What Makes a Good Cleaner?

I have worked in the cleaning industry for almost 20 years. First, I started cleaning homes in my local area and I truly loved it. I added more and more addresses to my schedule to a point when I had to hire a few other girls to help me cover all client homes. That was the birth of Bredon Hill Cleaning Services and the beginning of a journey I cherish. Many years passed and I met hundreds of other people who work in the industry or have cleaning businesses. Some of them were doing great and others not so much. Then I began to wonder, what actually makes a good cleaner?

Honestly, I don't think the answer to this question is a simple one. But from my experience so far, I can name at least 7 important qualities that make a good cleaner.

1. Consistency

Our business stands and grows mainly because of the consistent quality we provide our clients with. We rely heavily on recommendations from existing customers to find new ones. I can comfortably say that Bredon Hill Cleaning Services is one of the leaders on our local market, but that comes with a great deal of responsibility. My team works flawlessly at the clients' premises and my job is to ensure that this level of quality is kept consistent over a long period of time. I've seen cases where after a while some cleaners become a little bit too relaxed at work and start cutting corners but the client still wants the same service he or she is used to. Only a really good cleaner can live up to these expectations.

2. Attentiveness

You can't be successful in the cleaning business if you lack attention to detail. This is hugely important because there is indeed a big difference between something that looks clean and something that is really clean. A good cleaner is able to spot tiny things others don't and will sort out the areas and items that the client didn't even know needed cleaning!

3. Honesty

It is hard for many people to hire a domestic cleaner because they don't trust them. Usually, this is a result of bad experience or stories about dishonest maids. For me and my business honesty and transparency are top priorities. My team knows that even if something goes wrong during the session at the client's home, they need to let me and the client know. Accidents happen and even the greatest and most experienced cleaner make mistakes.

4. Confidence

I stand against this common misconception and belief that cleaners must always display humility and obedience. While these are great qualities for every person to have, a great cleaner should also show confidence in her or his skills and position. It teaches the client to treat them with respect and in many cases promotes brilliant business relationships.

5. Discretion

You've probably heard that hairdressers know all secrets. I beg to differ. We, the cleaners, know much more. But as a professional and self-respecting workers, we don't tell or discuss what we see and discover. Unless, of course, it is a crime or someone's life is in danger. As a cleaner you'll often be left alone in the client's home or business. A good cleaner does not snoop around and respects their client's privacy.

6. Timekeeping

This goes both directions. Turning up for appointments on time is just one side of good timekeeping. Yes, sometimes the traffic is really bad, or there was an accident and the cleaner couldn't get to the client's address on time. But these should be one-off, extremely rare occasions.

The second part of timekeeping is finishing the job on time and for the time the client has paid. What do I mean by this? There are cleaners who take it slow and don't complete the task they are supposed to for the booking slot the client has reserved. This could inconvenience the people living in the house or working in the commercial setting. Another scenario is when a client has booked a slot of 3 hours and the cleaner gets the job for an hour and a half in order to spend the rest of the time relaxing in the client's home. First, this is unprofessional and second the quality of work would definitely suffer. A good cleaner has impeccable timekeeping.

7. Endurance

Cleaning can be exhausting work! You could burn hundreds of calories an hour when working and it'll come as no surprise when you work up a sweat! However, the client your serve last on the day will expect the same standard as the client you served first. Your energy levels must be up and get you through that last address. It isn't easy, but truly great cleaners develop amazing endurance. Well, one of the perks of being a busy cleaner is that you can easily keep in shape without setting a foot in the gym. Well, unless you are cleaning it.

I am very proud that my team of professional cleaning ladies and guys check all the boxes we discussed above. Bredon Hill Cleaning Services is a leader because our staff makes us what we are.