National No Housework Day - Put down the laundry, toss out the to-do list, and take a break.

National No Housework Day 2024 – April 7, 2024

April 7 is a chance  to revel in National No Housework Day.  Put down the laundry and toss out the to-do list. For this one day, we can give ourselves a break and do what we want around the house. Maintaining a clean and liveable home can sometimes feel like a never-ending chore. As soon as you have finished the washing and the cleaning, it all needs doing again, and again, and again. Well, that’s why National No Housework Day is here, to allow yourself a break, meaning that  for one day at least, you don’t need to worry about the housework.

History of National No Housework Day

The history of housework and its perception as a largely female job dates back to the nineteenth century. As men began to specialize in paid work, housework became increasingly linked to women. The home was viewed as a pure, serene, and secure place, as opposed to the impure, unsympathetic, and uncertain world of work. Nowadays of course society tends to have a much more open mind to gender roles and the duty of upkeep in most households is seen as a shared responsibility. Innovation in household appliance technology has increased the efficiency with which work is carried out but also prompted higher standards of cleanliness. The self-contained electric or gas-powered appliances are a uniquely American innovation that began emerging a hundred years ago. During this time the washing machine, the refrigerator, the kettle, the iron, and the sewing machine were all invented as families sought ways of creating more free time in their lives. Housework has become so ingrained in our lives that Thomas and Ruth Roy felt it necessary to create a holiday where we don’t do any chores. They chose April 7 as National No Housework Day and encouraged people to “leave it all for tomorrow.”

National No Housework Day timeline

1980s
Wacky Holidays

Thomas Roy started to create and patent his quirky holiday, one of which is National No Housework Day.

November 30, 1944
The creator

Thomas Roy, the creator of National No Housework Day, is born

1760s
Industrial Revolution

More men began leaving the home for paid work. This often results in women remaining at home and being expected to do the housework.

1600s
Main driving force

Most workers and staff are dedicated to the upkeep of their own homes as they are the main sources of income and education.

National No Housework Day FAQs

When is National No Housework Day?

April 7. 

Where is National No Housework Day observed?

The United States.

What can I do on National No Housework Day?

Anything you’d like. Take this chance to tick something off your personal to-do-list that you’ve been meaning to do but haven’t gotten around to.

National No Housework Day Activities

  1. Give yourself a break!

    Do what it says on the tin. It’s National No Housework Day and so you ignore any dusting or vacuuming and enjoy your day.

  2. Binge that show you wanted to watch

    If ignoring any household duties frees up some extra time for you then why not spend it catching up on your favorite flicks or series? Relax and tune into what you may have been putting off.

  3. Use your kitchen

    If you ever wanted to use your time to experiment in the kitchen without any worries, the day is now. Practice preparing that dish you always wanted or go crazy and create that snack of your dreams.

5 Facts About Housework

  1. It used to be harder

    Thanks to the cleaners and appliances of today, housework has been made less strenuous over the years. We can particularly thank those around in the early 20th century for a spate of innovation.

  2. Clutter doesn’t help

    By getting rid of the unnecessary clutter in your home the average time spent doing housework can be cut in half.

  3. A lot of cleaning

    We spend an average of 13,000 hours of our lifetimes cleaning

  4. Women still do more than men

    A recent survey revealed that although the gap has shortened significantly, women still do around 40% more housework than men.

  5. Toy-cleaning tip

    Instead of cleaning your children’s toys one by one, check if they are dishwasher safe and tackle the whole chore at once.

Why we love National No Housework Day

  1. It gives us a pause

    Life can get hectic and out of control. Sometimes putting the tools and appliances down and relaxing is the healthiest option. Some responsibilities can wait until tomorrow, including housework.

  2. The freedom

    Knowing that you can ignore all household chores for a day is a freeing feeling. Soak up that feeling and enjoy focussing your efforts and energy and the things that matter to you.

  3. Housework is boring

    Whilst there will be some who disagree with us, most people will be on our side. Housework is boring and a day where we don’t have to do any is a big win.

National No Housework Day dates

Year Date Day
2023 April 7 Friday
2024 April 7 Sunday
2025 April 7 Monday
2026 April 7 Tuesday
2027 April 7 Wednesday