Chinese actress Li Bingbing, 48, may have no qualms about roughing it out and getting down and dirty on screen, but in real life, she likes things clean, very clean.

In fact, she has such high standards for cleanliness that she's finding it impossible to recruit a domestic helper despite offering a monthly salary of 120,000 yuan (S$25,000).

It was recently revealed that the actress had interviewed 20 candidates, and none were able to make the cut.

According to reports, one woman had to show Bingbing how she washes vegetables during the interview and she ended up washing them eight times. However, Bingbing was still not satisfied and tossed the veggies into the bin. [Ed: what a waste of food and water!]

Unsure of what she did wrong, the woman questioned Bingbing, who told her that it was because she didn't wear gloves. So no matter how many times you washed [the vegetables], bacteria will still remain on them,” Bingbing reportedly said to the woman.

Bingbing also told the woman that she believes that vegetables should be cooked immediately after they are washed “‘cos after long-term exposure to air, they are as good as not washed at all”.

Bingbing’s obsession with cleanliness is apparently an open secret in showbiz.

When she took part in reality show Back To Field, she rewashed the dishes because she didn't think that a fellow celeb had done a thorough job. She also made sure to soak their produce in salt water to get rid of pesticides before cooking.

When guests visit Bingbing at home, they are required to put on shoe covers as soon as they enter, or so rumours claim.

She even reportedly stopped a friend from sitting at her vanity until she placed a “seat cover”.

Photos: Li Bingbing/Instagram