Cleaning Supplies Glossary

noun a substance that prevents infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms

adjective capable of preventing infection by inhibiting the growth of microorganisms

• The doctor applied antiseptic to the wound before bandaging it.
• Make sure to clean the cut with antiseptic before putting on a band-aid.
• I always carry antiseptic wipes in my bag in case of any accidents.
• His words were like antiseptic, soothing the tension in the room.

noun a person, place, thing, or idea

adjective describing word that modifies a noun or pronoun

adverb describing word that modifies a verb, adjective, or other adverb

• The laboratory must be kept dirt free to ensure accurate test results.
• Make sure to keep your workspace dirt free for a more pleasant environment.
• I love how this new cleaning product keeps everything dirt free with minimal effort.
• Her mind was like a dirt free canvas, ready for new ideas to flourish.

noun a quality or state of being greasy; the characteristic of being oily or slippery

• The greasiness of the food was off-putting to many diners.
• I can't stand the greasiness of that pizza, it's too much for me.
• That burger joint is known for their greasiness, but it's so good!
• The greasiness of the situation made it difficult to navigate.

noun a frothy white mass of bubbles produced by soap, typically when agitated in water

verb to cover or coat with lather; to produce lather

• After applying the soap, he worked up a rich lather before shaving.
• Make sure to lather up with plenty of soap before jumping in the pool.
• I love how this body wash lathers so well, it's like a foam party in the shower!
• The chef's words seemed to lather on endlessly, like a never-ending stream of praise for his own cooking skills.

noun a small piece of absorbent material attached to the end of a stick or wire, used for cleaning or applying medication

verb to clean or apply medication with a swab

• The nurse used a sterile swab to collect a sample for testing.
• I had to swab the inside of my cheek for a DNA test.
• He swabbed the spill with a paper towel.
• The artist used a swab of paint to create a beautiful masterpiece.

noun a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea

verb a word that expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being

adjective a word that describes or modifies a noun

pronoun a word that can function as a noun phrase referent

preposition a word that shows the relationship between a noun (or pronoun) and other words in a sentence

• After eating, the cat will often wipe its face with its paw to clean itself.
• The baby made a mess while eating, so I had to help it wash its face.
• I spilled some sauce on my face, so I need to quickly wipe it off.
• The company tried to cover up their mistake, but they couldn't just wipe their face clean of it.