33 pc of couples split over unwashed dishes

One third of couples get divorce over dirty dishes and their partner not helping around the house, a new survey has found.Although, infidelity and drifting apart still remain the most common reasons for a marriage breakdown, domestic issues play a part in three out of 10 divorces.

According to the research, the wife or husband having an affair causes 40 per cent of divorces, followed by drifting apart (35 per cent).Household concerns and partners not doing their fair share of chores account for 30 per cent, the Daily Express reported.

Whatever the main cause, the poll of 1,000 adults, for a cleaning product firm, found 56 per cent of couples cite day-to-day domestic issues as a “major factor” when splitting.
As many as 59 per cent said it is difficult staying in a relationship when one partner is not helping around the house.

Leaving things lying around topped the list of concerns most likely to lead to a row. Others included neglecting the washing up and not putting dirty clothes in the laundry basket.

Average couples argued about these kinds of issues three times a month for nine months before deciding to split. But for 17 per cent the rows went on for two years.
“Day-to-day domestic problems may seem trivial at first but, if it happens every single day, resentment can build and it can lead to much bigger issues,” Lindsey Taylor, brand manager for Vileda, said.

“There may be another major reason behind a break-up, such as money worries. But it can be the little rows over things like washing up that can help tip couples over the edge,” Taylor said.