Doing household chores just may be the most dreaded thing people have to do on a routine basis. Some household tasks that need to be done are more hated than others. Surveys have been conducted over the years to see just what the topmost hated household chores are.

What are the 10 Top Most Hated Household Chores?

1. Cleaning the Bathroom/Toilet

Perhaps the most commonly hated household chore is cleaning the bathroom, especially having to clean the toilet. This is the case for numerous reasons, including:

• Clogged drains
• Removing hair from the drain
• Coli, staphylococcus, and other germs which spreads with every flush

There’s good news, though. Despite it being the most hated chore among individuals, it comes in as the second cleanest room in the home. It seems though the idea of cleaning the bathroom, and especially the toilet, is less than glamorous, people are still making it a point of focus in their homes.

2. Washing the Dishes

Let’s face it, the idea of washing dishes, especially if you have to handwash them, is not very appealing and is among the most hated household chore. But, if you leave dirty dishes for too long, it can become a breeding ground for germs, including E. Coli and Salmonella.

Studies find you may dread doing the dishes for many reasons, but ultimately it is because it is seen as being incredibly tedious. If you have a dishwasher, the idea of unloading the dishwasher is less than ideal. If you have to wash dishes by hand, it is seen as too time-consuming.

3. Cleaning the Stovetop and Oven

Cleaning the stovetop and oven is made easier by doing it on a routine basis instead of waiting until it’s obvious it needs to be done, i.e. when food is stuck onto the surfaces.

You can make a habit of cleaning the stovetop after every meal and each time you do the dishes. You can make the habit of unloading the dishwasher, loading it, then clean the sink, counters, and stovetop.

It is advised to clean your oven at least once a month. When is the last time you did so?

4. Doing Laundry and Ironing

Having to do laundry is tedious. Just when you think you have that last load washed, you find someone has placed more dirty clothes in the hamper. And not only do you have to wash then dry your clothes, but you also have to fold or hang them and then put them away. Add to that a lot of people then iron their clothes.

It’s no wonder doing laundry and ironing is among the most hated chores!

If you find yourself digging through a laundry basket of clean clothes to find your outfit every day because it takes a while for your clothes to finally make it to your dresser or your closet, you are not alone.

5. Dusting

Dust is made up of human and animal skin cells, dust mite excrement, fabric fibers, dirt, and debris. It can also cause allergies and breathing problems. This is why it is important to regularly dust your home.

Among many of the other household chores, it also is not a hard task, but it is tedious. The more collectibles, figures, knickknacks, and pictures you have hanging or displayed, the more tedious dusting can be. The tediousness is what makes this chore among the most hated.

6. Sweeping and Vacuuming

Sweeping and vacuuming are other routine chores that are among the top hated. You sweep and/or vacuum and then a spill happens or dirt gets dragged in from outside. These chores tend to become repetitive actions throughout the day.

Add to the repetitiveness, sweeping and vacuuming is also tedious. You have to straighten up everything first and then to get in all the little spots, you have to move some, if not most or all, of your furniture around.

These days, robot vacuums have become an option and are becoming more prevalent in homes. But their price tags can be a little on the hefty side.

7. Mopping

Mopping is not hard to do, but it is time-consuming and, frankly, annoying to do. You have to straighten up the room first. Then, you must make sure you sweep first, otherwise when you mop, you just spread around the dirt, dust, and hair.

Once you mop, it is best if you give the floor some time to dry before walking over it. This is true for a few reasons such as:

• Can be hazardous depending on cleaner used
• Risk slipping and falling
• Immediately spreading dirt onto your wet, clean floors

8. Grocery Shopping and Cooking

Grocery shopping you have to deal with crowds of people and long lines at the checkout. You have to budget, and sometimes even worry about having to put items back. You go shopping while hungry and you take the chance of buying too many groceries; you go while full and you aren’t in the mood to buy anything. So, you make a shopping list but, sometimes, forget it at home.

Cooking you have to take the time to decide what you want and then supervise over the hot stove to make sure it isn’t going to burn or stick to the bottom of your skillet.

In both the cases of grocery shopping and cooking, you can be exhausted from work and the idea of dealing with it can become overwhelming at times.

Thankfully, there are options like online shopping or grocery pickup, so you don’t even have to enter the store. There’s also the option of take-out orders, pre-planned meals, or quick oven meals. Cooking appliances such as the air fryer and instant pot have also become popular.

9. Cleaning the Windows

Cleaning the windows is among the most hated household chores because it can be so frustrating. You spend that time cleaning your windows only to peer at the finished product hoping to see a nice, clean window, and instead see streaks all over.

Nobody wants to spend all that time cleaning something only to feel as if it has gone to waste. But there are cleaning methods and solutions you can use to help prevent this.

Instead of using a store-bought cleaner, you can make a solution of a vinegar-water mix. This is because this solution does not contain soap, which is often what creates the streaks across the window. A 50:50 water to vinegar ratio is the ideal amount. Also, cleaning with a microfiber cloth instead of a different cloth or paper towel is more efficient in preventing streaking.

10. Gutter Cleaning

Outdoor cleaning and maintenance are not something people look forward to doing, especially when the cold weather comes. It is not fun, it is tedious, and during fall and winter, it’s cold.

Gutter cleaning is something that is often forgotten about but is an important task because it can lead to a build-up of water and snow, causing leaking and possible damage to your home.

If you do not have the time or equipment to do it yourself and you have the money for their services, there are gutter cleaning companies. Purchasing and installing a gutter guard can help maintain your gutters with less hassle on your part.

Wrapping it all Up

There are plenty of other chores you will find that you hate just as much as the ones on this top 10 list. This may include the simple, but tedious, pairing of socks or cleaning a litter box.

If you find you really cannot stand doing these chores, or if life has become much too hectic to keep up, there are cleaning services available if you have the extra cash.