The cleaning habits that could be putting homes at risk

How often people clean household items and how avoiding deep cleaning could be putting homes at risk

June 2026

While people are keeping up with the everyday chores, when it comes to deep cleaning, many are putting off the jobs that may matter most, and neglecting them could lead to real consequences. New research from the home and contents insurance comparison service iSelect surveyed over 3,000 Australians, Americans, and Canadians to reveal which deep cleaning tasks are often overlooked.

Australian cleaning habits that could be putting homes at risk

How often Australians deep clean household items

Household item	Weekly	Monthly	3 to 6 months	Yearly	Never	N/A
Refrigerator	12%	25%	36%	21%	5%	1%
Oven	11%	21%	33%	24%	8%	2%
Carpets and rugs	17%	19%	21%	23%	9%	11%
Air-conditioning (vents/filters)	4%	13%	28%	36%	12%	7%
Washing machine	9%	23%	33%	18%	15%	2%
Dryer lint trap	28%	17%	14%	6%	6%	28%
Dishwasher	11%	25%	20%	10%	7%	27%

Across Australian households, the most common deep cleaning habit was every three to six months, with more than a third of Aussies deep cleaning appliances such as fridges, ovens and washing machines on such a cycle. Air-conditioning filters seemed to be the most neglected, with 36% of Australians cleaning these annually, while a further 12% admit they never clean them at all. Given these systems circulate air throughout the home, neglecting them can contribute to mould, odours and inefficient operation. Carpets and rugs are more likely to be deep cleaned annually with 23% reporting this. These results suggest that Australians are not neglecting cleaning entirely, but deep cleaning could be more reactive rather than a routine habit.

Most common cleaning frequency among Australian age groups

Item	18-24 years	25-34 years	35-44 years	45-54 years	55-64 years	65+ years
Refrigerator	38% every 3-6 months	34% every 3-6 months	31% every 3-6 months	37% every 3-6 months	38% every 3-6 months	40% every 3-6 months
Oven	32% every 3-6 months	31% every 3-6 months	28% every 3-6 months	30% yearly	27% yearly	31% yearly
Carpets and rugs	26% monthly	28% monthly	22% every 3-6 months	23% yearly	37% yearly	30% yearly
Air-conditioning (vents/filters)	29% every 3-6 months	28% every 3-6 months	32% every 3-6 months	38% yearly	37% yearly	53% yearly
Washing machine	30% monthly	41% every 3-6 months	31% every 3-6 months	41% every 3-6 months	33% every 3-6 months	31% every 3-6 months
Dryer lint trap	26% weekly	27% weekly	31% weekly	29% weekly	26% weekly	29% weekly
Dishwasher	23% monthly	25% every 3-6 months	29% monthly	25% monthly	29% monthly	21% monthly

Australians aged 18-44 are deep cleaning most items either monthly or every three to six months. From 45 years and up, Australians become more consistent, but not more frequent with deep cleans. Instead of skipping tasks entirely, older age groups tend to shift cleaning to a yearly routine, particularly carpets, ovens, and air-conditioning filters.

Household cleaning tasks Australians avoid

Rank	Cleaning task	Men	Women	Total
1	Cleaning windows	36%	43%	39%
2	Deep cleaning appliances	22%	25%	24%
2	Deep cleaning the bathroom	24%	25%	24%
3	Decluttering	24%	22%	23%
4	Deep cleaning the kitchen	23%	21%	22%
5	Cleaning the toilet	23%	15%	19%
6	Changing bed sheets	12%	11%	11%
6	Dusting	10%	12%	11%
7	Taking out and cleaning the bins	8%	11%	9%
8	Mopping	9%	7%	8%
9	Vacuuming	6%	4%	5%
10	Washing dishes	4%	5%	4%

Note: respondents were given the option to pick two tasks.

