Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology

98, Peñafrancia Ave, Naga, Camarines Sur

COURSE CODE: TLED120

COURSE TITLE: Home Economics Literacy
CHAPTER 2: Housekeeping

What Is Housekeeping?
Housekeeping is one of the areas in Home Economics which refers to the management of duties and
chores in running a household. This includes cleaning, cooking, home maintenance, shopping, laundry
and payment of house bills. Household members may perform these different tasks, or the family may
hire other persons to do these for them. The term may also refer to the management of an office where
employees stay for several hours of the day.
Housekeeper; The individual who manages the household is referred to as housekeeper. In big
establishments, he/she may have his/her domestic staff.
The purpose and importance of housekeeping
Housecleaning is the most important component of housekeeping. Disposing of rubbish, cleaning of dirty
surfaces, keeping off dust on surfaces and pieces of furniture, and doing vacuuming. This is done to make
the home look pleasing to the eye, smell better, safer and comfortable to live in for all the dwellers.
Without cleaning the house or office, dusts form on surfaces, molds grow in wet areas, lime scale may
hardened on kitchenware and pipes, glasses may be blurry or stained, toilet may turn smelly, and cobwebs
accumulate.
Principles and Concepts of Housekeeping
Home and offices have important areas which should be given attention first and foremost in cleanliness.
Areas which have direct contact with our bodies such as toilets and bathrooms, urinals and lavatories and
their accessories need to be the cleanest parts of the house.
For an effective and efficient housekeeping, amenities are considered and provided such as towels, linens,
beddings, glasses, tableware, pieces of furniture, appliances, and kitchen wares. Cleaning equipment,
tools, and supplies are also necessary for complete housekeeping needs.

Recognizing Tools, Utensils Materials in Housekeeping

Tools, Supplies and Material Used in Housekeeping
Effective and efficient housekeeping depends on the cleaning equipment, tools and supplies the household
or office provides. Tools used in house cleaning are vacuum cleaner, brooms, mops and sponges together
with the cleaning products such as detergents, disinfectants, and bleach. Accessories such as towels,
linens and beddings will be discussed here, too.
 Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology
98, Peñafrancia Ave, Naga, Camarines Sur

Cleaning and sanitizing equipment

 Vacuum cleaner. Dust particles specifically from carpet surfaces and upholstered furniture. This
can also be used in cleaning hard surfaces.
 Floor polisher. This is used to scrub floor, strip and polish hard floor surfaces and also to polish
vinyl, wood and parquet.
 Carpet sweeper. This is used in picking up dirt and some particles from the carpet.
 Hydro-Vacuum or wet and dry vacuum. This is an all-purpose vacuum used for absorbing
water in flooded or wet surface and can also be used for dry surfaces.
 Carpet extractor. This is intended for dry foam shampooing of carpets. Dirt that sticks to or
penetrates into the layers of the carpets is removed by using this.
 Cart or trolley. It is used to stock cleaning supplies and chemicals in order to make cleaning
faster and easier.
Cleaning Tools
Tools and equipment need to be checked and maintained before and after each use to prolong their life
span. Proper care includes a regular check up especially their wiring to avoid breakdown and prevent
untoward accident. This will also lessen the cost of maintenance.

 Scouring pads. There are two colors, the green and white pad. Green is used for scrubbing rough
dirty surfaces. White is used for cleaning painted surfaces, marble, porcelain and mirrors.
 Dusting clothes. These are used to wipe or dust wooden and painted parts. These can be towel-
clothe like.
 Polishing cloth. It is made of soft cloth used to polish metal surfaces in kitchen and in bathrooms
and other parts of the house made of metal.
 Cleaning broom. It is used for sweeping the floor. Some made of hard materials can be used to
remove cobwebs from the ceiling.
 Mop with mop handle. It is used for mopping the floor. This has to be wet usually to remove
stains on the floor. This will also be used dry to wipe or dry wet floor to avoid accident.
 Floor and window squeegees. These are used to remove excessive water from the surface and
corners especially glass surfaces. These speed up the drying process of the surface.
 Toilet bowl brush. This is used for cleaning toilet bowls. Is provided with plastic or wooden
handle for ease in reaching hidden part of the bowl.
 Sponges. These are made of soft material used to clean fine surfaces.
 Trash bags. These are to used as linings for garbage containers to prevent the wet garbage from
penetrating directly to the container.
 Tongs. These are used for picking up dirt on the floor and cigarette butts from the ashtrays.
 Bicol State College of Applied Science and Technology
98, Peñafrancia Ave, Naga, Camarines Sur

Cleaning Chemicals
In addition to cleaning tools and materials, a housekeeper also needs to use some cleaning chemicals.
Some of these are wood polish, insecticides, methylated spirit, air freshener and muriatic acid. These
chemicals are toxic, so utmost care should be observed in using or handling these solutions. Highly
combustible chemicals should never be used near fire or flame. Before using them, read the instructions
very well. When not sure on how to use this, ask for the assistance of those knowledgeable individuals
around to avoid possible accident or wastage. The following are some examples of cleaning chemicals:

 Wood polish. This is used to polish or shine wood surfaces, leather surfaces such as sofa and
similar pieces of furniture.
 Insecticides. This is used to fumigate or eliminate insects and pests.
 Methylated spirit. This is a chemical used to polish all glass surfaces such as mirrors, windows
and others.
 Air freshener. This is used to spray guestrooms, comfort rooms, or any area to give fresh smell
or to remove foul odor from the room.
 Muriatic acid. This is only appropriate for removing hard dirt from cemented floor or similar
surfaces. This must not be used in cleaning toilet bowls since it is very strong and it can damage
the tiles.

Safety Measures in Doing Household Tasks

Personal protective equipment in housekeeping requires the use of special clothing because of some
potential harm that may come from cleaning activities.
An example of this is wearing gloves to prevent cuts and wearing safety shoes to prevent injury to your
feet from a dropped item. Sometimes, there are tasks which require you to carry load. Consider some of
these tips which the National Safety Council suggests:
1. Determine if you can carry a load comfortably; tip it on its side.
2. Ask for help if the load is too heavy or bulky for one person Check first if there are nails,
splinters, rough strapping o rough edges.
3. Lift the load correctly.
4. See to it that your footing is solid.
5. Position your back with no curving or slouching.
6. Your body must be at center over your feet.
7. Get a good grasp of the object and pull it close to you. Lift with your legs and not with your back.
8. Move your feet to turn; don’t twist your back.
9. Don’t attempt to carry a big or heavy load.