THE FAMILY HOUSE

The family house is a place usually a building where family members live together as one. In any family house, there are different rooms or areas. Each room or area is usually used for different purposes activities or functions. The rooms or areas of the family house that are furnished and used for different functions are called the functional rooms or areas of the house.

The functional areas are:

1. Sitting room
2. Bedroom
3. Dining room
4. Kitchen
5. Bathroom
6. Toilet.
7. Guest room.
8. Pantry/ store.

SITTING ROOM OR LIVING ROOM

Uses

1.  It is used as a relaxation center for family members.

2.  It is used for receiving and entertaining visitors

3.  Part of it can used as a dining area.

4.  Family pictures and other precious collections can be displayed there

5.  It can be used for social activities, such as parties, meetings, etc.

Sitting room furniture

1.  A set  of settees or chairs, these are available in different shapes, sizes, and forms

2.  A coffee or center table

3.  A set of side stools.

4.  Wall cabinet or room divider, bookshelf.

5.  Optional items include television, radio, etc. These are not pieces of furniture

6.  The sitting room also requires floor coverings, curtains, and other decorative accessories.

BEDROOM

USES

1.  It is a place for sleeping or resting

2.  It is a place for keeping important personal belongings, such as money, documents, clothes, jewelry, etc.

3.  It is a centre for dressing and making up.

Bedroom furniture

1.  Bed: this can be made with different types of materials.

2.  Mattress: this can be just foam or foam with a spring interior

3.  Wardrobe or closet: this can be built with a huge cupboard

4.  A dressing table: this usually has a mirror mounted on it and a chest of drawers for storage

5.  A stool: this goes with the dressing table

6.  Bedside cupboard: this can be a part of the bed stand or a separate unit. It is used for storage.

7.  we also have bed lines, pillows wardrobes, or chests of drawers for clothes.

 DINING ROOM

This is the functional area of the home where the family members eat their meals. It can be a separate room or part of the sitting room.

Uses of dining room

1.  It is used as a center for family meals

2.  It can be used for serving meals to visitors.

Dining room furniture

1.  Dining table

2.  Chairs

3.  Sideboard or cupboard for storing cutlery, glasses, table mats, linens, etc. Drinks and food items, such as, beverages can also stored on the side-board.

KITCHEN

USES

It is used as a centre for

1. food storage
2.  food preparation and cooking
3.  meal service

Kitchen Furniture

1. Gas cooker
2. Storage cupboard with shelves
3. Sink with draining board
4. Kitchen taps fitted to the sink
5. Refrigerator and deep freezer where they can be afforded
6. Pestle and mortar, cooking pots and pans, etc. 

BATHROOM AND TOILET

Uses

a. Bathroom is a place where family members have their bath

b. It is also used for cleaning up

c. The toilet is used to pass away feces.

Bathrooms and toilet furniture

1. Bathtub with hot and cold water taps
2. A shower
3. A water closet

EVALUATION:

–          Mention the functional areas in the family house

–          Differentiate between the living room and sitting room

–          Mention the functions of the bedroom and sitting room

MAINTENANCE OF THE FAMILY HOUSE

MATERIALS NEEDED FOR HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE

1. Broom
2. Brushes
3. Dusters
4. Mops
5. Dustpans
6. Dust bins    
7. Pails
8. Buckets      
9. Carpet sweeper      
10. Vacuum cleaner. 

GUIDELINES FOR HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE

SUB-TOPIC: GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR HOUSEHOLD MAINTENANCE

1. Always set apart sometimes for daily, weekly, and seasonal cleaning of the house.
2. Use the correct house cleaning materials or agents for specific surfaces e.g. abrasives like vim for scouring bath tubes.
3. Use house and vacuum cleaning equipment such as mops, and brooms cleaners properly.
4. Storehouse cleaning equipment and materials properly and out of reach of children.
5. Each surface or object should be given the correct cleaning treatment.
6. Household waste should be properly disposed of daily.
7. Always clean the surroundings of the houses by cutting the hedges and grasses and bay not allowing stagnant waters around the house/

DAILY CLEANING OF SITTING ROOM

1. Open the doors and windows to air the room.
2. Sweep the floor and reach under all pieces of furniture.
3. Empty the waste paper basket.
4. Dust all surfaces, doors, windows, and furniture.
5. Tidy up the cushions and arrange arms and headrests on the chairs.
6. Arrange furniture, newspapers, magazines, and other items properly.
7. Put fresh flowers in the vase if necessary.

DAILY CLEANING OF DINING ROOM

1. Clean the table and remove any pieces of food.
2. Clean the table- -mat and put them away.
3. Clean the table, dirty tables attract flies.
4. Sweep off the pieces of food on the floor.
5. Dust the chairs and other pieces of furniture.
6. Arrange the chairs neatly.
7. Put fresh flowers. 

DAILY CLEANING OF KITCHEN

1. Open the windows to air the room.
2. Sweep down cobwebs and dust from ceiling and walls.
3. Sweep the floor.
4. Wash any dirty plates and utensils.
5. Clean the sinks, draining board, and the wall around it.
6. Wipe the stove or cooker.
7. Dust other surfaces in the kitchen e.g. cabinet, table, refrigerator.
8. Mop the floor.
9. Arrange the utensils.
10. Empty the dust bin or waste basket.
11. Sweep out the inside of the bin or basket using a stiff broom or brush.
12. Clean the broom or brush and put it away properly.

DAILY CLEANING OF BATHROOM & TOILET

1. Sweep the floor with a special broom.
2. Flush the toilet.
3. Remove debris, including bits of sponge.
4. Draw the shower curtain if in use.
5. Wash the bathtub and wash the hand basin.
6. After each use, rinse the bathtub and mop up any water splashes on the floor.
7. Lift the seat of the W/C and sprinkle toilet cleaner such as “Harpic” inside the bowl.
8. Scrub the bowl with a toilet brush, and flush again.
9. Wipe the outside of the bowl, seat, and cover using a suitable cloth.
10. Mop the floor.
11. Supply fresh toilet paper if necessary.

DAILY CLEANING OF THE BEDROOM

1. Open the windows and draw the curtains to air the room.
2. Take up the mosquito net and adjust it neatly, if it is in use.
3. Dust the bedroom furniture.
4. Sweep the floor and brush the floor covering.
5. Make the bed.
6. Arrange the dressing table.
7. Clean the duster and put it away neatly.

EVALUATION:

–          Mention 5 guidelines for cleaning the family house.

–          Describe the weekly cleaning of the sitting room