Ad-free. Influence-free. Powered by consumers.
Skip to Main ContentThe payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.
Re-activateIn the spring a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of … cleaning? Yep, 82 percent of Generation Y men—and women—say that they'll be spring cleaning this year, according to the American Cleaning Institute. That's 15 percent more than the national average. Hey, maybe having your 18 to 29 year-old move back in after college isn't such a bad idea after all.
Actually, only 20 percent of those surveyed still live at home with Mom and Dad. The rest live with roommates or a spouse and 16 percent live alone. According to more than three-quarters of the women, just the change in the weather makes them want to clean. Only two-thirds of the men felt that way.
Women also edged out men in most cleaning tasks and were more likely to declutter, reorganize and clean floors and countertops. Men only equaled women when it came to cleaning cell phones and computer keyboards.
The biggest motivator was their space "looking dirty or messy" and the second was visitors coming. But lest you think this is all too good to be true, 35 percent of the Gen Yers said they waited until their home "started to smell" to take action. Phew.
At Consumer Reports, we've been on a bit of cleaning binge ourselves and have lots of suggestions for jettisoning your stuff in How to get rid of practically anything. We also have test results for the best all-purpose cleaners and ratings of paper towels that clean up. And for the most ambitious spring cleaners we have ratings of vacuums, carpet cleaners and steam mops.
When asked if spring cleaning was a tradition worth carrying on, 74 percent of the Gen Y crew agreed. Fancy that.
—Mary H.J. Farrell
Build & Buy Car Buying Service
Save thousands off MSRP with upfront dealer pricing information and a transparent car buying experience.
Get Ratings on the go and compare
while you shop
