「掃除」について話しましょう – Cleaning Vocabulary

「掃除」について話し合うために必要な日常の言葉について話します。

Vocabulary – 語彙

Tidy up

Brush / Sweep

Vacuum/ Hoover

Mop – bucket, water

Japanese style mopping

Duster

Cloth

Wet wipe

Polish

Window cleaner

Bleach

Cleaning liquid / sprays, for mops, toilet cleaner, jif

Air freshener

Bin bags

Recycling

Doing the dishes

Washing up liquid

rubber glothes

Sponge

Drying rack

Dishwasher

Video

Example Sentences -例文

Cleaning your house can be boring, but it is important. You can start by just tidying up, which means putting everything back to where it belongs and making everything look better. This can be things like picking up things off the floor, arranging your desk so everything is in a nice pile, or making your bed and taking your used glass to the kitchen sink so that it can be washed.

You will need to brush or sweep your floors to get any dust and crumbs anything else that is there. I always think my floor is clean, then I sweep it and see that is really dirty and I always end up with a big pile of dirt.

If you have carpet you will need to vacuum it. This does the same job as the brush, but it sucks up all the dirt. It is going to hide in the carpet, so a vacuum is going to do a much better job at getting this, compared to a brush.

You are also going to have to mop your hard floor. Really this is going to wash the floor and remove anything you have spilled. Even if it is now dry, it will need to be washed with the mop.   

You use a mop and a bucket to do this. However, traditionally in Japan a cloth was used, instead of a mop. A mop is really just a cloth at the end of a stick, so you can stand up and move it around. When you use a cloth you have to bend over, or get on your hands and knees, so it can be a little more stressful for your body, but the end result is the same.  

Cleaning that are higher up, such as your desk, or shelves, you will need to remove the dust with a cloth, or duster. You can’t use a vacuum for these areas, so a cloth is going to be best. You can also use a wet wipe, which the dust will stick to.

You can also polish these areas, usually there is a spray you can use and this will help remove any dirt that is there and make things look very clean and shiny. 

You will have to do a similar thing with your windows, where you spray them with window cleaner then wipe it away with a cloth so that everything looks clean and like it is new.

If you really need to clean something and kill germs, then bleach can be used. This can be very strong and damage things, so be careful where you use it. It can be used in your toilet to help keep things clean.

When you go to the supermarket you will find all sorts of different cleaning liquids, creams or sprays that can be used. Usually you mix them with water, or spray them on and wipe them off. You should follow the instructions and your house will be very clean afterwards.

You might also want to buy an air freshener, so you can make things smell nice.

You will also need bin bags to throw out your rubbish, but be careful, some things will need recycled and you will need to check with your local area to see what you need to throw in the bin, or recycle.

After you eat your dinner you will need to do the dishes, which meanswashing the pots and pans and plates you have used.  You will do this in your kitchen sink, with hot water and washing up liquid.

You will also need a cloth or sponge to make sure you get all the dirt off. You can place your dishes on a drying rack so they can dry naturally, or you can use a cloth to dry the water off.

Some people have dishwasher, which is a machine where you put the dirty plates in, and it cleans them for you. These can be good, but I find it easier to wash the dishes by hand.

Questions -質問

1. How often do you clean your house?

2. Do you use a vacuum or a brush to clean the floor?

3. Do you use a mop, or a cloth to clean the floor?

4. Do you use bleach?

5. Do you dust your shelves?

6. Do you like the smell of air fresheners?

7. Do you recycle?

8. Do you like doing the dishes?

9. What colour is your washing up liquid?

10. Do you have a dishwasher?

Example Answers – 回答例

1. I tidy up every few days and once a week I give everything a really good clean.

2. I use both a vacuum and brush as I have wooden floors, and carpet too.

3. I use a mop; it is easier on my back as I do not need to bend over.

4. Yes, I clean my toilet with bleach.

5. Yes, I dust my shelves; there is always so much dust there. The same is true for the top of my TV, I dust it too.

6. No, it is too strong for me, so I do not use air fresheners often.

7. Yes, I follow the recycling rules in my area.

8. I like doing the dishes, but I always splash water on the floor.

9. My washing up liquid is green.

10. I do not have a dishwasher, and I do not want one. Hand washing is fine.

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