Plain-English dictionary
Glossary
16 everyday terms explained simply, no jargon.
C
- Capsule wardrobe
- A small, carefully chosen set of clothing pieces that mix and match, reducing clutter and daily decisions.
- Container
- A box, bin, or basket used to group and hold similar items so they stay tidy and easy to find.
D
- Decluttering
- The process of removing items you no longer need or use to free up space and reduce mess.
- Deep clean
- A thorough cleaning that reaches spots skipped in daily tidying, such as behind appliances and inside cabinets.
- Disinfect vs clean
- Cleaning removes visible dirt from a surface, while disinfecting uses chemicals to kill germs left behind.
- Donate pile
- A collection of usable items you set aside to give away rather than keep or throw out.
- Drop zone
- A spot near the entrance where you place keys, bags, and mail so they do not scatter through the home.
J
- Junk drawer
- A single drawer used to hold small odds and ends that lack an obvious home elsewhere.
L
- Label system
- A consistent way of marking bins, shelves, and files so everyone can find and return items easily.
M
- Microfiber
- A soft synthetic cloth that traps dust and dirt well and can clean many surfaces with little or no chemicals.
- Minimalism
- A lifestyle of keeping only what you need or value, so your space stays simple and uncluttered.
P
- Purge
- A focused effort to clear out a large amount of unwanted items at once.
R
- Rotation
- The habit of cycling items in and out of use, such as swapping seasonal clothes, to keep only what is needed at hand.
- Routine
- A regular set of cleaning or tidying tasks done on a schedule to keep a home in order.
V
- Vertical storage
- Using wall space, shelves, and hooks to store items upward and free up floor and counter space.
Z
- Zone
- An area set aside for a specific purpose or type of item, so related things are kept together.
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