal with the messes their pets create.
Tools and Technology Used for Cleaning
Technology is increasingly becoming a game-changer in the cleaning industry. From robot vacuums to smart cleaning products, Americans are using a variety of tools to streamline their cleaning tasks.
Tools Americans Use Most
- Cloths & Disinfectants: 81.7% of Americans use cleaning cloths and disinfectants weekly. These are staples in most households for wiping down surfaces and maintaining hygiene.
- Brooms: 80% of people use a broom to sweep their floors weekly, making it one of the most common tools for basic floor cleaning.
- Vacuum Cleaners: 66.4% of Americans use non-robotic vacuums to clean their floors weekly, while 63.6% use traditional mops.
- Robot Vacuums: Interestingly, 30.4% of Americans now use robot vacuums for cleaning, reflecting the growing popularity of automated cleaning devices. These devices are especially popular in households with busy schedules, allowing for hands-free floor cleaning.
The Growing Demand for Cleaning Services
As Americans’ cleaning habits become more specialized and the demand for cleaning services continues to rise, the cleaning industry is expanding rapidly. Residential cleaning services, in particular, are seeing strong growth, as more homeowners turn to professionals for help.
Demand for Professional Cleaning Services
- The residential cleaning market is projected to reach $40.38 billion by 2025, driven by the need for specialized services and the time-saving benefits they provide. Many households are opting for recurring cleaning services, typically scheduled weekly or biweekly, to ensure consistent cleanliness.
- Higher-income households are more likely to hire professional cleaning services, and many spend more on premium services such as deep cleaning, carpet cleaning, and window washing. This has spurred growth in the cleaning business sector, as companies expand their offerings to meet these demands.
Post-Pandemic Growth in Commercial Cleaning
Commercial cleaning services are also on the rise, as businesses, schools, and healthcare facilities increase their focus on maintaining hygiene. The global commercial cleaning market is projected to surpass $100 billion by 2025 due to heightened awareness of cleanliness in public spaces.
The Future of House Cleaning: What Homeowners Can Expect in 2025 and Beyond
The cleaning industry is rapidly evolving, with new technologies, changing consumer preferences, and increasing demand for high-quality, specialized cleaning services. Homeowners can expect the following trends to shape the future of cleaning:
- Automation and AI: Robotic vacuums, innovative cleaning tools, and AI-driven solutions will become more integrated into households, making cleaning more efficient and less time-consuming.
- Sustainability: Green cleaning will continue to grow, with an increasing number of cleaning businesses adopting eco-friendly products and practices to meet the demand for environmentally conscious cleaning solutions.
- Premium Services: As more homeowners invest in their living spaces, demand for premium cleaning services, such as deep cleaning and specialized services, will continue to rise.
Key Takeaways and What Homeowners Should Expect in 2025
In conclusion, the cleaning industry is experiencing significant growth and transformation. From premium services to robotic solutions, homeowners are seeking cleaning services that are both convenient and high-quality. As trends such as green cleaning and automation continue to shape the industry, homeowners should stay informed about these changes and consider how they can make their cleaning routines more efficient and environmentally friendly. The future of cleaning is brighter, more convenient, and more sustainable. Even if you’re looking to adopt new technologies or simply improve your cleaning habits, staying ahead of these trends will help you maintain a clean, healthy home for years to come.
For homeowners in New Jersey, RMS Cleaning offers professional, eco-friendly cleaning services that meet your home’s specific needs. Our team provides reliable, high-quality cleaning that fits your schedule. Get in touch with us today to learn how we can help keep your home spotless and healthy.
References:
- American Cleaning Institute. (2025). ACI Survey: Americans’ Connection to Cleaning and Well-being.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). (2024). Time-Use Survey: Household Cleaning Time by Demographics.Â
https://www.bls.gov/charts/american-time-use/activity-by-hldh.htm?
- Grand View Research. (2025). Cleaning Services Market Size & Forecasts. GrandViewResearch.com.
- Fortune Business Insights. (2025). Household Cleaning Products Market Growth & Trends. FortuneBusinessInsights.com.
