The phrase "to clean the house" means to perform tasks that involve removing dirt, dust and other forms of mess from a residential building. This can include activities such as vacuuming carpets, sweeping floors, scrubbing bathrooms, washing windows, and wiping down surfaces. The goal is to make the house look neat, tidy and fresh. Cleaning the house is usually done on a regular basis, either by the homeowner or by hiring a cleaning service.