Talking about household chores in English

Cleaning Up

Every day, we all clean up or tidy up our living space. This means organizing a room or an area. We can also use the phrasal verb “put away” to mean placing something in a specific spot where it belongs. For example, we can say “put away your clothes” or “put away your books” to your child or spouse.

When we sweep the floor using a broom, it’s called sweeping. And when we clean the floor using a mop and water or cleaning solution, it’s called mopping. Often, people split their chores and have a deal where one person does one thing and the other does another. For example, “How about I sweep and you mop the floor?”

Using a vacuum cleaner is more common than using a broom nowadays. When we use a vacuum cleaner, we say we are vacuuming or vacuum cleaning. We can also use the word “dust” to describe removing dust from surfaces like tables and shelves. To remove dust or dirt from a surface or an object, we use the phrasal verb “dust off.” For example, “I’m dusting it off.”

To clean and dry surfaces like countertops and tables, we wipe them down with a cloth and/or cleansing solution. We can also wipe down appliances like the oven and microwave. When we clean mirrors or windows, we use a cloth and a glass cleaner and say we are wiping the mirror or wiping the windows.

We can polish silverware to make it shiny and clean by rubbing it. We can also polish floors or ask someone else to do it.

In the kitchen, we do the dishes or wash the dishes. If we have a dishwasher, we load it with dirty dishes for cleaning and then unload it to remove clean dishes. We also need to clean out the refrigerator and defrost the freezer from time to time.

To take out the trash means to remove and dispose of garbage from the house. And we can organize the kitchen cabinet or pantry to arrange food items and supplies in an orderly manner.

In the laundry room, we do our laundry, which means washing, drying, and folding clothes. If we don’t have a dryer, we use a clothesline or drying rack to air dry wet clothes. We can also declutter to remove unnecessary items and create more space.

Other household chores include making the bed, changing the bed sheets, replacing light bulbs, grocery shopping, and stocking up on supplies.

By learning these useful phrases and verbs, we can be more specific when describing our daily activities and household chores.

Sweeping and Mopping

We all know the importance of keeping our homes clean and tidy. One of the most common household chores that we do every day is sweeping and mopping the floor. Sweeping means cleaning the floor using a broom, while mopping means to clean the floor using a mop and water or cleaning solution.

It’s common for people to split their chores and have a deal where one person does one thing and the other does another. For example, one person might sweep the floor while the other person mops it.

When cleaning surfaces like tables and shelves, we often use the term “dust” to describe the particles that accumulate on them. To remove dust from surfaces, we use a cloth or cleaning solution to “dust” them. We can also use the term “dust off” to describe the act of removing dust or dirt from an object or surface.

Another important cleaning task is wiping down surfaces. This involves cleaning and drying surfaces like countertops and tables typically with a cloth and/or cleansing solution. We can also wipe down appliances like the oven and microwave.

To make something shiny and clean by rubbing it, we use the term “polish”. We can polish silverware before guests arrive, or polish the floors.

In the kitchen, we do the dishes or the washing up, which involves washing and drying dishes. If we have a dishwasher, we load it with dirty dishes for cleaning and then unload it when the dishes are clean.

Every once in a while, we need to clean out the refrigerator, which involves removing old and expired food items and cleaning the fridge. We also need to defrost the freezer, which means removing ice buildup and frost from the freezer.

Taking out the trash is another common chore, which involves removing and disposing of garbage from the house. We can also organize our kitchen cabinets and pantry to keep them tidy.

In the laundry room, we do the laundry, which involves washing, drying, and folding clothes. We can also hang wet clothes on a clothesline or drying rack to air dry.

Decluttering is another useful activity that involves removing unnecessary items to create more space. We can also make the bed, change the bed sheets, replace light bulbs, and go grocery shopping.

Finally, we can stock up on supplies or buy in bulk to ensure that we have enough necessary items on hand. By keeping up with these household chores, we can maintain a clean and organized home.

