ESL Vocabulary for Household Chores
The following page has learning games and example sentences using the following 20 words from the "household chores" category:Let's Do The Test!
Example Sentences
rubber gloves

protective gloves made of rubber or latex, often worn during cleaning tasks to shield hands from chemicals and dirt
Easy Examples
- Rubber gloves are protective gloves made of rubber.
- People wear rubber gloves for cleaning and washing dishes.
- Rubber gloves keep hands dry and clean.
Harder Examples
- She put on rubber gloves before tackling the dirty dishes.
- Rubber gloves provide a barrier when handling harsh cleaning products.
- They used rubber gloves while gardening to avoid getting their hands muddy.
shopping

the activity of purchasing goods or groceries from stores or online retailers
Easy Examples
- Shopping is buying things from stores or online.
- People go shopping for food, clothes, and more.
- Shopping is a way to get what you need.
Harder Examples
- They went shopping for groceries at the local supermarket.
- Online shopping allows you to browse and buy products from your computer.
- Shopping malls offer a wide variety of shops and entertainment options.
sponge

a soft, porous cleaning tool often made of foam or cellulose, used for scrubbing and wiping surfaces
Easy Examples
- A sponge is a soft, absorbent object used for cleaning.
- Sponges are used with soap and water to clean surfaces.
- Sponges come in different shapes and sizes.
Harder Examples
- She used a sponge to scrub the dishes clean.
- Sponges are versatile and can be used for cleaning various surfaces.
- They kept a sponge by the sink for quick kitchen cleanups.
sweeping

the action of using a broom or brush to collect dust, dirt, and debris from floors and surfaces
Easy Examples
- Sweeping is using a broom to clean up dust and dirt.
- People sweep floors to keep them tidy.
- Sweeping is a simple way to clean.
Harder Examples
- He started sweeping the leaves from the driveway with a broom.
- Sweeping is an essential step before mopping hardwood or tile floors.
- They took turns sweeping the classroom after school.
vacuuming

the process of using a vacuum cleaner to remove dust, dirt, and debris from carpets and floors
Easy Examples
- Vacuuming is using a machine to clean floors and carpets.
- Vacuum cleaners suck up dust and debris.
- Vacuuming makes carpets look clean and fresh.
Harder Examples
- She vacuumed the living room to keep the carpet clean and fresh.
- Vacuuming regularly helps maintain indoor air quality by reducing allergens.
- They invested in a high-powered vacuum cleaner for thorough cleaning.
washing machine

an appliance used for cleaning and laundering clothes and other textiles
Easy Examples
- A washing machine is a device for cleaning clothes.
- Washing machines use water and detergent to wash clothes.
- Washing machines save time on laundry.
Harder Examples
- She loaded the dirty laundry into the washing machine and selected a cycle.
- Washing machines come in top-loading and front-loading designs.
- They purchased a high-efficiency washing machine to save on water and energy.
broom

a cleaning tool with a long handle and bristles, used for sweeping floors and outdoor areas
Easy Examples
- A broom is a tool with bristles for sweeping.
- Brooms are used to clean floors and outdoor areas.
- Brooms help keep spaces neat and tidy.
Harder Examples
- He grabbed the broom to sweep away the fallen leaves on the porch.
- Brooms are essential for keeping walkways and driveways tidy.
- They stored the broom in the closet for easy access.
bucket

a container with a handle, often made of plastic or metal, used for carrying liquids or collecting debris
Easy Examples
- A bucket is a container with a handle for carrying liquids or items.
- People use buckets for mopping floors and carrying water.
- Buckets are useful for various tasks.
Harder Examples
- She filled a bucket with soapy water to mop the kitchen floor.
- Buckets are also handy for gardening and outdoor tasks.
- They used a bucket to collect rainwater for watering plants.
cooking

the process of preparing food by combining ingredients and applying heat or other cooking methods
Easy Examples
- Cooking is preparing and making food using recipes and ingredients.
- People enjoy cooking meals at home.
- Cooking allows you to create delicious dishes.
Harder Examples
- She enjoyed cooking homemade meals for her family.
- Cooking can be a creative and enjoyable culinary experience.
- They experimented with new recipes to expand their cooking skills.
detergent

a cleaning agent or soap used for washing clothes, dishes, or surfaces
Easy Examples
- Detergent is a cleaning substance used for washing dishes and clothes.
- Detergents remove stains and dirt from fabrics.
- Using the right detergent keeps clothes clean.
Harder Examples
- She added detergent to the washing machine to clean a load of laundry.
- Detergents come in various forms, including liquid, powder, and pods.
- They chose a gentle detergent for washing delicate fabrics.
dusting

