Cleaner - Domestic

Introduction

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

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Work Activities

Domestic cleaners do housework for other people. Some cleaners are self-employed, while others work through an agency.

If a cleaner is self-employed he or she will have to find clients to work for. To do this they might put adverts in local shop windows, or start by working for friends and neighbours, and get new business by word of mouth. They will discuss with the homeowner what work needs doing and will set a price for it.

A cleaner who works for an agency will be told by the agency who the clients are and when they want the work to be done. The agency will give the cleaner a checklist of jobs for each client. The cleaner may collect payments (to hand over to the agency). Rates are set by the agency.

The range of tasks done by cleaners depends on what the homeowner wants. They can include any of the following:
• dust and polish furniture
• clean windows
• vacuum carpets
• mop floor tiles
• load and unload washing machines
• iron and put away clothing
• make and change beds
• wash up pots and pans
• sweep outside areas
• empty rubbish bins
• tidy up generally.

Sometimes cleaners may 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.

Cleaners usually have to clean their equipment at the end of the work. Agency cleaners may take their own cleaning materials in a company van.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

If you enjoy doing practical tasks and like seeing a job through from beginning to end this job might suit you. You should be able to use a range of cleaning equipment and materials, and you need to be fit and active, with the stamina to spend most of the time on your feet.

It helps if you are well organised so you can develop an effective routine. You will need common sense and the ability to work without supervision. It is important that you are trustworthy and have respect for people's property.

The job can be repetitive, but working for different homeowners offers variety. Some cleaners work in pairs so being able to work as part of a team is important.

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

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Pay and Opportunities

Rates vary depending on employer and region.

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Cleaners earn in the range of around £5.00 - £8.00 an hour.

Many domestic cleaners work part-time and are self-employed. They usually build up a number of regular clients in their local area and arrange their working hours by mutual agreement. Others work for firms or agencies that arrange cleaning services for their clients.

There is a steady demand for domestic cleaners, and shortages in some areas. About a million people in the UK work as cleaners.

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Adult Opportunities

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.

• 9% of people in occupations such as domestic cleaning are self-employed.
• 67% work part-time.
• 5% have flexible hours.
• 4% of employees work on a temporary basis.

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