It is primarily used for periodic cleaning of the waste collection system, as well as cleaning the dining area, silverware and trays after each meal and to clean walls and floors after spillage. Disposable plastic gloves must be worn while using the biocidal cleanser. A vacuum cleaner is provided for general housekeeping and to clean the air filters inside the crew compartment area. It has a normal hose, an extension hose, several attachments and a muffler to reduce noise. It is powered by the orbiter's DC power system.
Trash management requires routine stowage of wet and dry trash.
Wet trash is defined as all items that could offgas and cause unpleasant smells. Each trash container has a trash liner placed inside. If the liner becomes full, it is closed with a velcro strip, removed and stowed in a stowage container below the middeck floor. There are separate stowage containers for dry and wet. The wet trash container is airtight closed by a zipper and connected to the waste management system by a venting hose.