“Put simply, it’s about getting rid of the dirt, but the act of cleaning is psychologically laden with all sorts of imagery.”

Together with art historian Stefania Pitscheider Soraperra, cleaner and author Linda Thomas, and the programme’s presenter Marion Theis, Jens Lönneker discusses the motivations and clichés behind cleaning.

One of these is social pressure, which is exerted particularly on women, who, in traditional role models, are often responsible for keeping the home clean. Such roles are being reinforced again in current movements, partly because many people hope to find security in a return to earlier values during the current times of crisis.

However, our research also shows that up to 10% of men are interested in becoming more actively involved in cleaning. To cater to this demographic as well, manufacturers are responding with cleaning appliances designed to appeal to their technical aesthetic.

‘Whoever does the cleaning holds the power’ – Household cleaning can also be seen as a subtle way of exerting influence in relationships, ranging from whether shoes are kept on or taken off to the purchase of specific, easy-to-clean furniture.

The intersectional perspective should not be overlooked either. In private life, cleaning is also experienced as satisfying and is even used to burn calories, yet professional cleaners are often faced with difficult working conditions, are poorly paid and stigmatised. On the one hand, delegating such tasks ensures that time which would normally be spent tidying up can be used to create new things; on the other hand, cleaning can also offer a sense of liberation and pleasure, which is then lost.

You can hear about these and many other interesting connections here in the full episode of the SWR podcast.