Galway residents are revealed as the most confident cleaners in the country, with 73 per cent saying they feel confident in how they clean their homes, according to a recent cleaning culture report by Brillo.
The research reveals that while confidence is high, 93 per cent of Galway adults still admit to panic cleaning before someone visits their home, showing how common last-minute tidying remains.
One in four (25 per cent ) put off their most avoided chore for at least a week, and when it comes to which tasks people avoid the most, it’s the more time-consuming jobs that tend to slip. Cleaning the oven (39 per cent ) tops the list, followed by behind appliances (34 per cent ), windows (31 per cent ), and skirting boards (27 per cent ).
When guests are on the way, the focus shifts to quick, visible results. While 52 per cent opt for a surface clean, 48 per cent prioritise the most noticeable areas. Meanwhile, 39 per cent admit to hiding clutter in a press or spare room. Despite the effort, certain areas are often overlooked. Forty one per cent of Galway respondents say they rarely think to clean behind appliances, while 35 per cent overlook light switches and door handles and 29 per cent forget inside bins.
In the kitchen, tougher cleaning jobs continue to pose a challenge. Behind appliances (46 per cent ) and the extractor fan or hood (46 per cent ) are jointly identified as the hardest areas to clean, followed by kitchen cupboards (22 per cent ).
Time spent cleaning varies, with most reporting between six and 10 hours (35 per cent ) or 11 to 20 hours (26 per cent ) per month.
When it comes to having guests over, Galway residents say their biggest concerns are unpleasant smells (44 per cent ), unclean bathrooms (35 per cent ), and cluttered spaces (33 per cent ).
In response to these findings, Brillo is partnering with Gaff Goddess Laura de Barra, who is sharing five practical tips that tackle the most avoided tasks in the country, with simple, time saving approaches for each.
Tip 1: Eliminate ‘big’ cleans entirely
Regular oven use without cleaning allows grease and grime to build up and be baked in over time, which turns simple maintenance into a time-consuming task. A little spritz with an oven-safe spray and a wipe-down after every few uses takes minutes and will remove the need for that dreaded big clean later.
Tip 2: Let the product do the work
While some people love to clean, others put off tasks because they take too long to complete. If you are in the latter camp, consider products with a time promise. For example, the Brillo Air Fryer Clean takes 30 seconds and can leave you with a sparkling appliance in the time it takes a kettle to boil.
Tip 3: Match your products to your task.
Many cleaning jobs take longer because we are using the wrong products. For example, high-grease areas like cooker hoods require targeted degreasers to quickly break down residue. It will be fast-acting and help you keep your hood healthy in minutes.
Tip 4: Don’t forget the parts you cannot see
Often, the parts we cannot see are the worst offenders for odours in the kitchen, and our sink is usually the main culprit. Make sure you run hot water through your drain daily to prevent build-up. Should you feel your sink is draining slowly, tackle it as soon as you can with an unblocker that doesn't need to be left overnight, as it is kinder to your pipes.
Tip 5: Prevent limescale build-up
Limescale can make even the cleanest bathrooms look as if they have been neglected, and can also affect the pressure of water from shower heads and taps. The simplest way to avoid it is to dry down surfaces with a soft cloth, squeegee screens, and buff shiny fittings after hot showers or baths. You can also skip basic cleaners and look for a limescale-specific spray to help lift in seconds.
“I see people putting pressure on themselves to keep their homes perfect, leaving little time to get around to the trickier jobs," Laura de Barra said. "Brillo's research offers brilliant insight into how people actually clean and what tends to get neglected. Simple, reliable routines and a couple of clever hacks can take the pain out of the household tasks people tend to avoid, so you can get back to the things that matter most to you.”
