PRIMARY 1: HOME ECONOMICS – THIRD TERM | WEEK THREE

Updated September 23, 2026Home Economics, Primary 1, Third Term

TOPIC: PRACTICAL – CLEANING THE SCHOOL TOILET

A: TEACHING AND LEARNING MATERIALS

Bucket.
Clean water.
Soap or mild detergent.
Toilet brush.
Long-handled cleaning brush.
Mop.
Cleaning cloth.
Rubber gloves for the teacher or adult cleaner.
Waste bin.
Picture cards showing the steps for cleaning a toilet.
Pictures of a clean toilet and a dirty toilet.
Pupils’ writing books and pencils.

B: REFERENCE MATERIALS

Scheme of work.
Recommended Home Economics textbook for Primary 1.
Online educational resources.

C: PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE

The pupils have learnt the meaning and types of toilets. They have also learnt simple toilet hygiene, such as flushing after use, leaving the toilet neat and washing the hands with soap and clean water.

Previous lesson: Primary 1 Home Economics Third Term Week 2

D: PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Explain why a toilet should be cleaned.
Identify common materials used for cleaning a toilet.
State the uses of simple toilet-cleaning materials.
Arrange the basic steps for cleaning a toilet in the correct order.
Observe a safe teacher-led demonstration of toilet cleaning.
Mention simple ways pupils can help to keep a school toilet neat.
Identify cleaning materials that children should not handle.
State safety rules to follow during toilet cleaning.
Explain why hands should be washed after cleaning activities.

E: CONTENT

Meaning of Toilet Cleaning

Toilet cleaning means removing dirt and keeping the toilet and the area around it clean and neat.

A toilet should be cleaned regularly because many people may use it.

Cleaning helps to remove:

Dirt.
Stains.
Rubbish.
Bad smell.
Germs from surfaces.

A clean toilet is more pleasant and safer to use.

Why We Clean the Toilet

We clean the toilet to:

Remove dirt.
Keep the toilet neat.
Reduce unpleasant smell.
Help control germs.
Keep the floor clean.
Make the toilet comfortable to use.
Encourage good hygiene.

Clean and Dirty Toilet

Clean Toilet	Dirty Toilet
Floor is clean	Floor has dirt or litter
Toilet bowl is clean	Toilet bowl is dirty
Waste is in the bin	Waste is scattered
Handwashing area is neat	Handwashing area is untidy
Smells better	May have an unpleasant smell

Materials Used for Cleaning the Toilet

Different materials are used during toilet cleaning.

Common materials include:

Bucket.
Clean water.
Soap or mild detergent.
Toilet brush.
Long-handled brush.
Mop.
Cleaning cloth.
Rubber gloves.
Waste bin.

Cleaning Materials and Their Uses

Material	Use
Bucket	Holds water
Clean water	Used for washing and rinsing
Detergent	Helps loosen and remove dirt
Toilet brush	Used by an adult to scrub the toilet bowl
Long-handled brush	Used for scrubbing suitable floor areas
Mop	Used for cleaning and drying the floor
Cleaning cloth	Used for wiping suitable surfaces
Rubber gloves	Protect an adult cleaner’s hands
Waste bin	Holds suitable rubbish

The Bucket

A bucket is used for carrying or holding water.

After cleaning, the bucket should:

Be emptied.
Be rinsed.
Be kept in its proper place.

Clean Water

Clean water is needed for washing and rinsing.

Dirty cleaning water should not be used for washing hands or drinking.

Detergent

A detergent helps to remove dirt from suitable surfaces.

Primary 1 pupils should not mix cleaning products themselves.

A teacher, cleaner, parent or other responsible adult should prepare any cleaning solution.

Toilet Brush

A toilet brush is used to scrub the inside of a toilet bowl.

The brush used for the toilet should not be used for washing plates, bathing or other household activities.

After use, it should be cleaned and stored properly by an adult.

Mop

A mop can be used to clean and dry the toilet floor.

Keeping the floor reasonably dry helps reduce the chance of slipping.

Preparing to Clean a Toilet

Before cleaning begins, the responsible adult should:

Gather the cleaning materials.
Wear suitable protective gloves when necessary.
Make sure the toilet is not being used.
Keep pupils away from strong cleaning chemicals.
Make sure there is enough ventilation where chemicals are used.
Place a warning sign if the floor will become wet.

