As bikini season looms it can be easy for those who have not been watching their weight to feel a little nervous.
But it seems that tackling the hoover can be just as good as hitting the running track when it comes to trimming down, as new research shows that spring cleaning can burn off even more calories than running a marathon.
Houseproud homeowners typically burn up 3,655 calories each year just by cleaning and tidying their homes in time for the summer.
Fully cleaning out your house can burn a massive 3,655 calories which is more than most people burn running a marathonThat’s about the same as 30 large glasses of white wine or 20 chocolate eclairs – or a little more than one marathon run.
More... A busy day for Harry! Prince joins his brother to open a Help for Heroes Recovery centre, before he heads to meet the Queen at the Chelsea Flower Show Can't be bothered with face yoga? Strap on a resistance training balaclava that promises to tone away wrinkles Women who lost both her legs and right hand to rare infection makes miraculous recovery to walk down the aisle on prosthetic legs
Over a lifetime this amounts to almost a quarter of a million calories or 783 bacon sandwiches.
The study was carried out with a group of home owners who were asked to monitor the amount of time they spent spring cleaning and the tasks carried out.
A marathon run typically burns between 2,500 and 3,500 calories, depending on the runner's height, weight and build How the chores add upVacuuming (1 hour) 238 calories
Dusting (2 hours) 340 calories (170cl per hour)
Emptying, cleaning, repacking cupboards (4 hours) 952 calories (238cl per hour)
Scrubbing the floor (1 hour) 258 calories
Climbing up and down loft (20 mins) 181 calories (544cl per hour)
Turning mattresses and making beds (1 hour) 136 calories
Moving heavy furniture (2 hours) 476 calories (238cl per hour)
Cleaning windows (3 hours) 612 calories (204cl per hour)
Cleaning external doors (1 hour) 204 calories
Deep clean bathrooms (1hour) 258 calories
Total: 3,655 caloriesPopular tasks included dusting and vacuuming, emptying and cleaning cupboards, scrubbing floors, cleaning windows and moving furniture.
Cleaning cupboards burnt the most calories with those taking part spending on average four hours on this task alone, using up 952 calories. This involved emptying, cleaning out and repacking the cupboards.
Dusting was the least strenuous task burning off just 170 calories per hour. Those being monitored spent two hours doing this gentle task.
The average spring clean took the home owners 16 hours and 20 minutes spread over four days.
At 3,655 calories it was well ahead of a marathon run which typically burns between 2,500 and 3,500 calories depending on the runner’s height, weight and build.
One woman who took part said: 'I’m surprised at how many calories I use just by giving the house a thorough clean. There is a lot of stretching and lifting involved so great for the upper body, and walking up and down the stairs and the ladder to get into the loft are great for my legs.
'I’m almost tempted to clean up more often now I know how beneficial it is!'
Another added: 'I often ache after spring cleaning – now I know why! It is incredibly rewarding to see the house de-cluttered and gleaming, even better when I know I can indulge in a few of my favourite treats without feeling guilty afterwards.'
A spokesperson for PromotionalCodes.org.uk, who conducted the study said: 'Housework is a great way to exercise and knowing how many calories it burns makes it much less of a chore. After all, as well as a lovely clean house, we’re also toning, firming and making ourselves much fitter.
'There are lots of time saving devices now which means our spring clean takes less time than it did years ago. But regardless of the help we have, we’re still stretching, lifting, walking and bending – all great for getting our hearts pumping and body working hard.'