The verb to clean · Conjugation
Past Simple of clean
The answer: cleaned
A2
A finished action at a definite time in the past.
Quick answer
The Past Simple of the verb to clean is cleaned.
Example: I cleaned the kitchen.
Full conjugation in the Past Simple
| Pronoun | Form |
|---|---|
| I | cleaned |
| You | cleaned |
| He / She / It | cleaned |
| We | cleaned |
| You (pl.) | cleaned |
| They | cleaned |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. The room is very cleaned ❌
To say a room is not dirty, use the adjective: The room is very clean. Cleaned is the past form of the verb: I cleaned the room.
2. Cleaner: two meanings
A cleaner can be a person (whose job is cleaning) or a product (for cleaning). Note: cleaner is also the comparative of clean: My room is cleaner than yours.
Practice quiz
Going further
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Frequently asked questions
What is the past tense of clean?+
Cleaned (regular). The past participle is also cleaned.
Is clean also an adjective?+
Yes. Clean (adjective) = not dirty. The room is clean. The opposite is dirty.
What is the difference between clean up and clean out?+
Clean up = to clean after a mess: Clean up the kitchen. Clean out = to take everything out of a place and clean it: Clean out the cupboard. Both are common phrasal verbs.
What does cleaner mean?+
A cleaner is (1) a person whose job is cleaning, or (2) a product for cleaning.
What does spring cleaning mean?+
Spring cleaning is a big clean of the whole house in spring. It is a tradition in many countries.
Related pages: clean Past Simple
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/verbs/clean/past-simple
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.
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More forms of the verb to clean are coming soon.