How to Sign "Clean Up"

To sign 'clean up', start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Place your flat dominant hand on top of it, with the palm facing down. Slide your dominant hand forward across the palm of your non-dominant hand, moving from the heel of the hand to the fingertips. Repeat this sliding motion a couple of times to indicate the ongoing action of cleaning up a space.

Examples Using "Clean Up" in a Sentence

1

I need to clean up my bedroom.

To sign this, you would sign 'my' and 'bedroom', followed by the repeated sliding motion for 'clean up'. The repetition emphasizes the active process of tidying the space.

2

Please clean up the kitchen.

Start with the sign for 'please', then sign 'kitchen', and finish with 'clean up'. Ensure your dominant hand slides across your non-dominant hand multiple times to show the action.

3

We will clean up after the party.

Sign 'party', then 'finish', followed by 'we' and 'clean up'. Using the repeated motion clearly communicates the active chore of cleaning rather than just describing the party as clean.

How to Sign "Clean Up"
To sign 'clean up', start by holding your non-dominant hand flat in front of you with the palm facing up. Place your flat dominant hand on top of it, with the palm facing down. Slide your dominant hand forward across the palm of your non-dominant hand, moving from the heel of the hand to the fingertips. Repeat this sliding motion a couple of times to indicate the ongoing action of cleaning up a space.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'clean up' is highly iconic and visually logical. Your non-dominant hand represents a flat surface, like a table or a floor, while your dominant hand acts as a cloth or duster. The repeated sliding motion perfectly mimics the real-world action of wiping down and clearing off a surface to make it tidy.
Signing Tips
When signing 'clean up', focus on the repetition of the movement. While a single, crisp slide translates to the adjective 'clean' or the word 'nice', repeating the sliding movement changes it into the active verb 'clean up' or 'cleaning'. Keep both of your hands flat and relaxed, and ensure the movement is a smooth brushing motion rather than a harsh scrubbing action. Your non-dominant hand should remain stationary as your base.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake for beginners is only sliding the dominant hand once. While this is understood, it technically means 'nice' or 'clean' (as an adjective) rather than the action of cleaning up. Another frequent error is curling the fingers or using a scrubbing fist; remember to keep both hands completely flat to clearly distinguish this sign from 'wash' or 'scrub'.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Clean Up" in a Sentence
1

I need to clean up my bedroom.

To sign this, you would sign 'my' and 'bedroom', followed by the repeated sliding motion for 'clean up'. The repetition emphasizes the active process of tidying the space.

2

Please clean up the kitchen.

Start with the sign for 'please', then sign 'kitchen', and finish with 'clean up'. Ensure your dominant hand slides across your non-dominant hand multiple times to show the action.

3

We will clean up after the party.

Sign 'party', then 'finish', followed by 'we' and 'clean up'. Using the repeated motion clearly communicates the active chore of cleaning rather than just describing the party as clean.

Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'clean' and 'clean up'?

The difference lies in the movement. The adjective 'clean' (which is also the sign for 'nice') uses a single, smooth slide. 'Clean up', being an active verb, repeats that sliding motion to show the ongoing process of tidying.

Can I use this sign to mean washing my hands or body?

No, this sign is specifically used for tidying up spaces, rooms, or objects. If you want to talk about washing your hands, face, or body, you would use signs that mimic the specific scrubbing motions for those body parts.

Does it matter which hand is on the bottom?

Yes! Your non-dominant hand should always be the stationary base on the bottom with the palm facing up. Your dominant hand should be on top, doing the active sliding movement with the palm facing down.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!