New YouGov research commissioned by Wecasa reveals:
- 77% of Brits admit they feel guilty asking for help with household chores
- One in four (24%) never ask for help at all
- Women are significantly more likely than men to feel guilty asking for support (56% vs 40%)
- One in ten say their home feels like a burden rather than a sanctuary
Britain has long prided itself on a “keep calm and carry on” mentality, but when it comes to cleaning, it appears many of us are taking it a little too far. New YouGov research commissioned by Wecasa has uncovered what the company is calling “The Great British Cleaning Guilt”, namely a national reluctance to ask for help around the house, even when life feels overwhelming.
The research found that more than three in four Brits (77%) experience some level of guilt when they ask for help with household chores, while almost one in four (24%) say they never ask for help at all.
Only 23% say they would feel no guilt whatsoever about getting support with jobs around the home. The findings suggest that for many people, outsourcing household tasks still carries an emotional stigma, with many feeling they should simply “get on with it” themselves.
Britain has a cleaning guilt problem
Whether it’s scrubbing the bathroom, tackling endless laundry or keeping on top of household chores, many Brits appear to believe that asking for help somehow equals failure.
The research reveals:
- 24% never ask for help with household tasks
- 77% feel guilty if they do
- Just 23% say they feel no guilt whatsoever
Women appear to shoulder this pressure even more strongly than men. More than half of women (56%) admit they feel guilty asking for help around the home, compared with 40% of men, highlighting the continuing imbalance in how domestic responsibilities are perceived. Rather than viewing household help as practical support, many Brits still see it as an unnecessary luxury, or even something to feel embarrassed about.
Our homes are meant to be sanctuaries, but not everyone feels that way
Despite the popular idea that home should be a place to switch off, the reality isn’t always so peaceful. While 43% of respondents describe their home as a sanctuary, one in ten (10%) say it feels like a burden because it’s a constant reminder of jobs waiting to be done.
Relationship status also appears to influence how people feel about their living space. Among those who describe their home as a sanctuary:
- 58% are married or divorced
- 48% have never married
- 36% are in a marriage or civil partnership
The findings suggest that while home can be a place of comfort, the never-ending list of chores can quickly turn it into another source of stress.
Why are Brits so bad at asking for help?
The research points to a deeply ingrained British mindset. While people routinely outsource everything from food deliveries and taxis to dog walking and grocery shopping, many still struggle with the idea of paying for help around the home. Instead, pride, social expectations and the feeling that they “should” be able to manage everything themselves continue to stop many people from seeking support—even when they’re short on time or feeling overwhelmed.
Pierre André, Co-founder of Wecasa, said: “Brits have a fascinating relationship with cleaning. We don’t think twice about ordering a takeaway, getting a taxi or paying someone to cut our hair, yet many people still feel guilty asking for help around the house. For lots of people it’s not about whether they need help, it’s about feeling like they should be able to do everything themselves. But spending your weekend catching up on chores instead of doing something you enjoy shouldn’t be worn as a badge of honour. Asking for help isn’t about being lazy, it’s about making life a little easier and giving yourself back some valuable time.”
Time to let go of the cleaning guilt
As conversations around wellbeing and work-life balance continue to evolve, Wecasa hopes it’s time to rethink how we view help at home. Rather than seeing cleaning support as an indulgence, the company believes it should simply be viewed as another practical way to free up time, reduce stress and help people enjoy their homes again. After all, if we no longer feel guilty about ordering dinner instead of cooking, perhaps it’s time we stopped feeling guilty about asking for a little help with the cleaning too.
Wecasa is your go-to online booking platform for mobile at-home cleaning, wellness, beauty and home services, available seven days a week. Visit www.wecasa.co.uk for further information and to book.
