Most commonly reported Work Activities

• Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
• Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
• Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
• Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
• Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

The Work

Domestic cleaners do housework for other people. Some cleaners are self-employed, while others work through an agency.  
 
If a cleaner is self-employed, he or she will have to find clients to work for. They will discuss with the homeowner the work that needs doing and will set a price for it.  
 
A cleaner who works for an agency will be told by the agency who the clients are and when they want work doing. The agency will give the cleaner a checklist of jobs for each client. The cleaner may collect payments (to hand over to the agency) but will not set the rates.  
 
The range of tasks done by cleaners depends on what the homeowner wants.  
 
Agency cleaners may take their own cleaning materials in a company van. Work can also involve the use of heavy cleaning equipment like industrial floor polishers.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Keep storage areas and carts well-stocked, clean, and tidy.
• Carry linens, towels, toilet items, and cleaning supplies, using wheeled carts.
• Clean rooms, hallways, lobbies, lounges, restrooms, corridors, elevators, stairways, locker rooms, and other work areas so that health standards are met.
• Empty wastebaskets, empty and clean ashtrays, and transport other trash and waste to disposal areas.
• Sweep, scrub, wax, or polish floors, using brooms, mops, or powered scrubbing and waxing machines.
• Replenish supplies, such as drinking glasses, linens, writing supplies, and bathroom items.
• Clean rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, and draperies, using vacuum cleaners and shampooers.
• Wash windows, walls, ceilings, and woodwork, waxing and polishing as necessary.
• Dust and polish furniture and equipment.
• Disinfect equipment and supplies, using germicides or steam-operated sterilisers.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

If you work for an agency, you might get some training. This could include learning about the company's policies and methods of cleaning.  
 
As a new member of staff, you might have to work with an experienced cleaner until you know the routines.

Key skill certs 

Cleanpass 

Safepass (if premises work) 

Manual handling 

Start your won business NFQ level 5

These courses & key certs may be available via Local training centres for low or no cost. You can search for these key skills certs via Search our FET Coursefinder

Last Updated: October, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €34k

Salaries vary by employer, location, duties. Role, experience, and location.

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Excel Recruitment / Talent.com / Indeed

Last Updated: February, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment for cleaners grew in recent years but remains below pre-COVID-19 levels. Those employed as cleaners were primarily female and working part-time. The share of non-Irish citizens, at 38%, was far above the national average. The high volume of recent job hires indicates that job churn is a factor.

Jobs advertised on DSP Jobs Ireland primarily related to accommodation assistants, housekeepers and cleaners, while the Recruitment Agency Survey identified issues with filling vacancies for cleaning staff. Despite this, issues with recruitment relate primarily to staff retention rather than any potential shortage. 

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