Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Domestic Cleaner

🎯 Role Definition

The Domestic Cleaner (Housekeeper) is responsible for delivering consistent, high-quality cleaning and household maintenance services in private residences, serviced apartments or small estates. This role focuses on maintaining hygiene, presentation and safety standards by performing daily and periodic cleaning tasks, managing linens and supplies, following infection-control practices, and providing respectful, discreet customer service tailored to each household’s preferences.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Cleaner / Janitor in commercial or residential settings
Domestic Helper / Household Assistant
Hospitality Support Worker (hotel housekeeping, bed & breakfast)

Advancement To:

Lead Domestic Cleaner / Senior Housekeeper
Housekeeping Supervisor or Estate House Manager
Facilities Coordinator or Property Services Manager

Lateral Moves:

Personal Assistant with household duties
Care Worker / Live-in Support Staff

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform comprehensive daily and periodic cleaning tasks across all living areas, including sweeping, vacuuming, mopping, dusting, polishing, and sanitizing floors, surfaces, fixtures and fittings to maintain a hygienic and welcoming home environment.
Execute deep-clean procedures for kitchens: clean and degrease ovens, stovetops, hoods, refrigerators, microwaves, cabinets and food-preparation surfaces; sanitize sinks and drains; remove food residue and prevent pest attraction.
Conduct thorough bathroom cleaning and disinfection: descaling and sanitizing toilets, showers, bathtubs, sinks, tiles, grout and mirrors; restock toiletries and ensure fixtures are functioning correctly.
Change beds and manage linens: strip beds, launder, dry, fold and replace sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers and towels according to household standards and fabric care instructions.
Clean and care for soft furnishings: vacuum, shampoo and spot-treat carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture and curtains using appropriate products and equipment to maintain appearance and extend lifespan.
Polish and protect delicate surfaces and valuables: carefully dust and polish silverware, glassware, antiques and decorative items following handling instructions and client preferences.
Clean windows, internal glass and mirrors to a streak-free finish using safe methods and appropriate detergents; perform external window cleaning where safe and authorized.
Remove rubbish and recycling responsibly: empty bins, replace liners, sort recyclable materials and ensure proper disposal of hazardous items (e.g., batteries, aerosols) per local regulations.
Operate, maintain and store cleaning equipment safely: vacuums, steam cleaners, floor polishers, carpet extractors, hand tools and ladders; perform basic troubleshooting and report faults.
Maintain inventory of cleaning supplies, linens and consumables: monitor stock levels, produce reorder requests, accept deliveries and ensure cost-efficient usage and storage.
Follow infection control and PPE protocols: apply disinfectants properly, use gloves and masks when required, and follow household or public health guidelines (including enhanced cleaning protocols).
Report household maintenance and safety issues: identify leaks, electrical faults, broken appliances, pest signs, or trip hazards and notify the homeowner or property manager with recommended actions.
Prepare homes for special events or guest arrivals: perform seasonal deep cleans, polishing, steam cleaning, ironing and arranging spaces to presentation standards.
Provide light household errands and support as agreed: grocery shopping, running local errands, picking up prescriptions, preparing simple meals or managing deliveries within the scope of the role.
Maintain client confidentiality and privacy: exercise discretion about household routines, personal belongings and private information at all times.
Create and follow customized cleaning checklists and schedules: assess household layout and client priorities, plan efficient work sequences and adapt routines to special requests or changing needs.
Record and track hours, tasks and client sign-offs: complete service logs, time sheets and incident reports accurately for payroll and quality assurance.
Deliver exemplary customer service: communicate professionally with clients, respond promptly to requests, solicit feedback and make adjustments to meet household expectations.
Train, mentor and oversee temporary or junior cleaning staff when required: demonstrate proper techniques, safety practices and client etiquette to maintain consistent service quality.
Perform seasonal and project-based tasks: upholstery shampooing, grout restoration, refrigerator or pantry deep cleans, garage/attic tidying, and move-in/move-out cleaning services.
Apply stain removal and fabric care expertise: identify fabric types, select safe cleaners, and remove common stains from clothing, upholstery and carpets while avoiding damage.
Ensure safe handling and storage of cleaning chemicals: understand product labels, follow manufacturer instructions, and adhere to COSHH or equivalent local chemical safety guidelines.
Assist with simple household maintenance tasks: change light bulbs, replace batteries in smoke detectors, tighten loose fittings, and coordinate repairs with tradespeople as required.
Drive and manage company or household vehicles when required: maintain valid license, keep vehicle clean and log travel in accordance with household or company policy.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc administrative needs such as logging supply invoices, completing checklists, and updating service schedules in the household’s preferred system.
Coordinate with other household staff (nannies, butlers, gardeners) to ensure seamless daily operations and consistent service delivery.
Participate in periodic service reviews and client feedback sessions to continuously improve cleaning standards and personalize service offerings.
Assist in ordering and sourcing eco-friendly and cost-effective cleaning products and linen suppliers at the client’s request.
Help maintain simple inventories of household items (pantry staples, pet supplies) and notify the homeowner of low-stock or urgent purchases.
Attend training sessions, certifications or health & safety briefings to stay current with best practices and compliance requirements.
Provide on-call or flexible service coverage for last-minute guest turnovers or emergency cleaning requests where agreed.
Maintain basic records for health and safety compliance, including incident logs and equipment maintenance checks.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient in residential cleaning techniques: sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, dusting, polishing and disinfecting.
Deep cleaning and sanitization expertise for kitchens, bathrooms and high-touch areas, including COVID-19 enhanced cleaning protocols.
Carpet and upholstery cleaning skills, including stain identification, spot treatment and use of extraction machines.
Fabric and linen care: washing, drying, folding, ironing/pressing and understanding of fabric care labels.
Safe handling and storage of cleaning chemicals and detergents; knowledge of COSHH/chemical safety guidance and PPE usage.
Operation and basic maintenance of cleaning equipment: vacuums, steam cleaners, floor polishers, and carpet extractors.
Wood, tile, stone and specialty floor care: knowledge of appropriate cleaning products and methods to avoid damage.
Window and glass cleaning techniques for streak-free finishes and safe use of ladders or extension tools.
Basic household maintenance awareness: identifying and reporting leaks, appliance issues, and minor repairs.
Inventory management and stock control for cleaning supplies, linens and consumables.
Time-keeping and record-keeping skills for service logs, client sign-offs and simple administrative tasks.
Safe waste handling and recycling procedures, including responsible disposal of hazardous small items.