Vacuuming

When it comes to cleaning our home, vacuuming is an essential chore that we all do. It is a convenient way to remove dust and dirt from floors and carpets. To vacuum or vacuum clean means to use a vacuum cleaner to clean floors and carpets.

Apart from vacuuming, we also use other methods to clean different surfaces. For instance, to remove dust from surfaces like tables and shelves, we use a cloth to wipe them. This process is called dusting. We could also use the term ‘dust off’ to remove dust or dirt from the surface or an object.

To clean and dry surfaces like countertops and tables, we use a cloth and/or cleansing solution. This process is called wiping down surfaces. When cleaning mirrors or windows, we also use a cloth and a glass cleaner. We refer to this process as wiping the mirror or wiping the windows.

Another useful term is to polish, which means to make something shiny and clean by rubbing it. We can polish silverware before our guests arrive or polish the floors.

In the kitchen, we do the dishes or the washing up, which means to wash the dishes. If we have a dishwasher, we load it with dirty dishes for cleaning and then unload it to remove the clean dishes.

In the laundry room, we do our laundry, which means to wash, dry, and fold clothes. We also hang out the laundry to air dry if we do not have a dryer.

Apart from these chores, we also need to declutter, which means to remove unnecessary items to create more space. We also need to make the bed by arranging the sheets and blankets neatly on the bed.

Overall, cleaning our home is a never-ending task, but it is essential to maintain a clean and tidy living space.

Dusting

When it comes to cleaning our homes, dusting is an essential task that we all must do. Dusting involves removing dust from surfaces like tables and shelves. We can also use the word “dust” as a verb, and say “to dust.”

To remove dust or dirt from the surface or an object, we can use the term “to dust off.” We can also use a cloth and/or cleansing solution to wipe down surfaces like countertops and tables, which is called “to wipe down surfaces.”

If we want to make something shiny and clean by rubbing it, we can use the term “to polish.” For example, we can polish silverware before our guests arrive. We can also polish the floors or other surfaces.

Overall, dusting is an important part of keeping our homes clean and tidy. By regularly dusting and using other cleaning methods, we can ensure that our homes are a comfortable and healthy place to live.

Wiping Down Surfaces

When we clean and dry surfaces like countertops and tables, we use a cloth and/or cleansing solution. This process is called wiping down surfaces. We can also wipe down appliances like the oven, microwave, etc.

When we’re cleaning mirrors or windows using a cloth and a glass cleaner, we would also say to wipe the mirror and to wipe the windows.

To remove dust from surfaces like tables, shelves, etc. is to dust. We can also use this word as a verb and say to dust off which means to remove dust or dirt from the surface or an object.

Another useful term we can add here is to polish which means to make something shiny and clean by rubbing it. We can polish silverware before our guests arrive or we could ask our spouse to polish it. We could also polish the floors or punish our child and make them polish the floors (just kidding).

To make something shiny and clean by rubbing it, we can also use one of these:

• Buff
• Shine
• Rub

By using any of these words, we can refer to the process of making something shiny and clean.

Polishing

In this section, we will learn about the various ways to make our house clean and shiny. One of the essential things we do every day is clean up or tidy up, which means to organize a room or an area. We can use the phrasal verb “put away” to place something in a specific spot where it belongs.

When we want to clean the floor, we can either sweep the floor using a broom or mop the floor using a mop and water or cleaning solution. We can split our chores and have a deal where one of us does one thing, and the other one does another thing. We can use a vacuum cleaner to clean the floor and remove dust from surfaces like tables and shelves by dusting them off.

We can wipe down surfaces like countertops and tables typically with a cloth and/or cleansing solution. We can also clean the mirrors or windows using a cloth and a glass cleaner by wiping them down. To make something shiny and clean by rubbing it, we can polish it. We can polish silverware before our guests arrive or polish the floors.

In the kitchen, we do the dishes or wash the dishes using a dishwasher. We can clean out the refrigerator by removing old and expired food items and defrost the freezer by removing ice buildup and frost. Taking out the trash means to remove and dispose of garbage from the house. We can organize the kitchen cabinet or pantry, sort and file important documents, and arrange clothes and belongings in the closet in an orderly manner.

