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Are cleaner jobs hard?

Cleaning jobs are often seen as unskilled labor that anyone can do. However, professional cleaners argue that their work requires skill, physical ability, and attention to detail. In this article, we will explore some common questions about the difficulty of cleaner jobs.

What are the main types of cleaning jobs?

There are several major categories of cleaning work:

  • Residential cleaners work in people’s homes cleaning bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, etc.
  • Commercial cleaners clean offices, stores, hotels, schools, and other businesses.
  • Industrial cleaners work in factories, warehouses, and other industrial settings.
  • Crime scene and trauma cleaners deal with biohazards at scenes involving blood, bodily fluids, or hoarding.
  • Carpet, window, duct, and chimney cleaners specialize in cleaning those specific items.
  • Janitors and custodians clean and maintain buildings and take out trash and recycling.

What types of tasks do cleaners perform?

Cleaners carry out a wide variety of physical tasks including:

  • Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming floors
  • Cleaning kitchens and bathrooms thoroughly
  • Making beds and changing linens
  • Dusting furniture, windowsills, and knick-knacks
  • Taking out trash and recycling
  • Polishing furniture and fixtures
  • Scrubbing tiles, tubs, toilets, sinks
  • Washing windows, mirrors, walls

Specialized cleaners may offer additional services like:

  • Pressure washing building exteriors
  • Cleaning carpets and upholstery
  • Duct cleaning
  • Sewage damage restoration
  • Biohazard cleanup
  • Hoarding cleanup

Why can cleaning be physically challenging?

Many cleaning tasks require physical stamina and ability to:

  • Stand or walk for long periods
  • Kneel, crouch, and crawl to access hard-to-reach areas
  • Bend and stretch to clean under and around furniture
  • Reach up high to dust tops of shelves, vents, light fixtures
  • Push, pull, and maneuver heavy equipment like vacuum cleaners
  • Lift and carry buckets of water, cleaning supplies, trash bags
  • Scrub floors, walls, bathtubs using force
  • Move furniture to access areas needing cleaning

Improper body mechanics can also lead to strains and injuries over time.

What safety hazards do cleaners face?

Cleaning work involves contact with many chemical and biological hazards including:

  • Harsh cleaning agents like bleach, ammonia, and degreasers
  • Infectious bodily fluids and waste
  • Mold, bacteria, viruses, dust mites, pollen
  • Syringes, razor blades, broken glass
  • Hoarded trash and rotting food
  • Fecal matter and decay

Proper protective gear and caution are essential to avoid illnesses or injury from exposure to these hazards.

What soft skills are required for cleaners?

In addition to physical ability, professionals say cleaning requires these skills:

  • Time management – Cleaners need to budget time efficiently to complete many tasks.
  • Organization – Keeping cleaning tools and supplies orderly streamlines work.
  • Attention to detail – Thorough, meticulous cleaning is a must.
  • Trustworthiness – Cleaners must be honest when working unsupervised in clients’ homes.
  • Communication skills – Cleaners interact regularly with clients and staff.
  • Stamina – Cleaners are on their feet for long hours.

What training do cleaners need?

Most cleaners learn through on-the-job experience. Some complete vocational training programs or certifications to gain skills in areas like:

  • Using cleaning tools, equipment, and chemicals properly
  • Cleaning techniques for different surfaces and materials
  • Safety procedures and proper use of protective gear
  • Customer service skills
  • Business operations like scheduling, billing, marketing

Ongoing training keeps cleaners up-to-date on new methods, tools, and chemicals in the industry.

What are the most difficult cleaning situations?

Cleaners note these settings often pose extra challenges:

  • Hoarder homes – Excess trash and unsanitary conditions require hazmat suits and respirators.
  • Crime and trauma scenes – Blood, bodily fluids, and dangerous contaminants present biohazards.
  • Sewage and flood damage – Overflowing toilets, sewage backups, and floodwaters contain disease-causing bacteria and mold.
  • Industrial facilities – Cleaning around heavy machinery, chemicals, and contamination requires special precautions.

These situations call for extensive specialist training to mitigate dangers.

Do cleaners enjoy job satisfaction?

Many cleaners take pride in their work and feel their labor provides value including:

  • Creating clean, healthy, and sanitary environments
  • Providing a safe, contamination-free space
  • Allowing clients to enjoy their homes or focus on work without mess
  • Delivering a sparkling clean result after a big job
  • Helping people reclaim living space from hoarding
  • Restoring homes and lives after disasters and trauma

Experienced cleaners enjoy learning specialized skills and techniques to master difficult cleaning challenges.

What are the average cleaner pay rates?

Cleaner pay varies based on factors like location, employment type, experience level, and hazards involved. Here are typical cleaner pay ranges:

Cleaner Type Average Pay Range*
Residential cleaner $20,000 – $40,000 per year
Commercial cleaner $25,000 – $45,000 per year
Crime scene cleaner $35,000 – $80,000 per year
Janitor $25,000 – $45,000 per year
Carpet cleaner $30,000 – $50,000 per year

*Pay ranges are estimates only and can vary based on many factors.

What are the biggest challenges for cleaners?

Cleaners cite these factors as their biggest day-to-day challenges:

  • Insufficient pay and benefits
  • Lack of respect for their profession
  • Physically demanding work
  • Exposure to health hazards
  • Little room for career advancement
  • Irregular work schedules
  • Stressful and pressured environments
  • Working alone for long periods

Are there opportunities to advance in a cleaning career?

There are some advancement options for experienced cleaners including:

  • Becoming a supervisor or manager
  • Starting their own cleaning business
  • Specializing into a niche cleaning field
  • Training other cleaners
  • Moving into sales roles for cleaning companies
  • Expanding services offered such as adding lawn care or handyman work

Further vocational education can also open doors to roles like building superintendent.

Conclusion

While cleaning work is often stigmatized as low-skill, the reality is it requires substantial physical stamina, job knowledge, safety training, and customer service skills to excel as a professional cleaner. Significant mental fortitude is also needed to manage the pressures and isolation of the job. Continual learning is necessary to master specialized cleaning techniques and use new tools and chemicals safely. The most successful cleaners take pride in their trade and derive satisfaction from restoring order and cleanliness for homes and businesses. With commitment to the work, there are opportunities for increased pay, responsibilities, and business ownership in the cleaning industry.