How to Be House Cleaner - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

The inability to keep a clean house can cause a great deal of stress and frustration. When a home is messy and cluttered, it can be difficult to find items, causing wasted time and energy. Furthermore, a disorganized space can lead to feelings of chaos, which can have a negative impact on mood and mental well-being.

To avoid such issues, it is important to prioritize house cleaning and organizing on a regular basis. This can help create a sense of order, allowing for greater peace of mind. One way to do this is to hire a professional house cleaner, who can provide the necessary services to keep the home neat and tidy.

Steps How to Become

  1. Determine the type of house cleaning services you want to provide. Do you want to clean one-time or ongoing jobs?
  2. Get the necessary supplies to clean, such as mops, brooms, vacuums, and cleaning products.
  3. Decide how you will charge for your services. Will you charge by the hour or by the job?
  4. Get certified in CPR, first aid, and safety training.
  5. Advertise your services in local newspapers, flyers, or on websites like Craigslist.
  6. Contact potential clients to see if they are interested in hiring you.
  7. Create a contract that outlines the services you will provide, the payment terms, and other important details.
  8. Show up on time and ready to work. Clean the job to the best of your ability and follow the instructions given by the client.
  9. Follow up with clients after each job to ensure they are satisfied with your work.
  10. Collect payment for your services and keep track of your income for tax purposes.

Maintaining updated and competent knowledge as a house cleaner is an important part of any job. Keeping up to date with the most effective cleaning techniques and products, as well as the latest industry news, can help ensure that you’re providing the best possible service to your customers. To stay informed, house cleaners must continually read industry related magazines and journals, attend seminars, and network with other professionals in order to learn about the latest trends and techniques.

it is important to keep up with changing regulations and safety protocols in order to avoid any legal or health issues. By staying informed and knowledgeable, house cleaners can ensure that their work is efficient, safe, and of the highest quality.

You may want to check Janitorial Cleaner, Grounds Cleaner, and Laundry Cleaner for alternative.

Job Description

  1. Dusting and polishing furniture, fixtures and appliances
  2. Vacuuming carpets, rugs and upholstery
  3. Sweeping, mopping and waxing floors
  4. Cleaning bathrooms, loos, sinks and showers
  5. Washing windows and mirrors
  6. Cleaning kitchen surfaces, utensils and appliances
  7. Emptying wastebaskets and replacing bin liners
  8. Changing bed linens
  9. Ironing clothes
  10. Organizing cupboards, closets and other storage areas

Skills and Competencies to Have

  1. Ability to follow instructions and carry out tasks in a timely manner.
  2. Knowledge of cleaning supplies, materials, and techniques.
  3. Attention to detail and ability to identify and address areas that need special attention.
  4. Ability to move and lift objects as needed.
  5. Physical stamina and strength to complete house cleaning tasks.
  6. Good communication skills to interact with customers.
  7. Ability to work independently and to manage time effectively.
  8. Knowledge of safety measures and proper use of cleaning products.
  9. Reliability and punctuality.
  10. Flexibility to work on various shifts and days, including weekends and holidays.

Good time management and organizational skills are essential for a successful house cleaner. When these skills are mastered, it allows the house cleaner to complete tasks efficiently and effectively, thus improving the quality of service they can provide. This in turn leads to increased customer satisfaction, as clients appreciate being able to rely on the house cleaner to complete their work in a timely manner.

excellent customer service skills are essential for any house cleaner, as this helps to create a positive relationship between the client and the house cleaner. Being able to communicate clearly and effectively is also important in order to be able to understand the needs of the client and to ensure that expectations are met. Finally, having physical strength and stamina allows the house cleaner to be able to handle the physical demands of cleaning.

All of these skills combined can help a house cleaner succeed in their profession and provide a quality service to their clients.

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Frequent Interview Questions

  • What experience do you have in house cleaning?
  • What techniques do you use for cleaning different surfaces and materials?
  • How do you ensure each job is completed to the highest standard?
  • What do you find the most satisfying about house cleaning?
  • How do you prioritize tasks when faced with a heavy workload?
  • How do you handle difficult or challenging situations that arise during a job?
  • Can you work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends if needed?
  • What systems do you have in place to stay organized?
  • What safety procedures do you follow when using cleaning products and tools?
  • Are you comfortable working independently and providing your own supplies?

Common Tools in Industry

  1. Vacuum Cleaner. A machine used to clean carpets and floors. (eg: Dyson Vacuum Cleaner)
  2. Mop and Bucket. A set of tools used to clean floors. (eg: O-Cedar Mop and Bucket)
  3. Broom and Dustpan. A set of tools used to sweep up dirt and debris. (eg: Libman Broom and Dustpan)
  4. Window Squeegee. A tool used to clean windows without leaving streaks. (eg: Unger Window Squeegee)
  5. All-Purpose Cleaner. A cleaner used for general cleaning. (eg: Mr. Clean All-Purpose Cleaner)
  6. Carpet Shampooer. A machine used to clean carpets using detergent and water. (eg: Bissell Carpet Shampooer)
  7. Microfiber Cloths. Cloths used to clean and dust surfaces without leaving lint or streaks. (eg: Scotch-Brite Microfiber Cloths)
  8. Disinfectant Wipes. Pre-moistened wipes used to disinfect surfaces. (eg: Clorox Disinfectant Wipes)
  9. Rubber Gloves. Used to protect hands while cleaning. (eg: Playtex Rubber Gloves)
  10. Scrub Brush. Used to scrub tough stains on surfaces. (eg: OXO Good Grips Scrub Brush)

Professional Organizations to Know

  1. International Association of Professional House Cleaners
  2. National Association of Professional House Cleaners
  3. International House Cleaners Association
  4. American Institute of Professional House Cleaners
  5. European House Cleaning Association
  6. United Kingdom House Cleaning Association
  7. Canadian House Cleaning Association
  8. Australian House Cleaning Association
  9. International Cleaning Professionals Association
  10. Association of Residential Cleaning Services International

We also have Facilities Cleaner, Floor Cleaner, and Upholstery Cleaner jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

  1. Dusting. The act of removing dust and other particles from surfaces, usually done with a cloth.
  2. Vacuuming. The act of cleaning a floor or other surface using a vacuum cleaner.
  3. Mopping. The act of cleaning a floor or other surface using a mop.
  4. Disinfecting. The act of using a chemical or physical solution to kill microorganisms on a surface.
  5. Scrubbing. The act of using a brush to remove dirt and grime from a surface.
  6. Polishing. The act of using a cloth to make a surface shine.
  7. Sanitizing. The act of using an antimicrobial solution to reduce the number of bacteria, viruses, and other germs on a surface.
  8. Window Washing. The act of cleaning windows and other glass surfaces.
  9. Upholstery Cleaning. The act of cleaning furniture and other fabric surfaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I have a professional house cleaner come?

It depends on your individual needs, but typically a professional house cleaner should be scheduled every 1-2 weeks.

How much does a professional house cleaner typically cost?

Professional house cleaning services typically range from $50-$90 per hour.

What services do professional house cleaners typically provide?

Professional house cleaners typically provide services such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning bathrooms, kitchen cleaning, and more.

What supplies does a professional house cleaner usually bring?

Professional house cleaners usually bring their own cleaning supplies, such as vacuum cleaners, mops, brooms, dusters, sponges, and cleaning solutions.

Are professional house cleaners insured and bonded?

Many professional house cleaning companies are insured and bonded to protect both the client and the service provider. It is important to ask about this when hiring a professional house cleaner.

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