Cleaning Supplies Vocabulary

noun a chemical used for whitening or sterilizing

verb to whiten or sterilize with bleach

• The bleach is used to disinfect surfaces in hospitals.
• I spilled bleach on my favorite shirt and now it's ruined.
• I need to bleach my roots before they start showing.
• Her harsh words seemed to bleach the joy right out of the room.

noun a long-handled brush of bristles or twigs, used for sweeping

• The janitor used a broom to sweep the floors of the school.
• Can you pass me the broom so I can clean up this mess?
• I'll just grab the broom and sweep this place up real quick.
• She used her words as a broom to sweep away any doubts or concerns.

noun the act of removing dirt or impurities from something

verb present participle of the verb 'clean', which means to make something free of dirt or impurities

• The cleaning of the laboratory equipment must be done according to strict protocols.
• I'm tired of cleaning the house every weekend.
• I'll pay you to do the cleaning for me, I can't be bothered.
• Cleaning out the old files from the office computer can help improve its performance.

noun a chemical substance used to kill harmful bacteria or viruses on surfaces

adjective describing the quality or characteristic of being able to disinfect

• The hospital uses a strong disinfectant to clean all surfaces and prevent the spread of infections.
• Make sure to use disinfectant wipes to clean your phone regularly.
• I sprayed some disinfectant on that gross table before we sat down.
• She used kindness as a disinfectant to cleanse the negativity from the room.

verb to absorb or take in a liquid or substance

adverb in a way that allows something to be absorbed or taken in

• The students were instructed to soak up as much information as possible during the lecture.
• I love going to the beach and just soaking up the sun.
• Let's hit the pool and soak up some rays.
• She wanted to soak up the atmosphere of the bustling city before she left.

verb the action of making a liquid scatter in small drops or particles

• The children were splashing in the pool, creating ripples in the water.
• We had a great time splashing around in the puddles after the rain.
• Let's go splashing in the creek and cool off.
• His emotions were splashing all over the place, making it hard for him to control his feelings.

noun a act of cleaning or drying something by rubbing its surface with a cloth, a piece of paper, or one's hand

verb to clean or dry something by rubbing its surface with a cloth, a piece of paper, or one's hand

• Please remember to wipe the table clean after each use.
• Make sure to wipe down the counters before you leave.
• I'll just quickly wipe up this spill before it stains.
• He tried to wipe away his past mistakes, but they still haunted him.

adjective not causing damage or wear by friction; gentle or mild in effect

• The nonabrasive cleaning solution is safe to use on delicate surfaces.
• I prefer using nonabrasive scrubbing pads for cleaning my dishes.
• This nonabrasive toothpaste is gentle on your teeth.
• His nonabrasive approach to criticism made it easier for me to accept feedback.

noun a cleansing substance

adjective having the quality or power of cleansing or scouring

• The abstersive properties of this cleaning solution make it perfect for removing tough stains.
• I need to find a good abstersive cleaner to get rid of this mess.
• I heard this new abstersive stuff works wonders on grime.
• His words were like an abstersive, scrubbing away any doubts or uncertainties in my mind.