Find Her 'C Spots'

May 21, 2010, By 40 comments

Grab a sponge, share the love.

Here are some eye-opening facts about the connection between good housekeeping and enhanced relationships:

Over half of all couples fight about housework, according to a survey by the Soap & Detergent Assn., a Washington, D.C. trade group that examines all sorts of housekeeping-related issues (www.cleaning101.com). These clashes are probably due to men either not cleaning enough, or doing it poorly (ie – not up to the female’s almost-always higher standards).

Social scientists at the University of California-Riverside report studies showing that when males do any kind of housekeeping, something magical happens to women: they’re much more pleased with clean, organized, lemony-smelling surroundings, and by association, they’re much happier with their men.

The same UC-Riverside study says that men who clean are better role models for their kids, who tend to do better in school and have more friends. The more tranquil home environment probably has something to do with this phenomenon, too.

Finally, women find men who clean more sexually-attractive(again, the UCR study). Yes, just a little housekeeping on your part will boost the odds that you’ll get a lot more amore from your mate than you would by sitting on the couch watching ESPN. It makes sense: most women can’t truly relax when the home is a mess, and for females, relaxation is a prerequisite to sex. Also, she likes the feeling of “team” and togetherness your efforts create, and the fact that you care enough to be considerate.

Housekeeping is good for both of you.

Cleaning the house represents the kind of psychological cuddling women really go for, and it can be a major factor in your relationship. You’ll hear less nagging. You’ll golf with her blessing. Domestic bliss will become the fabric of your life.

Tom McNulty is the author of CLEAN LIKE A MAN - Housekeeping for Men (And the Women Who Love Them). He is a featured contributor to ManoftheHouse.com.

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Comments (40):

