B2 · 40 words
Cleaning and laundry in German
The machine, the programme and the stain — and the word for the airing a German flat is expected to get.
One verb here has no comfortable English equivalent and turns up in every tenancy agreement: lüften, opening the windows wide for a few minutes to change the air. It is treated as a duty rather than a preference, because der Schimmel is what happens when nobody does it. Note also that German sorts washing by temperature — die Buntwäsche against die Kochwäsche — where English sorts it by colour.
The words
Verb (6)
einweichento soakVerbB2
Separable: weicht ein.
auswringento wring outVerbC1
Separable: wringt aus.
aufhängento hang upVerbA2
Separable: hängt auf.
zusammenlegento foldVerbB1
Separable: legt zusammen.
entkalkento descaleVerbB2
Not separable, so no ge- in the participle.
lüftento air a roomVerbB1
A duty in most tenancy agreements, not a preference.
Noun (34)
der Putzlappencleaning clothNounB1
Plural is the same: die Putzlappen.
der WischmoppmopNounB1
Plural: die Wischmopps.
das Scheuermittelscouring agentNounB2
Plural: die Scheuermittel.
die Scheuerbürstescrubbing brushNounB2
Plural: die Scheuerbürsten.
die KehrschaufeldustpanNounB1
Plural: die Kehrschaufeln.
der Staubwedelfeather dusterNounB2
Plural is the same: die Staubwedel.
der Staublappendust clothNounB1
Plural is the same: die Staublappen.
das Mikrofasertuchmicrofibre clothNounB2
Plural: die Mikrofasertücher.
der FensterabziehersqueegeeNounC1
Plural is the same: die Fensterabzieher.
der Glasreinigerglass cleanerNounB2
Plural is the same: die Glasreiniger.
der Essigreinigervinegar cleanerNounB2
Plural is the same: die Essigreiniger.
die PoliturpolishNounC1
Plural: die Polituren.
der Gummihandschuhrubber gloveNounB1
Plural: die Gummihandschuhe.
die Schleuderspin cycleNounB2
Plural: die Schleudern.
der Waschgangwash cycleNounB2
Plural: die Waschgänge.
das Waschprogrammwashing programmeNounB1
Plural: die Waschprogramme.
die TrommeldrumNounB2
Plural: die Trommeln; the same word as a musical drum.
das Flusensieblint filterNounC1
Plural: die Flusensiebe.
die BuntwäschecolouredsNounB1
No plural.
die Kochwäscheboil wash, whitesNounB2
No plural.
die Wäscheleinewashing lineNounB1
Plural: die Wäscheleinen.
die Wäscheklammerclothes pegNounB1
Plural: die Wäscheklammern.
der Wäschetrocknertumble dryerNounB1
Plural is the same: die Wäschetrockner.
der FleckstainNounA2
Plural: die Flecken.
der Fusselpiece of fluff, lintNounC1
Plural: die Fusseln.
der SchimmelmouldNounB2
No plural in this sense; also a white horse.
die Grundreinigungdeep cleanNounC1
Plural: die Grundreinigungen.
der Putzplancleaning rotaNounB2
Plural: die Putzpläne.
die ReinigungskraftcleanerNounC1
Plural: die Reinigungskräfte; a neutral job title.
der Pfropfenplug, stopperNounC1
Plural is the same: die Pfropfen.
die Dunstabzugshaubeextractor hoodNounC1
Plural: die Dunstabzugshauben.
der Müllbeutelbin linerNounB1
Plural is the same: die Müllbeutel.
die Kehrwocheweekly cleaning dutyNounC2
A southern German institution; no plural.
die FußmattedoormatNounB1
Plural: die Fußmatten.
This list belongs to Home and housing — 19 lists and 738 words that can also be practised as a whole.
Practise this list
From these 40 words, as many per round as you like — up to all of them: first what is due today, then new ones. First you choose, then you fill the gap, then you write it yourself. Mistakes come back again shortly.