How To Become A Cleaner

1. Determine Your Focus Area

• • Residential Cleaning: Cleaning homes and apartments.
  • Commercial Cleaning: Cleaning offices, schools, and other business premises.
  • Specialised Cleaning: Focusing on specific areas like carpet cleaning, window cleaning, or industrial cleaning.

2. Assess Your Skills and Physical Condition

• • Cleaning jobs can be physically demanding, requiring stamina and the ability to perform repetitive tasks.
  • Having a good eye for detail and being thorough are important traits.

3. Get Necessary Training and Certifications

• • On-the-Job Training: Many cleaning jobs provide training.
  • Certifications: Although not always required, certifications like the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) can be beneficial.

4. Gather Supplies and Equipment

• • Basic supplies include cleaning products, mops, brooms, vacuum cleaners, and other tools specific to the type of cleaning you plan to do.

5. Seek Employment or Start Your Own Business

• • Employment: Apply for cleaning positions at cleaning companies, hotels, hospitals, or cleaning agencies such as Cleaning Jobs.
  • Self-Employment: Start your own cleaning business. This involves registering your business, getting any necessary licenses, and marketing your services.

6. Build a Client Base

• • If self-employed, use local advertising, word-of-mouth, and online platforms to find clients.
  • Provide high-quality service to retain clients and gain referrals.

7. Maintain Professionalism and Reliability

• • Be punctual and reliable, and maintain a professional demeanour.
  • Ensure high standards of cleanliness to build a good reputation.

8. Stay Updated and Improve Skills

• • Stay informed about new cleaning techniques and products.
  • Consider further certifications and training to improve your skills and services.

Additional Tips:

• • Insurance: Consider getting liability insurance to protect yourself and your business.
  • Uniform: Wearing a uniform can add to your professionalism.
  • Record Keeping: Keep accurate records of your clients, appointments, and payments.

By following these steps, you can successfully start a career as a cleaner or establish your own cleaning business.

What is it like to be a Cleaner? 

A cleaner maintains a property’s cleanliness and tidyness. Cleaning tasks include vacuuming, mopping, dusting, polishing and much more. Cleaning professionals work in many settings, such as homes, offices and schools. There are many types of cleaning opportunities available from working as employees, independent contractors and business owners. Work hours can range from full-time, part-time to casual, and may require working weekends and evenings.

Cleaners Pay 

Cleaning jobs vary in pay depending on the level of experience, the employer, and the type of work they perform. Cleaning jobs can range from a few hours a week to full-time work. 

• • In general, cleaners earn between minimum wage and $24 an hour. If contracting, it could be from $25 to $30 an hour.

It’s possible for business owners to earn more money, but the success of their operation determines their income.

Depending on the cleaning company, cleaners may be expected to provide their own cleaning equipment and use their own vehicles.

Cleaning Job Opportunities

• • There is a high demand for cleaners because:
  • There are around 27,600 cleaners in New Zealand, which makes it one of the largest occupations.
  • Increasing numbers of workplaces require more cleaners.
  • As cleaners tend to use cleaning as a stepping stone to another career or to support their families, vacancies arise regularly.
  • With a total revenue of $2.5bn in NZ.

Source: IBISWorld