Window cleaning is Australia’s most avoided household task, with nearly four in ten Australians admitting they put it off. Highlighting the importance of tackling these big chores can help homeowners feel responsible and motivated to maintain their home. Many of the tasks Australians avoid are the very chores most likely to cause long‑term problems when neglected. Deep cleaning appliances and bathrooms rank joint second nationwide, both of which are essential for preventing mould, grime build‑up, and costly damage over time. The pattern is clear: Australians don’t avoid everyday cleaning, they avoid the big, time‑consuming jobs. Tasks that are physically demanding, infrequent, or unpleasant consistently top the avoidance list, suggesting that effort and fatigue, rather than hygiene awareness, could be the main barriers.

Why are Australians not deep cleaning?

Main reason for not deep cleaning	Men	Women	Total
Lack of time	32%	28%	30%
Feels overwhelming	17%	22%	20%
Not a priority	21%	16%	19%
I am always too tired	11%	17%	14%
I forget about it	11%	8%	10%
Not sure how to do it	4%	4%	4%
It’s not my responsibility	1%	2%	2%
Products are too expensive	2%	2%	2%

Note: Respondents were asked to choose one response.

Australians are not avoiding deep cleaning because they don’t want to, they’re avoiding it because they’re time poor, overwhelmed and too tired. Men are more likely to deprioritise cleaning consciously or might even forget. Women were more likely to feel overwhelmed because of cleaning tasks. The chores people avoid most are the ones that require sustained effort, planning and energy resources that many households feel they don’t have.

Consequences of neglecting to clean

Issues	Total
Mould	22%
Operating inefficiently	12%
Severe odour	11%
Breakdown	9%
Damage	8%
Leak	7%
Fire	3%
No	59%

The consequences of neglecting household cleaning and maintenance are already visible in Australian homes, with issues such as mould, lingering odours and appliance breakdowns commonly reported. Yet despite these risks, deep cleaning remains something many Australians put off. Around four in ten Australians say neglecting cleaning or maintenance has already caused a problem in their home. Mould emerges as the most frequently reported outcome of cleaning neglect, reinforcing the health risks associated with delayed maintenance.

American cleaning habits that could be putting their homes at risk

For most American households, items such as refrigerators, ovens, air‑conditioning filters, and washing machines are cleaned every 3 to 6 months. Monthly or weekly deep cleaning is far less common, suggesting cleaning is often a reactive task when there is visible dirt, odours or problems rather than a scheduled routine. At the same time, 15% of Americans reported never cleaning their washing machines, making it one of the most neglected household items. However, 59% of Americans said they clean their dryer lint traps weekly. This component captures fabric fibres and, if not cleaned, can prevent airflow, cause obstructions and pose a fire risk.

How often Americans deep clean household items

Household item	Weekly	Monthly	Every 3 to 6 months	Yearly	Never	N/A
Refrigerator	14%	30%	31%	17%	5%	2%
Oven	13%	24%	29%	24%	7%	3%
Carpets and rugs	21%	22%	21%	18%	7%	11%
Air-conditioning (vents/filters)	8%	29%	31%	19%	8%	5%
Washing machine	11%	24%	26%	15%	15%	9%
Dryer lint trap	59%	14%	9%	5%	3%	9%
Dishwasher	17%	23%	19%	9%	9%	22%

While Americans are cleaning their homes, deep cleaning is rarely treated as a routine task. Younger adults are more likely to clean monthly or even weekly, particularly for visible items like carpets and refrigerators, but consistency drops as households age. From mid‑life onwards, many deep‑cleaning tasks are pushed to yearly cycles, especially ovens, carpets and air‑conditioning systems. The one exception is dryer lint traps, which are most commonly cleaned weekly across all age groups, showing that when the risk is clear, behaviour follows. Overall, the findings suggest that deep cleaning in American homes is reactive rather than preventive, leaving appliances and systems vulnerable to long-term damage.

