Chore wars, the household jobs that cause a ruckus

Bickering over household chores is alive and well in Ireland according the findings of a light-hearted AA Home Insurance Poll.  60% of the 14,200 respondents who participated in the AA’s Home Insurance poll admitted to clashing with family members, partners or housemates over who does what about the house.

From a list of 12 of the most common household chores, which included mopping the floors, changing the bed clothes, taking out the bins and doing the ironing to name a few, tackling the bathroom topped the AA’s Home Insurance Poll as the domestic duty householders squabble about the most.  36% of respondents indicated that deciding whose turn it is to clean the bathroom is a constant cause of consternation in their home.

Loading and unloading the dishwasher followed by doing the hoovering are the next most common chores we’re likely to fight about according the AA Home Insurance Poll.  29.4% and 24.7% of respondents respectively said they argue over these routine tasks.  On the other hand deciding who sweeps the floor appears least likely to be a bone of contention.  Just 10% said they argue over it.

Both sexes agree that cleaning the bathroom is most likely to spark a row.  Following this, female respondents perceive loading the dishwasher and wiping the countertops as the next most common cause of fights when it comes to divvying up domestic duties.  Alternatively doing the hoovering and unloading the dishwasher came in second and third among the AA’s male respondents.

“It can be tough in our mainly two pay cheque society to keep up with the house, as well as everything else you may have going on.” Comments Miriam O’ Neill, Press Officer, AA Home Insurance.  “We received more than 1,000 individual comments on the fights people have over doing the chores, many of which made us laugh.  We heard of self-described hen-pecked husbands, dads buying food enough for an army when let loose on the grocery shopping, housemates driving respondents to despair by leaving their tea bags in the sink, show downs over emptying the bins and lots more!”

“However comic value aside, there’s no harm in remembering that for most of us, our homes are the single biggest investments we’ll ever make.  Regular maintenance will help to pick up on potential costly repairs such as leaks before they become a major headache.” 

AA’s Home Insurance’s monthly maintenance check list:

• Take 5 minutes to check all fire safety devices.  Are your smoke alarm batteries working?  Has the air pressure in your fire extinguisher bled off and are they fully charged?
• Check all exit points are free from obstruction; it could save your life in the event of a fire.
• Clean sinks and drains with a compatible drain cleaner solution/household remedy such as baking soda and hot water.
• Check your taps and other household plumbing for drips or leaks. Water damage is one of the most common home insurance claims received by AA Home Insurance.
• Check showerheads and taps in your home’s bathroom(s) for lime scale build up and clean with a dedicated bathroom cleaner. 
• Check your chimney for creosote build-up monthly during winter months
• Clean your tumble drier’s hose and lint tray. A build up of lint can become a home fire hazard
• Clean out your household dishwasher strainer and spray arm.
• Do a visual inspection of your home for foundation issues. 
• Listen to your home heating system for unusual noises.
• Inspect your house’s roof from the ground.

Further AA Home Insurance advice on how to keep your homes safe and secure is available at www.aaireland.ie/home

Ends

Notes to the editor;

Fig. 1 The household chores respondents argue about most with their family/partner/housemate(s) [9,126 responses]:

Fig. 2 The household chores female respondents said they argue about most with their family/partner/housemate(s) [3,874 responses]:

Fig. 3 The household chores male respondents said they argue about most with their family/partner/housemate(s) [4,734 responses]: