English Vocabulary for Housework (120+ Examples!)

English Vocabulary: How to Talk about Housework

This page is about housework vocabulary. Another word for housework is chores (chorz). These are the tasks we do around the house to keep it clean, tidy, and in good condition. The goal of this page is to help English learners use common words, phrases, and sentences related to housework.

This vocabulary is important because everyone needs to take care of their home. If we don't look after our living space, it can become dirty and unpleasant. We don't want that! Also, people talk about housework all the time. If someone asks you, "What did you do this weekend?", there is a good chance you will say something like, "I did the laundry" or "I cut the grass."

The best part about this page? It teaches high-frequency vocabulary, so you know you will be able to use it confidently with fluent English speakers. This page is also convenient because it separates housework into different categories, such as the dishes and the laundry, so you can scroll down and find the vocabulary you need to practice.

Finally, to memorize this vocabulary, come back to this page often, read the sentences out loud, and pay attention to words that go together, such as do the dishes, take out the garbage, and fold the laundry.

To take your English practice to the next level, write about who is responsible for different chores in your home or make your own sentences. When you make language personal, it is easier to remember.

Now, are you ready to learn and practice? Great. Let's go!

How often do you do these chores?

Essential Housework Vocabulary for English Learners

Do (the) housework / Do (the) chores

Did you do your chores?

Do your chores before you go out.

I hate doing housework.

Did you finish the housework?

The dishes

I'm going to do the dishes.

Did you do the dishes?

I need to use the sink. Could you wash the dishes?

Put the dirty dishes in the [sink/dishwasher]. (The sink is the place where you wash dirty dishes with your hands. The dishwasher is a machine that washes dishes automatically.)

Put it in the [sink/dishwasher]. (English speakers often use "put in" and "put into" interchangeably in cases like this.)

Are there any dishes in the [sink/dishwasher]?

Turn down the water pressure! / The water pressure is too high.

I think we need a new dish sponge. This one is old. / This sponge smells bad.

Make sure you rinse the dishes. (Rinse means to run water on a soapy dish to remove the soap.)

Could you open the dishwasher for me?

You forgot to close the dishwasher.

I'm going to turn on the dishwasher.

Put the clean dishes in the dryer rack. (You place wet, clean dishes in the dryer rack so that they can become dry.)

Are the dishes dry?

The dishes are still wet.

Could you dry the dishes with a [cloth/towel]?

Could you empty the dryer rack?

Did you empty the dishwasher?

Could you empty the sink?

Why didn't you put the dishes away? (Why didn't you put them where they belong? In the appropriate drawers, cabinets, and cupboards.)

The laundry

I need to do the laundry.

Did you finish doing the laundry?

Put your clothes in the hamper. (The hamper is the basket for dirty clothes.)

Put it in the washing machine. (Put the dirty laundry into the washing machine.)

Put the clothes into the washing machine.

I'm going to do a load (of laundry). (A load of laundry is an amount of clothes necessary to start using the washing machine.)

Is there enough for a load? (Is there enough laundry to begin a load in the washing machine?)

Put the clothes in the dryer. (The machine for washing clothes is called a washing machine. The machine for drying clothes is called a dryer.)

Bring down the laundry basket. (You can put clean clothes or dirty clothes into a laundry basket. However, a hamper is typically only used for dirty clothes.)

Take the clothes out of the dryer.

Can you hang the clothes outside?

I'm going to take the clothes off the line.

Could you iron my shirt?

Do you iron your clothes?

I'm going to fold the clothes.

Put the folded clothes into piles.

Put the clean clothes into the laundry basket.

Did you put the laundry away? (This means "Did you put the clean clothes into the appropriate places?" The socks go in the sock drawer, the shirts go in the closet, etc.)

The vacuuming

I did the vacuuming.

Who does the vacuuming in your home? / Who usually vacuums in your home?

Did you vacuum the living room?

Where did you put the vacuum?

I need to vacuum the [floor/carpet].

Can you vacuum the stairs?

Could you plug in the vacuum?

Could you unplug the vacuum? I'm done.

I'm going to turn on the vacuum now.

Turn off the vacuum! I can't hear you!

I've finished vacuuming the living room. You can turn on the TV again if you want.

I need to empty the vacuum. The bag is full. (The bag that holds the contents of a vacuum is called a vacuum bag or dust bag, but most people just say the bag.)

Could you bring the vacuum [upstairs/downstairs/to the dining room]?

I'm done vacuuming. I'm going to put the vacuum away.

The garbage

I need to take out the garbage.

It's your job to [do/take out] the garbage every week.

Empty your garbage (bin). It's overflowing.

Did you remember to take out the trash?

Tomorrow is garbage day.

Make sure you change the garbage bag.

