The way you organize, decorate, and maintain the cleanliness of your personal space reveals much about your character, something that house cleaners often observe.
You take personal hygiene seriously
“It’s a weird contradiction, but clean people have filthy bathtubs,” Bryan C., an independent cleaner who has worked in other people’s homes for almost 30 years. He notes that individuals with spotless habits often have surprisingly grimy bathtubs. When confronted with pink residue buildup, hard-water stains, or an unkempt bathtub, he deduces, “it’s obvious to me that they take showers every day.”
According to him, the correlation is clear: the more meticulous someone is about cleanliness, the more likely their shower and tub are to exhibit signs of heavy use. Another contributing factor might be a commitment to self-care, as those who prioritize this aspect tend to spend significant time in the bathroom.
You know your cleaning hacks
“Some clients stock up on an abundance of quality cleaning products, acquiring everything they know I use—hydrogen peroxide, Magic Erasers, even Shark vacuums,” notes Bryan. “This signals to me that they genuinely value the quality of my work and want me to deliver top-notch results.”
Alternatively, a collection of expert-approved cleaning products in a cabinet may suggest a different narrative: the individual possesses proficient cleaning skills. Perhaps they haven’t always had the means to hire assistance, leading them to acquire knowledge about the best cleaning techniques, follow popular cleaning hacks on platforms like TikTok, and regularly engage in thorough cleaning routines independently.
Disorder in the form of paper stacks, disorganized closets, and chairs laden with bags and coats can carry diverse meanings for individuals. According to Shehata, experiencing clutter is common during busy or overwhelming times or transitional life phases. While clutter may be a sensitive issue for Bryan, he emphasizes his role in assistance. “I’m there to help,” he states. “My intention is not to be judgmental, but as an outsider, I can identify opportunities for decluttering that the resident may overlook. My goal is to aid them in creating more space for themselves.”
If your walls are adorned with uplifting quotes, and your calendar features Monday motivation sayings like “A beautiful day starts with a beautiful attitude,” chances are, according to house cleaners, you radiate positivity. Cory Chalmers, the founder and president of Steri-Clean, notes that items like signs, crafts, or trinkets with affirmations about kindness, love, or family orientation provide insights into the client’s personality. Whether it’s an award or a notebook filled with reminders to choose kindness, the decision to display such items communicates something significant about your character.
A closet or pantry filled with abundant toilet paper rolls and paper towels may reveal that you are a meticulous planner, always aiming to be prepared for any situation, as observed by house cleaners. The presence of well-stocked household supplies, including meticulously maintained disaster survival kits, reflects your forward-thinking personality.
Beyond indicating the frequency of your bathroom trips, a bulk supply of toilet paper could also offer insights into your financial situation. People who buy in bulk and consistently maintain a well-stocked inventory tend to have a stable cash flow, distinguishing them from those who may not always afford the luxury of stocking up.
If your preference leans towards an all-white aesthetic, encompassing white walls, a white sofa, white tiles, and white towels, you’re effectively conveying a strong message to your cleaner: you prioritize organization, neatness, and cleanliness. Bryan emphasizes the cleaning challenges associated with very light colors and glass surfaces, noting that smudge-free glass doors and tables suggest a fastidious client.
According to Shehata, a minimalist look indicates that the resident values a tidy and clean living space. They might extend this preference to other aspects of their life, such as maintaining a capsule wardrobe or an exceptionally organized utility closet. In either case, as Shehata puts it, individuals with this style are likely to be quite particular about their surroundings.
If your kitchen counter boasts a nugget ice maker, panini press, or SodaStream, Bryan identifies this as the “George Foreman Grill or salad spinner effect.” The presence of trendy and fad appliances can reveal a certain level of impressionability. It suggests that you might be particularly open to trends, easily swayed by hype, or have a desire to personally explore what the fuss is all about. Alternatively, your choice of appliances may simply indicate a passion for kitchen gadgets and a love for entertaining.
