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Housekeeping

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Housekeeping is the management and routine support activities of running and maintaining an organized physical institution occupied or used by people, like a house , ship , hospital or factory , such as cleaning , tidying/organizing, cooking , shopping , and bill payment. These tasks may be performed by members of the household , or by persons hired for the purpose . This is a more broad role than a cleaner , who is focused only on the cleaning aspect. The term is also used to refer to the money allocated for such use. By extension, it may also refer to an office or a corporation, as well as the maintenance of computer storage systems.

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46-452: The basic concept can be divided into domestic housekeeping , for private households, and institutional housekeeping for commercial and other institutions providing shelter or lodging, such as hotels, resorts, inns, boarding houses, dormitories, hospitals and prisons. There are related concepts in industry known as workplace housekeeping and Industrial housekeeping , which are part of occupational health and safety processes. A housekeeper

92-620: A necessary woman , was a position in the UK's civil service and royal household . The duties were menial, housekeeping work such as emptying chamber pots . In developed countries, fewer families can afford live-in help as they once did. Fewer hereditary grand households exist due to the World Wars, though a considerable number do exist in places such as the United Kingdom . Fewer families employ staff due to advances in technology and

138-420: A simple living ethic and aesthetic with the primary focus of not burdening your heirs with your belongings, is a permanent form of household organization which also focuses on keeping only strongly valued possessions. Wikibooks has The Housework Manual as well as books on these subjects: Housekeeper (domestic worker) A housekeeper (also called necessary woman ) is an individual responsible for

184-552: A surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with cleansing properties when in dilute solutions . However, conventionally, detergent is used to mean synthetic cleaning compounds as opposed to soap (a salt of the natural fatty acid ), even though soap is also a detergent in the true sense. In domestic contexts, the term detergent refers to household cleaning products such as laundry detergent or dish detergent , which are in fact complex mixtures of different compounds, not all of which are by themselves detergents. Detergency

230-791: A "universal detergent" ( Universalwaschmittel ) in Germany. Soda was then mixed with sodium silicate to produce Germany's first brand name detergent Bleichsoda. In 1907, Henkel also added a bleaching agent sodium perborate to launch the first 'self-acting' laundry detergent Persil to eliminate the laborious rubbing of laundry by hand. During the First World War , there was a shortage of oils and fats needed to make soap. In order to find alternatives for soap, synthetic detergents were made in Germany by chemists using raw material derived from coal tar. These early products, however, did not provide sufficient detergency. In 1928, effective detergent

276-862: A cleaner might include a bucket and sponge or a rag. A modern tool is the spray bottle, but the principle is the same. Many household chemicals are using in cleaning, scrubbing, and washing surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom. 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. To ensure safety, protective apparel including rubber gloves , face covers , and protective eyewear are also sometimes used when dealing with chemical cleaning products. A home's yard and exterior are sometimes subject to cleaning. Exterior cleaning also occurs for safety, upkeep, and usefulness. It includes

322-488: A common family being the alkylbenzene sulfonates , which are soap -like compounds that are more soluble in hard water , because the polar sulfonate (of detergents) is less likely than the polar carboxylate (of soap) to bind to calcium and other ions found in hard water. The word detergent is derived from the Latin adjective detergens , from the verb detergere , meaning to wipe or polish off. Detergent can be defined as

368-454: A regular basis. It does not include moving large items of furniture around to access the surfaces under or behind them, but may include putting them back where they belong after cleaning. Housekeeping includes 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

414-427: A sugar as their uncharged hydrophilic headgroup. Examples include octyl thioglucoside and maltosides . HEGA and MEGA series detergents are similar, possessing a sugar alcohol as headgroup. Amphoteric or zwitterionic detergents have zwitterions within a particular pH range, and possess a net zero charge arising from the presence of equal numbers of +1 and −1 charged chemical groups. Examples include CHAPS . Soap

460-409: A synonym for workplace housekeeping, or may be nuanced toward similar processes specifically in a production environment. Before a room can be cleaned, it first needs to be tidied. This is an organization process that can include activities such as picking up and collecting items that are not in their proper storage, checking them and returning them to their allocated storage place. This process reduces