Primary 1 pupils should mainly observe the demonstration and practise with safe, clean teaching materials.

Simple Steps for Cleaning a Toilet

The following is a simple classroom sequence.

Step 1: Remove Rubbish

Pick up suitable litter and place it in the waste bin.

Examples may include:

Pieces of paper.
Empty tissue rolls.
Safe dry litter.

Pupils should not touch unknown or dirty waste with bare hands.

Step 2: Prepare Water and Cleaning Materials

The adult prepares clean water and the correct cleaning material.

Children should not mix bleach, disinfectant or other chemicals.

Step 3: Clean the Toilet Bowl

The adult cleaner uses a toilet brush and suitable cleaner to scrub the toilet bowl.

The teacher may demonstrate this using a clean model toilet or picture rather than allowing pupils to scrub a used toilet.

Step 4: Clean Suitable Surfaces

Suitable surfaces around the toilet may be wiped or cleaned.

These may include:

Flush handle.
Toilet seat.
Door handle.
Wash-hand basin.

This part should be performed by an adult during an actual toilet-cleaning exercise.

Step 5: Clean the Floor

The floor may be scrubbed or mopped.

The cleaner should remove dirt and avoid leaving too much water on the floor.

Step 6: Rinse Where Necessary

Suitable areas are rinsed with clean water where needed.

Step 7: Dry or Mop the Floor

Excess water should be removed.

The floor should be left as dry and safe as possible.

Step 8: Arrange the Toilet Area

Put toilet paper, waste bin and other items in their proper places.

Step 9: Clean and Store Equipment

Cleaning tools should be washed or rinsed as appropriate and stored in their proper places.

Step 10: Wash Hands

After the cleaning activity, hands should be washed thoroughly with soap and clean water.

Simple Toilet-Cleaning Flow Chart

REMOVE RUBBISH

↓

PREPARE MATERIALS

↓

CLEAN THE TOILET

↓

CLEAN THE FLOOR

↓

RINSE IF NEEDED

↓

MOP AND DRY

↓

ARRANGE THE TOILET

↓

CLEAN AND STORE TOOLS

↓

WASH HANDS

Practical Demonstration

The teacher should carry out the practical in a safe and controlled way.

Teacher Demonstration

The teacher may:

Show all the cleaning materials.
Ask pupils to name them.
Demonstrate filling a bucket with clean water.
Show how an adult uses a toilet brush.
Demonstrate sweeping or mopping a clean practice area.
Show how cleaning tools are rinsed and stored.
Demonstrate correct handwashing after cleaning.

Safe Pupil Participation

Pupils may safely:

Identify cleaning materials.
Carry an empty bucket.
Arrange clean demonstration tools.
Practise putting paper into a waste bin.
Practise mopping a clean classroom demonstration area with water only.
Arrange picture cards showing cleaning steps.
Demonstrate handwashing.

Pupils should not be asked to handle strong chemicals or clean visibly contaminated toilet surfaces.

Safety Rules During Toilet Cleaning

Cleaning must be done carefully.

Pupils Should Remember

Do not play with cleaning tools.
Do not touch unknown chemicals.
Do not taste or smell cleaning liquids closely.
Do not mix cleaning products.
Do not run on a wet floor.
Do not splash dirty water on other people.
Keep dirty cleaning tools away from the face.
Tell an adult if something spills.
Wash the hands after the activity.

Cleaning Chemicals Are for Adults

Some toilet-cleaning products contain strong chemicals.

Examples may include:

Bleach.
Disinfectant.
Strong toilet cleaner.

Primary 1 pupils should not handle these products.

They should be:

Used by responsible adults.
Kept in their original containers.
Kept away from children.
Never mixed with one another.

Safe for Demonstration and Adult-Use Items

Safe Teaching Materials for Pupils	Adult-Use Cleaning Materials
Empty clean bucket	Bleach
Clean water	Strong disinfectant
Clean unused mop	Strong toilet cleaner
Empty waste bin	Chemical cleaning mixtures
Picture cards	Chemicals requiring protective equipment

Caring for Toilet-Cleaning Tools

After cleaning:

Rinse suitable tools.
Allow them to dry.
Put the brush in the proper place.
Empty dirty water safely.
Keep the bucket upside down or in its proper storage place.
Keep cleaning tools away from food items.
Keep toilet-cleaning tools separate from items used for bathing or cooking.

