As I consult with building service contractors across the country I find certain recurring themes that need to be repeated. One key point is that it is all about supervision. What I mean is that a well trained, well supported, well motivated onsite supervisor is the most important person on the custodial staff. The rest of us work for him or her in that we should be making it as easy as possible for them to do their job each day.
This also applies to the Human Resources Department in a larger company that may simply hire and assign workers without real thought as to whether they will make good team members. This also applies to upper management who can be quick to criticize poor performance without taking into account circumstances that may have led to those outcomes.
If a supervisor has to spend most of their time undoing poor decisions by HR or Accounting, they will not have much time or energy left over to do their real job. By real job, I mean getting the job done each day as per the Statement of Work (SOW) so that the checks keep coming in from a satisfied customer.
For example, if accounting purchases cheap equipment that requires high maintenance and is off line for repairs, the onsite supervisor has to find workarounds that will result is lost momentum and could possibly hurt morale. Any good time study report will demonstrate that the cost of low performing equipment is increased labor and benefits.
How Important are Job Titles? – Cleaning Business #29 HD
13 cleaner job titles
Here are 13 cleaner job titles to consider if youre looking for a position in this line of work:
1. Custodian
Custodians are responsible for cleaning and performing maintenance in buildings like schools and offices. It can be useful for custodians to have experience in cleaning as well as plumbing, electrical repair, groundskeeping and other maintenance skills. Additionally, custodians can benefit from soft skills like interpersonal communication and time management.
2. Commercial cleaner
Commercial cleaners specialize in cleaning commercial buildings like retail centers and office buildings. They are typically responsible for sanitizing spaces, sweeping, mopping, emptying trash cans, vacuuming and more. They may also be tasked with restocking products and cleaning windows. Commercial cleaners use problem-solving skills and attention to detail to handle unexpected problems that arise on the job.
3. Housekeeper
Housekeepers are responsible for cleaning places like residential houses and hotels. Typically, housekeepers are responsible for tasks like vacuuming, dusting, cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes, changing bed linens and more. Good housekeepers are detail-oriented so that they can thoroughly clean each room in a home, and they also possess customer service and organization skills. Housekeepers can work on a freelance basis or as employees for a housekeeping company.
4. Window cleaner
Another type of cleaner is a window cleaner, who typically works for a window cleaning company and cleans windows and other glass surfaces for businesses or residential properties. Window cleaners may operate lifts to reach high-rise windows, and they should be familiar with cleaning chemicals and tools in order to complete their daily responsibilities.
5. Equipment cleaner
Equipment cleaners are responsible for cleaning equipment, including vehicles, machine parts and medical equipment. They may also inspect equipment for damage and other issues. Equipment cleaners should be experienced in cleaning and knowledgeable about safety around equipment and machinery. They may use tools like scrapers, vacuums and hoses to clean equipment.
6. Laundry attendant
Laundry attendants typically wash, dry and fold clothes for customers and keep track of what items belong to each individual. Additionally, laundry attendants at hotels may be responsible for cleaning towels and linens from hotel rooms. These cleaning professionals should be familiar with laundry chemicals like detergent and possess strong customer service and organization skills.
7. Floor cleaner
Floor cleaners specialize in cleaning the floors of businesses and residential areas. They may be tasked with cleaning many different types of flooring, including tile, carpet and wood, using equipment like floor scrubbers and buffers. Floor cleaners should be experienced in cleaning different types of surfaces, and they should be skilled in customer service and interpersonal communication.
8. Waste collector
Waste collectors are responsible for removing waste from residential and commercial properties and transporting it to a disposal facility. They usually travel in a garbage truck in order to pick up trash from properties along their route. Sometimes, waste collectors are also responsible for properly disposing of hazardous materials. Most waste collectors need a commercial drivers license to operate a truck, and it can also be useful to be physically fit and have good customer service and time management skills.
9. Pressure washer technician
Pressure washer technicians set up and operate pressure washers to clean dirt, grime and stains off of hard surfaces, including vehicles, buildings, driveways, sidewalks and pools. They should know how to safely operate pressure washers and understand when they need to use chemicals rather than just water for more resistant stains. Additionally, pressure washer technicians should possess skills in customer service and attention to detail.
10. Exterminator
Exterminators, also referred to as pest control workers, are responsible for removing insects and other pests from buildings and preventing them from reentering. They often work in both commercial and residential properties. Exterminators should have knowledge of extermination chemicals and techniques, and they should be good communicators and have strong customer service skills and patience in order to handle distressed customers.
11. Crime scene cleaner
Crime scene cleaners work to clean up and sanitize areas after crimes and investigations take place. They may be tasked with cleaning up hazardous and infectious materials, so they should be familiar with all safety guidelines. They may also have to decide what is worth cleaning and what to throw out at a crime scene, such as tile compared to carpet, which may need to be removed. Crime scene cleaners typically demonstrate skills in interpersonal communication and empathy, as they often work with people who are dealing with the aftermath of crimes.
12. Restroom cleaner
Restroom cleaners, sometimes called restroom attendants, specialize in cleaning bathrooms in buildings. They help keep buildings clean and inviting for customers, such as by cleaning toilets and sinks, emptying trash cans, mopping floors, replacing paper towels and toilet paper and other related duties. Restroom cleaners should be familiar with cleaning chemicals and tools in order to effectively complete their tasks.
13. Cleaning crew member
Another cleaning job to consider is being a member of a cleaning crew. Cleaning crews can be assigned to a variety of different cleaning projects, such as cleaning up after events and parties, and they possess many general cleaning skills, including mopping, dusting, vacuuming and keeping areas stocked and tidy. Cleaning crew members should be skilled in cleaning in various situations and locations, and they should be physically fit enough to move heavy objects if necessary.
What are cleaners?
A cleaner is someone who cleans commercial or residential areas for payment. Professional cleaners play an important role in making businesses and homes clean, orderly and safe. Different types of cleaning jobs can specialize in different kinds of cleaning, such as equipment cleaning or window cleaning. Often, cleaners are responsible for standard cleaning tasks like mopping, dusting, vacuuming and sweeping, though they may perform other types of maintenance or inspections as well.
Good cleaners typically possess strong customer service skills because they often interact with customers to meet their needs. Another skill that can be useful to cleaners is attention to detail, which they use to complete cleaning projects thoroughly in order to satisfy their customers. Cleaners can work independently or for cleaning companies as employees.
Jobs similar to cleaners
If youre interested in finding a job as a cleaner or a profession in a related field, there are several career options for you to consider. Heres a list of 10 jobs similar to cleaners:
FAQ
What is the job title for a cleaner?
Housekeepers are responsible for cleaning places like residential houses and hotels. Typically, housekeepers are responsible for tasks like vacuuming, dusting, cleaning bathrooms, washing dishes, changing bed linens and more.
What is another name for a cleaner?
What are cleaning employees called?
What is a commercial cleaner called?