In the laundry room, we can do our laundry, which means to wash, dry, and fold clothes. We can hang out the laundry on a clothesline or a drying rack to air dry. Decluttering means to remove unnecessary items to create more space. Making the bed means to arrange the sheets and blanket neatly on a bed, and we can change the bed sheets once a week or once every couple of days.

We can replace old and burnt out light bulbs with new ones and buy groceries and food items from a store by going grocery shopping. Stocking up on supplies means to buy and gather necessary items in abundance or buy in bulk.

In conclusion, we have learned various ways to polish our house and make it clean and shiny. We hope this section has been helpful to you.

Watering Plants

One of the household chores that we all do is watering plants. It is important to keep our plants healthy and hydrated. Here are some tips on how to do it effectively:

• Determine the watering needs of each plant. Some plants require more water than others, so it is important to know the specific needs of each plant.
• Water the plants at the base, not on the leaves. This will prevent the leaves from getting wet and reduce the risk of diseases.
• Water the plants in the morning or evening when the temperature is cooler. This will prevent the water from evaporating too quickly and ensure that the plants absorb the water effectively.
• Use a watering can or a hose with a spray nozzle to control the amount of water and prevent overwatering.
• Check the soil moisture level before watering. Stick your finger about an inch into the soil and if it feels dry, it’s time to water the plant.

By following these simple tips, we can ensure that our plants stay healthy and thrive.

Doing the Dishes

In our daily routine, one of the most common household chores is doing the dishes. It is important to keep our dishes clean and hygienic to avoid any health issues. In case you have a dishwasher, you can load the dirty dishes into it and let it do the cleaning. After the cleaning process, you can unload the dishwasher and put the clean dishes away.

However, if you don’t have a dishwasher, you can do the washing up manually. To do the washing up, you need to fill a sink or a basin with hot soapy water and then wash each dish separately. After washing, you need to rinse the dishes with clean water and then dry them with a towel.

It is also important to keep the sink clean and free from any leftover food particles. You can use a sponge or a brush to scrub the sink and then rinse it with water.

Overall, doing the dishes is a simple yet important household chore that needs to be done regularly to maintain cleanliness and hygiene in our homes.

Cleaning the Refrigerator

When it comes to cleaning the refrigerator, we need to remove old and expired food items and clean the fridge. Additionally, we need to defrost the freezer, which means removing ice buildup and frost from it.

To make the cleaning process easier, we can use a checklist to ensure we don’t miss anything. Here’s an example of what our checklist could include:

• Remove all food items from the fridge and freezer.
• Dispose of any expired or spoiled food.
• Wipe down all surfaces with a cloth and cleaning solution.
• Clean the shelves and drawers with soap and water.
• Dry all surfaces thoroughly with a clean cloth.
• Replace the food items back into the fridge and freezer in an organized manner.

By following these steps, we can ensure that our refrigerator stays clean and hygienic, and our food stays fresh for longer.

Taking Out the Trash

One of the common household chores that we do every day is taking out the trash. It means to remove and dispose of garbage from the house. We usually do this by collecting all the garbage from different rooms and placing it in a trash bag. Then, we tie the bag and take it outside to the garbage bin or dumpster.

It’s important to take out the trash regularly to avoid any unpleasant odors or pests in the house. We should also make sure to separate recyclable materials from non-recyclable ones and dispose of them properly.

Aside from taking out the trash, there are many other household chores that we do every day. We clean up or tidy up to organize a room or an area. We sweep the floor using a broom and mop the floor to clean it using a mop and water or cleaning solution. We also vacuum or vacuum clean using a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt and dust from carpets and floors.

Other common household chores include doing the dishes, cleaning the refrigerator, organizing the kitchen cabinet, decluttering, making the bed, and grocery shopping. By knowing these household chores and how to do them, we can keep our homes clean and organized.

