Yorkshire adults fear parents' judgement when it comes to house cleanliness

Once we fly the nest and set up home, as adults Yorkshire still cannot escape the fear of disapproval from parents – with one in five (17%) worrying most about their parents’ opinions when welcoming them into their homes, according to German home appliance manufacturer Vorwerk.

However, Yorkshire is less effected by the opinions of their in-laws when it comes to the cleanliness of their homes – as just one in 10 (10%) worry most about their opinions.

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With over a third (34%) of the region admitting to being house proud when it comes to the main motivation to clean as well as 20% fearing they will be negatively judged, that is clear to see with 70% spending up to two hours making sure their homes are spick and span ahead of guests arriving.

Host with the most

The county is most likely to reach for the vacuum cleaner ahead of any other household chore when expecting guests (76%), followed by tidying up (39%), cleaning the bathroom (39%), dusting (31%) and cleaning surfaces (17%).

And Yorkshire appears a region divided when it comes to the thought of unexpected guests dropping by with 35% flying into a panic and beginning emergency cleaning as 35% sit back and relax as they do not worry about a bit of mess when caught off-guard. However, 9% will go as far as suggesting another meeting place to avoid loved ones popping in altogether and even 3% lie and say they are not in.

Quick-fix cleaning methods appear to be a favourite for all quarters of the region, with the top five shortcut clean-up tactics being:

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Open windows (35%)Hide things in the junk room (32%)Spray scent (28%)Light a scented candle (19%)Hide stuff in the garage (13%)

Speaking about the findings, cleaning expert and star of Channel 4 Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners, Lynsey Queen of Clean, said: “While many of us might moan about cleaning, lots of us really are very house proud and want to give off the best impression to friends and family.

“I’m not personally a fan of the ‘hide-it-and-hope-for-the-best’ approach, but there are lots of shortcuts that you can quickly and easily do if you get a sudden text or call from a friend on their way around.”

And with preparations for December 25th in full swing for several households across Yorkshire, 36% of the region says Christmas Day is when they spend most time cleaning ahead of family gatherings (35%) and dinner parties (34%).

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Thomas Henningsson, from Vorwerk, added: “With Christmas and the festive season just around the corner, it’s good to know that there are gadgets and gizmos out there that can really help take the effort out of cleaning - as well as more quirky shortcuts. We’ve had fun finding out about the innovative hiding places that people hide their clutter – apparently it gets hidden in everywhere from the laundry basket, wheelie bin, and even the dishwasher!”

Lynsey Queen of Clean’s top tips for getting your home guest ready

Start off by clearing the entrance of your home so guests don’t fall clutter when they walk in. Make sure your door mat is clean by giving it a shake and sweep away any dirt.Next, clean the kitchen. Put any dirty dishes in the sink or dishwasher and make sure your tea towels are clean. Spray a damp microfiber cloth with all-purpose spray and use it to wipe over kitchen surfaces and brush crumbs onto the floor, then vacuum the room.Guests are likely to spend a lot of time in your living room. Tidy away clutter such as books and magazines, and if you have a pet, rub your furniture with a damp rubber glove to remove pet hair. Spray your sofas with a fabric freshener and turn your cushions over instead of vacuuming them to save time.The bathroom is an area in your home where your guests will spend time alone and will make judgements about how clean it is! If you only have a minute, do these three things: 1. Get an antibacterial wipe and wipe down the sink, the toilet seat (with a new one) and underneath the base of the toilet. 2. Scrub the inside of the toilet. 3. Get a new fresh hand towel.Lastly, if there’s a room in your home that you don’t want guests to enter, simply closing the door will make them less likely to go in.

Vorwerk offers the ultimate home cleaning solution. Combining German engineering, expertise, and ingenuity, Vorwerk has the products needed to keep the modern home clean, hygienic, and ready for everything that life throws at it.

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Already found in millions of European homes, the Vorwerk Kobold VK200 is much more than a vacuum cleaner. It’s a high-tech solution to deep-clean carpets, hard floors, curtains, and mattresses. And when it comes to tackling all types of flooring, the SP530 delivers a first-rate clean as it simultaneously mops and vacuums at the same time.

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