Freddie F. My wife's "love language" is actions, and she has stated doing things in the house. So along with working, taking care of the cars, doing the outside housework, and now agreeing to clean half the house (our room and bathroom), I'd expect a bit more "love languagey" when the time comes. That hasnt happened. so i call BS on this article - 08/02/2011
M S. Well, being divorced for a rather long time now, i for one, since i own the house, keep it clean, if i have a dinner date, i clean as i cook, i get all of the dishes, clean them, then shove in the dish washer, i wash the floors, tubs, vacuum, and i could be sitting having a beer or two, but, my house cost a little more than the beer and need to keep it in order. Granted, someone may see something I miss, but, totally unintentional. My money, my house, my job to cook, clean, and maintain everything about it - 08/01/2011
Des S. How about women start paying attention to ANYTHING that is important to men. Any relationship is about reciprocity, and men these days aren't getting any of that. In my house, if one area is spotless, my wife will find the area that is not, and I'll hear about it. So old. - 06/16/2011
Penny C. Main reason I left my ex was his anger problems. But he was also a horrible slob. I am never putting up with that again. It really is true that if men do a little cleaning, or at least, less mess-making, it can go a long way. Sure, maybe not all women are neat, but in general, most women like things cleaner than most men. People who get caught up in pointing out every little specific way that a generalization is untrue are just nitpicking. This article could still apply to any relationship where one partner likes things tidier than the other. And as Beth was saying, this isn't about men bending over backwards to keep women happy. If you are in a relationship with someone, you're supposed to WANT to keep each other happy, to be considerate of each other. If you no longer want this, or if you feel that your partner does not want this, the relationship is probably over. - 06/04/2011
Lori J. Lori J. I work between 8 to 10 hours a day, 13 days straight with 1 day off. My Hubby works 12 hours a day, working 2 days,off 2 days,works 3 days, then vis virsa the next week, which means, added up, he has almost 1/2 a year off work. He absolutely refuses to clean house, but he does cook. For Fathers Day, I paid for someone to come mow the lawn for him all summer, which has continued for the past 3 years. I suggested getting someone to come clean the house maybe just once a week to help me keep up with the work load........all of a sudden we couldn't afford it! The cost would be about what we pay for the lawn to be mowed. What's wrong with this picture? - 05/21/2011
Jen H. Confused by most of the comments on here. Just because you're a woman or a man doesn't necessarily dictate that you meet some sort of stereotype... however, no matter if you're a guy or girl, you should take some pride in your home. I'm by nature a packrat, and I HATE cleaning. However, I completely agree that a clean home is relaxing. Not only relaxing, but it enables you to have the space and ability to pursue your hobbies and interests. So while I hate cleaning and it does not come instinctual to me, I work very very hard to try to keep up with it. The problem comes with respect for each other. Both my boyfriend and I work 40 hour jobs. We both have alot of hobbies. However, I do 90% of the housework. Even when I ask him to help, I have to constantly remind him and ask repeatedly in order for him to put down the video game controller and do something. Most evenings, I'm doing laundry, washing dishes, sweeping the floor, and all the while feeling more and more frustrated because I'd like to be playing video games too! That said, if I was a stay-at-home-wife... you can bet I wouldn't expect him to do too much around the house. Maybe help out with some things that are just tough for me, like moving heavy furniture or something. But I feel that if one person is working at a job all day, the person staying home should view 90% of the housework as their job, and not expect the bread-winner to come home and spend all evening doing housework that the stay-at-home could have been doing during the day. It doesn't matter whether you're male or female. You should contribute equally (but doesn't need to be in the same ways) and have respect for each other and your surroundings. - 05/16/2011
Paula W. I don't understand this. 1) WHY are so many women offended by the "shiny objects" comment. It's just man relating to other men in a way they can understand. ON A MEN'S WEBSITE! (isn't there a feminist site you can go bitch about men on?) 2) Why are we still arguing over chores? Clean it if it's dirty! First one home gets dinner started. If you make the mess clean it up! Kids are messy, it took 2 to breed them, so it takes 2 to raise (&keep) them! Kitchens & bathrooms SHOULD SHINE! Those 2 rooms gather the most bacteria & those 2 rooms can infect you with the most illnesses. This is not rocket science people! Men stop pretending you cannot see the dirt, & women if you are a "stay at home wife" quit expecting your man to do 50% of the housework! 20% MAX & that includes trash and mowing the lawn, cleaning the gutters & cleaning up after HIMSELF and taking over the chores when you are sick or laid up with injury. - 05/15/2011
Nikki A. First of all, I think it's kind of funny how many women rush on here to brag about how dirty they are. Is it just me or is it now cool for women to be anti anything traditional? Lame. Im a tradition loving black woman and I am MORE than HAPPY to FINALLY be a seen as feminine and attractive. Pass the flowers please and yes, I love a clean home. If it's the new 1950's than so be it. I liked this article and I forwarded to my husband;) - 05/09/2011
Anon Y. Or, maybe just stay single and let these women find their own way in the world, alone. Why make life any harder than it has to be ? There are many exceptional women in this world that you can choose to spend your time with, and if you decide to team up with one to take on the world together, and/or to have children, then pick women who aren't so annoying. Make sure the shiny thing she likes is the gleam in your eye, something you won't have anymore if you let a needy woman destroy your will to live. - 05/07/2011
Whooped O. Ok. We have a 5 yr old and now a 4 month old who's breastfed only. We both work full time. My wife pumps at work to have milk for the baby during the day. I, husband, get up well before anyone and wash bottles, prepare lunch for 5 yr old, wife, and self, get 5 yr old prep'd for school, pack the car - she does drive him to school, then go to work, usually late for a job that is INCREDIBLY stressfull. At the end of the work day, she feeds the baby and holds him while i do whatever else has to be done for the nite and the next day - washing, ironing, cooking, cleaning. She writes checks for bills and holds/feeds baby. am i a sucker? - 05/04/2011
Cyndi W. SO true! Thank you, Man of the House! You actually GET it!! - 05/03/2011
Andy A. I feel for the women out there who had or has a Slob as a partner. No matter how busy a person is, there's no excuse to cleaning after yourself, or even occasionally help during off time. With that said, did I just read some of these comments right? We need to take out the trash, wipe the sink, counter-top, and oh, go buy a roomba, or hire a maid to clean the house..so that leaves you, with time to go squander money? A few women seems to still take their husband almost as a full-time sugardaddy, despite the fact more mothers work full-time today than before. We men should share chores, but consider what you contribute before you complain. - 05/01/2011
Kitsap R. While technically I am the man (my name is in the "husband" line of the marriage certificate) in nearly every significant way I'm the wife. I can tell you that for me this is true. It's impossible for me to feel good about myself and the rest of the family when areas that are important to me are messy. Not the whole house mind you, but my kitchen counters and table, the floor where I like to lay down to watch television with the family, and the bathroom sink and toilet. If someone else in the family could take the cleanliness of these areas seriously and I didn't have to do it myself then I wouldn't be tired all the time, and I might feel more like being "Mr. Cuddles." - 05/01/2011
T L. The bottom line is, if men insist on acting like children then they can expect that their woman is unhappy. Why on earth would you expect your woman to be sexually attracted to someone who acts like a child? Men, if you do your part without being asked or expecting a pat on the head then you will be on your way to a happy relationship. Keep yourself clean and trimmed. Take out the trash and the trash in the bathrooms (PUT LINERS BACK IN THE CANS). Take a few seconds and wipe the sinks and counter tops with some cleaner. Don't half-ass it though! If you can afford it, get one of those robot vacuums and pay for a maid. You're a grown-up. Act like it and be responsible for your home. - 04/03/2011
Jay B. I found the article a little sexist (but not offensive, especially being on manofthehouse.com :) as sometimes these roles are reversed. I'm in the my wife doesn't clean anything unless a kid throws up on it camp. My weekends are relegated to laundry, cooking, mowing the lawn, chores and whatever cleaning I can get done. Yes i'm resentful. Yes i'm venting. Moral of the story is probably communication. Let your spouse know what you think and also do your share. - 03/31/2011

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