Top 39 Slang For Clean Up – Meaning & Usage

When it comes to tidying up and organizing, having the right lingo can make the task a whole lot more fun. Join us as we unveil a list of the trendiest and most useful slang for clean up that will have you decluttering like a pro in no time. From “Marie Kondo-ing” to “cluttercore,” we’ve got you covered with all the buzzworthy terms you need to know to spruce up your space. So roll up your sleeves and get ready to clean up in style!

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1. Tidy up

To tidy up means to organize and clean a space, making it neat and orderly.

For example, “I need to tidy up my room before guests arrive.”
A parent might tell their child, “Tidy up your toys before bedtime.”
In a workplace, a supervisor might say, “Let’s tidy up the office before the meeting.”

2. Spruce up

To spruce up means to make something look nicer or more attractive, often by making small improvements or adding decorative touches.

For instance, “I’m going to spruce up my living room by adding some new throw pillows.”
Before a special event, someone might say, “I need to spruce up my outfit with some accessories.”
A homeowner might decide to spruce up their garden by planting colorful flowers.

3. Sweep up

To sweep up means to clean a surface or area using a broom to gather and remove dirt, dust, or debris.

For example, “I need to sweep up the leaves in the backyard.”
After a party, someone might say, “Let’s sweep up the confetti on the floor.”
In a commercial setting, a janitor might be responsible for sweeping up the hallway.

4. Straighten up

To straighten up means to make something neat and orderly by arranging or organizing it.

For instance, “I need to straighten up my desk before I can start working.”
A parent might tell their child, “Straighten up your room before bedtime.”
In a store, a retail worker might straighten up the shelves to make the products look more presentable.

5. Neaten up

To neaten up means to make something look neat or tidy by arranging or organizing it in a more orderly manner.

For example, “I need to neaten up my bookshelf by arranging the books by genre.”
Someone might say, “Let’s neaten up the living room before our guests arrive.”
In a classroom, a teacher might ask students to neaten up their desks before leaving for the day.

6. Clear up

To clear up means to clean and organize a space or situation. It involves removing clutter, organizing items, and making the area neat and orderly.

For example, “I need to clear up my desk before I can start working.”
A parent might tell their child, “Clear up your toys before bedtime.”
A roommate might ask, “Can you clear up the kitchen after you finish cooking?”

7. Declutter

Decluttering refers to the process of removing unnecessary or unused items from a space. It involves getting rid of clutter and creating a more organized and streamlined environment.

For instance, “I need to declutter my closet and donate clothes I no longer wear.”
A person might say, “It’s time to declutter my garage and get rid of all the junk.”
A minimalist might advocate for decluttering as a way to simplify and improve one’s life.

8. Purge

To purge means to eliminate or get rid of something, especially in large quantities. It often refers to getting rid of unnecessary or unwanted items in order to create a cleaner and more organized space.

For example, “I need to purge my inbox by deleting old emails.”
A person might say, “I’m purging my wardrobe and donating clothes I no longer wear.”
A homeowner might decide to purge their basement of old furniture and belongings.

9. Organize

To organize means to arrange things in a systematic and orderly manner. It involves categorizing, sorting, and arranging items or information in a way that is easy to find and access.

For instance, “I need to organize my bookshelf by genre.”
A person might say, “I’m organizing my files on my computer so I can find documents more easily.”
A teacher might organize their lesson plans and materials for the upcoming school year.

10. Takedown

To takedown means to dismantle or take apart something, often with the intention of cleaning or organizing it. It involves disassembling a structure or item in order to clean, repair, or store it.

For example, “I need to takedown the tent and clean it before our next camping trip.”
A person might say, “I’m takedown my bike to give it a thorough cleaning and maintenance.”
A homeowner might takedown their holiday decorations and store them until next year.

11. Scrub down

This term refers to cleaning something, usually with water and soap, in a vigorous and thorough manner.

For example, “After a long day of gardening, I had to scrub down to get all the dirt off my hands.”
A person might say, “I need to scrub down the kitchen counter after cooking a messy meal.”
In a cleaning tutorial, the instructor might recommend, “Scrub down the bathtub to remove any soap scum or grime.”

12. Wash up

This phrase is commonly used to refer to cleaning one’s hands, face, and body, typically using soap and water.

For instance, a parent might tell their child, “Go wash up before dinner.”
A person might say, “I always wash up before bed to feel refreshed.”
In a restaurant, a server might remind their colleagues, “Don’t forget to wash up before handling food.”

13. Polish up

This slang phrase means to make something clean and shiny, often by applying a polish or cleaner.

For example, “I need to polish up my shoes before the big event.”
A car enthusiast might say, “I spent the weekend polishing up my classic car.”
In a home improvement discussion, someone might mention, “Polish up your silverware to keep it looking its best.”