Most common cleaning frequency among American age groups

Household item	18-24 years	25-34 years	35-44 years	45-54 years	55-64 years	65+ years
Refrigerator	34% monthly	39% monthly	34% every 3-6 months	33% monthly	34% every 3-6 months	44% every 3-6 months
Oven	30% monthly	34% monthly	31% every 3-6 months	34% yearly	31% yearly	41% every 3-6 months
Carpets and rugs	38% weekly	32% weekly	29% monthly	23% monthly	28% every 3-6 months	29% yearly
Air-conditioning (vents/filters)	28% monthly	34% monthly	33% every 3-6 months	34% every 3-6 months	34% every 3-6 months	37% every 3-6 months
Washing machine	23% weekly	28% every 3-6 months	30% monthly	25% every 3-6 months	25% every 3-6 months	28% every 3-6 months
Dryer lint trap	52% weekly	50% weekly	60% weekly	68% weekly	61% weekly	64% weekly
Dishwasher	34% weekly	27% weekly	25% monthly	26% monthly	22% monthly	24% every3-6 months

The most avoided cleaning tasks among Americans are the bigger, time‑consuming jobs, particularly deep cleaning bathrooms, windows, appliances and kitchens. Around one‑third of Americans avoid deep cleaning the bathroom (32%) or cleaning windows (32%), with notable gender differences: men are more likely to avoid deep cleaning bathrooms (35% vs 29%) and specifically, toilets (24% vs 15%). Meanwhile, women are far more likely to avoid cleaning windows (37% vs 27%). In contrast, everyday chores such as vacuuming, washing dishes and mopping rank at the bottom and are rarely avoided by either gender. Notably, one in four Americans (25%) say they avoid deep cleaning appliances, a behaviour that carries added risk, as neglecting these items could lead to inefficiency, odours, breakdowns and potential fire risks too.

Household cleaning tasks Americans avoid

Rank	Cleaning task	Men	Women	Total
1	Deep cleaning the bathroom	35%	29%	32%
1	Cleaning windows	27%	37%	32%
2	Deep cleaning appliances	22%	28%	25%
3	Deep cleaning the kitchen	23%	21%	22%
4	Cleaning the toilet	24%	15%	20%
4	Decluttering	19%	20%	20%
5	Dusting	11%	13%	12%
6	Taking out and cleaning bins	9%	11%	10%
7	Changing bed sheets	10%	9%	9%
8	Mopping	8%	8%	8%
9	Washing dishes	9%	6%	7%
10	Vacuuming	3%	4%	3%

Note: respondents were given the option to pick two tasks.

Lack of time is the top reason overall (28%) as to why Americans don’t clean as often as they’d like, and the leading reason among men (30%). Feeling overwhelmed is the top reason for women (27%), in comparison to only 17% of men feeling the same. Men were also more likely to report that deep cleaning is not a priority and something they forget about.

Why Americans avoid deep cleaning

Reason	Men	Women	Total
Lack of time	30%	25%	28%
Feels overwhelming	17%	27%	22%
Not a priority	18%	13%	16%
I forget about it	17%	12%	14%
I am always too tired	9%	14%	12%
Not sure how to do it	3%	5%	4%
It’s not my responsibility	3%	1%	2%
Products are too expensive	2%	2%	2%

Note: Respondents were asked to choose one response.

Four in ten Americans report having already experienced an issue by neglecting cleaning or maintenance. Mould was the biggest issue Americans reported, with five per cent more men reporting this than women. Leaks, breakdowns and damage were all reported by close to 1 in 10 households. These issues can lead directly to costly repairs, insurance claims and loss of use. While the risk of fire is low, men report fire incidents at more than double the rate of women (5% vs 2%).

