Use Of Improvised Materials For Cleaning Utensils Notes, Quizzes & Revision

Hygiene and Nutrition — Cleaning Utensils

Subtopic: Use of Improvised Materials for Cleaning Utensils

These notes help you (age 8) learn how families in Kenya can use safe, simple things from home to clean plates, pots and cups when soap is not available. Always try to use soap and clean water if you can. If you use improvised materials, rinse the utensils well with clean water and ask an adult to help.

Common improvised materials and how to use them

• Ash (majivu) — from a wood fire (kuni):
  1. Wet the ash with a little clean water to make a gray paste (like soft mud).
  2. Use the paste to scrub the inside of pots and plates with a cloth or your hands (ask an adult if hot).
  3. Rinse very well with clean water so no ash remains.

  Tip: Ash can help remove oil and food bits. Always rinse well.
• Sand or coarse soil:

  Use a little sand with water to scrub off burnt or stuck food. Do not use too much — rinse the utensil until clean.

• Sisal, coconut or broom fibers (scrubbers):

  These rough fibers make good scrubbing brushes. You can find sisal in many parts of Kenya or use old broom pieces. Use with water and ash or plain water to scrub.

• Old cloths or rags:

  Cut an old t-shirt into small pieces to wash and dry utensils. Use one cloth for washing and another clean one for drying.

• Wooden scrapers or flat sticks:

  Use a wooden stick to scrape off burned food before scrubbing. Don't press too hard so you don't bend the pot.

Safe steps to clean utensils using improvised items

1. Remove leftover food into a dustbin.
2. Use warm water (if available) to loosen dirt.
3. Scrub with ash paste or sand + water, or scrub with sisal/brush.
4. Rinse thoroughly with clean water (this is very important).
5. If you get soap later, wash again with soap and dry the utensils in the sun or on a clean cloth.

Care and storage

Keep scrubbers and cloths clean. Rinse them after use and dry them in the sun to keep away germs. Replace cloths that smell bad or are very dirty.

Short activity (with adult help)

Make a small sisal scrubber: ask an adult to cut sisal or broom fibers and tie them into a small bunch for scrubbing pots. Practice cleaning a small plate using ash or sand and then rinsing it well.

Quick quiz — think and answer!

1. What can you make from wood ash and water to help wash pots?
2. Name one fiber you can use to scrub utensils in Kenya.
3. Why is rinsing very well important after using ash or sand?

Icons: 🧽 scrub • 🪣 water • 🔥 ash • 🌾 sisal