13 Household Chores That Burn MAJOR Calories

Here are 13 Household chores that burn major calories. No more feeling guilty about ditching gym class. Uh Uh! There is a better (and I think, more productive way to keep fit). It's called Housework! And there is a reason it's called house-work.

What household chores burn the most calories?

Do these common household chores everyday and you can burn some major calories AND have a clean house!

13 Household chores that burn Major Calories (7 Burn more than a 5K Run!!!)

Before I give you the run down on the butt-burning cleaning tasks we should be doing every day, we need to set some kind of standard. How do we know how many calories we are aiming for? I've picked a 5 kilometer run to compare our chore calorie burning activities against.

So....

How Many Calories Do You Burn Running a 5K Run/Walk?

A 5K fun run (fun run? pffft!) is five kilometers or 3.1 miles. The calories you burn when you walk or run these events will depend on your pace, your body size, and your gender. To keep every thing consistent, I have used an imaginary 150 pound person to compare the results:

A 150-pound person will burn about 228 calories during the event if he or she runs a 10-minute per mile pace.
If you choose to walk a 5K course, you'll burn approximately 186 calories, according to the American Council on Exercise.

Source: Verwell.com

How many calories does housework burn?

This is going to depend on your level of housework. Sometimes I do a lot, sometimes I do a little and other times do none (I know!!). So asking how many calories housework burns is a toughie to answer. It also depends on what housework you're doing.

I use this weekly cleaning schedule to make sure I don't get tooo behind on things. You can grab a copy of it to print at home right here!

13 Household Chores That Burn Major Calories

Daily activities burn calories. It's science really. Cleaning is a surprisingly great way to keep fit and is bit more productive than running on that treadmill everyday too. Going nowhere I might add. I've picked 13 of the most Common Household Chores that burn some major Calories.

You can download the full list of 50 Household Chores that will keep you Trim right here (print this off as a little reminder).

Household chores that burn calories

So here's the list! You'll never look at housework in the same way again :)

How many calories does mopping burn?

156 Calories / Hour

Sweeping or mopping those dusty, dirty floors is a great upper and lower body workout.

This effective and highly productive workout burns 156 Calories an hour and you get a sparkling clean floor when you are done! If your floors are particularly dirty and need a little more elbow grease (scrubbing on hands and knees kind of work), then Yay! It's time to celebrate -because you can shed as many as 187 calories in the next 30 minutes!

How many calories do you burn cleaning the bathroom?

360 Calories / Hour

We all know that we need to give those tiles, tub, shower screen and washbasin a good, long overdue scrub to remove that icky soap scum. That little boost of extra energy won't go unrewarded. In 15 minutes, you'll burn more than 90 calories-and you will work out those wobbly underarm bits and give the boobs a little boost too!

How many calories does vacuuming burn?

170 Calories / Hour

I actually love Vacuuming. Maybe that's a little weird, but as chores go - this is one of my favorites. It gives a good effect for minimal effort and now I find out it burns 170 Calories an hour? Wow! I might just start vacuuming twice a day! My house collects a LOT of dirt. I think it's up there in the red zone if you had to graph it compared to other homes. With all the kids, two dogs, tradie husband and at least two lambs trudging their muddy little feet though my lounge on any one day - my little vacuum (and me ) get a good workout!

How many calories do you burn cleaning the windows?

140 - 300 Calories / Hour

Experts don't seem to agree on this one. Some say that you will burn around 300 Calories an hour, while others say you are looking at more around the 140 Calories an hour. Big difference! I think it's got a lot to do with technique. If you are doing a little spray and wipe job, you could be looking at the 140 Calories an hour but if you working up a sweat scrubbing that window grime, I think you can claim your full 300 Calories for the hour.

Burning calories by decluttering / cleaning the closet

85 Calories / Hour

Packing away the seasonal gear or cleaning out the kitchen cupboard may not work up too much of a sweat, but even this will declutter your home and can burn about 85 calories in the hour.

Calories burned mowing the lawn

325 Calories / Hour

Burn some Calories and save money and forget about hiring a Gardener. Tackle the lawn care on your own. Use a manual or push mower for maximum calorie burn. Expect to burn about 325 calories per hour.

How many calories does cooking burn?

150 Calories / Hour

Work up a sweat in the kitchen. Standing, preparing food and cooking will burn about 150 calories per hour.

Calories burned shovelling snow

415 Calories / Hour

Ok, this isn't much of a surprise. But this maximum burn, heart-pumping Winter exercise burns about 415 calories per hour. Remember how that 5K run only burns 228 Calories? Hmmm. Too much too soon? Maybe get the husband or teenage son to do this one.

How many calories does gardening burn?

250 Calories / Hour

I'm talking about the fun stuff here. Pottering in the veggie garden, planting some seedlings or a little bit of weeding will help you burn calories and a gorgeous garden at the same time! You'll burn about 250 calories per hour. Plus you get to enjoy the added bonus of fresh homegrown vegetables, which will benefit your wallet and your waistline.

Calories burned painting

290 Calories / Hour

Need a reason to give the kitchen a makeover? Painting is an excellent way to work your leg and arm muscles while building lean muscle mass at the same time. You get a freshly painted deck or room and you'll burn about 290 calories per hour.

Calories burned moving house {Or rearranging the furniture!}

400 Calories / Hour

Now you have reason to dust under the couch! Moving furniture around can burn another 100 calories in just 15 minutes, and even more if you have to move anything up and down stairs!

Does talking burn calorie? {Talking on the Phone}

90 Calories / Hour

Ok, there is a teeny tiny catch here. You need to be walking and talking to claim the full Calories credits. Talking on the phone while walking around the house will burn a surprising 90 Calories in an hour.

Calories burned styling your hair

190 Calories / hour

We know this one burns! Holding your arms up to blow dry, straighten & style your hair for 35 minutes will burn off 100 calories!

Next time you just couldn't feel bothered heading to the gym or dragging your body outside for a workout, don't worry about it!

There is a better way to burn some Calories and clean the house at the same time! Let's learn something from our Grandmothers - those fit, 1950's housewives you see on the Covers of Vintage Good Housekeeping Magazines never ,ever stepped a foot in the local gym - but they always looked amazing and their homes were impeccable!