For other uses, see Housekeeping (disambiguation).
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Housekeeping refers to the management of duties and chores involved in the running of a household, such as cleaning, cooking, home maintenance, shopping and bill pay. The tasks can be perform by the household members or persons hired to perform these tasks. It is also used to refer to the money allocated for such use.[1] By extension, an office or organization, as well as the maintenance of computer storage systems.[2]
A housekeeper is a person employed to manage a household,[3] and the domestic staff. According to Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management, the housekeeper is second in command in the house and "except in large establishments, where there is a house steward, the housekeeper must consider herself as the immediate representative of her mistress".[4]
Contents
- 1 Housecleaning
- 1.1 Removal of litter
- 1.2 Dusting
- 1.3 Removal of dirt
- 1.4 Household chemicals
- 1.5 Tools
- 1.6 Yard
- 2 House chores
- 3 Social significance
- 4 See also
- 5 Notes
- 6 References
- 7 External links
Housecleaning
It includes activities such as housecleaning, that is, disposing of rubbish, cleaning dirty surfaces, dusting and vacuuming. It may also involve some outdoor chores, such as removing leaves from rain gutters, washing windows and sweeping doormats. The term housecleaning is often used also figuratively in politics and business, for the removal of unwanted personnel, methods or policies in an effort at reform or improvement.[5]
Housecleaning is done to make the home look better and be safer and easier to live in. Without housecleaning lime scale can build up on taps, mold grows in wet areas, bacterial action make the garbage disposal and toilet smell and cobwebs accumulate.[6] Tools used in housecleaning include vacuums, brooms, mops and sponges, together with cleaning products such as detergents, disinfectants and bleach.
Removal of litter
Disposal of rubbish is an important aspect of house cleaning. Plastic bags are designed and manufactured specifically for the collection of litter. Many are sized to fit common waste baskets and trash cans. Paper bags are made to carry aluminum cans, glass jars and other things although most people use plastic bins for glass since it could break and tear through the bag. Recycling is possible with some kinds of litter.[7]
Dusting
Over time dust accumulates on household surfaces. As well as making the surfaces dirty, when dust is disturbed it can become suspended in the air, causing sneezing and breathing trouble. It can also transfer from furniture to clothing, making it unclean. Various tools have been invented for dust removal; Feather and lamb’s wool dusters, cotton and polyester dust cloths, furniture spray [3], disposable paper "dust cloths", dust mops for smooth floors and vacuum cleaners. Vacuum cleaners often have a variety of tools to enable them to remove not just from carpets and rugs, but from hard surfaces and upholstery.[8]
Removal of dirt
Examples of dirt or "soil" are detritus and common spills and stains that exists in the home. Equipment used with a cleaner might be a bucket and sponge. A modern tool is the spray bottle, but the scientific principle is the same.
Household chemicals
Various household cleaning products have been developed to facilitate the removal of dust and dirt, for surface maintenance, and for disinfection.[9] Products are available in powder, liquid or spray form. The basic ingredients determine the type of cleaning tasks for which they are suitable. Some are packaged as general purpose cleaning materials whilst others are targeted at specific cleaning tasks such as drain clearing, oven cleaning, lime scale removal and polishing furniture. Household cleaning products provide aesthetic and hygiene benefits but are also associated with health risks for the users, and building occupants.[10] The US Department of Health and Human Services offers the public access to the Household Products Database. This database provides consumer information for over 4,000 products based on information provided by the manufacturer through the material safety data sheet.
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]
Tools
Brooms remove debris from floors and dustpans carry dust and debris swept into them, buckets hold cleaning and rinsing solutions, vacuum cleaners and carpet sweepers remove surface dust and debris, chamois leather and squeegees are used for window-cleaning, and mops are used for washing floors.[19]
Yard
A home's yard and exterior are sometimes subject to cleaning. Exterior cleaning also occurs for safety, upkeep and usefulness. It includes removal of paper litter and grass growing in sidewalk cracks. Rain gutters, doormats, pools and the screens and glass of windows are also cleanable. Yard junk-removal might occur and porch clutter removal. The paint of door frames might be washed or an old piñata thrown away.[20]
House chores
House chores, or chores are components of housekeeping, and are usually in reference to specific tasks to be completed. Examples of house chores are: washing dishes; taking out trash after dinner.
One difference between housekeeping and house chores is housekeeping is normally undertaken by adults and house chores can be assigned to children in the family.
