【Ranking of Likes and Dislikes in Housework for Women Over 50】Favorite and Least Favorite Housework Tasks Among Women Over 50

Harumeku Ikikata Jyouto Kenkyuusyo, which explores insights of women over 50 through marketing and research consulting for the best-selling magazine 'Harumeku' (Note 1), has published the 'Ranking of Likes and Dislikes in Housework for Women Over 50' based on a survey of 519 women over 50 (preliminary survey: 588 women). The theme is 'Favorite and Least Favorite Housework Tasks.'

(Note 1) Japan ABC Association's Report (July-December 2025)

[Survey Overview]

The survey was conducted in two phases: a preliminary survey and a main survey. In the preliminary survey, respondents were asked to freely describe up to three favorite and least favorite housework tasks each, from which 25 items covering both favorite and least favorite tasks were selected. In the main survey, respondents rated each of the 25 items on a 7-point scale.

*Note: This release lists the top 20 items for both favorite and least favorite housework tasks out of the 25 items.

Survey Method: Web Questionnaire

Survey Target: Women aged 50-84 nationwide

Survey Dates: Preliminary Survey: March 4 (Wed) - March 9 (Mon), 2026
Main Survey: March 16 (Mon) - March 19 (Thu), 2026

Number of Respondents: Preliminary Survey: 588
Main Survey: 519

*Note: The main survey was re-tabulated to ensure an equal number of respondents in their 50s, 60s, and 70s and older. The number of respondents in the text is the re-tabulated number.

Survey Body: Harumeku Age Marketing Inc. Harumeku Ikikata Jyouto Kenkyuusyo

[Tabulation Method]

Points were assigned based on the 7-point evaluation for each item, and the ranking was calculated using a weighted average. Note that the ranking includes differences to the second decimal place. (Even if the same number is displayed, there are differences from the second place onward.)

Favorite Housework Tasks

[Question] The following are housework tasks that were frequently mentioned as favorites. How much do you like each of the following housework tasks?

[Scoring] Very Like: 100 points, Like: 85 points, Somewhat Like: 65 points, Neutral: 50 points, Somewhat Dislike: 35 points, Dislike: 15 points, Very Dislike: 0 points

Least Favorite Housework Tasks

[Question] Now, how much do you dislike each of the following housework tasks? Your answers may contradict your previous responses about favorite tasks. Please answer about the least favorite tasks without considering your previous responses.

[Scoring] Very Dislike: 100 points, Dislike: 85 points, Somewhat Dislike: 65 points, Neutral: 50 points, Somewhat Like: 35 points, Like: 15 points, Very Like: 0 points

*Note: Interviews and comments from the director of the survey body 'Harumeku Ikikata Jyouto Kenkyuusyo' are also available.

*Note: When publishing the content of this release, please clearly indicate the source as 'Harumeku Ikikata Jyouto Kenkyuusyo Survey.'

[Survey Summary]

Favorite Housework Tasks

1st Place: Shopping

The most favorite housework task is 'Shopping.' It was ranked 1st in all age groups. The top reason for liking it is 'It's a mood changer,' followed by 'It's stress-relieving' and 'It's fun and interesting.'

2nd Place: Laundry-related Tasks

The second most favorite housework task is 'Laundry-related Tasks.' It was ranked 2nd in all age groups. The top reason for liking it is 'It feels good,' followed by 'It keeps things clean' and 'It makes me feel refreshed.'

3rd Place: Hanging Laundry to Dry

The third most favorite housework task is 'Hanging Laundry to Dry.' It was ranked 3rd in all age groups. The top reason for liking it is 'It feels good,' followed by 'It makes me feel refreshed' and 'It keeps things clean.'

Least Favorite Housework Tasks

1st Place: Cleaning the Exhaust Fan

The most disliked housework task is 'Cleaning the Exhaust Fan.' It was ranked 1st in all age groups. The top reason for disliking it is 'It's troublesome,' followed by 'It takes time' and 'It's tiring.'

2nd Place: Window Cleaning

The second most disliked housework task is 'Window Cleaning.' It was ranked 2nd for women in their 50s and 70s and older, and 3rd for women in their 60s. The top reason for disliking it is 'It's troublesome,' followed by 'It's tiring' and 'It's cold/hot depending on the season.'

3rd Place: Cleaning the Drain

The third most disliked housework task is 'Cleaning the Drain.' It was ranked 3rd for women in their 50s and 70s and older, and 4th for women in their 60s. The top reason for disliking it is 'It's dirty and smelly,' followed by 'It's troublesome' and 'It's not fun.'

Favorite Housework Tasks and Reasons (Excerpts from Free Responses in the Preliminary Survey)

1st Place: Shopping

I love buying furniture and interior goods, but I find daily shopping bothersome. Still, I do it reluctantly, but it's fun when I find delicious things or hidden gems (Age 53).

I enjoy discovering new products. I like seeing seasonal items and confirming the changes (Age 66).

I enjoy touching vegetables and fruits that change with the seasons, as well as decorations and dishes that accompany various annual events. I also enjoy seeing various new products (Age 70).

2nd Place: Laundry-related Tasks

It feels good, and I can sense the scent of the sun on laundry dried outside. I look forward to getting into bed on nights when I wash bedding (Age 56).

The washing machine does the work, so I just operate it. My home's courtyard faces south, so if there's sunlight, the laundry dries quickly. From May to June, it's the big laundry period! I wash winter items like sweaters, jackets, and thick items at home to make them fresh. In the summer, I wash large items like curtains, blankets, and covers. I enjoy using fabric softeners to choose my favorite scents and make them fresh and clean (Age 73).

3rd Place: Hanging Laundry to Dry

I feel a sense of accomplishment when I hang clothes outside to dry, like 'Ah, they're clean now' (Age 59).

I like hanging laundry to dry on nice days (like warm winter days or early summer days with a pleasant breeze) when I can faintly smell the detergent (Age 66).

I enjoy the time spent hanging laundry on the balcony in the sunlight and putting away the crisply dried clothes (Age 75).

Others

Room Redecoration

I'm not sure if this counts as housework, but I love rearranging furniture. I can't stop thinking, 'If I do this, it might be more convenient' (Age 73).

Cooking and Meal Preparation

I'm not good at seasoning, but I just enjoy the process of cutting ingredients with a knife and cooking them with kitchen utensils (Age 50).

I'm not good at following recipes, so I enjoy thinking, 'What can I make with the ingredients I have on hand?' Sometimes I make something outrageous, but if it's delicious, it's okay (Age 66).

I feel a sense of accomplishment when I come up with a balanced menu using leftovers in the refrigerator and prepare several dishes. It makes me even happier when they are eaten up neatly (Age 69).

Tidying and Organizing

With a little storage trick, things become easier to use or are reborn. It becomes clear what is necessary and what is not, and everything falls into place (Age 69).

I like the feeling of things fitting perfectly into closets and drawers, like solving a puzzle (Age 70).

Folding Laundry

I like folding laundry mindlessly; it feels like my mind is being organized (Age 64).

Cleaning-related Tasks

I like cleaning because as I move my hands, the space in front of me gradually becomes tidy, and the room becomes brighter. This feeling is reflected in my heart. The moment dirt is removed or the space becomes lighter is very refreshing, and sometimes it even eliminates my anger. Cleaning is an essential and important time in my life (Age 64).

Drying the Futon

Fluffy