Organizing the Kitchen Cabinet

One of the household chores that we all have to do from time to time is to organize the kitchen cabinet. This means arranging food items and supplies in a neat and orderly manner so that it is easy to find what we need. We can also use the term “organize the pantry” if we have one.

To start organizing the kitchen cabinet, we need to take everything out and sort them into categories such as canned goods, spices, and snacks. We can then use containers or baskets to group similar items together and label them for easy identification. This helps to maximize the space in the cabinet and prevent items from getting lost or forgotten.

It’s also a good idea to regularly check the expiration dates of food items and remove any that have expired. This helps to keep our food fresh and prevents us from accidentally consuming spoiled food.

By taking the time to organize our kitchen cabinet, we can make our cooking and meal preparation much more efficient and enjoyable.

Organizing the Closet

Organizing the closet is an essential task that we all need to do from time to time. It involves arranging clothes and belongings in a neat and orderly manner. When organizing the closet, we can follow these steps:

• Remove all items from the closet and sort them into piles based on their category, such as shirts, pants, and shoes.
• Decide which items to keep, donate, or throw away. This step helps to declutter the closet and create more space.
• Group similar items together and assign them a specific spot in the closet. For example, hang shirts on hangers and place shoes on shelves.
• Use storage solutions such as bins or drawers to store smaller items like socks or accessories.
• Label storage containers to make it easier to find specific items.

By following these steps, we can create a more organized and functional closet. It will also make it easier to find items and get dressed in the morning.

Doing the Laundry

When it comes to household chores, doing the laundry is one of the most common tasks that we do every week. To do the laundry, we need a washing machine and a dryer. First, we sort our clothes by color, fabric, and wash cycle. Then, we load the washing machine with the clothes and add detergent. We select the appropriate wash cycle and start the machine.

Once the washing cycle is complete, we transfer the clothes to the dryer or hang them on a clothesline or drying rack to air dry. If we don’t have a dryer, we hang out the laundry to dry. After the clothes are dry, we fold them neatly and put them away in our closet or dresser.

Decluttering is also an important activity that we should do from time to time. It means removing unnecessary items to create more space. We can declutter our closet, our son’s room, the kitchen, and everywhere in our home.

In addition to doing the laundry, we also make the bed every morning. This means arranging the sheets and blankets neatly on the bed. We also change the bed sheets once a week or every couple of days to replace the old ones with fresh ones.

To stock up on supplies is another useful phrase that we can use. It means buying necessary items in abundance or in bulk. We can stock up on toilet paper, canned foods, or items that are on sale.

Overall, doing household chores can be a never-ending task, but with a little organization and planning, we can make it more manageable.

Decluttering

One activity that can help create more space in our home is decluttering. This involves removing unnecessary items from our living spaces. It is a chore that we should do from time to time in different areas of our home, such as our closet, kitchen, and our child’s room.

To make decluttering easier, we can split the task into smaller portions and focus on one area at a time. We can start by sorting through our belongings and deciding what to keep, donate, or throw away. We can also use storage solutions, such as shelves and boxes, to keep our remaining items organized.

By decluttering, we can create a more organized and peaceful living space. It can also help us to be more mindful of the items we bring into our home and encourage us to only keep what we truly need.

Overall, decluttering is a useful activity that can help us to create more space and a more organized living environment.

Making the Bed

One of the household chores that we do every morning is making the bed. This means arranging the sheets and blankets neatly on the bed. It’s important to make the bed every day to keep the room looking tidy and organized.

To make the bed, we first remove any pillows or stuffed animals from the bed. Then, we straighten out the sheets and blankets, making sure they are evenly spread out. We tuck the sheets and blankets under the mattress at the foot of the bed, and then we fluff the pillows and place them back on the bed.

It’s also important to change the bed sheets once a week or once every couple of days to replace the old sheets with fresh ones. This helps to keep the bed clean and comfortable.

Making the bed is a simple task, but it can make a big difference in the overall appearance of the room. By taking a few minutes every morning to make the bed, we can start the day off on the right foot and feel more organized and productive.

