David Saunders
In the grand domestic sweepstakes of Britain, York has emerged with the crown – and possibly a feather duster – as the undisputed champion of cleanliness.
According to new data ranking the most houseproud UK cities, York residents clock in a staggering 14 hours and 20 minutes a week scrubbing, dusting, tidying, and presumably plumping cushions to perfection.
Trailing closely behind are Swansea (14 hours 10 minutes) and Glasgow (13 hours 40 minutes), proving that when it comes to shining sinks and spotless skirting boards, the north has standards. Manchester also elbowed its way into the top ten, with locals averaging 12 hours and 40 minutes a week on household upkeep.
The findings come from a national survey commissioned by cleaning giant Cif to mark the launch of its Infinite All in One Cleaner Spray.
The research, aiming to uncover the most houseproud UK cities, also revealed that a hefty 77 percent of Brits consider themselves “tidy people,” with 74 percent boldly admitting they enjoy cleaning. That’s right—enjoy.
But while some cities polished their halos, others were found hiding behind the curtains. Sheffield takes the dubious honour of being the UK’s “dust capital,” with locals managing just 8 hours and 20 minutes of cleaning a week—more than six hours shy of York’s fastidious efforts. Norwich and Oxford followed close behind at 8.5 hours, leaving plenty of elbow grease unused.
Interestingly, this national tidy-up isn’t just about cleanliness—it’s a culture. Swansea, Manchester and London each had 34 percent of residents professing outright love for cleaning, nearly triple Plymouth’s 12 percent.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, 87 percent of those in Swansea admit they judge others based on how tidy their homes are. That’s not just pride—it’s competitive sprucing.
Top Ten Houseproud Cities
| City | Hours per Week |
|---|---|
| York | 14 h 20 m |
| Swansea | 14 h 10 m |
| Glasgow | 13 h 40 m |
| Manchester | 12 h 40 m |
| Liverpool | 11 h 55 m |
| Cardiff | 11 h 50 m |
| Birmingham | 11 h 45 m |
| Newcastle | 10 h 50 m |
| Sunderland | 10 h 45 m |
| Cambridge | 10 h 45 m |
Scruffiest Cities
| City | Hours per Week |
|---|---|
| Plymouth | 8 h 50 m |
| Bristol | 9 h 10 m |
| Sheffield | 8 h 20 m |
| Norwich | 8 h 30 m |
| Oxford | 8 h 30 m |
Enter Lynsey Crombie, TV’s Queen of Clean and Cif’s latest ambassador, who sees the trend as a national shift in mindset.
“Whether it’s gleaming countertops or perfectly fluffed cushions, it’s clear that Britain has a deep-rooted love for cleaning – and it’s so great to see,” she said.
“This research further cements that what was once a chore now feels like a source of joy for many—there’s something so incredibly satisfying about transforming a dirty space into something clean, calm and serene. It’s not only nicer to live in, but it brings a real feeling of accomplishment too!”