506-402: A variety of tools to enable them to remove dirt not just from carpets and rugs, but also from hard surfaces and upholstery. Dusting is very important in hospital environments. Surface cleaning includes hard surfaces and furnishing textiles, carpeting and upholstery, cooking and eating utensils. Examples of dirt or "soil" are detritus and common spills and stains in the home. Equipment used with

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552-425: Is a person employed to manage a household and the domestic staff . According to the 1861 Victorian era 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". Domestic housekeeping or residential housekeeping refers to

598-469: Is an important aspect of house cleaning. Plastic refuse bags are designed and manufactured specifically for the collection of refuse. Many are sized to fit common waste baskets and trash cans. Bags are made to carry aluminum cans, glass jars, and other things; most people use plastic bins for glass since it could break and tear through the bag. Recycling of some kinds of rubbish is possible. Over time dust accumulates on household surfaces. As well as making

644-564: Is known to have been used as a surfactant for washing clothes since the Sumerian time in 2,500 B.C. In ancient Egypt , soda was used as a wash additive. In the 19th century, synthetic surfactants began to be created, for example from olive oil. Sodium silicate (water glass) was used in soap-making in the United States in the 1860s, and in 1876, Henkel sold a sodium silicate-based product that can be used with soap and marketed as

690-498: Is more varied, they may be ionic or non-ionic, and can range from a simple or a relatively elaborate structure. Detergents are surfactants since they can decrease the surface tension of water. Their dual nature facilitates the mixture of hydrophobic compounds (like oil and grease) with water. Because air is not hydrophilic, detergents are also foaming agents to varying degrees. Detergent molecules aggregate to form micelles , which makes them soluble in water. The hydrophobic group of

736-436: 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. Housecleaning is done to make the home look and smell better and to make it safer and easier to live in. Without housecleaning, lime scale can build upon taps , mold grows in wet areas, smudges appear on glass surfaces, dust builds up on surfaces, bacterial action makes

782-481: Is positively charged. Cationic surfactants generally have poor detergency. Non-ionic detergents are characterized by their uncharged, hydrophilic headgroups. Typical non-ionic detergents are based on polyoxyethylene or a glycoside . Common examples of the former include Tween , Triton , and the Brij series. These materials are also known as ethoxylates or PEGylates and their metabolites, nonylphenol . Glycosides have

828-412: Is the ability to remove unwanted substances termed 'soils' from a substrate (e.g., clothing). Detergents are a group of compounds with an amphiphilic structure, where each molecule has a hydrophilic (polar) head and a long hydrophobic (non-polar) tail. The hydrophobic portion of these molecules may be straight- or branched-chain hydrocarbons , or it may have a steroid structure. The hydrophilic portion

874-415: Is the ongoing process of keeping the workplace clean, hygienic, orderly and free of extraneous objects and materials which may constitute hazards . It includes consideration of layout, aisle marking, storage facilities and maintenance, adequate lighting, and regular inspection, and is a basic component of fire and incident prevention in occupational health and safety . Industrial housekeeping may be used as

920-434: The lady of the house . The extent to which the housekeeper supervises other staff varies from household to household. In general, the staff of a grand dwelling is divided into departments, with the housekeeper in charge of all the female staff with the possible exception of the kitchen staff, who report to the cook , and the between staff, who may report to the butler ; in these cases the cook and butler reported directly to

966-456: The European countries, there has been a rise in people employing domestic staff. The following is a list of fictional characters who perform the role of a traditional housekeeper that supervises other servants. Detergent A detergent is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with cleansing properties when in dilute solutions . There are a large variety of detergents,

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1012-410: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2014 came to the result that approximately 43 percent of men did food preparation or cleanup on any given day, compared with approximately 70 percent of women. In addition, 20 percent of men did housekeeping chores (including cleaning and laundry) on any given day, compared to approximately 50 percent of women. The Swedish practice of döstädning ("death cleaning"),

