General Cleaner | Torchora

🎯 Role Definition

The General Cleaner is a foundational role within any organization, responsible for upholding the highest standards of cleanliness, safety, and hygiene. This position is the backbone of facility presentation and wellness, directly impacting the experience of employees, clients, and visitors. A person in this role executes a wide range of cleaning and maintenance duties to ensure that all building areas are pristine, orderly, and free from hazards. More than just cleaning, this role is about creating a positive and productive environment through diligence, attention to detail, and a commitment to excellence.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

No prior formal experience; entry-level position
Retail or Food Service Associate
General Laborer

Advancement To:

Cleaning Supervisor or Team Lead
Facilities Maintenance Technician
Custodial Manager or Building Superintendent

Lateral Moves:

Specialized Cleaner (e.g., Carpet & Upholstery Technician, Window Cleaner)
Maintenance Assistant

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Perform comprehensive dusting and wiping of all surfaces, including desks, furniture, ledges, window sills, and high-reach areas like air vents and light fixtures.
Thoroughly sweep, mop, scrub, and vacuum all types of flooring such as hardwood, tile, laminate, and carpeted areas to remove dirt, debris, and spills.
Meticulously clean and sanitize all restroom facilities, including toilets, urinals, sinks, countertops, mirrors, partitions, and floors, ensuring a high standard of public hygiene.
Diligently replenish restroom and kitchen supplies, such as toilet paper, paper towels, hand soap, and sanitizers, to ensure consistent availability for all building occupants.
Collect, segregate, and dispose of all trash, recycling, and other waste materials from designated indoor and outdoor receptacles, replacing liners as needed.
Clean interior glass surfaces, including windows, partitions, and doors, ensuring they are free of streaks, smudges, and fingerprints.
Regularly wipe down and disinfect high-touch surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, handrails, elevator buttons, and entry keypads to mitigate the spread of germs.
Execute detailed floor care duties as required, which may include stripping, waxing, buffing, and polishing hard-surface floors to maintain their appearance and longevity.
Perform spot-cleaning, deep-cleaning, and extraction on carpets and upholstery to remove embedded dirt, stains, and odors.
Maintain the cleanliness and professional appearance of primary common areas, including lobbies, hallways, stairwells, and reception areas.
Clean and sanitize kitchenettes, breakrooms, and eating areas, by wiping down tables, chairs, countertops, and cleaning sinks and appliance exteriors.
Adhere to established cleaning schedules and detailed checklists to ensure all assigned areas are maintained consistently and meet organizational standards.
Safely and accurately handle, dilute, and mix cleaning chemicals according to manufacturer's instructions and Safety Data Sheets (SDS).
Properly operate and care for various pieces of cleaning equipment, such as commercial vacuums, floor scrubbers, and buffers, reporting any malfunctions for repair.
Proactively identify and report maintenance issues, safety hazards, or necessary repairs, including leaky faucets, broken light fixtures, or property damage.
Secure facility spaces at the end of a shift as instructed, which may involve locking doors, closing windows, and deactivating lights to ensure building security.
Respond with urgency to ad-hoc cleaning requests and unexpected spills or incidents to quickly mitigate safety risks and restore order.
Maintain the organization and cleanliness of janitorial closets, ensuring supplies and equipment are stored neatly, safely, and are easily accessible.
Monitor and manage inventory levels of all cleaning supplies and materials, notifying the supervisor when reordering is necessary to prevent stock-outs.
Adhere strictly to all organizational and governmental health and safety regulations, consistently using appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

Secondary Functions

Assist with the basic setup and teardown of furniture and equipment for meetings, events, and special functions as directed by a supervisor.
Provide support during facility emergencies, such as water leaks or weather-related events, by assisting with clean-up and hazard mitigation.
Perform minor, non-technical maintenance tasks, such as replacing accessible light bulbs or tightening loose fixtures.
Assist with seasonal groundskeeping tasks near building entrances, such as sweeping debris or applying ice melt to walkways for safety.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Deep knowledge of cleaning chemicals, their proper uses, and safety precautions.
Proficient operation of industrial cleaning equipment, including vacuums, floor buffers, carpet extractors, and automatic scrubbers.
Expertise in floor care techniques, including stripping, sealing, waxing, and burnishing.
Understanding of sanitation and disinfection protocols, especially for high-risk areas like restrooms and kitchens.
Proper waste management and disposal procedures, including handling of recycling and hazardous materials.
Ability to read and interpret Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for chemical products.
Correct application and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Basic inventory management to track and request cleaning supplies.
Effective techniques for window, glass, and mirror cleaning to achieve a streak-free finish.
Knowledge of methods for stain removal from various surfaces and fabrics.

Soft Skills

Attention to Detail: Meticulous and thorough in all cleaning tasks to ensure a high-quality result.
Reliability & Punctuality: Dependable and consistently on-time, with a strong sense of personal accountability.
Time Management: Ability to prioritize tasks and work efficiently to complete all duties within a shift.
Physical Stamina: Capable of sustained physical activity, including standing, walking, bending, and lifting.
Independence: Strong ability to work autonomously with minimal supervision.
Problem-Solving: Resourceful in addressing unexpected cleaning challenges or identifying maintenance needs.
Integrity & Trustworthiness: Honest and respectful of client and company property and privacy.
Communication Skills: Ability to understand instructions and communicate effectively with supervisors and team members.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED is often preferred but not mandatory; equivalent work experience is highly valued.

Preferred Education:

Vocational training certificate in custodial services, building maintenance, or a related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Custodial Services
Building Maintenance

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0-3 years of experience in a cleaning or janitorial role.

Preferred: Previous experience in a commercial, educational, or healthcare cleaning environment is highly advantageous. Experience with a variety of floor surfaces and professional cleaning equipment is a significant plus.