Cleaner – domestic

Domestic cleaners usually work in private homes carrying out general cleaning and other domestic duties. This is usually part-time for a few hours a week, and often carried out while the homeowner is at work.

Also known as:

Domestic cleaner

Work activities

Domestic cleaners do housework for other people. Some cleaners are self-employed, while others work through an agency. A cleaner who works for an agency will be told by the agency who the clients are and when they want the cleaning done. The agency gives the cleaner a checklist of jobs for each client. The cleaner might collect payments (to hand over to the agency) but doesn’t set the rates. The range of tasks done by cleaners depends on what the homeowner wants. But they can include any of the following:

Dusting and polishing furniture.
Cleaning windows.
Vacuuming carpets.
Mopping floor tiles.
Loading and unloading washing machines.
Ironing and putting away clothes.
Making and changing beds.
Washing up pots and pans.
Sweeping outside areas.
Emptying rubbish bins.
Tidying up generally.

Sometimes, cleaners could be asked to do spring cleaning or to do a fuller clean for a special occasion. For example, they might wash down paintwork and walls, clean out cupboards and shampoo carpets. Some cleaners work for companies that provide a deep cleaning service for empty houses between tenants or owners. Cleaners usually have to clean their equipment at the end of the work. Agency cleaners might take their own cleaning materials in a company van. Cleaners who work in hospitals or care homes are likely to be known as domestic assistants.

Personal qualities and skills

As a domestic cleaner, you need:

To enjoy doing practical tasks.
Knowledge of using different cleaning equipment and materials.
Fitness and stamina; you’ll be on your feet a lot, and the job will usually involve kneeling, lifting, bending and stretching.
To be well organised so you can develop an effective routine.
The ability to work without supervision.
To pay attention to detail.
To work as part of a team with other cleaners, if necessary.

If you work for an agency, or have clients over a wide area, it would be very useful to have a driving licence.

Pay and opportunities

Rates of pay vary depending on employer and region. Cleaners can expect to earn between £17,000 and £24,000 per year.

Hours of work for cleaners vary widely depending on employer and type of cleaning required. They usually arrange their working hours by mutual agreement with their employer. On average, they can expect to earn between 32 and 43 hours per week.

Employers are private householders and companies that provide cleaning services for their clients. Opportunities for cleaners occur in towns, villages and cities throughout the UK.

Many domestic cleaners work part-time and are self-employed. They usually build up a number of regular clients in their local area.

What’s happening in this work area?

Cleaning is regarded as an essential service, no matter what the economic conditions. Despite some setbacks during the pandemic, industry data suggests the market will grow by about 3.7% per year from 2024-28.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on job boards, on cleaning companies’ websites, in local newspapers, in shop windows, and on the Government’s Find a Job service. Cleaners often find work by word-of-mouth and through client recommendations. Self-employed cleaners might put adverts in local shop windows, or start by working for friends and neighbours, and get new business by word of mouth.

Entry routes and training

You normally enter this kind of work directly by applying for vacancies. Alternatively, you could complete a level 2 (intermediate) cleaning hygiene operative apprenticeship.

If you work for an agency, you might get some training. This could include learning about the company’s policies and methods of cleaning. As a new member of staff, you might work with an experienced cleaner until you know the routines. You might be able to work towards a Certificate or Diploma in Cleaning and Support Services Skills. The British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc) and City & Guilds offer a range of relevant Awards, Certificates and Diplomas. Some of these qualifications may form part of an apprenticeship programme.

With experience and training, cleaners could progress to supervisory or management positions, if they work in a large enough organisation. Some cleaners set up their own cleaning business or franchise operation.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an apprenticeship, you will need GCSEs in English and maths, although you may be able to complete these alongside your programme.

Adult opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Some entrants have a background in work that involves practical hand skills.

Related careers

Cleaner – industrial
Hotel room attendant
Recycling operative
Refuse collector
Street cleaner
Window cleaner