30 Phrasal Verbs for Housework with Meanings

If you’re learning English, you’ve probably come across some phrases that sound like they belong in a home improvement show or a cleaning tutorial.

Phrasal verbs—those little two- or three-word phrases—can be tricky, especially when they relate to everyday tasks like housework.

But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

In this post, we’ll dive into 30 essential phrasal verbs for housework, and I’ll show you how to use them with ease.

Why Phrasal Verbs Matter in Housework Vocabulary

Before we jump into the list, let’s talk about why you should care about these phrasal verbs.

Think about the times when you’ve heard a native speaker casually describe cleaning, tidying up, or even fixing something around the house.

They’re often using phrasal verbs without even thinking about it. Knowing these can make you sound more like a native speaker and help you feel more confident in your day-to-day conversations.

Take it from me—having taught English for over 10 years, I’ve seen many learners struggle with phrasal verbs.

But trust me, once you get the hang of them, they’ll become second nature. Plus, they’re fun to use!

1. Clean up

You’re probably familiar with this one. It’s an easy way to say “to make something clean or tidy.”
Example: Can you clean up the kitchen before dinner?

2. Pick up

This phrasal verb means to gather things from the floor or surface.
Example: I need to pick up the toys before we can leave.

3. Put away

When you “put away” something, it means storing it properly in a place.
Example: Please put away your clothes after folding them.

4. Wash up

In British English, “wash up” means to do the dishes. It’s also common in casual speech.
Example: I’ll wash up while you set the table.

5. Wipe down

This means to clean a surface, often with a cloth or towel.
Example: Can you wipe down the counters after cooking?

6. Take out

When you need to remove something from the house, like trash, you’ll “take it out.”
Example: Don’t forget to take out the garbage tonight!

7. Set up

When you “set up” for an event, you’re arranging things in place.
Example: I’ll set up the dining table for dinner.

8. Tidy up

To “tidy up” is to organize or clean the house or a room.
Example: Can you tidy up your room before we go out?

9. Sort out

This one means to organize or arrange things, especially if they’re messy.
Example: I need to sort out my closet before I move.

10. Vacuum up

It’s exactly what it sounds like! Use it when you’re cleaning the floor with a vacuum.
Example: I’ll vacuum up the carpet while you mop the floor.

11. Take apart

To “take something apart” means to disassemble it.
Example: We’ll need to take apart the old couch to fit it out of the door.

12. Fix up

This means to repair something, usually to improve its condition.
Example: I’m planning to fix up the bathroom this weekend.

13. Spruce up

“Spruce up” refers to making something look nicer, often with some cleaning or decoration.
Example: Let’s spruce up the living room with some new cushions.

14. Clean out

This means to thoroughly clean or remove things from a space, often something that hasn’t been cleaned in a while.
Example: I need to clean out the fridge—it’s full of old leftovers.

15. Mop up

“Mop up” means to clean up a liquid mess using a mop.
Example: I’ll mop up the spill before it stains the carpet.

16. Throw away

This simple phrase means to dispose of something.
Example: Don’t forget to throw away the empty cans after dinner.

17. Spray down

When you “spray down” something, you spray it with a cleaning solution.
Example: Can you spray down the windows before we wash them?

18. Clear away

“Clear away” means to remove objects from a space to make it clean or tidy.
Example: Please clear away the dishes from the table.

19. Dust off

This is used when you clean dust from a surface or object.
Example: Don’t forget to dust off the shelves every week.

20. Shut off

When you “shut off” an appliance or device, you turn it off.
Example: Make sure to shut off the stove after cooking.

21. Hang up

When you “hang up” something, you put it on a hook, hanger, or line.
Example: I’ll hang up the towels after you dry them.

22. Break down

If something “breaks down,” it means it’s no longer working.
Example: The washing machine broke down, so we need to get it fixed.

23. Run out of

To “run out of” means to use up all of something.
Example: We’ve run out of cleaning supplies—can you grab some from the store?

24. Take care of

This is a general phrase meaning to handle a task or responsibility.
Example: I’ll take care of the laundry while you clean the kitchen.

25. Sort through

“Sort through” means to go through items in order to organize or get rid of them.
Example: I need to sort through my old clothes and donate some.

26. Iron out

“Iron out” means to smooth or resolve something, often wrinkles on clothes.
Example: Can you iron out the wrinkles on this shirt for me?

27. Wipe off

When you “wipe off” something, you’re cleaning it by rubbing with a cloth or towel.
Example: Wipe off the table before setting down the plates.

28. Chop up

This means to cut something into smaller pieces, usually food.
Example: Can you chop up the vegetables for the salad?

29. Throw together

When you “throw something together,” you put it together quickly, usually without much planning.
Example: I just threw together a quick lunch for the kids.

30. Put down

“Put down” simply means to place something somewhere.
Example: I’ll put down the groceries on the counter while you unpack them.

Conclusion

In the world of housework, using phrasal verbs makes you sound more natural and connected to the rhythm of daily tasks.

They’re a big part of how native speakers communicate casually about everyday chores.

Whether you’re cleaning up, fixing up, or just tidying up, mastering these phrasal verbs can make you sound more fluent, while also making housework feel like less of a chore!

The key takeaway here? Practice. Keep using these phrasal verbs in context—whether you’re talking to a friend or chatting with a teacher.

Eventually, they’ll become second nature. So, next time you find yourself doing housework, try using these verbs and see how much more natural your English will feel.

Remember: English is all about communication, and these little phrases help you sound more fluent and confident. Happy cleaning, and don’t forget to pick up those new words along the way!