Sunday, May 18, 2008

A Hierarchy of Chores

My favourite chore is washing dishes. I never want to do it, but once I've gotten started I find it strangely satisfying. I like taking the kitchen from chaos to order. I like the feeling of hot water flowing over my hands, and soapsuds squeezing through my fingers. I love how shiny the warm, clean dishes are when they're all lined up to dry in the dish rack.

My least favourite chore is cleaning the bathroom. I don't believe this needs any elaboration. If anyone enjoys this task, I would be interested in hearing your perspective, but I can't guarantee that I'll be able to understand.

Vacuuming used to be very unpleasant. I like to vacuum on a regular schedule, but it drove me crazy. By the time I was done I felt aggravated almost to tears. One day I had an epiphany. I put earplugs in before I turned the vacuum on. And hey! What a difference! Turns out I was hypersensitive to the incredibly loud whine of my crappy old vacuum. Now I have a fancy vacuum. It purrs like a kitten.

Laundry, in my current setup, almost doesn't count as a chore. Throw the clothes in the washer. Turn it on. Go do something else for 30 minutes. Come back and throw stuff in the dryer. Turn it on. Forget about it for an hour. Folding gets done in front of the TV - what could be easier? I'm not a big fan of ironing, but whatever. I can cope.

Which are your favourite and most loathed chores?

15 comments:

Jenski said...

I like the feeling when any chore is done. The best part of cleaning the bathroom is cleaning the mirror. How is it that all those toothpaste drops end up there? It's nice to have a toothpaste-free mirror.

My favorite, in my current apartment, is probably doing the kitchen, dusting and the floors. The living area is very open, so I feel like I need to do it all at once. Then it looks so pretty!

Anonymous said...

I used to hate cleaning the bathroom but now that I do it every Sunday, I find I have a knack for it and can get it done pretty quickly. And then when the tub is all sparkly and clean, I can take a nice long hot bath. Awwwwww...

I don't mind the dishes because I usually just throw them in the dishwasher and call it a day. Not much effort.

I absolutely hate vacuuming! I find that I always do that chore half ass because I hate it.

Warped Mind of Ron said...

Cleaning??? What is this thing you call cleaning? Hmmm must be one of those secret thing that women do that us bachelors never figure out...

Karen said...

I hate doing the dishes. It makes me gag. I think vacuuming tops my list. It makes such a difference in the appearance of the room and it is relatively easy.

Emma Gorst said...

I find it so strange that I never want to do the dishes, but while I'm doing them, I enjoy it. I like the hot water; it keeps my cold hands warm. But thinking about doing dishes, yuck. Must be some ancient water aversion instinct.

San said...

Although I enjoyed your sensual description of washing dishes, it didn't make me want to rush to the nearest sink. I do, however, find a nice satisfaction in unloading the dishwasher, putting everything neatly in the cupboards. This satisfaction was intensified after I bought new plates and silverware last summer. I relate to the bringing order out of chaos, also to your dislike of bathroom cleaning. UGH.

Like Girl Interrupted, I enjoy a langourous bath in a sparkling tub, but it's the process of getting it to the sparkling stage that turns me off.

Sparkling Red said...

Jenski: I hate specks on the bathroom mirror! I go to great lengths to avoid flicking toothpaste, but I brush vigorously so it does get a bit messy sometimes. Better clean teeth and a dirty mirror than the other way around.

girlinterrupted: I have a deep soaker tub, which I never use because it's such a pain in the back to scrub it out. I haven't had a hot bath since I lived in my old place, when I used to complain about how small the tub was. <:-p

Ron: I guess they don't teach cleaning in bachelor school. Mostly once guys get married, the Wife Police beats them into shape on the cleaning issue, although I do know one guy who managed to drag his wife down to his level. Their house is gross.

Karen: My problem with vacuuming now is that I'm compulsive about getting under all the furniture and in every corner, which requires a lot of lifting and moving stuff around. Theoretically I could make it easier on myself by not being such a perfectionist, but then why bother?

Aurora: Yes! Hot water, especially in the winter, feels almost like a spa treatment, if you can ignore the grubby pots and plates.

San: I bet you'll think I'm crazy when I tell you that I've had a dishwasher for almost 2 years and I've never used it once. Ken neither. Since we moved into our condo we just never got around to it, and now we're afraid to turn it on in case the motor seizes and blows up.

Anonymous said...

I use paper plates. No washing ever.

Leighann said...

The only chore I don't like doing is scrubbing the kitchen floor. I don't mind mopping it and regular upkeep, but once in awhile it needs a good old fashioned on your hands and knees scrubbing to get into all the little cracks and crevices. That's what I hate!

Keera Ann Fox said...

There are several chores I don't mind, but that doesn't mean I do them regularly/as often as necessary. My attitude about doing dishes is pretty similar to yours.

Of all the chores, there is one I actually like: Doing laundry. I'm getting pretty good at folding and putting away, so the whole chore is becoming quite pleasant. Other chores I don't mind once I finally get around to them: Dusting, washing bathtub and toilet, the aforementioned dishes, and ironing. For some reason polishing windows and shining sinks doesn't turn me on. And I have yet to find a vacuum cleaner I completely get along with, i.e. one that won't deliberately catch itself on furniture or flip itself over (I take such behavior very personally). My current one is the least annoying so far in my life, so it actually gets used without a feeling of dread on my part. And I don't wear earplugs. Instead, I crank up the stereo to drown out the vacuum. I'm sure my neighbors are grateful I don't do regular housework. ;-)

Jameil said...

ooh. you said favourite. it's been a while since you canadized something for me! thanks! :)

i like ironing but usually only once i get started. soothing. bathrooms i can't stand and i'm not a fan of washing dishes either.

Sparkling Red said...

Unsigned: Do you wear paper clothes so you don't have to do laundry?

Leighann: Yeah, scrubbing a tile floor is pretty awful. I don't get around to that chore too often.

Keera: Sometimes I sing along with the drone of the vacuum. I bet your neighbours appreciate the stereo more than my neighbours appreciate my singing!

Jameil: Wow, I'm surprised that you like ironing. I'm surprised that anyone likes ironing. ;-)

Anonymous said...

I hate all chores, but if I have to pick one I hate the most, it's cleaning the bathroom, in particular the tube.

I need to stop blowing snot rockets in the shower.

Anonymous said...

My favourite chore is shoveling the driveway. My least is anything involved with being outside in the summer. I hate the summer heat. I think that's why I like shoveling the driveway. Its the one outdoor chore I can do without having to deal with the heat and smog.

Sparkling Red said...

Stewie: Ew! That's nasty. I don't like scrubbing out the tub when all that's in there is scum and hair. If there were boogers? I'd run screaming.

Whatigotsofar: You must have a strong back. I always hated shoveling because I got sore back after. Being out in the snow is OK. Shoveling at night outside can be very peaceful.