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In the process of housekeeping general cleaning activities are completed, such as disposing of rubbish, storing of belongings in regular places, cleaning dirty surfaces, dusting and vacuuming. It is also the care and control of property, ensuring its maintenance and proper use and appearance. In a hotel, "housekeeping" is also a term for the cleaning personnel.[1]
Some housekeeping is housecleaning and some housekeeping is home chores. Home chores are housework that needs to be done at regular intervals,[2] Housekeeping includes the budget and control of expenditures, preparing meals and buying food, paying the heat bill, and cleaning the house.[3] Outdoor housecleaning chores include removing leaves from rain gutters, washing windows, sweeping doormats, cleaning the pool, putting away lawn furniture, and taking out the trash.[4]
Tools include the vacuum cleaner, broom and mop. Supplies such as cleaning solutions and sponges are sold in grocery stores and elsewhere. Professional cleaners can be hired for less frequent or specialist tasks such as cleaning blinds, rugs, and sofas. Professional services are also offered for the basic tasks. Safety is a consideration because some cleaning products are toxic and some cleaning tasks are physically demanding. Green cleaning refers to cleaning without causing pollution. The history of housecleaning has links to the advancement of technology.[citation needed]
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[edit] Reasons
[edit] Indoor litter
[edit] Clutter problem
[edit] Dustiness
[edit] Dirtiness
[edit] Training
In the early 19th century throughout the industrialized world there was a campaign to teach girls the domestic arts (cooking, cleaning, hygiene, sewing, art, décor, etc.) in school. In the early 1870s there were college courses in home economics and by 1880 there were high school courses. There continues to be high school and vocational school courses and college degrees in home economics, which prepares students for various employment, as well as home and family management. Home economists are taught and teach about relationships, children, economy, shopping, management of home and family, sewing and interior decoration. Although boys have not been required to learn cooking and cleaning in school, a few have taken a course or two.[8][edit] Household chemicals
Surfactants lower the surface tension of water, making it able to flow into smaller tiny cracks and crevices in soils making removal easier. Alkaline chemicals break down known soils such as grease and mud. Acids break down soils such as lime scale, soap scum, and stains of mustard, coffee, tea, and alcoholic beverages. Some solvent-based products are flammable and some can dissolve paint and varnish. Disinfectants stop 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 in pH value 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 of chloramines that volatilize (become gaseous) causing acute inflammation of 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 impact indoor air quality (IAQ) by redistributing particulate matter (dust, dirt, human skin cells, organic matter, animal dander, particles from combustion, fibers from insulation, pollen, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) that gaseous or liquid particles become adsorbed to. The particulate matter and chemical residual will 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 as formaldehyde, toluene, and limonene.[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.[9][14][15] VOCs are of most concern due to their tendency to evaporate and be inhaled into the lungs or adsorbed to existing dust, which can also be inhaled.[9] It has been found that aerosolized (spray) cleaning products are important risk factors and may aggravate symptoms of adult asthma,[15] respiratory irritation,[9] 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 and rubber 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 in natural cleaning products and green cleaning methods. 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 of household hazardous waste (HHW).[17][18]
[edit] Tools
"Modern housecleaning tools" is almost an oxymoron. There are few areas of employment where someone from 50 years ago could step into the same job today, but housecleaning is one area where there has been very little change. Brooms remove debris from floors. Brushes clean cracks and crevices. Buckets hold cleaning and rinsing solutions. Carpet sweepers remove surface dust and debris. Chamois do lint-free drying of windows. Clotheslines hold doormats and rugs for cleaning. Clothespins fasten things on clotheslines . Dishwashers are machines that wash dishes placed inside them. Dryers dry textiles placed inside them. Dusters are soft cloths for wiping dust, or are various dust sweepers. Dustpans carry dust and debris swept into them. Floor machines remove and apply floor finish. Rubber gloves protect hands from dish water and other cleaners. Dust mops remove dust from smooth floors. Wet mops are for washing floors. Paper towels wipe up grease and other materials difficult to rinse from a cloth. Polishing cloths are for applying polish and removing excess polish. Sponges apply cleaning solution and remove soil. Spray bottles apply cleaning solution to be removed by another tool. Squeegees remove solutions from glass. Steam cleaners are machines that help wash carpet. Vacuum cleaners remove dust from inside carpet. Upright vacuums are best at carpet vacuuming. Canister vacuums are best at upholstery and bare floors. Wet-dry vacuums can be used to remove spills and spot removers. Washing machines clean textiles such as dust cloths.[19][edit] Yard
