Have you been thinking about pursuing work in the cleaning industry but are skeptical about a few things? Well, this guide will provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision. 

For many, cleaning professionally is highly rewarding and something to take pride in, especially when you see the immediate results of your effort in the form of gleaming floors and surfaces! The role can also offer flexible scheduling, which appeals to those looking to balance work and personal life.

That said, professional cleaning can be challenging in many ways, including its demand for labour-intensive work and the need to handle harsh chemicals from time to time. Therefore, it’s important to understand what it means to work as a professional cleaner in order to truly understand if this is a good career path for you.

In this article, we’ll explore both the advantages and potential downsides of working as a cleaner, along with key insights to help those who may be on the fence about joining the industry. Read on.

Types of Cleaning Jobs to Consider

Many people think cleaning jobs are all the same, but the industry actually offers a wide range of opportunities. Depending on your interests and experience, you can choose from several different types of cleaning roles.

One of the most common starting points is residential or house cleaning. This usually involves helping homeowners keep their spaces tidy, hygienic, and comfortable. It’s often considered a great way to enter the industry because the work is straightforward and helps build valuable experience.

Within residential cleaning, there are specialised services such as end of lease cleaning, which involves thoroughly preparing a rental property for inspection after tenants move out. NDIS cleaning, on the other hand, is an Australian-specific service designed to support people living with disabilities. Your job here is to maintain a safe, clean, and comfortable living environment for them, whether in a private home or supported accommodation.

Beyond the different types of residential cleaning, there are also opportunities to work in commercial and specialised settings, such as:

• Office cleaning
• Industrial cleaning, including factories and warehouses
• Healthcare cleaning, such as hospitals and medical facilities
• Retail and commercial cleaning, including shops and supermarkets

Office and retail cleaning roles are generally routine and predictable, while industrial and healthcare cleaning often require additional training and stricter safety standards.

What Types of Tasks Do Cleaners Perform?

Cleaning duties vary depending on the role and type of service. With that said, there are general cleaning tasks that cleaners at any level are expected to do, including:

• Dusting and wiping down furniture, appliances, windows, and other household surfaces
• Vacuuming and mopping floors
• Thorough cleaning of bathrooms
• Disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces, such as door handles and switches
• Emptying dustbins and replacing garbage bags
• Making beds and changing bed linen when required

In some roles, cleaners may also be responsible for deeper or more specialised tasks, depending on client needs and service requirements. These can include:

• Deep cleaning kitchens, including ovens, rangehoods, and inside cupboards
• Cleaning interior and exterior windows
• Spot-cleaning walls, skirting boards, and light fittings
• Organising and tidying living spaces (requested by clients)

For commercial or specialised cleaning roles, duties can look a little different. Cleaners working in offices, retail spaces, or medical facilities may be responsible for sanitising shared areas, cleaning staff amenities, maintaining hygiene standards, and following strict cleaning protocols.

It’s also worth noting that cleaners often have to manage their time efficiently to complete tasks within a set timeframe while ensuring high-quality results every time. 

So, while the day-to-day duties may vary, the overall goal remains the same — creating clean, hygienic, and comfortable environments for clients to live and work in.

Required Skill Set to Be a Professional Cleaner

Many cleaning companies conduct training sessions to teach individuals the proper techniques and methods required to clean professionally. This includes guidance on how to use specific cleaning products safely and effectively. 

That said, becoming a successful cleaner means honing a mix of practical skills and people skills. Having a good eye for detail is important because it’s often the little things, like missed dust or overlooked spots, that make the biggest difference in the final result. Being flexible also helps, as every home and client can be different, meaning you may need to adjust your approach from one job to the next. 

Good communication skills are imperative if you’re working in the industry, and go a long way in making clients feel comfortable and confident in the service they’re receiving. Similarly, it’s important to approach every job without judgement. Clients don’t want to be made to feel embarrassed or ashamed about the condition of their house, and trust cleaners to care for their homes regardless of how tidy or messy things may be. Being respectful and non-judgmental helps build long-lasting client-cleaner relationships.

The Upside of a Career in Cleaning

While cleaning isn’t the right fit for everyone, having the right information can make it much easier to decide if it is for you. With that, let’s answer the question that brought you here by diving a little deeper into why professional cleaning can be a great career path. 

No Formal Qualifications Required

You don’t need formal education or certifications to work in the cleaning industry. Beginners with no prior experience can still be employed by companies that provide training and guidance to help them become professional cleaners. This can take anywhere between a few days and three weeks depending on their training program. Other companies prefer to hire experienced cleaners but often provide additional training in order to teach new hires company-specific cleaning protocols and standards. Apart from this, it is typically mandatory for all applicants to be screened and police-checked before being employed. 

So, regardless of your experience level, if you’re thinking about working as a full-time or part-time cleaner, entering the industry can be simple and straightforward.

Flexible Working Hours

One of the biggest perks of working in the cleaning industry is the flexibility it can offer. Many cleaning roles allow you to choose part-time hours, which can be really helpful if a full-time job doesn’t suit your lifestyle or schedule. This flexibility can be a great option for parents balancing family life, students looking to earn while they study, or anyone managing other commitments. 

