How many calories does housework burn? And does housework even count as exercise?
Answers: a lot, and yes you bet it does!
For some specific numbers, keep on reading.
How many calories do chores burn?
Housework is a great way to get some exercise – equivalent to a moderate-intensity aerobic workout.
Cleaning, sweeping, vacuuming, and other household chores can help you stay fit and healthy.
In fact, a 2006 study conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton found that your housework workout has a big effect on burning calories.
Take a look at the chart below, and you’ll see that various types of housework can and do burn off those excess calories:
| Household chore | Calories burned per hour |
| Shoveling snow by hand | 422 |
| Pushing a lawnmower | 387 |
| Scrubbing floors on hands & knees | 387 |
| Raking leaves | 281 |
| General house cleaning | 246 |
| Caring for a child (e.g. dressing, feeding) | 246 |
| Food preparation & cooking | 176 |
| Comparable types of exercise | |
| Jogging | 493 |
| Walking (4 mph) | 281 |
| Walking (3 mph) | 246 |
What household chores burn the most calories?
- Shoveling snow by hand: 422 calories
- Pushing a lawnmower: 387 calories
- Scrubbing floors on hands & knees: 387 calories
- Raking leaves: 281 calories
- General house cleaning: 246 calories
- Caring for a child (e.g. dressing, feeding): 246 calories
- Food preparation & cooking: 176 calories
Comparable types of exercise:
- Jogging: 493 calories per hour
- Walking (4 mph / 6.5 km/hour): 281 calories
- Walking (3 mph / 4.8 km/hour): 246 calories
Source: a 2006 study conducted by researchers at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.
So the next time you’re bored or want to get in some exercise, break out the mop or vacuum and start cleaning! You will be burning off those pesky calories in no time.
And who knows, maybe you will even get some of your housework done at the same time!
Is housework considered exercise?
Yes, housework is a great way to get some exercise!
Cleaning, sweeping, vacuuming, and other household chores can help you stay fit and healthy.
In fact, doing housework is equivalent to a moderate-intensity aerobic workout.
So next time you’re feeling guilty about skipping the gym, try whipping up a batch of cookies or cleaning the bathroom instead!
You’ll get the same health benefits, and your house will be clean too.
Win-win! 🙂
Extra: 5 tips for staying active while housekeeping
- Make a playlist of your favorite upbeat songs to keep you moving.
- Try cleaning in quick bursts: five minutes here, ten minutes there. It’s easier to fit into your schedule and you won’t get too tired.
- Take breaks often to stretch and move around.
- Wear comfortable clothes and shoes that will allow you to move easily.
- Use a timer to keep track of how long you’ve been cleaning, so you don’t spend too much time on any one task.
Check out these other articles about maintaining domestic bliss:
- New study finds that toddlers who use touchscreens can actually find things faster.
- This dog personality test shows that dogs become less curious, but more attached, as they age.
- This new study shows the benefits of pets for teens: better social skills, and less time alone.