the act of removing dust from surfaces using a cloth, duster, or cleaning tool
Easy Examples
- Dusting is removing dust from surfaces using a cloth or duster.
- People dust furniture and shelves to keep them clean.
- Dusting makes rooms look tidy.
Harder Examples
- She spent the morning dusting shelves and tabletops.
- Dusting helps maintain a clean and allergen-free environment.
- They used a microfiber cloth for effective dusting.
dustpan

a small, flat pan with a handle, used in conjunction with a broom to collect swept-up dirt and dust
Easy Examples
- A dustpan is a small, flat shovel for collecting dust and dirt.
- Dustpans are used with brooms for cleaning.
- Dustpans make it easy to dispose of dirt.
Harder Examples
- He swept the dirt into the dustpan and emptied it into the trash.
- Dustpans make it easy to gather debris without bending over.
- They kept a dustpan and broom in the utility closet for quick cleanup.
iron

a household appliance with a flat, heated surface used for pressing and smoothing clothes
Easy Examples
- An iron is a device for pressing wrinkles out of clothes.
- Irons have a hot plate for smoothing fabric.
- Irons make clothes look neat and tidy.
Harder Examples
- She plugged in the iron to remove wrinkles from her dress.
- Irons have adjustable temperature settings for different fabrics.
- They used an ironing board for a comfortable ironing experience.
ironing board

a collapsible board with a flat, padded surface, used as a platform for ironing clothes
Easy Examples
- An ironing board is a flat surface for ironing clothes.
- People place clothes on ironing boards to iron them.
- Ironing boards have adjustable heights.
Harder Examples
- She unfolded the ironing board and set it up in the laundry room.
- Ironing boards come with adjustable height settings for convenience.
- They stored the ironing board in a closet when not in use.
ironing

the action of using an iron to press and remove wrinkles from clothing
Easy Examples
- Ironing is the process of using an iron to make clothes smooth.
- People iron shirts, pants, and dresses.
- Ironing gives clothes a crisp look.
Harder Examples
- She enjoyed the calming rhythm of ironing clothes on a Sunday afternoon.
- Ironing helps maintain a polished and neat appearance.
- They ironed their dress shirts and blouses before a formal event.
laundry basket

a container or hamper used for collecting and carrying dirty laundry to the washing machine
Easy Examples
- A laundry basket is a container for carrying dirty laundry.
- People use laundry baskets to transport clothes to the laundry room.
- Laundry baskets help with organizing laundry.
Harder Examples
- She sorted the laundry and placed it in the laundry basket for washing.
- Laundry baskets are available in various sizes and materials.
- They labeled separate laundry baskets for whites, colors, and delicates.
laundry

the process of washing, drying, and folding clothes and linens to keep them clean and fresh
Easy Examples
- Laundry is the task of washing and drying clothes.
- Doing laundry involves sorting, washing, and folding clothes.
- Laundry is a regular household chore.
Harder Examples
- They tackled the weekend laundry by washing and folding clothes together.
- Laundry day involves multiple steps, from sorting to ironing.
- She used a mild laundry detergent to care for sensitive skin.
mop

a cleaning tool with a handle and a head made of absorbent material or sponge, used for cleaning floors
Easy Examples
- A mop is a tool with a handle and a mop head for cleaning floors.
- Mops are used with water and floor cleaner.
- Mops make floors shiny and clean.
Harder Examples
- She dipped the mop into a bucket of soapy water to clean the kitchen floor.
- Mops help remove dirt and stains from a variety of flooring surfaces.
- They replaced the old mop head for more effective cleaning.
mopping

the action of using a mop to clean and scrub floors, often after sweeping or vacuuming
Easy Examples
- Mopping is the act of using a mop to clean floors.
- People mop floors to remove dirt and spills.
- Mopping keeps floors looking nice.
Harder Examples
- He finished mopping the tiled bathroom floor, leaving it sparkling clean.
- Mopping with a disinfectant solution helps maintain a hygienic environment.
- They scheduled regular mopping sessions to keep the house tidy.
pegs

small, usually plastic or wooden clips used for securing clothes on a clothesline while drying
Easy Examples
- Pegs are small clips used for hanging clothes on a clothesline.
- People use pegs to secure clothes to a line while drying.
- Pegs prevent clothes from blowing away.
Harder Examples
- She hung the wet laundry on the clothesline using plastic pegs.
- Pegs prevent clothes from blowing away in the wind.
- They had a colorful assortment of pegs for hanging laundry.
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