A Day in the Life of a Cleaner What It’s Really Like
A Day in the Life of a Cleaner: What It’s Really Like
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Cleaning floors, bathrooms, check on toilet papers, clean mirrors, refill soap, take away trash, clean kitchen areas, wipe down fingerprints on door and window, etc.

That’s just the beginning of a regular day. As a cleaner, I do a lot of small jobs that help make a big difference. People don’t always notice clean spaces, but they do notice when things are dirty. That’s why my job matters. I help keep homes and businesses safe, fresh, and looking good.

Let me tell you more about what it’s really like working as a cleaner.

Starting the Day

Every day starts early. I usually wake up before the sun comes out. Have all my supplies packed and ready to go. Gloves, cleaning cloths, sprays, mop, vacuum, toilet paper, garbage bags—everything has to be ready. If I forget something, it can slow me down or make the job harder. I’m a human after all, sometimes I forget stuff, the other day I went to work and forgot my gloves in the truck of my other car. We had a few, but to keep everyone safe and also to prevent cross-contamination, we change gloves after cleaning stuff, especially after cleaning the toilet.

This is why there’s one person cleaning the kitchen and one person cleaning the bathroom and the other person cleaning the other areas, depending on how big the job is. If it is a small job, then the person working is required to change gloves after cleaning some areas, like a toilet or any other area that can contaminate the whole place.

After that, I grab a quick coffee, check my schedule for the day, and head to my first location. Sometimes it’s a house, sometimes it’s an office, and sometimes it’s a large building. When it’s a large building, I schedule a large team.

The Cleaning Routine

When I arrive, I always greet the client if they are there. A quick “Good morning!” and a smile can go a long way. As for a quick tour if it’s not a client, Then I start with what I call “the basics.”

  • Bathrooms: I always start with the bathroom because it takes the most time. I clean the toilet, wipe down the sink and counter, clean the mirror, check if toilet paper needs to be replaced, and mop the floor. I also refill the soap if it’s low. A clean bathroom tells people the place is well taken care of.
  • Kitchens: Kitchens can get messy quickly. I wipe the counters, clean the sink, take out the trash, and sometimes clean the outside of appliances like the fridge or microwave. If there are dishes, I may put them in the dishwasher or wash them if asked.
  • Floors: After bathrooms and the kitchen, I focus on the floors. I vacuum the carpets and rugs. Then I mop the tile or wood floors. Clean floors change the whole look of a place. It makes everything feel fresh.
  • Windows and Glass: I clean mirrors and glass doors. People leave fingerprints everywhere, especially kids. A few minutes of wiping the glass makes a big difference.
  • Dusting and Wiping: I dust shelves, wipe tables, clean the top of picture frames, and sometimes even ceiling fans. Dust can build up in places people don’t notice until they have allergies or start sneezing.
  • Trash: I check all the trash bins, take out the garbage, and replace the bags. This is a simple but important part of cleaning.

Working With People

Sometimes I clean while people are working or living in the space. I’ve learned to be quiet and respectful. I don’t talk too much or don’t talk at all, and I move carefully so I don’t disturb them.

I don’t move people’s stuff because one of my customers complained about another company that their girls disrespect their house, they don’t put stuff back in their place after they don’t cleaning. For that reason, I always pay attention.

Other times, I clean when no one is around. In those cases, I double-check everything before I leave. Did I lock the door? Did I turn off the lights? Did I put everything back where it was?

Being a cleaner means being responsible. Clients trust me with their homes and offices. That’s a big deal. I always treat their space like it’s my own. Since they already know that I’m a responsible person. They give me their alarm code, garage code, and also some high-end customers have modern homes or smart homes, they give me all their Alexa commands.

Things People Don’t Think About

Most people don’t realize how much work goes into cleaning. It’s not just about wiping things down. You have to be smart about it. You need to know which products to use on different surfaces. You have to remember what each client likes. Some want strong smells; others want scent-free. Some care about eco-friendly products; some just want it to be clean, fast.

I have a vegan client, by the way, it’s 2 of them. One is allergic to chemicals and strong smells, because we are not allowed to use any chemicals at her house. So, for that reason, we created a quick solution for her. We only clean with baking soda and vinegar.

Also, we brought her a broom, and use brand new microfiber cleaning towels each time.

You also have to pay attention to small details. For example, if I see that a light bulb is out, I let the client know. If I notice water leaking under a sink, I report it. These things may not be part of the job, but they show that I care.

The Hard Part

The hardest part of this job is the physical work. My back hurts sometimes. My hands get dry from all the cleaning products. Some days I’m on my feet for 10 hours. It’s not easy. Even though people don’t understand that, I found joy in what I’m doing.

There are also times when clients don’t appreciate the work. They don’t say thank you, or they expect too much. But I try not to let that get to me. I remind myself that I’m doing something important. But when it get much to handle, I fired them.

My time is valuable, some people are trying to low baller me, they control how much they pay and compare it to minimum wage in their area, that why I don’t charge per hour, I charge for the job. And my Google review speaks for me, I’m not bragging.

The Best Part

The best part is seeing the final result. When a space goes from dirty to sparkling clean, it feels great. I stand back and look at what I did, and I feel proud. I also love it when clients are happy. A simple “Wow, this looks great!” can make my whole day.

Some clients have even told me that coming home to a clean house helped them feel less stressed. That makes me feel like my work matters.

What I’ve Learned

This job has taught me so much. I’ve learned how to manage my time, stay organized, and stay calm even when things get messy. I’ve also learned how to talk to people, listen to what they want, and give good service.

But most of all, I’ve learned that hard work pays off. I may not wear a fancy suit or sit at a desk, but I know I’m doing honest work that helps people. That means something.

Final Thoughts

Being a cleaner is not always easy. It’s hard work, and sometimes it can feel invisible. But it’s also rewarding. I bring order to messy places. I help people feel better in their homes and offices. I do work that matters, even if it’s behind the scenes.

If you’re thinking about becoming a cleaner or hiring one, I hope this blog has helped you understand the job a little better. It’s not just about mops and buckets—it’s about care, responsibility, and pride in what you do.

Thanks for reading. We serve Palm Beach County. If you are around and interested in hiring me for your home or office, call me. I will be happy to help.

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