Wikimania 2015, the biggest wiki-gathering of the year, comes to Mexico City on July 15-19Register now!

[Help with translations!][hide]HousekeepingFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaFor other uses, seeHousekeeping (disambiguation).See also:HomemakingThis articlepossibly containsoriginal research.Pleaseimprove itbyverifyingthe claims made and addinginline citations. Statements consisting only of original research should be removed.(June 2015)

This articleneeds additional citations forverification.Please helpimprove this articlebyadding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.(August 2011)

Housekeepingrefers to the management of duties and chores involved in the running of ahousehold, such ascleaning,cooking,home maintenance,shopping,laundryandbillpay. These tasks may be performed by any of the household members, or by other persons hired to perform these tasks. The term is also used to refer to the money allocated for such use.[1]By extension, an office or organization, as well as themaintenanceofcomputer storagesystems.[2]Ahousekeeperis a person employed to manage a household,[3]and thedomestic staff. According to the Victorian EraMrs Beeton's Book of Household Management, the housekeeper is second in command in the house and "except in large establishments, where there is a house steward, the housekeeper must consider his/herself as the immediate representative of her mistress".[4]Contents[hide] 1Housecleaning 1.1Removal of litter 1.2Dusting 1.3Removal of dirt 1.4Household chemicals 1.5Tools 1.6Yard 2House chores 3Social significance 4See also 5ReferencesHousecleaning[edit]

Broom, sponge and dusterIt includes activities such as housecleaning, that is, disposing ofrubbish, cleaning dirty surfaces, dusting andvacuuming. It may also involve some outdoor chores, such as removing leaves from rain gutters, washing windows and sweeping doormats. The term housecleaning is often used also figuratively in politics and business, for the removal of unwanted personnel, methods or policies in an effort at reform or improvement.[5]Housecleaning is done to make the home look and smell better and be safer and easier to live in. Without housecleaninglime scalecan build up ontaps,moldgrows in wet areas, smudges on glass surfaces, dust forms on surfaces,bacterialaction make the garbage disposal and toilet smell andcobwebsaccumulate. Tools used in housecleaning includevacuums,brooms,mopsandsponges, together with cleaning products such asdetergents,disinfectantsandbleach.Removal of litter[edit]Disposal of rubbish is an important aspect of house cleaning. Plastic bags are designed and manufactured specifically for the collection of litter. Many are sized to fit common waste baskets and trash cans. Paper bags are made to carry aluminum cans, glass jars and other things although most people use plastic bins for glass since it could break and tear through the bag.Recyclingis possible with some kinds of litter.[6]Dusting[edit]

