How often do you clean your most-used appliances? Well, new research has revealed just how long Brits use household appliances before thoroughly cleaning them – and it might shock you.

The interior experts at Thomas Sanderson polled 2,200 people across the UK to uncover how often they clean items including the oven, toaster, toilet, dishwasher and microwave.

Respondents were given a list of appliances and asked to estimate how long they leave between cleans for each. The team found that Brits only wipe down their ovens every 18 months, while they clean their washing machines once a year. And, considering these items are some of the most-used in the home, it comes as fairly shocking news.

Elsewhere, they also found that 58 per cent of Brits wait until an appliance looks visibly dirty before cleaning, while 28 per cent ask others to clean their home appliances so they don't have to.

Richard Petrie, a spokesperson from Thomas Sanderson, comments: 'From this research, it seems like Britons will only clean things when they look dirty. The hob is a piece of equipment that is constantly on show which is probably why it gets cleaned the most often out of the list of appliances.

'It's important to remember that just because something appears clean, it definitely does not mean it is. There is often all sorts of nasty germs lurking on the surface that can make you ill so it's recommended you clean often if possible.'

Take a look the full findings below:

The average time left between cleans for each appliance:

1. Oven (one and half years average time between cleans)
2. Washing machine (one year)
3. Dishwasher (one year)
4. Microwave (eight months)
5. Toaster (eight months)
6. Toilet (six months)
7. Sink (three months)
8. Shower/bath (two months)
9. Hoover (two months)
10. Hob (one month)

How many uses each will get between cleans:

1. Oven (547 uses between cleans)
2. Washing machine (104 uses)
3. Dishwasher (182 uses)
4. Microwave (260 uses)
5. Toaster (243 uses)

Lisa Walden Nov 12, 2020