More than three in ten tidy Brits (31%) have spent longer than they anticipated cleaning their homes – because they got so lost in listening to music while doing the housework, a survey has found.
Londoners are the most likely to crank up the volume on their favourite tracks while vacuuming or dusting – with “I Want To Break Free”, by Queen, topping a list of the nation's favourite cleaning songs.
Other popular choices include “Don't Stop Believin'”, by Journey, “I Will Survive”, by Gloria Gaynor, and Whitney Houston's 1987 number one hit, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody”.
And the research, of 2,000 adults, found that 17% love to crank up Taylor Swift's 2014 hit, “Shake It Off”, while getting their house all spick and span.
However, it is perhaps no surprise that Queen made it to the number one spot on the top 20 list of favourite cleaning songs – given the iconic music video, showing Freddie Mercury dressed as a housewife, vacuuming and dusting a suburban home.
To pay homage to the classic power ballad, and its music video – which featured all four band members cross-dressing – Samsung commissioned the research to mark the launch of its Clean Qweens team, which will see housekeepers decked out in similar uniforms.
To kick-start their vacuuming voyage, the Clean Qweens paid a visit to one of the nation’s favourite, self-confessed, cleaning fanatics, Rylan Clark – who welcomed the team into his house, equipped with their vacuums.
Rylan said: “I love a clean and tidy house, so having the Clean Qweens around, and having a laugh while they kept the place looking pristine, was lots of fun. I'm not sure whether it was the vacuum, the music, or both, but they definitely put their backs into it, and the place was spotless.”
Dan Barfield, head of domestic appliances UK and Ireland, for Samsung Electronics, said: “The right tune and tech can be the perfect companions to get you into the cleaning mood, infusing that extra boost of energy and motivation needed to tackle the task with gusto.
“With its infectious rhythm, uplifting tempo, and empowering lyrics, we can see why Queen's “I Want to Break Free” hit the top spot on the list.”
Other tracks Brits love to groove to when getting out the vacuum include “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, and “Shut Up and Dance” by Walk the Moon.
However, the OnePoll.com research found that residents in Yorkshire and the Humber are the least likely to listen to music while they clean.
Meanwhile, the north-west is home to the UK’s most conscientious carpet cleaners – vacuuming on average seven times a month – while Northern Ireland, in contrast, ranks lowest, averaging four.
Dan Barfield added: “Helping Brits to stay dust free, the Clean Qweens are turning vacuuming into a thrilling performance with the nation’s most powerful and intelligent cordless vacuum.
“We know cleaning isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, which is why we are giving people the opportunity to have their homes vacuumed for free by the Clean Qweens, and the chance to win a Bespoke Jet AI vacuum cleaner.”
For more information on how to book the Clean Qweens, head over to Samsung’s Instagram page, @SamsungUK, between November 16th and 30th, 2023.
TOP 20 BEST SONGS TO CLEAN TO:
- I Want To Break Free – Queen
- Don't Stop Believin' – Journey
- I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) – Whitney Houston
- Happy – Pharrell Williams
- Girls Just Want To Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
- I Will Survive – Gloria Gaynor
- Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
- I Want To Know What Love Is – Foreigner
- Total Eclipse of the Heart – Bonnie Tyler
- Shake It Off – Taylor Swift
- Take On Me – a-ha
- I Don't Want To Miss A Thing – Aerosmith
- Can't Stop The Feeling! – Justin Timberlake
- September – Earth, Wind & Fire
- November Rain – Guns N' Roses
- Is This Love – Whitesnake
- I'll Be There For You – Bon Jovi
- Shut Up And Dance – Walk The Moon
- Alone – Heart
- Heaven – Bryan Adams