14. Dust off

This term refers to the act of removing dust from an object or surface by wiping or brushing it away.

For instance, “I need to dust off these old books before putting them on the shelf.”
A person might say, “I always dust off the furniture before guests come over.”
In a cleaning routine video, the host might demonstrate, “Dust off your electronics regularly to prevent buildup.”

15. Wipe down

This phrase means to clean something by wiping it with a cloth or towel, often with the use of a cleaning solution.

For example, “I need to wipe down the kitchen counters after cooking.”
A person might say, “I always wipe down my phone screen to remove fingerprints.”
In a hygiene discussion, someone might mention, “Wipe down gym equipment before and after use to maintain cleanliness.”

16. Mop up

To “mop up” means to clean or tidy up a space or to complete a task that is almost finished.

For example, after a party, someone might say, “Let’s mop up the kitchen before we go to bed.”
In a military context, “mop up” refers to the final stages of an operation to clear out any remaining enemies or secure an area.
A coach might tell their team, “We need to mop up our defense and prevent any more goals.”

17. Straighten out

To “straighten out” means to organize or resolve a situation that is chaotic or confusing.

For instance, if a room is messy, someone might say, “I need to straighten out this room before guests arrive.”
In a metaphorical sense, “straighten out” can mean resolving a problem or misunderstanding. For example, a teacher might say, “Let’s straighten out any confusion about the homework assignment.”
In a personal context, someone might say, “I need to straighten out my finances and create a budget.”

18. Fix up

To “fix up” means to repair or improve something that is broken or in need of attention.

For example, if a house needs repairs, someone might say, “We need to fix up the kitchen before we can sell the house.”
In a personal context, “fix up” can refer to improving one’s appearance or style. Someone might say, “I’m going to fix myself up before the party.”
In a romantic context, “fix up” can mean setting someone up on a date. For instance, a friend might say, “I’m going to fix you up with my coworker.”

19. Sort out

To “sort out” means to organize or resolve a problem or situation that is confusing or disorganized.

For instance, if a pile of papers is disorganized, someone might say, “I need to sort out these documents.”
In a personal context, “sort out” can mean resolving a conflict or issue. For example, a couple might say, “We need to sort out our differences before we can move forward.”
In a logistical sense, “sort out” can mean arranging or categorizing items. For instance, someone might say, “I need to sort out my closet and donate clothes I no longer wear.”

20. Freshen up

To “freshen up” means to make something clean or to rejuvenate oneself by freshening up their appearance.

For example, if a room smells stale, someone might say, “I’m going to freshen up the air with some scented candles.”
In a personal context, “freshen up” can mean taking a quick shower or washing one’s face to feel more awake and refreshed. For instance, someone might say, “I’m going to freshen up before the meeting.”
In a social context, “freshen up” can mean touching up one’s makeup or fixing one’s hair before going out. Someone might say, “I need to freshen up in the bathroom before we leave.”

21. Tidy away

This phrase is often used to describe the act of organizing and putting away items that are out of place or cluttering a space.

For example, after a party, someone might say, “Let’s tidy away these empty cups and plates.”
A parent might tell their child, “It’s time to tidy away your toys before bedtime.”
In a shared workspace, a coworker might say, “Please tidy away your papers and clear the desk for the next person.”

22. Clear out

This slang phrase is used to describe the act of decluttering or removing items from a space.

For instance, someone might say, “I need to clear out my closet and donate some clothes.”
When moving to a new house, a person might say, “I’m clearing out all the old furniture and starting fresh.”
A roommate might ask, “Can you clear out your dishes from the sink?”

23. Cleanse

In the context of cleaning up, “cleanse” refers to the act of thoroughly cleaning or purifying a space or object.

For example, someone might say, “I need to cleanse my kitchen countertops before preparing food.”
A person discussing their skincare routine might say, “I cleanse my face every morning and night.”
In a spiritual context, someone might say, “I’m going to cleanse the energy of this room with sage.”

24. Tidy house

This phrase is used to describe the act of thoroughly cleaning and organizing an entire house or living space.

For instance, someone might say, “I spent the weekend tidying house and now everything is in its place.”
A person might set a goal for themselves, saying, “I want to tidy house before my guests arrive.”
When discussing their cleaning routine, someone might say, “I tidy house every Saturday morning.”

25. Put in order

This phrase refers to the act of organizing and arranging items in a neat and orderly manner.

For example, someone might say, “I need to put my books in order on the shelf.”
When tidying up a messy desk, a person might say, “I’m going to put these papers in order.”
A teacher might instruct their students, saying, “Please put your backpacks in order along the wall.”

26. Spruce things up

To make something look better or more presentable. This phrase is often used when referring to cleaning or organizing an area.

For example, “I’m going to spruce things up before our guests arrive.”
A person might say, “Let’s spruce things up around here and make it more inviting.”
Another might suggest, “We should spruce things up by adding some new decorations.”

