CLEANING CONFESSIONS

Cleaning secrets uncovered

Cleaning is a topic that divides the nation. While some hear a dreaded word that looms over their week, others lose themselves in the art of scrubbing their homes clean. From the house proud to the more disorganised, cleaning is something we all partake in at some point during our week, whether that’s a quick vacuum or a deep clean.

But how we’re cleaning, and maybe what we’re not cleaning, is apparently something the nation is not afraid to admit to, when it’s anonymous…

We wanted to uncover Britain’s best-kept secrets when it comes to cleaning and understand the dirty truth inside UK homes. So we surveyed 2,000 UK adults to understand the nation’s approach to cleaning, and we think some of these confessions might shock even some of the messiest residents.



Door knobs are constantly touched by different hands, so they need to be cleaned frequently, especially in high traffic areas like bathrooms and the kitchen, where bacteria is more likely to gather. Make this job hassle-free by using antibacterial wipes or a damp cloth with a simple disinfectant.

The same goes for kitchen cabinets, they are known to harbour dirt and could contain crumbs of food, so make sure to anti-bac the area weekly- make this a task before the food shop to make it a common habit.

And lastly, light switches, although in every room, are an easy feature to forget about during your cleaning. Light switches can be a breeding ground for bacteria due to their close contact with hands, so make sure to disinfect them numerous times a week, and even daily if someone is unwell in your home or you’ve had visitors.

How often are people cleaning their home appliances

Our results found that those who live alone are less likely to clean their appliances, with 56% of people not cleaning coffee machines, 47% never cleaning their blenders, and 41% never cleaning their slow cookers. So here are a few tips...

Coffee machines

20 million coffee machines in the UK have NEVER been cleaned

According to FreshGround, 70% of households in the UK own a coffee machine, which could equal almost 20 million coffee machines around the nation’s homes.

However, have you ever actually cleaned your coffee machine? Shockingly, our study found that 37% of people have NEVER cleaned their coffee machine (and just 19% say they clean their coffee machine often).

Ovens

73% of the UK population are not cleaning their oven often enough

When it comes to ovens, only 73% of the nation admits to cleaning them often, with even less (10%) cleaning them very often.

Cleaning the oven can be a dreaded chore, and the more grime builds up, the more it makes the job tougher. But by breaking it down step-by-step, it can become a much easier step in your deep-cleaning routine.

Air fryers

Air fryers need daily cleaning, yet 28% have never cleaned theirs

The air fryer, the icon of the kitchen, is making the lives of many people easier every day. But not as well looked after as we’d hope, with a shocking 28% having never cleaned their air fryer.

Almost two-thirds (68%) of adults own an air fryer in the UK, making it the third most-used appliance in the UK, according to a study by Good Food Nation. Although their convenience is what makes them so popular, they need more care than ovens.

Vacuums

Over 4 million people have never cleaned their vacuums

The vacuum is the thing that cleans our homes, so it can be easy to forget that the thing that cleans is the very thing that needs cleaning the most. Thankfully, only 8% admit to never cleaning their vacuums, but the number of those cleaning often (45%) is still not even half of the UK.

Mops

2 in 10 have NEVER cleaned their mop head

There are many different kinds of mops, whether you opt for the classic floor mop with the removable head, choose ease with a floor wipe, or have treated yourself to a steam mop.

No matter which one you choose, it appears regular cleaning of the mop itself isn't as popular in the UK as the floor itself. Our survey found that only 15% clean their mops very often whilst 18% have never cleaned their mop head!

Our top cleaning tips

When it comes to cleaning, we asked an in-house microbiologist for their best tips.

• Coffee machine: For daily cleaning, wipe down any spillages and remove parts to rinse with soapy water. For a deeper clean, empty the machine and remove all parts. Clean with a mixture of white vinegar and water, then run a cycle to flush the solution through. Follow with 2–3 cycles of clean water to remove any residue before reassembling.
• Oven: For a quick refresh, place a bowl of water and white vinegar in the oven and heat to 100°C for 30 minutes. Once cooled, wipe away loosened residue.
• Air fryer: Clean the basket or tray after every use with a mild soap solution, even if using liners. Perform a deeper clean every 2–4 weeks depending on usage. For stubborn grease, use a non-scratch sponge with a baking soda paste. A mixture of white vinegar and washing-up liquid can help remove bacteria.
• Vacuum: If your vacuum requires manual emptying, empty it after each use and regularly clean removable parts. Wash components like the canister with warm soapy water and rinse other parts with cold water where appropriate.
• Floor mop: Mop heads can harbour large amounts of bacteria, so clean them after every use. Either hand wash or machine wash on a hot cycle (up to 60°C). For a more hygienic option, steam cleaning can help reduce bacteria levels using heat alone.

Methodology

Shark commissioned a survey of 2,000 adults in the United Kingdom via OnePoll in May 2025, focusing on how people approach cleaning in 2025. The survey explored how often they clean certain household items, the shortcuts they take while cleaning, and their views on cleaning as a habit. The survey criteria included those aged between 18 and 65+, UK adults who are responsible for cleaning and people from 30 different cities in the UK.

Sources:

• Number of pets in the UK – UK Pet Food
• Washing-up sponge study – Scientific Reports
• Number of coffee machine owners – FreshGround
• Number of UK air fryers – Good Food Nation
• Amount of bacteria in mops – Bidfood