Part of the occupations cluster in the employment knowledge graph — connected to occupations, documents, hiring guides, career guides, country guides and employment law.
What a cleaner does
A cleaner maintains the cleanliness and hygiene of buildings and spaces, from offices and shops to schools, hospitals and homes. Tasks typically include surfaces, floors, washrooms, waste and communal areas.
The role is practical and routine-based, often worked outside core business hours so spaces are ready for use. It calls for reliability, thoroughness and care in following cleaning and safety procedures.
Core responsibilities
- Cleaning surfaces, floors and communal areas.
- Maintaining washrooms and replenishing supplies.
- Emptying bins and managing waste.
- Using cleaning equipment and products safely.
- Following cleaning schedules and standards.
- Reporting hazards, faults or low supplies.
Skills and qualities
- Reliability, punctuality and a thorough approach.
- Attention to detail and consistent standards.
- Physical fitness for active, hands-on work.
- Care when using cleaning products and equipment.
- Awareness of health-and-safety and hygiene.
- The ability to work independently or in a team.
Typical employers and settings
- Offices, shops and commercial premises.
- Schools, hospitals and care settings.
- Hotels, leisure venues and restaurants.
- Contract-cleaning and facilities companies.
- Domestic and private-household cleaning.
How the role is recruited
- Roles are filled directly or through cleaning and staffing agencies.
- A short CV or simple application is usually enough.
- Screening focuses on availability, reliability and right to work.
- Some settings, such as schools or care, require background checks.
- Onboarding covers products, equipment, schedules and safety.
Documents involved
- A job advert and a clear job description.
- An employment contract or assignment terms.
- An offer letter confirming role, hours and start date.
- Right-to-work and identity checks as required.
- Any background checks for sensitive settings.
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