Consequences of neglecting to clean

Issue experienced	Men	Women	Total
Mould	19%	14%	17%
Operating inefficiently	18%	12%	15%
Severe odour	15%	11%	13%
Damage	12%	7%	10%
Breakdown	11%	7%	9%
Leak	11%	5%	8%
Fire	5%	2%	3%
None of the above	52%	68%	60%

Canadian cleaning habits that could be putting homes at risk

How often Canadians deep clean household items

Household item	Weekly	Monthly	Every 3 to 6 months	Yearly	Never	N/A
Refrigerator	13%	28%	35%	19%	4%	1%
Oven	12%	21%	35%	22%	7%	2%
Carpets and rugs	21%	20%	19%	20%	6%	14%
Air-conditioning (vents/filters)	6%	16%	28%	28%	8%	15%
Washing machine	11%	21%	28%	18%	14%	9%
Dryer lint trap	55%	16%	8%	5%	5%	11%
Dishwasher	17%	22%	18%	10%	10%	23%

Canadians tend to deep clean most household items including refrigerators, ovens and washing machines every three to six months. Safety‑critical tasks were an exception, with over half of Canadians cleaning dryer lint traps weekly, reflecting strong awareness of the fire risks. In contrast, less visible systems such as air‑conditioning vents and filters are cleaned far less often, typically annually or every three to six months. Notably, 14% of Canadians say they never clean their washing machine, despite this being an appliance that can harbour odours and operate inefficiently when neglected.

Most common cleaning frequency among Canadian age groups

Household item	18-24 years	25-34 years	35-44 years	45-54 years	55-64 years	65+ years
Refrigerator	34% every 3-6 months	37% monthly	32% every 3–6 months	32% every 3-6 months	43% every 3-6 months	46% every 3-6 months
Oven	35% every 3-6 months	30% every 3-6 months	30% every 3–6 months	34% every 3-6 months	43% every 3-6 months	44% every 3-6 months
Carpets and rugs	36% weekly	31% weekly	24% weekly	23% yearly	26% yearly	30% yearly
Air-conditioning (vents/filters)	27% every 3-6 months	30% every 3-6 months	28% every 3-6 months	31% yearly	32% yearly	33% yearly
Washing machine	27% every 3-6 months	24% monthly	28% every 3-6 months	26% every 3-6 months	32% every 3-6 months	33% every 3-6 months
Dryer lint trap	54% weekly	50% weekly	56% weekly	54% weekly	55% weekly	61% weekly
Dishwasher	30% weekly	27% weekly	28% monthly	23% monthly	24% every 3-6 months	24% monthly

Cleaning habits in Canada shift noticeably with age, but the differences are less about effort and more about when people have the time. Younger adults are more likely to clean visible household items frequently. For example, around one‑third of Canadians aged 18-34 clean carpets weekly, and close to 30% clean their dishwashers weekly. On the other hand, older Canadians were cleaning less frequently, perhaps due to fewer people in their households or less time on their hands. From mid‑life onwards, the most common approach for many appliances, including refrigerators, ovens and washing machines, becomes every three to six months, rising to over 40% among those aged 55 and over for some items. Overall, the data suggests that as Canadians age, they don’t stop cleaning – they simply redefine deep cleaning as something done periodically rather than routinely.

Household cleaning tasks Canadians avoid

Rank	Household task	Men	Women	Total
1	Cleaning windows	27%	34%	31%
2	Deep cleaning the bathroom	31%	27%	29%
3	Deep cleaning appliances	21%	27%	24%
4	Cleaning the toilet	27%	18%	22%
4	Deep cleaning the kitchen	26%	18%	22%
4	Decluttering	19%	24%	22%
5	Taking out and cleaning bins	7%	14%	10%
5	Changing bed sheets	12%	8%	10%
5	Dusting	9%	10%	10%
6	Mopping	8%	8%	8%
7	Washing dishes	8%	6%	7%
8	Vacuuming	5%	4%	5%

Note: Respondents were given the option to pick two cleaning tasks

When it comes to cleaning avoidance, gender differences are clear: women are more likely to avoid large, time‑consuming tasks like window cleaning and appliance deep cleans. However, 29% of Canadians overall avoid deep cleaning the bathroom, with men (31%) more likely than women (27%) to do so. Again, men are also significantly more likely to avoid cleaning the toilet (27% vs 18%), suggesting that hygiene‑intensive tasks, rather than everyday cleaning, are the most avoided when comparing genders. Everyday chores that don’t take up too much time, such as vacuuming and washing dishes, are least likely to be avoided by either group.

