When you think about burning calories, your mind probably jumps to running, cycling, or sweating it out at the gym. But did you know that simple tasks like cleaning your home can burn a surprising number of calories too? That’s right—tidying up doesn’t just make your house sparkle; it can also double as a workout. So, if you’re wondering how many calories burned in house cleaning, let’s dive into it!
House Cleaning as a Workout
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of calorie burning, it’s worth noting that cleaning your home can be more physically demanding than you might think. Not only does it require endurance, but certain tasks can work out your arms, legs, core, and even your heart. It’s almost like you’re sneaking in a workout without even realizing it! Now, for those of you who prefer to let someone else handle the cleaning, don’t worry—cleaning services Surrey can keep your home spotless while you hit the gym. But if you’re the DIY type, cleaning your house can be a way to kill two birds with one stone: a tidy space and a bit of exercise.
How Many Calories Can You Really Burn?
Okay, let’s get to the numbers. How many calories can you actually burn while house cleaning? The answer depends on several factors, including the specific task, your body weight, and how vigorously you clean. Here’s a breakdown of how many calories you could burn for some common household chores, based on an average weight of 155 pounds:
1. Vacuuming
Vacuuming is one of those chores that seems simple enough, but it actually engages multiple muscle groups, especially if you’re hauling a heavy vacuum around the house. Pushing and pulling a vacuum cleaner burns about 175-200 calories per hour. And let’s be real—if you’re vacuuming stairs or tricky corners, it can feel like a mini cardio session!
2. Sweeping and Mopping
When it comes to sweeping or mopping, you’re looking at a solid 150-170 calories burned per hour. The arm movements required to get those floors spotless can engage your core and upper body, especially if you’re really going at it with some force. Add a little extra elbow grease when scrubbing stubborn stains, and you could burn even more!
3. Dusting
Dusting may seem like a lightweight task, but it still counts as physical activity. You’ll burn around 150 calories per hour while reaching for high shelves, moving knick-knacks around, and wiping surfaces. Plus, stretching to dust those hard-to-reach places can improve flexibility.
4. Laundry
Sure, tossing clothes into the washing machine doesn’t seem too intense, but laundry involves more movement than you might think. Between lifting baskets, sorting clothes, folding laundry, and putting it away, you can burn about 100-130 calories per hour.
5. Washing Windows
Want to know a secret to torching calories while making your home sparkle? Try washing windows. You’ll engage your arm muscles while working in circular motions to clean the glass, and you can burn about 180-200 calories per hour. It’s basically an arm workout in disguise!
6. Scrubbing Bathrooms
Scrubbing a bathroom is hard work—and it shows in the number of calories burned. From cleaning bathtubs and sinks to disinfecting toilets, you’re looking at burning around 200-250 calories per hour. Plus, all that bending, squatting, and scrubbing works out your legs and core. It’s like a full-body workout wrapped up in soap suds.
7. Washing Dishes
Believe it or not, even washing dishes can help you stay active. Standing at the sink and scrubbing those pots and pans will burn around 100-125 calories per hour. Sure, it’s not as intense as some of the other tasks, but every bit of movement counts!
8. Making Beds
While making the bed may feel like a quick, simple task, it still requires physical movement. Straightening sheets, fluffing pillows, and tucking in the blankets can burn around 70-80 calories in just 15 minutes. So next time you’re tempted to skip bed-making, think of it as a mini-workout.
9. Decluttering
Decluttering your space is not only good for your mental health but can also be a physical activity. Sorting through piles of stuff, organizing closets, and moving items around can burn about 150-170 calories per hour. Plus, the act of bending, lifting, and walking from room to room increases your activity level.
10. Cooking and Preparing Meals
While technically not cleaning, preparing meals and cooking does involve a lot of movement, especially if you’re chopping veggies, stirring pots, or moving back and forth between the counter and stove. You can burn around 100-150 calories per hour while whipping up dinner. And let’s be honest, you’re probably multitasking and cleaning the kitchen at the same time!
Factors That Impact Calories Burned While Cleaning
The number of calories you burn during house cleaning depends on several variables. For instance:
- Body Weight: Heavier individuals tend to burn more calories doing the same activity than lighter individuals. So if you weigh more than 155 pounds, you’ll likely burn more calories; if you weigh less, you’ll burn fewer.
- Intensity: The more vigorously you clean, the more calories you’ll burn. If you’re cleaning at a relaxed pace, the calorie burn will be lower. But if you’re racing through chores or really putting some muscle into scrubbing, you’ll burn more.
- Duration: The longer you clean, the more calories you’ll burn. Cleaning for just 20 minutes won’t torch as many calories as an hour-long cleaning session.
Can House Cleaning Replace the Gym?
While house cleaning can definitely burn calories and keep you moving, it’s not exactly the same as hitting the gym or going for a run. That said, if you don’t have time for a formal workout, house cleaning can be a great way to sneak in some extra movement throughout the day.
And hey, if you’re short on time but still want a clean home, you can always turn to maid services Surrey to keep your space spotless while you get your workout elsewhere. Professional cleaners can tackle all the tough jobs, leaving you free to focus on your fitness goals.
Turning Cleaning Into a Full-Body Workout
Want to make the most out of your house-cleaning session? Here are a few tips to ramp up your calorie burn:
- Put on Some Music: Cleaning to upbeat music can help you move faster and keep your energy levels up.
- Use Your Legs: When picking things up off the floor, squat down instead of bending over. This will work your leg muscles more effectively.
- Add Some Stretching: While dusting or reaching for high shelves, try to stretch your arms and legs a bit more to engage your muscles.
- Power Walk Between Rooms: Instead of walking casually from room to room, pick up the pace and power walk while you’re cleaning. This adds a bit of cardio into your routine.
Read about “What Is Considered Light House Cleaning?“, check out our blog post today!
The Final Sweep
So, how many calories can you burn while cleaning your house? Depending on the task and how vigorously you clean, you could burn anywhere from 100 to 300 calories per hour. While it’s not the same as a high-intensity workout, it’s a fantastic way to stay active, especially on days when you can’t make it to the gym. If you’d rather leave the cleaning to the pros and focus on other forms of exercise, maid services Surrey can take care of the scrubbing and vacuuming for you. Whether you decide to tackle the chores yourself or hire someone else to do them, you’ll end up with a clean, tidy space—and who doesn’t love that?
So, next time you pick up the vacuum or start wiping down surfaces, remember: you’re not just cleaning—you’re burning calories too! Happy cleaning!
Ready to enjoy a spotless home without lifting a finger? Let ProClean handle the cleaning while you relax or focus on what truly matters. Book ProClean’s maid services in Surrey today and experience the difference of a pristine, professionally cleaned space!
