A Glossary of Cleaning Terms & Lingo

What are the important terms used in cleaning People have done housework since the dawn of civilization. Chores have evolved over centuries and the way in which they are carried out has been revolutionized over and over again. That’s how some of the interesting terms related to cleaning came about.

Regardless of how familiar you are with this vocabulary or how proficient you are in upkeep, it’s always a good idea to turn to renowned house cleaners in Olathe, KS, for aid. This article will provide you with some fun facts about the language of cleaning.

What are the important terms used in cleaning?

There are a lot of terms used in cleaning which is why it’s impossible to list all of them. Here are some of the most important ones:

1. Terms related to killing germs

Two terms that refer to one of the main steps when it comes to efficient attic cleaning methods are sanitation and disinfection. The word “disinfection” was first recorded in 1590-1600 and it originated from the word “desinfecter”, “des” meaning “dis” and “infecter” meaning “to die, taint poison.” The word “sanitize” comes from the Latin word for “sanus” which means healthy. Other words that stemmed from this word are sanity, sane, sanitary and sanitation.

2. Castile

Castile was originally soap made from olive oil. Its name probably stems from the place where it was produced extensively, i.e. ancient Castile in Spain. Today this term is used to denote any mild soap made from vegetable oils. If you want to help your kids learn how to clean, this is one of the first vocabulary items that you should introduce.      

3. Hoover

Word “to hoover” means to vacuum. It originated from the name of the brand of vacuum cleaners made by the Hoover company and patented in 1927. The first written citation for the verb Hoover dates from 1939, whereas the lower case uses of this word followed soon afterwards.

Phrasal verb “to hoover up” that derived from the brand name dates from 1970 and it means “to devour or consume something completely.” If you want to get your husband to help you clean the house, you should ask him to hoover it.

4. Idioms

One of the common idioms related to maintenance is “as clean as a whistle.” This phrase dates back to the early 1800s. It’s possible that the idiom is actually a corrupted older expression “as clear as a whistle.” Since a whistle makes a clear tone that can completely cut through noise the expression refers to something being complete or thorough.

Another interesting expression “as clean as a clock” was a common phrase used in Yorkshire. It referred to the shining, clean looking black beatles called clocks in the North.

5. Green cleaning

Green cleaning implies using naturally safe, eco-friendly cleaning agents instead of harsh and toxic chemical solvents. This type of cleaner doesn’t increase air pollutants in the indoor atmosphere. Although green cleaning may seem like a recent word, it actually dates back to the 1960s.

In 1962 biologist Rachel Carson published a book called Silent Spring which focused on the effects of pesticides. This was the stepping stone for raising the awareness about chemical residue.

Which house cleaners in Olathe, KS, are dependable?

house cleaners olathe ksIf you require assistance with home maintenance, you can always count on Sunflower Maids to give you a hand. Our experienced experts in green cleaning use cutting edge technology and safe cleaning agents, so you won’t have to worry about the harmful residue.

Let your hair down and explore Olathe while our dedicated specialists spruce up your home. Call us today and make an appointment!

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