Why Canadians avoid deep cleaning

Reason	Men	Women	Total
Lack of time	31%	31%	31%
Feels overwhelming	16%	25%	21%
Not a priority	19%	13%	16%
I forget about it	14%	9%	12%
I am always too tired	9%	14%	12%
Not sure how to do it	4%	4%	4%
It’s not my responsibility	4%	2%	3%
Products are too expensive	3%	3%	3%

A lack of time is the biggest barrier to deep cleaning for a third of Canadians, and the results were the same for both genders. Women are significantly more likely to say deep cleaning feels overwhelming (25% vs 16%) and that they’re always too tired to do it (14% vs 9%). Men shared that deep cleaning is not a priority (19% v 13%) or that they forget about it (14% vs 9%). Women are far more likely to experience deep cleaning as an emotional and physical burden. At the same time, men are more likely to frame it as a low‑priority task rather than an overwhelming one.

Consequences of neglecting to clean

Issue experienced	Men	Women	Total
Mould	19%	15%	17%
Operating inefficiently	15%	13%	14%
Severe odour	14%	12%	13%
Damage	11%	7%	9%
Breakdown	11%	7%	9%
Leak	8%	6%	7%
Fire	4%	2%	3%
None of the above	53%	65%	59%

Mould is the most common consequence for both genders, affecting nearly 1 in 5 men and 1 in 6 women. This is followed by issues like inefficiency and odours, which are far more common than dramatic failures, suggesting neglect often shows up gradually rather than suddenly. Men are more likely to report consequences overall. Nearly two‑thirds of women (65%) report no consequences, compared with 53% of men, suggesting that women clean more frequently. Fire risk, while rare, is real with 3% of Canadians saying neglect has led to a fire, rising to 4% among men, making this a small but serious risk.

“While this research highlights the general cleaning tasks that Australians are avoiding, it’s important to note how that could be impacting your home and contents insurance policy. In most cases, damage caused by gradual leaks, wear and tear and lack of maintenance is not covered, which is why it is important to keep on top of such tasks.

“Unfortunately, not everyone regularly keeps across it. We’re seeing Australians delay cleaning items such as air conditioning filters, kitchen appliances and washing machines often because they’re time poor. Over time, that neglect can lead to leaks, appliance breakdowns and even an increased risk of fire. Four in ten Australians say cleaning neglect has already caused a problem in their home, highlighting why regular cleaning and maintenance is important – not just for the sake of your insurance, but also for general safety within your home.”

“Outside of general cleaning and maintenance, a home and contents insurance policy can be incredibly useful for covering the fallout in the case of an accident, as long as you have an appropriate level of cover. Accidental damage is often available as an optional extra and can be useful for spills and stains, breakage of fragile items and some DIY disasters, among other things.”

Adrian Bennett

General Manager – General Insurance

About the data

The survey was commissioned by PureProfile of 1,020 Australian, 1,014 Canadian, and 1,044 American adults in April 2026. The percentages throughout are rounded to the nearest whole number and may not always equal 100%.

iSelect General Pty Ltd (ABN 90 131 798 126. AFSL 334115) has partnered with Compare the Market (ABN 83 117 323 378. AFSL 422926) to compare a range of home insurers and policies. Not all providers in the market or all policies offered by the partners are compared and not all policies or special offers are available to all customers.

A number of our participating general insurance brands are arranged by Auto & General Services Pty Ltd ACN 003 617 909 on behalf of Auto & General Insurance Company Limited 111 586 353, both of which are related entities of iSelect Limited. Our relationship with those companies does not impact the integrity of our comparison service. Click here to view iSelect’s range of providers.

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