A cleaner makes happy

Maybe you've heard how my household skills are? Just read here. Not so great. When I start with the dishes (my little machine was left behind during the move), I realize by the second glass that I need to hang the laundry. When I open the washing machine, I see some old paper lying around, and by the end of my cleaning round, I have a bin full of unfinished business. My partner doesn't understand anything about this at all.

Due to this cleaning disruption in my head, I've been trying to introduce a cleaner for some time now into our daily life. Someone who makes dust disappear with one swipe of a cloth, cleans the windows streak-free, and adds something to the bucket that makes your house smell extra fresh. I haven't succeeded yet, but he or she is quite available (if I may put it that way).

But now there is exciting news, because a cleaner makes you happy. As in: happier than shopping. Now you should know that I get euphoric from shopping. Online, in a brick-and-mortar store, at a market; everything. I can even leave the supermarket on a cloud when I think I've scored good deals, even if it includes a pack of butter or organic granola.

If you think this is an overseas study; it is not. Maastricht University collaborated, and Dutch people were also put under the cleaning microscope. The test subjects received a budget in weekend uno to buy something nice. The following weeks, they received the same budget, but had to spend it on something that provided more free time. Guess three times what made us smile more? Exactly: hiring a cleaner. Our level of happiness increased from 7.2 to 7.5 due to the freedom. The mood became much more pleasant, even for the group that had less to spend. When you buy something, your happiness is short-lived (but probably very powerful). A weekly cleaning cloth through your house by a third hand ensures that the feeling lasts longer.

But one in five Dutch people spends money on time-saving. And when we do, of course, it's less again. The American spends an average of two hundred euros per month on household help, we Dutch spend one hundred fifty. How unfortunate is that? I'm going to do it differently. So if you are or know a cleaning oracle in the area of Nederhorst den Berg, email me at adeline@amayzine.com. You are very welcome.

Source: RTL Z