Changing the Bed Sheets

One of the household chores that we do regularly is changing the bed sheets. This involves replacing the old bed sheets with fresh ones. It is recommended to do this once a week or once every couple of days to maintain good hygiene.

To change the bed sheets, we first need to remove the old ones. We can start by pulling the fitted sheet off the corners of the mattress. Then, we can remove the top sheet and pillowcases. We should make sure to fold them neatly and set them aside.

Next, we can take the fresh sheets and start with the fitted sheet. We should align the corners of the sheet with the corners of the mattress and pull it taut. Then, we can add the top sheet and tuck it in at the foot of the bed. Finally, we can add the pillowcases and fluff the pillows.

Changing the bed sheets is a simple but important task that helps us maintain a clean and comfortable sleeping environment. By doing it regularly, we can ensure that our bed is always fresh and inviting.

Replacing Light Bulbs

One of the household chores that we all have to do from time to time is to replace light bulbs. This means to exchange old or burnt out light bulbs with new ones. It is a typical chore that men often do.

To replace a light bulb, first, we need to turn off the switch and let the light bulb cool down if it has been on. Then, we need to remove the old bulb by gently twisting it counterclockwise until it comes out of the socket. After that, we can insert the new bulb by gently twisting it clockwise until it is securely in place. Finally, we can switch on the light to check if the new bulb is working properly.

It is important to use the right type of light bulb for each fixture. There are different types of light bulbs such as incandescent, fluorescent, LED, and halogen bulbs, each with its own unique characteristics. We need to check the label on the fixture or the old bulb to make sure we use the correct type of bulb.

By replacing light bulbs when they burn out, we can ensure that our homes are well-lit and safe.

Grocery Shopping

When it comes to household chores, one of the tasks that many people dread is grocery shopping. This involves purchasing food items and other necessities from a store. While it can be tiring and time-consuming, it is a necessary task that we all must do.

To make grocery shopping easier, we can use technology to our advantage. For example, we can use a virtual assistant like Siri to add items to our shopping list. This saves us time and ensures that we don’t forget anything important.

Another useful tip is to stock up on supplies. This means buying necessary items in abundance, such as toilet paper, canned foods, and other items that are on sale. Buying in bulk can save us money in the long run and ensure that we always have the essentials on hand.

When we do go grocery shopping, it’s important to have a plan. We should make a list of the items we need and stick to it. This can help us avoid impulse purchases and save money.

Overall, while grocery shopping may not be the most enjoyable task, it is a necessary one. By using technology, stocking up on supplies, and having a plan, we can make the task easier and more efficient.

Stocking Up on Supplies

As we go about our daily household chores, it’s important to make sure we have the necessary supplies to get the job done efficiently. One useful phrase to keep in mind is “stock up on supplies,” which means to buy and gather necessary items in abundance. This can include items such as toilet paper, macaroni and pasta, canned foods, or anything else that we use frequently.

When it comes to cleaning, we may need to sweep the floor using a broom or mop the floor with water or cleaning solution. It’s common for people to split their chores, so one person may sweep while the other person mops. Vacuum cleaning is also a popular method for cleaning floors.

Dusting is another important task, which involves removing dust from surfaces like tables and shelves. We can also dust off objects to remove dirt and dust from their surfaces. To clean and dry surfaces like countertops and tables, we would wipe them down with a cloth and cleansing solution.

In the kitchen, we may need to do the dishes or load and unload the dishwasher. It’s important to clean out the refrigerator and defrost the freezer from time to time. We can also organize the kitchen cabinet or pantry to keep our supplies in order.

In the laundry room, we would do our laundry by washing, drying, and folding clothes. If we don’t have a dryer, we can hang wet clothes on a clothesline or drying rack. Decluttering is another useful activity, which involves removing unnecessary items to create more space.

Other household chores include making the bed, changing bed sheets, replacing light bulbs, and grocery shopping. By keeping these tasks in mind and stocking up on necessary supplies, we can efficiently tackle our daily household chores.