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When I ask my intermediate students what they do on Saturday mornings, they often struggle to describe household chores. They’ll say “clean house” but miss the rich vocabulary English offers: “do the laundry”, “wipe down the counters”, “scrub the toilet”, “vacuum the carpet”. Each verb is specific, each task has a name. Learning chore vocabulary transforms you from a language learner into someone who can actually discuss real life in English.
You’ll covers 100+ household chores organised by room and frequency — kitchen chores, bathroom chores, bedroom tasks, outdoor work, and daily versus weekly routines. You’ll learn the verbs, example sentences, and phrases native speakers use every day. By the end, you’ll be able to describe any household task with precision and confidence.
Key Takeaways
- Verbs are specific — not just “clean”, but “sweep”, “mop”, “wipe”, “dust”, “scrub”, and “vacuum” — each one describes a precise action.
- Chores pair with rooms — kitchen chores (wash dishes, wipe counters), bathroom chores (scrub toilet, clean shower), bedroom chores (make bed, organize closet).
- Daily vs Weekly — “make the bed” and “wash dishes” happen daily; “mop the floor” and “change the bedding” are weekly tasks.
- Common phrases — “do the laundry”, “take out the trash”, “tidy up the living room”, “water the plants” are collocations you’ll hear constantly.
- British vs American — “hoover” (British) = “vacuum” (American); “rubbish” (British) = “garbage” (American).
What Are Household Chores?
Household chores are tasks that need to be done regularly to keep a home clean, organised, and functional. Chores range from simple daily activities like making the bed to more complex jobs like deep cleaning the kitchen or mowing the lawn.
Chores are essential — they teach responsibility, develop life skills, and create a pleasant living environment. In families, chores are often divided among household members based on age and ability. Understanding chore vocabulary is crucial for living and working in English-speaking countries, from discussing household duties at home to describing your responsibilities in a job interview.
Example: My teenagers have a chore chart on the fridge — it shows who is responsible for washing dishes, vacuuming, and taking out the trash each week.
Kitchen Chores
The kitchen is the most active room in the home, so kitchen chores are frequent and varied. These tasks keep food preparation areas safe and hygienic.
| Chore | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Wash dishes | Clean plates, bowls, cups, and utensils with water and soap | “I need to wash the dishes before cooking dinner.” |
| Wipe counters | Clean and disinfect kitchen work surfaces | “Can you wipe the counters after you finish making your sandwich?” |
| Sweep the floor | Push dirt and debris from the floor into a dustpan with a broom | “I always sweep the kitchen floor after cooking to avoid accidents.” |
| Mop the floor | Clean the floor thoroughly with water and cleaning solution | “It’s important to mop the kitchen floor at least once a week.” |
| Take out the trash | Remove the garbage bag and dispose of it outside | “Don’t forget to take out the trash before it starts to smell.” |
| Wipe down appliances | Clean the exterior of the stove, microwave, or refrigerator | “I wiped down the stovetop after cooking pasta.” |
| Load the dishwasher | Place dirty dishes into the machine (American usage) | “Can you load the dishwasher while I finish dinner?” |
| Unload the dishwasher | Remove clean dishes and return them to the cabinet | “She unloaded the dishwasher before breakfast.” |
Bathroom Chores
Bathrooms require regular cleaning to stay hygienic and pleasant. These chores focus on sanitation and organisation.
| Chore | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Scrub the toilet | Clean and disinfect the toilet bowl with a brush and cleaner | “I always scrub the toilet before having guests over.” |
| Wipe the sink | Clean and disinfect the bathroom sink and countertop | “Can you wipe the sink after brushing your teeth?” |
| Clean the shower | Remove soap scum and mildew, then disinfect the shower stall | “It’s important to clean the shower regularly to prevent mold.” |
| Sweep the floor | Push dirt and debris from the bathroom floor into a dustpan | “I like to sweep the bathroom floor every day to keep it clean.” |
| Mop the floor | Thoroughly clean the bathroom floor with water and disinfectant | “Mop the bathroom floor at least once a week to keep it hygienic.” |
| Organize the shelves | Arrange bath products, towels, and supplies neatly | “I organized the bathroom shelves and threw away expired products.” |
Living Room and Bedroom Chores
| Chore | Purpose | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Make the bed | Arrange pillows, sheets, and blankets neatly | “I always make the bed as soon as I wake up.” |
| Dust furniture | Remove dust from tables, shelves, and other surfaces | “I like to dust the furniture every other day.” |
| Vacuum the carpet | Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt from carpet | “Can you vacuum the carpet before our guests arrive?” |
| Wipe the windows | Clean windows with a cloth and cleaner to remove streaks | “It’s important to wipe the windows regularly to let in natural light.” |
| Organize the closet | Arrange clothes, shoes, and personal items neatly | “I need to organize my closet to make room for new clothes.” |
| Wash the bedding | Remove sheets, pillowcases, and blankets, then wash in a machine | “I need to wash my bedding at least once a week.” |
| Change the sheets | Replace old bedding with fresh, clean sheets | “I change the sheets on my bed every Sunday.” |
| Fluff the pillows | Arrange and shake out pillows on the sofa or bed | “Fluff the pillows to make the sofa more comfortable.” |
Outdoor and Garden Chores
Outdoor tasks keep your yard and garden healthy and attractive. These chores are often seasonal.