Messy workspaces with open shelving, visible calendars, and cluttered desks may signal a mind teeming with ideas, according to house cleaners like Shehata. The state of one’s office space can provide insights into their industry, career, or thought processes, especially for neurodivergent and creative individuals. In these cases, seemingly disorderly environments are often a reflection of how their brains process information, where visual prompts are crucial, and conventional tidy organizational methods may not be as effective.
Detecting more than just a messy home, Chalmers, the founder of Hoarders.com, turns to piles of paper for insights. He notes that hoarding often stems from past traumas. By examining the dates on magazines, bills, or newspapers—the beginning of this “time capsule”—Chalmers can ask questions like, “What happened in 1992?” This approach allows the client to discuss the items they’ve stored away, often without realizing the long-term impact these choices have had over the years.
Do you keep a drawer full of takeout menus or maintain a secret stash of junk food in a kitchen cabinet? Whether it’s hidden from your kids, your spouse, or the world, there’s a good chance your cleaner might come across it. According to Bryan, discovering secret candy stashes is surprising, especially if the client generally presents an image of health and wellness. However, he emphasizes that there’s nothing wrong with having a few guilty pleasures and a love for snacks.
The presence of specific foods, cookbooks, or kitchen appliances can reveal whether you prefer vegetarian, vegan, or meat-based diets, offering a glimpse into your culinary preferences and health choices.
Pet toys, beds, feeding bowls, and fur on furniture can indicate not only the presence of pets but also the type of pets you have and how much you cherish them.
The color schemes of your walls, furniture, and decorations can reflect your favorite colors and your taste in interior design, whether it’s minimalist, eclectic, or traditional.
Toys scattered around, children’s books, and small-sized furniture or clothing can tell a house cleaner that you have children and might even give away their age range.
A collection of books, magazines, or specific hobby-related items like knitting needles or painting supplies can reveal your interests and how you prefer to spend your leisure time.
The presence of the latest gadgets versus a preference for traditional items like paper books or handwritten notes can indicate whether you’re tech-savvy or more traditional.
An office space filled with specific types of documents, books, or equipment can give clues about your profession or personal interests, such as writing, academia, or entrepreneurship.
The way your living or entertainment areas are set up, such as a large dining table or a cozy reading nook, can hint at whether you’re more extroverted and social or introverted and private.
Souvenirs from different countries, a collection of travel guides, or a prominently displayed world map can indicate a passion for travel and exploring new cultures.
The types of clothes in your wardrobe, the presence of fashion magazines, or accessories can reveal your personal style and interest in fashion trends.
The condition of your bedroom, such as the presence of blackout curtains or a meticulously made bed, can offer clues about your sleep habits and priorities.
Collections of CDs, vinyl records, or DVDs can reveal your taste in music or movies, indicating whether you prefer classical, rock, or contemporary genres.
The use of eco-friendly products, recycling habits, and energy-saving appliances can indicate a strong awareness and commitment to environmental issues.
Art supplies, craft projects, or homemade decorations can suggest a creative or artistic hobby, revealing a side of you that enjoys creating and expressing yourself.
The way you use curtains or blinds, whether always open for natural light or closed for privacy, can reveal your preferences for openness or seclusion in your living space.
Religious symbols, texts, or a dedicated meditation space can indicate your religious beliefs or spiritual practices, reflecting an aspect of your personal or cultural identity.
The presence of vitamins, supplements, or medical equipment in your home can suggest a focus on personal health and well-being, whether for general maintenance or specific health conditions.
The way you organize, decorate, and maintain the cleanliness of your personal space reveals much about your character, something that house cleaners often observe.
You take personal hygiene seriously
“It’s a weird contradiction, but clean people have filthy bathtubs,” Bryan C., an independent cleaner who has worked in other people’s homes for almost 30 years. He notes that individuals with spotless habits often have surprisingly grimy bathtubs. When confronted with pink residue buildup, hard-water stains, or an unkempt bathtub, he deduces, “it’s obvious to me that they take showers every day.”
According to him, the correlation is clear: the more meticulous someone is about cleanliness, the more likely their shower and tub are to exhibit signs of heavy use. Another contributing factor might be a commitment to self-care, as those who prioritize this aspect tend to spend significant time in the bathroom.