Some dusting toolsOver timedustaccumulates on household surfaces. As well as making the surfaces dirty, when dust is disturbed it can become suspended in the air, causing sneezing and breathing trouble. It can also transfer from furniture to clothing, making it unclean. Various tools have been invented for dust removal;Feather and lambs wool dusters, cotton and polyester dust cloths, furniture spray[1], disposable paper "dust cloths", dust mops for smooth floors and vacuum cleaners. Vacuum cleaners often have a variety of tools to enable them to remove dirt not just from carpets and rugs, but from hard surfaces and upholstery.[7]Removal of dirt[edit]Examples of dirt or "soil" aredetritusand common spills and stains that exists in the home. Equipment used with a cleaner might be a bucket and sponge or a rag. A modern tool is the spray bottle, but the principle is the same.Household chemicals[edit]Various household cleaning products have been developed to facilitate the removal of dust and dirt, for surface maintenance, and for disinfection.[8]Products are available in powder, liquid or spray form. The basic ingredients determine the type of cleaning tasks for which they are suitable. Some are packaged as general purpose cleaning materials while others are targeted at specific cleaning tasks such as drain clearing, oven cleaning, lime scale removal and polishing furniture. Household cleaning products provide aesthetic and hygiene benefits but are also associated with health risks for the users, and building occupants.[9]The US Department of Health and Human Services offers the public access to the Household Products Database. This database provides consumer information for over 4,000 products based on information provided by the manufacturer through thematerial safety data sheet.[10]Surfactantslower the surface tension of water, making it able to flow into smaller tiny cracks and crevices in soils making removal easier.Alkalinechemicals break down known soils such as grease and mud.Acidsbreak down soils such as lime scale,soap scum, and stains of mustard, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages. Somesolvent-based products are flammable and some can dissolve paint and varnish.Disinfectantsstop smell and stains caused by bacteria.When multiple chemicals are applied to the same surface without full removal of the earlier substance, the chemicals may interact. This interaction may result in a reduction of the efficiency of the chemicals applied (such as a change inpHvalue caused by mixing alkalis and acids) and in cases may even emit toxic fumes. An example of this is the mixing of ammonia-based cleaners (or acid-based cleaners) and bleach.[11]This causes the production ofchloraminesthat volatilize (become gaseous) causing acuteinflammationof the lungs (toxic pneumonitis), long-term respiratory damage, and potential death.[12]Residue from cleaning products and cleaning activity (dusting, vacuuming, sweeping) have been shown to impactindoor air quality(IAQ) by redistributingparticulatematter (dust, dirt, human skin cells, organic matter, animaldander, particles fromcombustion, fibers from insulation,pollen, andpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) that gaseous or liquid particles become adsorbed to. The particulate matter and chemicalresidualwill of be highest concentrations right after cleaning but will decrease over time depending upon levels of contaminants, air exchange rate, and other sources of chemical residual.[11]Of most concern are the family of chemicals called VOCs such asformaldehyde,toluene, andlimonene.[13]Volatile organic compounds(VOCs) are released from many household cleaning products such as disinfectants, polishes, floor waxes, air-freshening sprays, all purpose cleaning sprays, and glass cleaner. These products have been shown to emit irritating vapors.[8][14][15]VOCs are of most concern due to their tendency to evaporate and be inhaled into the lungs oradsorbedto existing dust, which can also be inhaled.[8]It has been found that aerosolized (spray) cleaning products are important risk factors and may aggravate symptoms of adultasthma,[15]respiratory irritation,[8]childhood asthma, wheeze, bronchitis, and allergy.[14]Other modes of exposure to potentially harmful household cleaning chemicals include absorption through the skin (dermis), accidental ingestion, and accidental splashing into the eyes. Products for the application and safe use of the chemicals are also available, such as nylon scrub sponge andrubber gloves.[16]It is up to the consumer to keep themselves safe while using these chemicals. Reading and comprehending the labels is important.There is a growing consumer and governmental interest innaturalcleaning products andgreen cleaningmethods. The use of nontoxic household chemicals is growing as consumers become more informed of the health effects of many household chemicals, and municipalities are having to deal with the expensive disposal ofhousehold hazardous waste(HHW).[17][18]Tools[edit]Broomsremove debris from floors anddustpanscarry dust and debris swept into them,bucketshold cleaning and rinsing solutions,vacuum cleanersandcarpet sweepersremove surface dust and debris,chamois leatherandsqueegeesare used for window-cleaning, andmopsare used for washing floors.[19]Protective gear including rubbergloves,face covers, andprotective eyewearis also used when dealing with cleaning products.[20]Yard[edit]A home's yard and exterior are sometimes subject to cleaning. Exterior cleaning also occurs for safety, upkeep and usefulness. It includes removal of paper litter and grass growing in sidewalk cracks.House chores[edit]House chores, or chores are components of housekeeping, and are usually in reference to specific tasks to be completed. Examples of house chores are: washing dishes; taking out trash after dinner.Social significance[edit]While housekeeping can be seen as an objective activity that can be done by either men or women, some people have argued that housekeeping is a site of historical oppression and gender division between traditionally gendered men and women.[21]Housekeeping also has a role in maintaining certain parts of the capitalist economy, including the division of home and work life, as well as industries that sell chemicals and household goods.[citation needed]See also[edit] Cleanliness Dishwashing Floor cleaning Gardening Great house Home appliance Homemaker Home maintenance Maid Plumbing HomejoyWikimedia Commons has media related toHousekeeping.

