cleaner.

Some of the duties of a cleaner include:

• High and low-level dusting: as a cleaner, you wipe the dust from surfaces in various work environments. For instance, you remove dust from ceiling vents and walls or low-level surfaces like counters and floors.
• Vacuuming and mopping: cleaners perform general scrubbing and mopping of laminate, hardwood or tiled floors. You also use vacuuming equipment to clean floors and carpets. Some cleaners perform treatments like carpet shampooing and stain removal.
• Emptying rubbish bins: when tidying up a room, you need to collect waste and unpack the rubbish bins or containers. You should also regularly wash waste containers.
• Washing soiled linen: as a cleaner, you polish furniture and room accessories to ensure they are tidy. When cleaning hotel rooms or bedrooms in residential houses, replace used bed linen and restock bathrooms with clean towels.
• Restocking supplies: your job involves stocking cleaning products and hygiene supplies in various rooms. You must add new towels and cleaning products to bathrooms and ensure toilets have the required supplies.

A typical work environment for cleaners is in offices or commercial buildings where multiple people are employed. Cleaners spend most of their time indoors, but a few spend their time cleaning outdoor settings—those who work indoors clean break rooms, cubicles, offices, hallways and even supply rooms.

Cleaners who work outdoors have tasks that include sweeping walkways, emptying rubbish bins and cleaning exterior windows. The work is physical and requires a lot of standing, bending and walking. You may be required to travel if you work in a travelling plant cleaning job or as a travelling resort housekeeper.

Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include housekeepers, caretakers, receptionists and hotel room attendants.

You might also be working close to recycling operatives and car valets, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, cleaning supervisors, maintenance workers, service technicians, maintenance managers and security guards.

Your typical work schedule is in the early mornings, evenings, or at night when employees have left the building. Most employers prefer cleaners to arrive outside office work hours to make cleaning more accessible since the rooms are vacant. In some settings, the cleaning may be done weekly. Large office buildings typically require daily cleanings to keep up with the space. Some businesses in small buildings only schedule weekly cleanings because it doesn't take as long to tidy everything up.

Many cleaners work less than 38 hours each week in a shift pattern. Some businesses schedule the cleanings during office hours when employees and customers are present. Other companies have flexible cleaning hours to prevent the vacuum from distracting employees. Each business decides what's most convenient. In hotels, cleaners may have a typical 9 am to 5 pm schedule but don't always work 38 hours weekly. Cleaners in hotels or hospitality settings may be expected to work on the weekends.

As a cleaner, you work in various commercial or residential settings. Some cleaners specialise in hotel cleaning, industrial environments and business spaces. If you are in a cleaning agency, you work in diverse backgrounds depending on the agency's clients.

To advance in your career, become a cleaning supervisor or caretaker. Cleaners can be self-employed but need experience.

Finding your cleaner job through Randstad provides essential advantages such as:

• a wide variety of training and development opportunities
• an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
• a range of options in your area
• get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
• temporary and permanent contracts

Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a cleaner is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent career.

Thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers every year thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.

Most cleaning roles do not require formal education. You can apply for a job after Year 10, as most employers provide on-the-job training. However, having work experience and qualifications makes you an appealing candidate for the role.

As a cleaner, you work in various industries and business sectors. For instance, you can clean private homes, churches, gyms, community centres or schools. You can work in hotels, private companies, restaurants, retail stores, or manufacturing plants in commercial settings.

Some cleaners also work on industrial and construction sites.

The role of a cleaner is to keep business environments or residential homes clean. Their primary function is sweeping, dusting, vacuuming and sanitising bathrooms. Cleaners also organise office spaces to ensure they are neat.

Becoming a cleaner in commercial or industrial settings is a rewarding career if you love what you do. It provides solid career prospects, and you can progress to supervisory roles. Your remuneration package also grows as you improve your skills and experience.

To become a successful cleaner, you need to be physically fit, as the job involves a lot of movement and lifting heavy objects. It would be best if you were reliable and punctual to ensure you don't interrupt business services.

Applying for a cleaner job is easy:

1. create a Randstad profile and search our job offers for cleaner vacancies in your area.
2. Then send us your CV and cover letter.

Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.