Cleaning and laundry

Hibiscus Teach · Picture vocabulary

Cleaning and laundry

Name cleaning and laundry equipment, explain what it is for, and organise everyday household jobs.

A2British English45–60 minutes · Self-paced

Created by , British English teacher.

Name the pictures, listen and repeat, then try the activities. Reveal words when needed.

Which of these items do you use at home? Which jobs do you prefer doing first?

Choose Listen to hear a model. Press a word again to replay, or use Stop audio.

Picture A: Cleaning equipment

A long wooden handle attached to a broad head of stiff bristles.
1Picture 1
Forms and example

a broom · brooms

Use the broom to sweep the floor.

A shallow grey pan with a wide front lip and a short handle.
2Picture 2
Forms and example

a dustpan · dustpans

Sweep the dust into the dustpan.

A long handle ending in a thick cluster of white cotton strands.
3Picture 3
Forms and example

a mop · mops

I need a mop to clean the kitchen floor.

An open blue round container with a curved carrying handle.
4Picture 4
Forms and example

a bucket · buckets

There is some water in the bucket.

A compact wheeled electric machine with a flexible hose and floor head.
5Picture 5
Forms and example

a vacuum cleaner · vacuum cleaners

The vacuum cleaner is in the cupboard.

A thick rectangular yellow pad with a green scrubbing layer.
6Picture 6
Forms and example

a sponge · sponges

Wipe the surface with a damp sponge.

A small oval wooden hand brush with dense stiff bristles.
7Picture 7
Forms and example

a scrubbing brush · scrubbing brushes

This scrubbing brush is for the floor.

A soft yellow cleaning cloth with stitched edges, loosely folded.
8Picture 8
Forms and example

a duster · dusters

Use a duster to remove dust from the shelf.

A clear plastic bottle with a trigger nozzle and no label.
9Picture 9
Forms and example

a spray bottle · spray bottles

This spray bottle is empty.

A T-shaped tool with a short handle and a straight rubber blade.
10Picture 10
Forms and example

a squeegee · squeegees

Use a squeegee to remove water from the glass.

A long-handled round-bristled brush standing in a small holder.
11Picture 11
Forms and example

a toilet brush · toilet brushes

The toilet brush is beside the toilet.

A straight wooden handle fixed to a broad red rubber cup.
12Picture 12
Forms and example

a plunger · plungers

There is a plunger under the sink.

View full Picture A: Cleaning equipment poster
Cleaning equipment: twelve unlabelled illustrations in four columns and three rows. Numbered text descriptions are available immediately below.
Text alternative: describe the pictures
  1. A long wooden handle attached to a broad head of stiff bristles.
  2. A shallow grey pan with a wide front lip and a short handle.
  3. A long handle ending in a thick cluster of white cotton strands.
  4. An open blue round container with a curved carrying handle.
  5. A compact wheeled electric machine with a flexible hose and floor head.
  6. A thick rectangular yellow pad with a green scrubbing layer.
  7. A small oval wooden hand brush with dense stiff bristles.
  8. A soft yellow cleaning cloth with stitched edges, loosely folded.
  9. A clear plastic bottle with a trigger nozzle and no label.
  10. A T-shaped tool with a short handle and a straight rubber blade.
  11. A long-handled round-bristled brush standing in a small holder.
  12. A straight wooden handle fixed to a broad red rubber cup.

Take a break here if you wish.

Picture B: Laundry essentials

A white front-loading appliance with a circular glass door.
13Picture 13
Forms and example

a washing machine · washing machines

The washing machine is in the kitchen.

An electrical appliance with a pointed flat base and a handle.
14Picture 14
Forms and example

an iron · irons

The iron is on the ironing board.

A long narrow padded board on folding crossed legs.
15Picture 15
Forms and example

an ironing board · ironing boards

Could you put up the ironing board?

An open woven basket with two carrying handles.
16Picture 16
Forms and example

a laundry basket · laundry baskets

Put the dirty clothes in the laundry basket.

A small wooden spring-loaded clip with two long jaws.
17Picture 17
Forms and example

a clothes peg · clothes pegs

Use a clothes peg to hold the shirt on the line.

An empty folding metal drying frame with raised wings and parallel bars.
18Picture 18
Forms and example

a clothes airer · clothes airers

The towels are drying on the clothes airer.

Several outdoor lines stretched between two wooden T-shaped posts.
19Picture 19
Forms and example

a washing line · washing lines

Hang the sheets on the washing line.

