► clean to remove dirt from something by rubbing or washing: I need to clean the bathtub. She’s busy cleaning.
► wash to use water, and often soap, to clean clothes, dishes, parts of your body, or uncooked food: Wash your hands before dinner.
► cleanse formal to make something, especially part of your body, completely clean: Cleanse the wound thoroughly with soap and water.
► disinfect to clean something with a chemical that kills bacteria: Bathrooms in public places must be disinfected regularly.
► sterilize to make something, for example a medical tool, completely clean and kill all bacteria in or on it, using high temperatures or chemicals: It is important to sterilize baby bottles to keep your baby healthy.
► purify to remove the dirty parts or bacteria from something such as water or air: Boil the water for ten minutes to purify it.
► wipe to clean a surface with a cloth, often a wet cloth: She wiped the crumbs off the table into her hand.
► scrub to clean something by rubbing it hard with a wet brush or cloth: He was on his hands and knees scrubbing the floor.
► dust to clean dust off furniture: The bookshelves need to be dusted.
► polish to make furniture, shoes, etc. shiny by rubbing them: I need to polish my shoes before my interview tomorrow.
► vacuum to clean carpets with a special machine: Don’t forget to vacuum under the table.
► sweep (up) to clean the dirt from the floor or ground using a broom (=brush with a long handle): After the haircut she swept up the hair.
► mop (up) to clean the floor with water and a mop (=soft brush on a long handle): It didn’t take long to mop the kitchen floor.
► do the housework to clean the house: I spent all Saturday doing the housework.
► do the dishes to wash plates and pans after a meal: If you cook, I’ll do the dishes.
► scour to wash dirty pots and pans with a rough cloth: If you let the pot soak, you won’t have to scour it.
► do the laundry to wash clothes: I need to do the laundry – I’m almost out of clean clothes.
► dry-clean to clean clothes with chemicals instead of water: Where do you get your suits dry-cleaned?