Put the garbage bag into the bin outside.

The floor(s)

Did you sweep the floor? (You sweep the floor with a broom.)

I need to vacuum the floor.

I'm going to mop the floor.

The kitchen floor needs a wet wash. (You can also say it needs a mop.)

The bathroom floor needs to be scrubbed.

Sweep the kitchen floor.

The bedroom

Clean your room.

Did you make your bed this morning?

When was the last time you changed your bedsheets? / You should change the bedsheets.

You need to tidy up your desk. (Tidy up means arrange or organize in a neat way.)

I need to clean out my [closet/sock drawer/underwear drawer]. (Clean out means to empty and reorganize everything in a space. You can clean out an entire room!)

Your room is a mess. Clean it up.

Pick everything up from the floor.

Why are your books on the floor? Pick them up.

Put your clothes away. Why are they on your chair?

I have to organize my [bookshelf/desk/closet].

The bathroom

I need to clean the bathroom.

Did you clean the toilet?

Make sure you clean the [bathtub/shower].

Throw out your old toothbrush. It looks disgusting. (Throw out means to discard or put in the garbage.)

When was the last time you cleaned the sink?

Get some cleaning products and clean the bathroom.

Wipe down the walls in the shower. They're really dirty. (Wipe down means to use a cloth or a sponge to clean something. Usually, you use soap and water or another cleaning agent with the cloth or sponge.)

The kitchen

Could you clean the [stove/oven/microwave]? (You cook things on a stove. You cook things in an oven.)

Empty the kettle. The water is two days old. (A kettle is what you use to boil water for tea, coffee, etc.)

We need to throw away the old food in the fridge.

I'm going to empty out the fridge this weekend. We haven't washed it in at least six months.

Can someone please wipe down the kitchen table? Dinner is almost ready.

Can I help you to set the table? (Can I help you to prepare the table for a meal? This means placing plates, forks, knives, spoons, cups, and everything else you need for a meal onto the table.)

I wiped down [the counter/the table/the stove]. (The counter is the flat space where food is prepared. It is usually in the same area as the stove and the sink.)

Other tasks around the home

I need to change a lightbulb. / This lightbulb is out. It needs to be replaced.

This remote needs new batteries. / I need to change the batteries. / I need to buy new batteries.

The water filter needs to be replaced. / We need to buy a new water filter. (Modern refrigerators come with a water fountain. This has a filter which should be replaced every six months or so to keep the water fresh and clean.)

The fan above the stove needs a new filter.

The smoke detector needs new batteries.

We need a new [thermostat/air conditioner/sink/faucet/showerhead/etc.]. (Everything gets old with age and eventually needs to be replaced.)

I'm going to [wash/clean] the windows.

We should wipe down the shelves. (You can also use the verb dust instead of wipe down. It's also common to say, "I'm going to wipe the dust off the shelves.")

Don't forget to water the [plants/flowers].

Pets

I'm going to take the dog [for/on] a walk.

I took him for a walk this morning.

Can you let the dog out? I think he wants to do his business.

Could you let the cat in? She's standing at the door.

Did you feed Bruno today? (Bruno is just an example of a pet's name.)

Her water bowl is empty. / Did you refill her water?

We need to take him to the vet. (A vet is an animal doctor. It is the common short form for veterinarian.)

Grocery shopping / Shopping for food

I need to do the groceries.

I went grocery shopping yesterday. / I did the groceries.

Do we need anything from the grocery store?

Are we out of [eggs/milk/bread/cucumbers/etc.]? ("We are out of eggs" means "We don't have any eggs left.")

Could you pick up some [butter/juice/etc.]? (Pick up means acquire or purchase.)

Can you help me bring in the groceries? (Bring the groceries from outside the house into the house.)

Could you put the groceries away? (Put the groceries in the appropriate places. For example, put the milk in the fridge, the cookies in the cabinet, etc.)

Outdoor work

I'm going to do some yard work. (Yard work is work the area that is in front of or behind your home. It usually involves grass, wood, or other plants.)

Did you cut the grass? / Did you mow the lawn? (Cut the grass and mow the lawn are interchangeable. Your lawn is the grassy area in front of or behind your home.)

I'm going to do some gardening. (This means I'm going to work in my garden. This can be a flower garden or a food garden.)

I need to pull some weeds in my garden. (Weeds are unwanted plants.)

I need to trim some [branches/bushes/hedges]. (Trim means to cut so something is shorter. You can even trim your hair.)

Can you help me rake the leaves?

If this was useful for you, consider purchasing a copy of my book, 100 Practical English Phrasal Verbs. The phrasal verbs on this page (turn on, turn off, pick up, etc.) are included in the book, along with many others. Good luck with your English language practice, and I hope to see you again soon!