Survey Says We Get An 'Adrenaline Rush' From Cleaning

Turns out cleaning’s just as exciting as driving a race car — who knew?

Have you ever imagined what it would feel like to speed around a track in a race car? The pure power, adrenaline, and sense of freedom it would give? If you don’t have access to a Formula 1 car, apparently you can just grab your vacuum and race on over to your living room carpet for the same effect.

A recent study conducted by Ipsos on behalf of Mr. Clean shows that “the body responds to the act of cleaning the same way it reacts to watching race car driving, with a rush of adrenaline and improved mood.” Remind you of anything?

The Cleaning Rush Study measured the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) and Heart Rate (HR)—which are automatic bodily responses that can’t be controlled—after participants finished several different types of cleaning acts and found they experienced emotional enthusiasm and excitement similar to what you’d feel in other high-intensity activities like car racing.

That’s not even the best part. One hundred percent of study participants agreed that cleaning provides peace of mind and a sense of control over one’s environment, and provided them a sense of accomplishment when the job was over.

There’s seriously nothing better than a clean house. If you’ve got kids or pets (or a husband), you know having a clean home is nothing short of a miracle. And while it likely only stays clean for ten minutes, those ten minutes can be some of the most peaceful and serene of the day because we are adults now, and this is the shit we have to get excited about.

Researchers also found that 82 percent of participants liked to admire their work after a good clean, and 81 percent felt a sense of accomplishment when they finished the task. Participants also reported feeling more determined, inspired, and proud and less jittery, nervous, and hostile. They don’t call it “rage cleaning” for nothing, folks.

This study isn’t the first to link cleanliness and mood. There have been many studies that have shown people who keep their homes clean “were healthier and more active than those who didn’t. In fact, house cleanliness was even more of a predictor for physical health than neighborhood walkability.” Another study found women who described their homes as “cluttered” or full of “unfinished projects” were more likely to be depressed and tired than those who described their homes as “restful” and “restorative.” Researchers also found that women with cluttered homes expressed higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol.

Another survey by the National Sleep Foundation found that people who make their beds every morning are 19 percent more likely to report regularly getting a good night’s sleep. Dammit, that’s been my problem all these years. Who knew it was such an easy fix?

We don’t think many people would describe cleaning their living spaces as enjoyable per se, but it’s hard to argue with the positive feelings that come afterward. And hey, if we can now tell our kids they’ll have as much fun cleaning their rooms as driving a race car, maybe (just maybe) they’ll actually lift a finger to see what all the buzz is about.