Cleaner duties and responsibilities

A Cleaner’s main responsibilities and duties will vary depending on the office and building. Routine inspections of certain areas help a Cleaner identify and address what needs cleaning. Important duties for the job and responsibilities needed to excel as a Cleaner include:

• Cleaning and disinfecting all surface areas, including bathrooms, common kitchens, desks, and conference rooms
• Replacing toilet paper and hand towels
• Dusting the surfaces within a room
• Mopping and polishing floors
• Picking up any trash and emptying the trash bins
• Making beds, washing linens, and changing the linens
• Cleaning and scrubbing windows
• Responding to employee or guest requests

Cleaner skills and qualifications

Cleaners require specific skills and qualifications to ensure an area is neat and sanitary. A successful Cleaner candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications needed to perform the job. Here are some examples of skills and qualifications typically listed on a job description for a Cleaner: 

• Organizational skills to keep rooms and storage closets clean and organized
• Communication skills to take direction and work alongside other Cleaners
• Attention to detail to perform a thorough job
• Adaptability and flexibility to focus on whatever task is most important at any given time
• Ability to complete physically demanding tasks
• Integrity, reliability, and trustworthiness to be left to work independently

Cleaner experience requirements

Entry-level Cleaners usually don’t need any experience, though most employers prefer at least one year of experience. Larger companies or companies with specific cleaning needs usually look for candidates with two to four years of experience. Specialized Cleaners often need at least five years of experience in the industry.

Cleaner education and training requirements

Although a high school diploma is preferred, job applicants with several years of experience and strong recommendations may be considered. Various organizations offer training programs for professional Cleaners with certification or completion awards. Industry-specific requirements may be necessary for some businesses, including healthcare.

Cleaner salary expectations

According to Indeed, the average salary for a Cleaner is $16.00 per hour. The salary for a Cleaner may fluctuate depending on experience, location, and company.

Job description samples for similar positions

If a Cleaner isn’t quite what you are looking for, other similar job positions include: 

• Custodian
• Janitor
• Housekeeper