skötsel

Skötsel is a Swedish noun denoting the act of taking care of, tending, or maintaining something. It encompasses routine tasks, preventive measures, and responsible handling to preserve function, safety, appearance, and value. The related verb is sköta, and the concept is used across many domains to indicate ongoing responsibility rather than a single repair.

In private and domestic contexts, skötsel refers to home and garden upkeep, such as cleaning, repairs, mowing the lawn, pruning, and plant care. In property and estate management, it denotes the upkeep of buildings, grounds, and installations, sometimes tied to contractual duties (skötselplikt) in leases. In forestry and land management, skötsel includes practices intended to sustain forest productivity, including planting, thinning, pest control, and soil protection. In animal care, djur skötsel covers feeding, housing, hygiene, and daily welfare. In industry, skötsel can refer to routine maintenance of equipment, though the term underhåll is frequently used in technical contexts.

The term is closely related to vård (care) and underhåll (maintenance) and emphasizes practical management and upkeep rather than medical care. Usage varies by field, but the core idea is maintaining usability, safety, and value through ongoing action, as opposed to a one-time fix. See also related concepts such as skötselplikt, underhåll, and specific domains like trädgårdsskötsel (garden care) and djurskötsel (animal care).