Couple’s Viral TikTok Video Pits ‘Relax First, Clean Later’ People Against ‘Clean First So You Can Relax’ People

Mar. 15, 2025

A couple cleaning in a kitchen (stock image).Photo:Getty

Couple in casual clothes cleaning kitchen together.

Getty

ATikToker’s 10-second video has sparked a playful debate about home cleaning and relaxing styles in relationships.

“When you’re a ‘relax first, clean later’ person but you’re married to a ‘clean first so you can relax’ person,” the mother of two wrote on top of the video, which she soundtracked withROSÉ and Bruno Mars’ song “APT.”

Driving her point home, Rini captioned the video with, “Gotta clean the house before I’m allowed to relax #couple #marriage #relationship.”

A couple relaxing on a couch (stock image).Getty

Couple relaxing on their couch at home

“How can you relax if looking at the mess makes me exhausted 😭😭,” one person commented, while another said, “I’m definitely a clean first person. because if I sit down at all, then nothing is getting done.”

Some of the “clean first so you can relax” people even called out those who “relax first, clean later” for their potential motives.

“People who relax first never clean🤦🏽‍♀️🥲,” a TikToker claimed, as another agreed, writing, “What people seem to not understand is that the clean later is synonymous to next week and never at the same time.”

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Some viewers gave good reasons for waiting to clean.

“Me and my husband 💀😂,” she began, comparing herself and her partner to the video’s subjects. “I’m autistic so I HAVE to relax after a day/starting a day, he cleans first 😂💀.”

Another “relax first, clean later” person sided with her.

“I’m the relax first clean later hahaha, I don’t have the mood and energy to clean first but after chilling I usually do have the mood and will clean a whole lot longer and it will be proper clean,” she explained.

One person sided with neither and seemed to find a happy medium, concluding, “Idk bout y’all but I’m relaxing before AND after😭😭.”

source: people.com