Soft Skills

Strong attention to detail and a high standard of cleanliness and presentation.
Excellent time management and the ability to prioritize and sequence tasks efficiently.
Professional discretion, confidentiality and respect for client privacy.
Reliable, punctual and trustworthy — able to work independently with minimal supervision.
Clear and courteous communication with clients and household staff.
Customer service orientation with flexibility to accommodate special requests and changing priorities.
Physical stamina and ability to perform repetitive tasks, lift moderate weights and work on feet for extended periods.
Adaptability to different household cultures, routines and service expectations.
Problem-solving mindset and the ability to escalate issues appropriately.
Teamwork and the ability to train or onboard temporary or junior staff.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school / secondary school diploma or equivalent.

Preferred Education:

Certificate or vocational training in housekeeping, hospitality, or cleaning services (e.g., NVQ/SVQ Level 2 in Cleaning and Support Services or equivalent).
Health & safety, COSHH or infection-control certification where applicable.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Hospitality Management / Housekeeping
Facilities Management
Home Economics / Domestic Science
Environmental Services / Sanitation

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–5 years in cleaning or housekeeping roles; many employers seek 1–3 years of recent residential cleaning experience.

Preferred:

2+ years’ experience in domestic or private household cleaning, or hospitality housekeeping (hotel/apartment turnover).
Experience with luxury homes or high-net-worth households is advantageous.
Background-checked and able to pass reference checks; valid driver’s license when travel between properties is required.
Demonstrated ability to follow client instructions, maintain confidentiality and adapt to bespoke household standards.