1058-536: The United States, detergents were sold in 1933 by Procter & Gamble ( Dreft ) primarily in areas with hard water. However, sales in the US grew slowly until the introduction of 'built' detergents with the addition of effective phosphate builder developed in the early 1940s. The builder improves the performance of the surfactants by softening the water through the chelation of calcium and magnesium ions, helping to maintain an alkaline pH, as well as dispersing and keeping

1104-461: The application and the highly competitive consumer market. These detergents may contain the following components: Both carburetors and fuel injector components of internal combustion engines benefit from detergents in the fuels to prevent fouling . Concentrations are about 300 ppm . Typical detergents are long-chain amines and amides such as polyisobuteneamine and polyisobuteneamide/ succinimide . Reagent grade detergents are employed for

1150-479: The butler presided over dinner in the Servants' Hall . Unlike most other servants, she was addressed as Mrs regardless of her marital status. Today's head of household staff in a great house lives in much the same manner, although fewer households can afford large retinues of servants with an elaborate hierarchy. In some countries this is due to the minimum wage. The housekeeper is generally hired by and reports to

1196-442: The cleaning and maintaining of a private residence, home or apartment. This can include tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, laundry, and disinfecting surfaces. It may also involve organizing and decluttering living spaces, as well as making beds and changing linens. This type of housekeeping is sometimes performed by a professional cleaning service or by the homeowners themselves. The frequency of housekeeping tasks may vary depending on

1242-404: The detergent is the main driving force of micelle formation, its aggregation forms the hydrophobic core of the micelles. The micelle can remove grease, protein or soiling particles. The concentration at which micelles start to form is the critical micelle concentration (CMC), and the temperature at which the micelles further aggregate to separate the solution into two phases is the cloud point when

1288-438: The electrical charge of the surfactants. Typical anionic detergents are alkylbenzene sulfonates . The alkylbenzene portion of these anions is lipophilic and the sulfonate is hydrophilic. Two varieties have been popularized, those with branched alkyl groups and those with linear alkyl groups. The former were largely phased out in economically advanced societies because they are poorly biodegradable. Anionic detergents are

1334-411: The environment, which led to their replacement by surfactants that are more biodegradable, such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonate. Developments over the years have included the use of enzymes , substitutes for phosphates such as zeolite A and NTA , TAED as bleach activator , sugar-based surfactants which are biodegradable and milder to skin, and other green friendly products, as well as changes to

1380-417: The form of delivery such as tablets, gels and pods . One of the largest applications of detergents is for household and shop cleaning including dish washing and washing laundry . These detergents are commonly available as powders or concentrated solutions, and the formulations of these detergents are often complex mixtures of a variety of chemicals aside from surfactants, reflecting the diverse demands of

1426-430: The formation of sludge or deposits. The formulation of detergent products may include bleach , fragrances, dyes and other additives. The use of phosphates in detergent , however, led to concerns over nutrient pollution and demand for changes to the formulation of the detergents. Concerns were also raised over the use of surfactants such as branched alkylbenzene sulfonate (tetrapropylenebenzene sulfonate) that lingers in

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1472-403: The functionality and aesthetics of the space. Moreover, domestic housekeeping can also increase the value and durability of the property, as it can prevent damage and deterioration caused by dirt, dust, and stains. There are different types of domestic housekeeping services available, depending on the needs and expectations of the clients. Some of the most common types are: Workplace housekeeping

1518-453: The garbage disposal and toilet smell and cobwebs accumulate. Tools used in housecleaning include vacuums , brooms, mops and sponges , together with cleaning products such as detergents , disinfectants and bleach . Waste can be minimized while cleaning through the use of reusable cleaning cloths and refillable cleaning product containers. By properly storing and caring for cleaning supplies, their lifespan can be extended, thereby reducing

1564-404: The lack of need due to social status. In nations where there is still a ready supply of inexpensive labour, the middle classes may still be able to afford servants. For these households, the remnant of the once grand position of head housekeeper is often a cook-housekeeper. The modern cook-housekeeper performs cooking and cleaning duties. In countries such as the U.S. , the U.K., France and