Social significance
While housekeeping can be seen as an objective activity that can be done by either men or women, some people have argued that housekeeping is a site of historical oppression and gender division between traditionally gendered men and women.[21] Housekeeping also has a role in maintaining certain parts of the capitalist economy, including the division of home and work life, as well as industries that sell chemicals and household goods.[22]
See also
- Cleanliness
- Dishwashing
- Floor cleaning
- Gardening
- Great house
- Home appliance
- Homemaker
- Home maintenance
- Maid
- Plumbing
Notes
- ^ "housekeeping" Oxford Dictionaries Online. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ "housekeeping" The Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ "housekeeper" Oxford Dictionaries Online. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ Mrs Beeton's Book of Household Management Web version of the book at the University of Adelaide Library. Retrieved 2 June 2013.
- ^ The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language Retrieved 2011-01-23
- ^ Woodburn, Kim & MacKenzie, Aggie. How Clean is Your House? 2003. Michael Joseph, Great Britain. 2004. Dutton, New York, USA.
- ^ Dellutri, Laura. 2005. Speed Cleaning 101. Meredith Books, Des Moines, Iowa.
- ^ Kennedy, Rose. 2006. 10-Minute Housekeeping. Beverly, MA: Fair Winds Press.
- ^ a b c d Wolkoff P, Schneider T, Kildeso J, Degerth R, Jaroszewski, and Schunk H. Science of the Total Environment, 215, (1998) pg. 135–156
- ^ Kwon KD, Jo WK, Lim JH, and Jcong WS. Environ Sci Pollut Res 15, (2008) pg. 521–526
- ^ a b Nazaroff, WW., Weschler, CJ., Atmospheric Environment. 38 (2004) pg. 2841–2865
- ^ Reisz, GR., Gammon, RS. Toxic Pneumonitis from mixing household chemicals. CHEST 89 (1986) pg. 49–52
- ^ Burton, A. Environmental Health Perspectives – Indoor Air Quality. Vol. 115 #7 (2007) pg. 350
- ^ a b Raizenne M., Dales R., Burnett, R., Canadian Jour of Public Health. Air Pollution Exposures and Children's Health. Vol. 89, Suppl. 1 May–June 1998. pg. S43–48
- ^ a b Zock, JP., Plana, E.,Jarvis D. et al. Am J Resipir Crit Care Medicine. Vol. 176. (2007) pg. 735–741
- ^ Bredenberg, Jeff et al. 1998. Clean it Fast, Clean it right. Emmaus, PA, USA:Rodale. ISBN 0-87596-509-1.
- ^ Adams, D., Werner, CM., Analyses of Social Issues and Public Policy. Changing Homeowners' Behaviors Involving Toxic Household Chemicals: A psychological, multilevel approach. (2001) pg. 1–32
- ^ Slack, RJ.,Gronow, JR.,Voulvoulis N. Science of the Total Environment. 337 (2005) 119–137
- ^ Bredenberg, Jeff et al. 1998. Clean It Fast, Clean It Right. Emmaus, PA: Rodale
- ^ Smallin, Donna. 2006. Cleaning Plain and Simple. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. Mike
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
References
- Bredenberg, Jeff. 1998. Clean it Fast Clean it Right. Rodale Inc, Emmaus, PA, USA
External links
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Wikibooks has The Housework Manual as well as books on these subjects:
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- Personal Finance/Housekeeping
- Housecleaning
- Cleaning Guide
- Housekeeping (Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book)
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Laundry
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| Laundry chemicals |
- Laundry detergent
- Fabric softener
- Bleach
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| Washing |
- Washing machine
- Washboard
- Tunnel washer
- Dry cleaning
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| Drying |
- Clothes dryer
- Drying cabinet
- Drying rack
- Clothes horse
- Clothes line
- Hills Hoist
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| Finishing |
- Clothes hanger
- Ironing
- Box mangle
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| Laundry concepts |
- Shrinkage (fabric)
- Stain
- Fulling
- Ironing
- Posting (laundering process)
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| Laundry organizations |
- French laundries of California
- Chinese Hand Laundry Alliance
- Worshipful Company of Launderers
- Laundry and Dry Cleaning International Union
- Laundry Workers Industrial Union
- Project Laundry List
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| Culture of laundry |
- Industrial laundry
- Laundry symbols
- Housekeeping
- Dhobi
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| Laundry accessories |
- Clothespin
- Dispensing ball
- Hamper
- Laundry ball
- Mangle (machine)
- Washing paddle
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| Laundry law |
- Barbier v. Connolly
- Kimball Laundry Co. v. United States
- Muller v. Oregon
- Pearson v. Chung
- Yick Wo v. Hopkins
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| Laundry places |
- Self-service laundry
- Tvättstuga
- Lavoir
- Dhobi Ghat
- Laundry room
- Baths and wash houses in Britain
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