Nearly 2 in 3 say seeing partner cleaning is hot

Looking for an easy and inexpensive way to freshen up your relationship?

A new survey of 2,000 adults, half of whom are in a relationship, revealed 69% of Americans say the simple act of seeing their partner clean is a turn-on.

The data shows that when it comes to relationships, it’s the little things that count. Gen Z and millennials would rather receive the gift of a clean house (17%) than an expensive gift (11%).

And who needs flowers when mopping the floor may do just the trick? Twice the number of women find the smell of a clean home appealing than those who prefer the smell of flowers.

Conducted by Talker Research for Swiffer Unstopables’ “Get Fresh” campaign, the survey found 67% of people even said a clean, fresh-smelling home would make them more likely to “get fresh” with a partner.

This is likely why 82% of survey-takers said they are likely to put extra effort into cleaning before bringing home a date.

“We know a fresh, clean space is an essential part of everyday happiness,” said KaNeeTa Kimble, senior brand director for Swiffer Unstopables. “Swiffer Unstoppables launched the Get Fresh campaign to show that cleaning can be a fast and easy way to show your loved ones how much you care.”

Positive cleaning habits can even have long-term impacts on your relationship.

The survey found that 34% of those in relationships who have similar cleaning habits to their partner have been together for at least five years.

Sixty percent of those in relationships equally share household cleaning duties, crediting their significant other for helping them with laundry (51%), doing dishes (50%) and sweeping (46%).

However, women are more likely to feel the duties are not equally shared (39% vs. 27%).

While it’s clear the simple act of cleaning can go a long way in making your partner happy, poor cleaning habits can have the opposite effect.

Two-thirds of respondents said an unclean-smelling home would be an instant deal breaker in a relationship (68%).

Further, 43% of respondents would leave a date’s home if it didn’t smell fresh and more than a third would even go so far as to end a relationship if their partner’s home wasn’t clean.

And if you’re looking to settle down, make sure you’re doing your fair share. Sixty-five percent of those surveyed said they’re less likely to move in with a partner who has poor cleaning habits.

If that doesn’t convince you to grab a mop, the survey also found that those who clean for at least half an hour a day are likely to “get fresh” twice as often as those who clean once a month or less often.

Even if you’re not dating or in a relationship, a clean space matters.

When entering someone’s space for the first time, first impressions are important and those surveyed know it, which is why they look out for a tidy (59%) and clean-smelling home (54%).

Those surveyed even prefer these qualities over good decor (18%) or a large space (7%).

How clean your home is can even change how people see you. Nearly eight in 10 Americans see homes as a reflection of their owner, saying the cleanliness of someone’s home affects how they view them as a person (79%).

“From the way Americans approach friendships and acquaintances to even dating, it's clear that fresh and clean matters,” said Kimble. “Choosing a fresh scent with staying power while cleaning is an easy way to be confident your home looks and smells fresh no matter the situation.”

Survey methodology:

This random double-opt-in survey of 2,000 adults who are single or in a relationship evenly split by race was commissioned by Swiffer between June 7 and June 10, 2024. It was conducted by market research company Talker Research, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society (MRS) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).