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Is Korea one of the world's cleanest countries? British media says yes, highlights home hygiene tech.

Published: 15 Apr. 2026, 15:43 Updated: 16 Apr. 2026, 16:03

From left: A trash bin with an automatic sealing function; UV knife and chopping board sterilizer [SCREEN CAPTURE]

Is "K-hygiene" Korea's next big cultural export?

Popular British newspaper The Daily Mail celebrated Korea's innovative approach to cleanliness in an April 8 report, calling the nation “one of the cleanest countries in the world.”

It said Koreans are using cutting-edge, technology-enabled "enviable gadgets" for sanitation in everyday life, shedding light on home appliances for cleaning.

The report introduced Korea's home technology appliances, such as a knife-and-chopping-board sterilizer, a trash bin with automatic sealing, robot vacuum cleaners, deodorizing shoe cabinets and cordless dust mite removers.

The British publication attributed the phenomenon to a “rise in so-called 'smart living,' with impressive home innovations beginning to dominate everyday.”

The Daily Mail's report on Korea's hygiene culture [SCREEN CAPTURE]

While noting the cleanliness of Korean infrastructure, the report highlighted policies such as prohibitions on eating on public transport and strict anti-littering laws with heavy fines.

Korea’s cleaning habits and gadgets have reportedly drawn online attention, according to the British newspaper, which shared social media influencers’ impressions of the practices and products.

Citing a report from another Korea-based media outlet, The Daily Mail noted that Koreans’ perceptions of hygiene improved over time through the imposition of penalties and education.

“Now, cleanliness is so important to those in South Korea that homes are filled with futuristic products [...] used to offer a sense of calm to the house,” it wrote.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY JANG GU-SEUL [[email protected]]