French hide household mess before guests

A study by OpinionWay for vacuum brand Shark Home found that 84% of the French hide the mess in their homes before guests arrive. The survey aimed to understand how people manage their domestic spaces in the presence of visitors.

Survey details and sample size

The survey was conducted from August 28 to 31, 2026, and included 1,024 people representative of the French population aged 18 and over. This sample size is considered sufficient to reflect general public opinion on the topic.

Common sources of domestic shame

According to the study, the most common sources of domestic shame were clothes lying around (61%), dirty dishes (54%), and leaving the vacuum out (25%). These items were identified as the most likely to cause embarrassment during a visit.

Delaying vacuum use

The research also noted that 65% of participants delay using the vacuum because they have not hidden their most distant household appliance from view. This suggests that the visibility of appliances plays a significant role in people's behavior regarding cleaning.

Suggested solutions

The study suggests that the solution is either to stop inviting people to one's home or to invest in a high-quality vacuum cleaner. This recommendation highlights the perceived importance of having a clean and tidy appearance for social interactions.