Job Description
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 driver’s 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.
