My First Month in Munich: Talking About Cleaning (and Feeling Lost!)

Okay, so here I am, a month into living in Munich. It’s beautiful, the beer is amazing, and I’m slowly starting to figure out the public transport – mostly. But let’s be honest, the biggest challenge so far has been… the housework. I’d always been pretty okay at keeping my apartment tidy back home, but suddenly, everything feels so much more… important here. And everyone seems to have opinions about how things should be.

The Initial Confusion – “Du solltest…”

The first few weeks were a blur of trying to understand what “Du solltest” actually meant. My roommate, Lena, is wonderfully patient, but she keeps saying things like, “Du solltest wirklich die Küche aufräumen!” (You really should clean the kitchen!). At first, I just nodded and felt this rising panic. What exactly is “really clean”? It felt incredibly judgmental. I was picturing her expecting a surgical level of sanitation, and I was just trying to survive.

I started using phrases like, “Ich versuche es!” (I’m trying!), which seemed to appease her, but honestly, it just felt like a flimsy excuse. The first time she pointed out a crumb on the table, I mumbled, “Entschuldigung, ich habe es gerade gesehen!” (Sorry, I just noticed it!). She just smiled and said, “Kein Problem, aber nächstes Mal vielleicht schneller aufräumen?” (No problem, but next time maybe clean up faster?). Ouch.

Practical Vocabulary: Cleaning Words

Let’s get practical. Here’s some of the vocabulary I’ve been consistently using (and butchering):

• Aufräumen – To tidy up / to clean
• Putzen – To clean (with a cleaning product)
• Besen – Broom
• Staubsauger – Vacuum cleaner (pronounced “Stahv-soo-ger”)
• Mülleimer – Trash bin / garbage can
• Spüle – Sink
• Bad – Bathroom
• Die Fenster putzen – To clean the windows

I’ve been practicing saying these out loud, trying to get the pronunciation right. Lena has helped me a lot with this – she says I’m getting better, though I still have a slight wobble on the “Staubsauger.”

My First Attempt at a Dialogue

This happened last week. I was trying to do the dishes – a truly terrifying experience, as I’m not a natural dish washer. Lena walked in and said, “Was machst du da?” (What are you doing there?).

I replied, “Ich putze die Teller.” (I’m cleaning the plates.)

She examined the sink, then said, “Du solltest die Teller spülen! Und die Tassen auch!” (You should wash the plates! And the cups too!).

I felt my face turn red. I mumbled, “Ja, ja, ich mache es!” (Yes, yes, I’m doing it!). It’s a ridiculously simple sentence, but I felt like I’d failed some unspoken test of German housekeeping.

Misunderstandings and Corrections

The biggest thing I’ve realized is that “clean” isn’t just “clean.” It’s about how you clean. I was scrubbing the kitchen floor with a vengeance last week, convinced I was doing a fantastic job. Lena walked in and said, with a perfectly straight face, “Du musst nicht so stark putzen! Es ist schon sauber.” (You don’t have to scrub so hard! It’s already clean.) Apparently, a gentle wipe-down is the norm. I felt like such an idiot!

She explained that in Germany, a little bit of effort is often appreciated, but excessive force is… well, a bit much.

Learning from Mistakes (and Laughing)

I’ve also made some spectacularly embarrassing mistakes. I accidentally used the wrong cleaner on the bathroom floor – something incredibly harsh – and nearly ruined it. Lena calmly explained the difference between different cleaners, and I felt profoundly stupid.

The important thing, though, is that I’m learning. I’m starting to understand the expectations, and more importantly, I’m starting to realize that it’s okay to make mistakes. Lena is incredibly supportive, and she keeps telling me, “Es wird besser!” (It will get better!).

Right now, I’m tackling the laundry – a truly daunting task. Wish me luck! And if you’ve got any tips for a clueless expat trying to clean their way through Munich, please let me know!

“Vielen Dank!” (Thank you very much!)