Sophie Hinchliffe (née Barker; born 16 February 1990), known as Mrs Hinch,[1] is a British influencer whose Instagram account features tips for home cleaning. Her cleaning books and her memoir have been included on the Sunday Times Bestseller List.
Sophie Hinchliffe | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sophie Barker 16 February 1990 |
| Other names | Mrs Hinch |
| Occupation(s) | Influencer, author |
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Spouse | Jamie Hinch |
| Children | 2 |
| Website | instagram |
Early life
editHinchliffe was born Sophie Barker, in Basildon, Essex.[1][2] Before creating her Instagram account, she was a hairdresser.[3] She stated that she suffers from anxiety, and that cleaning helped her cope with it.[4]
Career
editHinchliffe created her Instagram account, mrshinchhome, in March 2018,[5] initially to show how she and her husband were decorating their house.[6] Within two years, she had accumulated two million followers on the platform, known as Hinchers[2] and by the hashtag #HinchArmy.[7] By June 2019 she had 2.5 million followers,[8] as of October 2020[update] more than 3.8 million.[6] Her content includes stories and short 15-second videos in which she cleans and organises her home.[7] In March 2021, ratings site GoCompare listed her as the highest-paid 'homefluencer' or 'cleanfluencer' in the United Kingdom, second highest worldwide.[9]
Books
editIn April 2019, Hinchliffe's first book, Hinch Yourself Happy, sold 160,302 copies in three days, making it the second highest-selling non-fiction book in the UK at that time.[10] Her second book, The Activity Journal, was released in 2019 and reached number 1 on the Sunday Times Bestseller List.[11] Her third book, The Little Book of Lists, became the number one bestseller in the UK in April 2020, boosted by a surge in interest in cleaning and home care following the introduction of coronavirus lockdown restrictions.[12] In October 2020, her memoir, This Is Me, also became a number 1 bestseller.[1][13]
In 2023 she published a book, Welcome to Hinch Farm, with illustrations by Hannah George, dealing with the topic of children's anxiety about moving house. Hardback and ebook versions in 2023 were followed by a paperback in 2024.[14][15]
Other media
editThis Morning has featured Mrs Hinch's cleaning tips.[7]
In March 2021, Hinchliffe's podcast, All the Best, was recommended by The Guardian as 'podcast of the week'.[16]
Product promotion
editHinchliffe's recommendations have caused a surge in sales, such as when a cleaning pad she recommended quickly sold out.[17] In 2019 and March 2023, she was investigated by the Advertising Standards Authority for allegedly failing to make legally required disclosures that product promotions on her Instagram were paid advertisements.[8][18]
Personal life
editHinchliffe lives in Maldon.[5][19] She and her husband, Jamie,[6] have two sons: Ronnie and Lennie.[20]
Hinchliffe suffered health problems after a gastric band operation that resulted in her losing eight stone. She was prescribed anti-depressants due to anxiety.[21]
Hinchliffe and her son Ronnie have both been diagnosed with autism.[22]
References
edit- ^ a b c Mrs Hinch (2020). This Is Me. Penguin UK. ISBN 978-0-241-45431-2.
- ^ a b Llewellyn Smith, Julia (5 April 2019). "Mrs Hinch interview: from Instagram fame to Hinch Yourself Happy". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Why Mrs Hinch and the 'cleanfluencers' are sweeping up the book charts". The Guardian. 11 April 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ Tchiprout, Arielle (5 April 2019). "Mrs Hinch reveals the star she wants as her 'best mate'". Prima. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Mrs Hinch: Instagram cleaner wants to make chores fun". BBC News (Essex). 14 September 2018. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ a b c Tchiprout, Arielle (20 October 2020). "Mrs Hinch reveals what she's learned since finding fame". House Beautiful. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ a b c "Who is Mrs Hinch? Essex housewife who's become famous for her cleaning tips". Heart. 21 February 2019 [21 September 2018]. Retrieved 17 March 2021.
- ^ a b "Mrs Hinch: Influencer investigated by advertising watchdog". BBC News (Entertainment & Arts). 5 June 2019. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ Edwards, Francesca (28 March 2021). "Essex's top home influencers who are earning millions and Mrs Hinch tops the list". Echo. Essex. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ "Why Mrs Hinch and the 'cleanfluencers' are sweeping up the book charts". The Guardian (Books blog). 11 April 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ Mrs Hinch: The Activity Journal. Penguin UK. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ Flood, Alison (8 April 2020). "Mrs Hinch cleans up with book sales as Britons tidy homes in lockdown". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ Smith, Gwendolyn (11 October 2020). "Cleaning up: the social media stars making housework cool". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ George, Mrs Hinch,Hannah (7 March 2024). Welcome to Hinch Farm.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Mrs Hinch announces she is releasing a children's book". Good Housekeeping. 4 January 2023. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Good, clean fun with Mrs Hinch – podcasts of the week". The Guardian. 26 March 2021. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Meet the 'cleanfluencers', the online gurus who like things nice and tidy". The Guardian. 29 January 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Instagram influencer Mrs Hinch investigated by advertising body". The Guardian. 5 June 2019. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ Walden, Lisa (20 November 2019). "Take a peek inside cleaning sensation Mrs Hinch's spotless Essex family home". House Beautiful. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
- ^ mrshinchhome, Instagram.
- ^ Shepheard, Georgia (27 September 2020). "Mrs Hinch interview: 'I never said I was perfect'". YOU Magazine. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
- ^ "Mrs Hinch praised as she reveals her and son Ronnie's health diagnosis". FM104. Retrieved 21 December 2023.