- Duvets top the washing fear charts with 6,654 monthly searches from confused cleaners across Britain
- Pillows claim second spot while trainers bag third place, with 5,243 and 5,187 monthly searches respectively
- Bedroom items and footwear make up most of the top ten
A new study has uncovered that duvets cause the most washing panic among British people.
The research by premium appliance brand AEG looked at search data to find which household items UK consumers struggle most to clean, with bedding and shoes filling most spots in the top ten.
Top 10 items Brits are most afraid to wash
1 Duvets
Duvets scared Brits the most with 6,654 average monthly searches about proper washing methods. Many households worry about damaging duvets or ending up with clumpy filling after washing. Duvets are big and often can’t fit in a washing machine, so one method to clean them is using your bathtub and letting it soak in some detergent.
2 Pillows
Pillows took second place with 5,243 average monthly searches. British consumers clearly fret about ruining their pillows in the wash. Searches show many people hunt for ways to clean pillows without destroying their shape or support.
3 Trainers
Trainers ranked third with 5,187 average monthly searches from uncertain Brits. Simply washing a pair of trainers with a damp cloth should do the trick but they can also be put in the washing machine on a gentle spin.
4 Jeans
Jeans hit fourth spot with 2,840 average monthly searches. While the numbers dropped sharply compared to the top three items, plenty of denim owners still hunt for advice on washing jeans without fading colors or ruining their fit.
5 Shoes
Shoes outside the trainer category grabbed fifth place with 2,643 average monthly searches. Most shoes can be brushed clean of any dried-on dirt but specialist cleaning fluids are also a good idea.
6 Cashmere
Cashmere landed sixth position with 2,277 average monthly searches from worried owners. This luxury fabric scares many British consumers who fear shrinking or damaging expensive garments through incorrect washing methods. It’s recommended to hand-wash unless the care label says otherwise.
7 Baseball Caps / 8 Caps
Baseball caps secured seventh spot with 2,273 average monthly searches while general caps ranked eighth with 2,219 average monthly searches. Combined with baseball cap queries, hat cleaning prompted over 4,400 monthly searches across the country.
9 Wool
Wool items placed ninth with 2,130 average monthly searches. Similar to cashmere concerns, this natural fiber creates significant washing uncertainty among Brits who fear shrunken jumpers and ruined garments. Many washing machines will have specific settings for wool which should always be paired with mild detergents.
10 Shower Curtains
Shower curtains completed the top ten with 2,080 average monthly searches. Hand washing a shower curtain with baking soda or distilled white vinegar can keep this bathroom staple clean.
Conclusion
A spokesperson for AEG UK commented on the findings: “These results clearly show that many British households struggle with knowing how to wash larger items like duvets and pillows, as well as specialty items such as trainers and delicate fabrics.
“Modern washing machines are designed to handle many of these challenging items, but consumers often lack confidence in the process. Understanding how to properly clean these items is important not only for hygiene but also for extending the lifespan of these household essentials.”
So tell me? What are you afraid to wash? Or do you have any tips on how to wash these items?
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