| Chore | Definition | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Watering plants | Giving plants the necessary amount of water to keep them healthy | “I water my plants every morning to keep them healthy.” |
| Weeding the garden | Removing unwanted plants and weeds from your garden bed | “We need to weed the garden before the weeds take over.” |
| Pruning plants | Trimming plants and shrubs to encourage healthy growth | “It’s important to prune your plants regularly to keep them looking nice.” |
| Mowing the lawn | Cutting grass to keep it at a manageable height | “I mow the lawn every weekend to keep it looking neat.” |
| Raking leaves | Gathering fallen leaves into piles for removal | “We spent the afternoon raking leaves in the autumn.” |
| Sweeping the porch | Removing dirt and debris from the entrance area | “I swept the porch before the rain arrived.” |
| Planting flowers | Adding new plants and seeds to your garden or flower beds | “I’m going to plant some flowers in the garden next week.” |
Laundry and Clothing Chores
Laundry is a weekly or bi-weekly task in most households. These chores involve multiple steps.
- Do the laundry
- Sort clothes
- Wash clothes
- Dry clothes
- Fold clothes
- Hang clothes
- Iron clothes
- Put away clothes
- Organize the closet
- Mend clothes
Example 1: I usually do the laundry on Saturday morning.
Example 2: After washing the clothes, she folded them and put them away.
Example 3: He ironed his shirt for the job interview.
Do the laundry: This is the standard phrase for the entire washing process. It can mean washing, drying, folding, or any part of the process.
Daily Chores vs Weekly Chores
Daily Chores (done every day)
- Make the bed
- Wash dishes
- Wipe down counters
- Sweep or vacuum floors
- Take out the trash
- Do laundry (loading)
- Feed pets
- Water plants
Example sentence: “My morning routine includes making the bed and washing the breakfast dishes.”
Weekly Chores (done once a week)
- Mop floors
- Dust surfaces
- Clean bathrooms
- Change bedding
- Vacuum carpets
- Grocery shopping
- Mow the lawn
- Iron clothes
Example sentence: “I usually clean the bathrooms and change the bedding on Saturday afternoon.”
Chore Vocabulary and Action Verbs
| Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sweep | Push dirt from the floor with a broom | “Sweep the kitchen floor, please.” |
| Mop | Clean the floor with a mop and water | “Can you mop the bathroom floor?” |
| Dust | Remove dust from surfaces with a cloth | “She dusted the shelves and tables.” |
| Vacuum | Clean the floor with a vacuum cleaner | “He vacuumed the living room carpet.” |
| Wash | Clean something with water and soap | “I washed the dishes after dinner.” |
| Scrub | Clean something with a brush and soap or cleaner | “She scrubbed the bathtub until it was clean.” |
| Wipe | Clean a surface with a cloth | “I wiped off the kitchen counter.” |
| Fold | Make clothes neat by doubling them along straight lines | “Can you help me fold the laundry?” |
| Iron | Press clothes with heat to remove wrinkles | “He ironed his shirt for work.” |
| Organize | Arrange things in a logical, tidy manner | “I organized the closet by season.” |
Sample Dialogue: Family Chore Discussion
Parent: Who’s going to do the dishes tonight?
Teen 1: I’ll wash the dishes if someone dries them and puts them away.
Teen 2: I’ll help, but then I need to finish my laundry — I need clean clothes for tomorrow.
Parent: Good. And remember, someone needs to sweep the kitchen floor and take out the trash.
Teen 1: I’ll sweep the floor. Teen 2 can take out the trash?
Teen 2: Sure. And this Saturday we should vacuum the living room and clean the bathrooms.
Common Mistakes
✗ Incorrect: “I need to clean the laundry.”
✓ Correct: “I need to do the laundry.”
Why: The phrase is “do the laundry”, not “clean the laundry”. “Laundry” refers to clothes that need washing.
✗ Incorrect: “She mopped the floors yesterday.”
✓ Correct: “She mopped the floor yesterday.” (when referring to one floor space)
Why: Use “floor” (singular) unless you’re genuinely referring to multiple separate floor areas.
✗ Incorrect: “I vacuumed the carpets yesterday and I’ll vacuum it again today.”
✓ Correct: “I vacuumed the carpet yesterday and I’ll vacuum it again today.”
Why: Be consistent — use singular when referring to one space, plural only for multiple distinct spaces.
✗ Incorrect: “Wipe down the counters is a daily chore.”
✓ Correct: “Wiping down the counters is a daily chore.”
Why: When a verb starts a sentence, use the gerund form (-ing) as the subject.
Quick Quiz
- Which chore is typically done every day? (Mop the floor / Make the bed / Change the bedding)
- What’s the verb that means “to clean floors with a special machine”? (Sweep / Vacuum / Dust)
- In British English, what do you call “garbage”? (Rubbish / Waste / Litter)
- What phrase means “to throw away your trash”? (Take out the trash / Wipe the trash / Clean the trash)
- Which chore involves removing dirt and debris with a broom? (Mop / Sweep / Scrub)
Answers: 1. Make the bed · 2. Vacuum · 3. Rubbish · 4. Take out the trash · 5. Sweep
Related Articles
- ↑ Master Pillar: English Vocabulary
- Furniture Vocabulary — household objects you clean and maintain
- Household Devices and Appliances — machines that help with chores
- Bathroom Vocabulary — bathroom-specific terms and fixtures
- ↑ Back to pillar: Home and Household Vocabulary
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common household chores?
What is the difference between “sweep” and “mop”?
What does “do the laundry” mean?
Is “hoover” a verb in English?
How often should you do household chores?
What is the best way to teach children about household chores?
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