A triangular wooden clothes support with a curved metal hook.
20Picture 20
Forms and example

a coat hanger · coat hangers

Put the jacket on a coat hanger.

A cylinder of adhesive paper on a short handle, with a sheet corner lifted.
21Picture 21
Forms and example

a lint roller · lint rollers

Use a lint roller to remove hair from your coat.

A white see-through mesh pouch with a zip.
22Picture 22
Forms and example

a mesh laundry bag · mesh laundry bags

Put the small items in a mesh laundry bag.

An open plain carton showing white granules and a washing-machine picture.
23Picture 23
Forms and example

some washing powder · a box of washing powder

We need to buy some washing powder.

One sealed detergent pod with separate blue and white liquid compartments.
24Picture 24
Forms and example

a laundry capsule · laundry capsules

Keep the laundry capsules in their original container.

View full Picture B: Laundry essentials poster
Laundry essentials: twelve unlabelled illustrations in four columns and three rows. Numbered text descriptions are available immediately below.
Text alternative: describe the pictures
  1. A white front-loading appliance with a circular glass door.
  2. An electrical appliance with a pointed flat base and a handle.
  3. A long narrow padded board on folding crossed legs.
  4. An open woven basket with two carrying handles.
  5. A small wooden spring-loaded clip with two long jaws.
  6. An empty folding metal drying frame with raised wings and parallel bars.
  7. Several outdoor lines stretched between two wooden T-shaped posts.
  8. A triangular wooden clothes support with a curved metal hook.
  9. A cylinder of adhesive paper on a short handle, with a sheet corner lifted.
  10. A white see-through mesh pouch with a zip.
  11. An open plain carton showing white granules and a washing-machine picture.
  12. One sealed detergent pod with separate blue and white liquid compartments.

Take a break here if you wish.

Picture clues

Optional: six picture clues

Use the words

Choose the object and the action

Sweep with a broom; collect dust in a dustpan; wipe with a sponge; remove dust with a duster. Here duster means a cleaning cloth.

Sweep the floor with a broom. Wipe the surface with a sponge. Dust the shelf with a duster.

Describe a purpose

Use for plus an -ing form, or use to plus the base verb. Keep the example about language rather than product directions.

A clothes airer is for drying clothes. I use a lint roller to remove hair from my coat.

Put it in or on

Put clothes in a laundry basket or washing machine. Hang clothes on a washing line or coat hanger.

Put the clothes in the laundry basket. Hang the shirt on a coat hanger.

Count equipment and supplies

Use an iron and an ironing board. Washing powder is uncountable in this everyday use; capsules are countable. Equipment is also uncountable.

An iron. An ironing board. Some washing powder. Two laundry capsules. A piece of equipment.

Practise: six questions
1. Sweep the floor with a ___.
2. This clothes airer is for ___ clothes.
3. Put the dirty clothes ___ the laundry basket.
4. Hang the shirt ___ a coat hanger.
5. We need ___ washing powder.
6. There is ___ iron on the board.

Getting the flat ready

Listen once for the situation. Listen again and answer. Open the transcript afterwards, then practise both roles.

Read the transcript

Jo: Shall we get the flat ready before our friends arrive?

Alex: Yes. I’ll use the vacuum cleaner in the living room.

Jo: I’ll sweep the kitchen. Where are the broom and dustpan?

Alex: In the cupboard. There’s a mop and a bucket there too.

Jo: Thanks. Are the clean shirts dry?

Alex: Not yet. They’re on the clothes airer.

Jo: All right. I’ll leave the iron and ironing board for later.

Alex: Good idea. Could you put the dirty towels in the laundry basket?

Jo: Of course.

Check understanding: three questions

1. What will Alex do first?

Model response

Use the vacuum cleaner in the living room.

Alex names that job directly.

2. Where are the broom and dustpan?

Model response

In the cupboard.

Alex also says the mop and bucket are there.

3. Why will Jo leave the ironing for later?

Model response

The clean shirts are not dry yet.

Alex says the shirts are still on the clothes airer and are not yet dry.

You say

Say your answer aloud. Writing is optional. Models are examples; other accurate answers are possible.

Name three items you use at home and say what one is for.

20–45 seconds, or a shorter response at first

On my own: say your answer aloud, then compare with the model.

Model response

I use a broom, a dustpan and a mop. A dustpan is for collecting the dust after I sweep.

Ask someone for an item and explain the job.

20–45 seconds, or a shorter response at first

On my own: say your answer aloud, then compare with the model.