1610-427: The lady of the house. In other households, particularly those of the very wealthy who maintain several residences, the housekeeper is the ultimate head of household staff and may hire and/or fire junior staff, subject to the approval of the lady of the house, and make recommendations for senior staff. In this case, the cook and butler report to the lady of the house through the housekeeper. The housekeeper, also called

1656-445: The most common form of detergents, and an estimated 6 billion kilograms of anionic detergents are produced annually for the domestic markets. Bile acids , such as deoxycholic acid (DOC), are anionic detergents produced by the liver to aid in digestion and absorption of fats and oils. Cationic detergents are similar to anionic ones, but quaternary ammonium replaces the hydrophilic anionic sulfonate group. The ammonium sulfate center

1702-547: The need for frequent replacements. The Future of Clean: Smart home technology is revolutionizing domestic housekeeping. Robotic vacuums take care of floor cleaning , while self-cleaning ovens eliminate the drudgery of scrubbing. As technology advances, we can expect even more innovative solutions for maintaining a clean and comfortable home. One role of a housekeeper is often laundry such as; washing, folding, and packing away laundry items. Other duties may involve monitoring and changing bed linen and ironing. Disposal of rubbish

1748-505: The removal of litter and grass growing in sidewalk cracks. While domestic 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 men and women. 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. A survey conducted by

1794-439: The risk of damage to the items and removed the hazard they may cause for tripping and obstructing other activities. It also involves organizing items on benches and tables and putting them in their allocated place. Without tidying first, these items can hinder or prevent proper cleaning. Putting out-of-place items away creates a clear space which facilitates removing dirt buildup and accessing areas that are hard to reach and clean on

1840-408: The size of the residence, the number of occupants, and individual preferences. Domestic housekeeping can have many benefits for the homeowners, such as improving their health, comfort, and productivity. A clean and tidy home can reduce the risk of allergies, infections, and pests, as well as create a relaxing and pleasant atmosphere. A well-organized home can also save time and energy, as well as enhance

1886-473: The soiling particles in solution. The development of the petrochemical industry after the Second World War also yielded material for the production of a range of synthetic surfactants, and alkylbenzene sulfonates became the most important detergent surfactants used. By the 1950s, laundry detergents had become widespread, and largely replaced soap for cleaning clothes in developed countries. Over

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1932-425: The solution becomes cloudy and detergency is optimal. Detergents work better in an alkaline pH. The properties of detergents are dependent on the molecular structure of the monomer . The ability to foam may be determined by the head group, for example anionic surfactants are high-foaming, while nonionic surfactants may be non-foaming or low-foaming. Detergents are classified into four broad groupings, depending on

1978-405: The supervision of a house's cleaning staff. The housekeeper may also perform the cleaning duties themself. In the great houses of the eighteenth, nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the housekeeper could be a woman of considerable power in the domestic arena. The housekeeper of times past had her room (or rooms) cleaned by junior staff, her meals prepared and laundry taken care of, and with

2024-421: The surfaces dirty, when the 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 dusters , cotton, and polyester dust cloths, furniture spray, disposable paper "dust cloths", dust mops for smooth floors, and vacuum cleaners. Vacuum cleaners often have

2070-473: The years, many types of detergents have been developed for a variety of purposes, for example, low-sudsing detergents for use in front-loading washing machines, heavy-duty detergents effective in removing grease and dirt, all-purpose detergents and specialty detergents. They become incorporated in various products outside of laundry use, for example in dishwasher detergents , shampoo, toothpaste, industrial cleaners, and in lubricants and fuels to reduce or prevent

2116-463: Was made through the sulfation of fatty alcohol , but large-scale production was not feasible until low-cost fatty alcohols become available in the early 1930s. The synthetic detergent created was more effective and less likely to form scum than soap in hard water, and can also eliminate acid and alkaline reactions and decompose dirt. Commercial detergent products with fatty alcohol sulphates began to be sold, initially in 1932 in Germany by Henkel . In

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