References[edit]WikibookshasThe Housework Manualas well as books on these subjects:

Personal Finance/Housekeeping Housecleaning Cleaning Guide Housekeeping (Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book)

Look uphousekeepingin Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

1. Jump up^"housekeeping"Oxford Dictionaries Online. Retrieved 2 June 2013.2. Jump up^"housekeeping"The Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 2 June 2013.3. Jump up^"housekeeper"Oxford Dictionaries Online. Retrieved 2 June 2013.4. Jump up^Mrs Beeton's Book of Household ManagementWeb version of the book at theUniversity of AdelaideLibrary. Retrieved 2 June 2013.5. Jump up^The American Heritage Dictionary of the English LanguageRetrieved 2011-01-236. Jump up^Dellutri, Laura. 2005. Speed Cleaning 101. Meredith Books, Des Moines, Iowa.7. Jump up^Kennedy, Rose. 2006. 10-Minute Housekeeping. Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press.8. ^Jump up to:abcdWolkoff P, Schneider T, Kildeso J, Degerth R, Jaroszewski, and Schunk H. Science of the Total Environment, 215, (1998) pg. 1351569. Jump up^Kwon KD, Jo WK, Lim JH, and Jcong WS. Environ Sci Pollut Res 15, (2008) pg. 52152610. Jump up^"Household Products Database". U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Retrieved3 February2015.11. ^Jump up to:abNazaroff, WW., Weschler, CJ., Atmospheric Environment. 38 (2004) pg. 2841286512. Jump up^Reisz, GR., Gammon, RS. Toxic Pneumonitis from mixing household chemicals. CHEST 89 (1986) pg. 495213. Jump up^Burton, A. Environmental Health Perspectives Indoor Air Quality. Vol. 115 #7 (2007) pg. 35014. ^Jump up to:abRaizenne M., Dales R., Burnett, R., Canadian Jour of Public Health. Air Pollution Exposures and Children's Health. Vol. 89, Suppl. 1 MayJune 1998. pg. S434815. ^Jump up to:abZock, JP., Plana, E.,Jarvis D. et al. Am J Resipir Crit Care Medicine. Vol. 176. (2007) pg. 73574116. Jump up^Bredenberg, Jeff et al. 1998. Clean it Fast, Clean it right. Emmaus, PA, USA:Rodale.ISBN 0-87596-509-1.17. Jump up^Adams, D., Werner, CM., Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy. Changing Homeowners' Behaviors Involving Toxic Household Chemicals: A psychological, multilevel approach. (2001) pg. 13218. Jump up^Slack, RJ.,Gronow, JR.,Voulvoulis N. Science of the Total Environment. 337 (2005) 11913719. Jump up^Bredenberg, Jeff et al. 1998.Clean It Fast, Clean It Right.Emmaus, PA: Rodale20. Jump up^"Safe & Healthy House Keeping Methods". Benchmark Cleaning Service. Retrieved3 February2015.21. Jump up^Mainardi, Pat (1970)."The Politics of Housework". Redstockings. Retrieved3 February2015.[hide] v t eLaundry

List of laundry topics

Chemicals Biological detergent Bleach Fabric softener Laundry detergent

Washing Combo washer dryer Dry cleaning Tunnel washer Washboard Washing machine

Drying Clothes dryer Clothes horse Clothes line Drying cabinet Hills Hoist Mangle (machine)

Finishing Box mangle Clothes hanger Ironing

Concepts Colour fastness Fulling Ironing Posting (laundering process) Shrinkage (fabric) Stain

Organizations Chinese Hand Laundry Alliance French laundries of California Laundry and Dry Cleaning International Union Laundry Workers Industrial Union Project Laundry List Worshipful Company of Launderers

Culture Dhobi Housekeeping Industrial laundry Laundry symbol

Accessories Clothespin Dispensing ball Hamper Laundry ball Washing paddle

Law Barbier v. Connolly Kimball Laundry Co. v. United States Muller v. Oregon Pearson v. Chung Yick Wo v. Hopkins

Places Baths and wash houses in Britain Dhobi Ghat Laundry room Lavoir Self-service laundry Tvttstuga

Categories: Cleaning HomeNavigation menu Create account Log in Article Talk Read Edit View historyTop of Form

Bottom of Form Main page Contents Featured content Current events Random article Donate to Wikipedia Wikipedia storeInteraction Help About Wikipedia Community portal Recent changes Contact pageTools What links here Related changes Upload file Special pages Permanent link Page information Wikidata item Cite this pagePrint/export Create a book Download as PDF Printable versionLanguages Deutsch Espaol Franais Simple English Trke Edit links This page was last modified on 15 June 2015, at 13:56. Text is available under theCreative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to theTerms of UseandPrivacy Policy. Wikipedia is a registered trademark of theWikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. Privacy policy About Wikipedia Disclaimers Contact Wikipedia Developers Mobile view