Model response

Could you pass me the lint roller, please? I need to remove some hair from my coat.

Explain where three items or clothes are.

20–45 seconds, or a shorter response at first

On my own: say your answer aloud, then compare with the model.

Model response

The iron is on the ironing board. The shirts are on the clothes airer. The dirty clothes are in the laundry basket.

Agree a household plan

Plan three household jobs with a partner. Choose six target items, explain their purposes and decide who will do each job. You may use an imaginary home. Do not describe mixing products or operating unfamiliar appliances.

On my own: play both roles aloud, then answer two follow-up questions.

Success checklist
  • Name six target items.
  • Describe at least two purposes clearly.
  • Agree who will do three jobs.
Model response

I’ll sweep the floor with the broom and collect the dust in the dustpan. You can put the clothes in the washing machine. We’ll use the clothes airer for drying them. Later, I’ll use the iron and ironing board. “Where is the dustpan?” “In the cupboard.”

Check what you know

Eight-question quiz
1. Which item supports clothes while they dry indoors?
2. Which item has a rubber blade for removing water from glass?
3. Which item is a spring-loaded clip?
4. Which pictured item is a cleaning cloth?
5. Choose the correct phrase.
6. Complete: I use a lint roller ___ hair from my coat.
7. In the conversation, where are the clean shirts?
8. Choose the correct request.

Mastery check

Name one item for sweeping, one for drying clothes and one for ironing.

Model response

A broom, a clothes airer and an iron.

Accept other accurate poster-based combinations where the purposes fit.

Ask for a piece of equipment and give its purpose.

Model response

Could I borrow the squeegee? I need to remove water from the glass.

Check the item name and a clear purpose phrase.

Say one sentence with washing powder and one with laundry capsules.

Model response

We need some washing powder. There are two laundry capsules in the container.

Check uncountable powder and countable capsules.

Return to the original pictures

Return to Picture A, then Picture B. Hide words, word banks, model answers and previous feedback. Keep the numbers. Name all 24 targets aloud without playing the audio. Then check and replay only the words you missed.

I can name the pictures and use some of these words in a short conversation.

Full British English master
Download the full MP3
Full recording transcript

Welcome to cleaning and laundry. Look at the pictures and name the items you recognise. Reveal the words when you are ready. Listen, repeat, and use the words in your own sentences.

Broom. A broom.

Dustpan. A dustpan.

Mop. A mop.

Bucket. A bucket.

Vacuum cleaner. A vacuum cleaner.

Sponge. A sponge.

Scrubbing brush. A scrubbing brush.

Duster. A duster.

Spray bottle. A spray bottle.

Squeegee. A squeegee.

Toilet brush. A toilet brush.

Plunger. A plunger.

Washing machine. A washing machine.

Iron. An iron.

Ironing board. An ironing board.

Laundry basket. A laundry basket.

Clothes peg. A clothes peg.

Clothes airer. A clothes airer.

Washing line. A washing line.

Coat hanger. A coat hanger.

Lint roller. A lint roller.

Mesh laundry bag. A mesh laundry bag.

Washing powder. Some washing powder.

Laundry capsule. A laundry capsule.

Sweep the floor with a broom. Wipe the surface with a sponge. Dust the shelf with a duster.

A clothes airer is for drying clothes. I use a lint roller to remove hair from my coat.

Put the clothes in the laundry basket. Hang the shirt on a coat hanger.

An iron. An ironing board. Some washing powder. Two laundry capsules. A piece of equipment.

Shall we get the flat ready before our friends arrive? Yes. I’ll use the vacuum cleaner in the living room. I’ll sweep the kitchen. Where are the broom and dustpan? In the cupboard. There’s a mop and a bucket there too. Thanks. Are the clean shirts dry? Not yet. They’re on the clothes airer. All right. I’ll leave the iron and ironing board for later. Good idea. Could you put the dirty towels in the laundry basket? Of course.

I use a broom, a dustpan and a mop. A dustpan is for collecting the dust after I sweep.

Could you pass me the lint roller, please? I need to remove some hair from my coat.

The iron is on the ironing board. The shirts are on the clothes airer. The dirty clothes are in the laundry basket.

Well done. Return to the original pictures. Hide the words, name the items, and replay any words you would like to practise.

This is a vocabulary lesson, not a cleaning, chemical-handling or appliance-operating guide. Use the product label and manufacturer instructions for real tasks. The capsule picture represents detergent, not food.

More Vocabulary lessons