Having more control over your schedule also means you can make time for hobbies, personal interests, and the things that help you maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Abundance of Work Opportunities

There is never a shortage of work when it comes to the cleaning industry. House cleaning services are always in demand because many people depend on extra help to keep their homes clean and maintained. This can include busy households where both partners work, individuals with demanding schedules, or elderly people who need a hand with household chores. Apart from this, people are becoming more aware and concerned about cleanliness and hygiene in the home, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

These are just a few of the reasons why house cleaners are in high demand across Australia.

Keeps You Active

Lack of physical activity can have serious long-term effects on your overall health, which is why desk jobs or sedentary work are not preferred by some people. Working as a cleaner, on the other hand, typically involves being on your feet and moving around for most of the day, which helps maintain a good level of physical activity and builds strength over time. This level of daily movement can also have positive effects on mental wellbeing. Staying physically active is known to help reduce stress, improve mood, and boost overall energy levels, helping many people feel more refreshed and productive throughout the day.

As a profession, cleaning involves regular walking, bending, stretching, and lifting, keeping your body active rather than sitting in one place for long periods.

Relaxed and Predictable Work Setting

Every job has its challenges, and cleaning is no different. That said, many cleaners find their work relatively easy to manage because they know exactly what they have to do and what’s expected of them. In most cases, you are given a checklist for each job that needs to be completed, rather than dealing with frequently changing tasks or complicated projects. Some people also find cleaning to be therapeutic and enjoyable, particularly after seeing the immediate results of their efforts. 

Having a clear routine and checklist of tasks can help create a work environment that feels less stressful and more satisfying.

Highly Rewarding

Transforming a cluttered or dirty space into a clean, comfortable environment is a truly rewarding experience. Beyond the visible results, cleaning houses professionally means helping people in a big way, whether it’s busy families, elderly clients, or individuals who need extra support around the home. 

At Maidforyou, we believe hard work and great service should always be recognised and rewarded. That’s why cleaners receive a $50 bonus for every 5-star review they earn. It’s our way of acknowledging the effort, care, and high standards our cleaners bring to every job, while making sure their dedication doesn’t go unnoticed. 

Why Cleaning May Not Be a Good Fit for You

As we mentioned earlier, cleaning as a profession comes with its own set of challenges, some of which may outweigh the career benefits depending on one’s personal preference and health. Let’s discuss these in more detail to help you determine if professional cleaning is a good fit for you.

Physically Challenging Work

While staying active is a key part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, the physical demands of cleaning may not suit everyone. This is especially true for individuals with underlying health conditions or injuries that limit excessive movement, including walking, bending, squatting, and lifting. Good mobility is important for working efficiently and comfortably as a professional cleaner so this is something one needs to consider before joining the industry.

Potential Risks

Cleaning homes or commercial spaces come with some amount of workplace risks, which is why staying aware and following safety practices is important. This is something most established cleaning businesses ensure through training and guidance. Cleaners often work in different environments where there is a small risk of slips, trips, or falls, while also having to handle harsh chemical cleaning products. Safety measures definitely help minimise risks; however, those with sensitive skin, allergies, or respiratory conditions may need to reconsider if this type of work is suitable for them.

Rude or Difficult Clients

Like every job or profession, you’ll come across people who are less than friendly or difficult to deal with. Some clients may have unrealistic expectations or speak in a rude manner, and cleaners are expected to manage these situations face-to-face with respect and professionalism. While some complaints can be escalated to the company’s customer support team, cleaners should have basic problem-solving skills to keep the situation under control.

Public Perceptions of Cleaning as a Career

Although views are gradually changing, many people don’t see or appreciate the value of cleaning work. While some people may think it requires little to no skill, professional cleaning actually involves much more than many realise. Along with cleaning ability, the role also requires strong organisational skills, good time management, and close attention to detail. Cleaning homes professionally is something cleaners rightfully do with care, effort, and pride. It’s a job that helps people maintain clean and comfortable spaces they otherwise wouldn’t be able to achieve on their own. 

How Do Cleaners Progress in Their Careers?

Having opportunities to grow in your role is important for long-term job satisfaction, no matter what industry you work in. If you’re employed by the right cleaning company, they can help you build your skills and progress into more advanced roles over time.

At MaidForYou, cleaners who are reliable and consistently do a great job can move into roles with more responsibility and better earning potential. One example is becoming a Quality Checker, where you focus on inspecting the final cleaning results rather than doing the cleaning yourself. There can also be opportunities to support and guide other cleaners as you gain experience.

Join the Maidforyou Cleaning Team

If you’re considering a career in professional cleaning, working with the right company can make a big difference.

Maidforyou offers long-term employment, flexible working hours, and training, along with paid test cleans before onboarding. Cleaners also benefit from competitive pay, bonus opportunities, and ongoing support from a team that values fairness, respect, and professionalism.

We’re committed to raising standards in the domestic cleaning industry by recognising and rewarding hard work, and providing opportunities for career growth.

Visit our Careers page to explore current opportunities with Maidforyou.