27. Make spick and span

To thoroughly clean and organize something, leaving it in pristine condition. This phrase is often used to describe a thorough cleaning effort.

For instance, “I’m going to make this room spick and span before the party.”
A person might say, “Let’s make the kitchen spick and span before we start cooking.”
Another might comment, “I love the feeling of a house that’s been made spick and span.”

28. Sanitize

To clean or disinfect something to remove dirt, germs, or contaminants. This term is often used in reference to maintaining cleanliness and preventing the spread of diseases.

For example, “Make sure to sanitize your hands before touching any food.”
A person might say, “I always sanitize my phone to keep it germ-free.”
Another might advise, “It’s important to sanitize surfaces regularly to prevent illness.”

29. De-gunk

To remove sticky or greasy residue from something, often using a cleaning agent. This term is commonly used when referring to cleaning tasks that involve removing built-up dirt or grime.

For instance, “I need to de-gunk my keyboard; it’s full of crumbs.”
A person might say, “The mechanic had to de-gunk the engine to fix the problem.”
Another might comment, “I used a special cleaner to de-gunk the bathtub.”

30. Scrub up

To clean oneself or something else by scrubbing vigorously. This term is often used when referring to personal hygiene or cleaning tasks that require significant effort.

For example, “I need to scrub up before the party.”
A person might say, “Make sure to scrub up well after working in the garden.”
Another might comment, “I spent the whole day scrubbing up the kitchen.”

31. Clear off

This slang term means to remove or tidy up an area or surface. It is often used to describe quickly cleaning up a mess or clutter.

For example, “Clear off the table before dinner.”
In a workplace setting, someone might say, “I need to clear off my desk before the end of the day.”
When organizing a room, a person might say, “Let’s clear off these shelves and make space for the new books.”

32. Decontaminate

To decontaminate means to cleanse or sanitize something, typically to remove harmful substances or bacteria. It is often used in situations where there is a need to eliminate potential hazards.

For instance, “After a chemical spill, the area needs to be decontaminated.”
In a medical setting, a doctor might say, “We need to decontaminate the surgical instruments before the next procedure.”
When discussing food safety, someone might say, “It’s important to decontaminate cutting boards to prevent cross-contamination.”

33. Sterilize

Sterilize means to make something completely clean or germ-free by eliminating all microorganisms. It is often used in medical or scientific contexts.

For example, “The surgical tools need to be sterilized before the operation.”
When discussing water treatment, someone might say, “The water is sterilized using UV radiation.”
In a laboratory setting, a scientist might say, “We need to sterilize the petri dishes before conducting the experiment.”

34. Hoover up

Hoover up is a slang term that means to vacuum or clean thoroughly. It is often used to describe the action of using a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt or debris from a surface.

For instance, “I need to hoover up the crumbs from the carpet.”
When discussing cleaning chores, someone might say, “I’ll hoover up the living room while you clean the kitchen.”
In a household setting, a parent might say to a child, “Go hoover up your room before your friends come over.”

35. Freshen

To freshen means to make something clean and pleasant, often by eliminating odors or adding a pleasant scent. It is often used in relation to cleaning or refreshing the air.

For example, “I need to freshen up the bathroom before guests arrive.”
When discussing laundry, someone might say, “I’ll freshen up these clothes with some fabric spray.”
In a car, a person might use an air freshener to freshen up the interior.

36. Scour

To scour means to clean something thoroughly or to search through something meticulously. It is often used to describe a deep cleaning process.

For example, “I need to scour the bathroom to get rid of all the grime.”
A person might say, “I scoured the internet for hours looking for the perfect recipe.”
In a figurative sense, one might say, “She scoured her memory trying to remember where she put her keys.”

37. Rinse off

To rinse off means to clean something by using water to remove dirt, soap, or other substances. It is often used to describe a quick cleaning process or to freshen up.

For instance, “I need to rinse off the dishes before putting them in the dishwasher.”
A person might say, “I always rinse off my face with cold water in the morning.”
In a beauty routine, one might say, “After applying a face mask, rinse it off with warm water.”

38. Purify

To purify means to clean or cleanse something, often by removing impurities or pollutants. It can also refer to making something pure or free from contamination.

For example, “The water is purified through a filtration process.”
A person might say, “I need to purify my mind and let go of negative thoughts.”
In a spiritual context, one might say, “The purification ritual involves cleansing the body and soul.”

39. Spruce

To spruce means to tidy up or make something neat and presentable. It is often used to describe the act of cleaning or improving the appearance of something.

For instance, “I need to spruce up the living room before guests arrive.”
A person might say, “I spruced myself up before the job interview.”
In a home renovation context, one might say, “They spruced up the old house with a fresh coat of paint.”