Why Cleaning Tools Should Be Stored Properly

Proper storage:

Keeps tools easy to find.
Helps them last longer.
Keeps the toilet area neat.
Prevents children from playing with them.
Keeps dirty tools away from food and personal items.

Keeping the School Toilet Clean Every Day

Cleaning the toilet is not the only way to keep it neat.

Every pupil can help by practising good habits.

Pupils should:

Use the toilet properly.
Flush after use where appropriate.
Put waste in the correct bin.
Avoid throwing tissue on the floor.
Avoid writing on toilet walls.
Avoid playing inside the toilet.
Wash their hands.
Tell a teacher when the toilet is dirty or damaged.

Everyone Has a Role

Person	Simple Responsibility
Pupils	Use the toilet properly and report problems
Teacher	Teach and supervise good hygiene
Cleaner	Carry out proper cleaning
School	Provide suitable toilet and handwashing facilities

Before and After Cleaning

A toilet area may change from:

DIRTY OR UNTIDY

↓

REMOVE DIRT AND RUBBISH

↓

CLEAN PROPERLY

↓

MOP AND ARRANGE

↓

CLEAN AND NEAT

Cleaning should make the toilet safer and more pleasant to use.

F: LESSON PRESENTATION

F1: Teachers’ Activities

Revises simple toilet hygiene taught in Week Two.
Displays pictures of clean and dirty toilets.
Explains why toilets need regular cleaning.
Displays bucket, water, detergent, toilet brush, mop and other cleaning materials.
Guides pupils to identify each material and state its use.
Explains which cleaning materials are for adult use only.
Arranges picture cards showing the toilet-cleaning steps.
Demonstrates toilet cleaning using a clean model, pictures or a controlled school demonstration.
Demonstrates safe sweeping and mopping movements.
Shows pupils how cleaning equipment should be rinsed and stored.
Explains why cleaning products should never be mixed.
Demonstrates handwashing after cleaning.
Guides pupils through a safe simulated practical activity.
Asks oral questions and corrects pupils where necessary.

F2: Pupils’ Activities

Recall simple toilet-hygiene habits.
Identify materials used for cleaning a toilet.
State the uses of a bucket, brush, mop and water.
Arrange picture cards showing the cleaning steps.
Observe the teacher’s cleaning demonstration.
Practise safe cleaning movements using clean demonstration materials.
Put sample paper waste into a bin.
Identify chemicals they should not touch.
Mention toilet-cleaning safety rules.
Demonstrate proper handwashing.
State ways of helping to keep the school toilet neat.
Answer the teacher’s questions.

G: CONCLUSION

The teacher revises the materials and simple steps used in cleaning a toilet.

The teacher reminds pupils that cleaning helps remove dirt and keeps the school toilet neat and pleasant to use.

The teacher stresses that Primary 1 pupils should not handle strong cleaning chemicals or clean heavily soiled toilets. They should practise good toilet habits, observe adult demonstrations and report dirty or damaged toilets to a responsible adult.

Next lesson: Primary 1 Home Economics Third Term Week 4

H: EVALUATION GUIDE

Pupils should be able to answer the following questions:

What does toilet cleaning mean?
Mention four reasons why a toilet should be cleaned.
Mention six materials used for cleaning a toilet.
What is a bucket used for?
What is a toilet brush used for?
What is a mop used for?
What should be removed before the toilet is cleaned?
Mention the first four steps in cleaning a toilet.
Why should the toilet floor not be left very wet?
Mention three activities pupils can safely take part in during a toilet-cleaning lesson.
Mention three cleaning products that children should not handle.
Should two different cleaning chemicals be mixed together?
Mention four safety rules for toilet cleaning.
What should be done with cleaning tools after use?
Why should toilet-cleaning tools be kept away from food items?
What should pupils do after taking part in a cleaning activity?
Mention three things pupils can do every day to help keep the school toilet clean.