Cleaners help to maintain order and create a comfortable environment in which to live or work. When creating your cleaner cover letter, you want to give the reader the impression of someone passionate about being organised and who has a keen eye for detail.
A cover letter’s space constraints mean it is not always easy to achieve the desired impact by making every word count. Resume.io can show you how it’s done, as we keep expanding our library of occupation-specific cover letter examples and writing guides.
We encourage you to browse through some of them for inspiration. Then, whenever you’re ready, the writing guide you’re reading now will help you create a cleaner cover letter that sparkles!
Referring to our cleaner cover letter example each step of the way, we'll cover these topics:
- How to choose the best format for your cleaner cover letter and what paragraphs it should contain
- Maximising the impact of each cover letter section: header, greeting, introduction, body, and conclusion
- Common mistakes to avoid making in your cleaner cover letter
For more inspiration and ideas, take a look at these other cover letter examples and writing guides in our collection:
Best format for a cleaner cover letter
Cover letters are an invaluable tool for job seekers to set themselves apart from other candidates. They can give you the best chance of convincing a recruiter to advance your application to the next shortlist hiring stage.
Applying the right structure for your cover letter will help you highlight the most important aspects of your career journey in a way that your next employer can relate to.
Adhering to this framework of sections will ensure your cleaner cover letter is clear and concise throughout so it fits on one page:
- Header
- Greeting/Salutation
- Introduction
- Middle (body of the cover letter)
- Ending (conclusion/call-to-action)
When reading your cover letter, the hiring manager should get a positive feeling about how well you perform your duties as a cleaner and manage your time effectively to do the best job. You may love working as a cleaner, but the results of your efforts are the employer's main priority.
Here is an adaptable cleaner cover letter example that you can modify to suit the position and employer:
April 29, 2023
Dear Ms. Riley,
With 10 years of experience in cleaning commercial premises, I’m excited about the possibility of joining The Cleaning Co.’s team as a cleaner. The skills I have acquired, along with my commitment to impeccable results, align closely with your company’s reputation for personalised and efficient service.
Known for being a friendly, conscientious worker, no matter how daunting the circumstances, I have received positive feedback from my employers in all the cleaning roles I have fulfilled. I always aim to exceed expectations, with a track record that has earned individual employee awards on several occasions, as well as “most spotless store” honors for up to seven months at a stretch.
I work hard during the night shift to ensure customers and staff arrive at a squeaky clean and tidy store every morning. This is achieved through my meticulous efforts to:
- Sweep and mop all floors, with extra regard for the highest-traffic areas where 300 to 450 sets of customer footprints might be left on a busy day
- Wipe down and sanitise all surfaces and equipment, from display cases and cash register to office furniture to kitchen counters and appliances
- Efficiently dispose of rubbish in a hygienic manner and manage complex recycling protocols
- Contribute to an accident-free workplace and reduced staff illness rates by complying with health and safety rules
I would welcome the chance to discuss in more detail my potential for being a skilled and reliable cleaner at The Cleaning Co., and to learn more about your needs and clientele.
Best regards,
Susan McNally
Cover letter header
The cover letter header is situated at the top of your cover letter, or partly in a side margin. This is where all your essential personal details appear prominently so the employer can easily contact you: your name, occupation, phone number and email.
Although the same information will also appear in your CV header — which should match the cover letter header — it's possible that the hiring manager might want to get in touch with you before even looking at your CV. Yes, your cover letter alone may be enticing enough!
The aim of the cover letter header: Distinctively display identifying details that make it easy for the hiring manager to contact you.
In addition to the usual identifying information that belongs in a cover letter header, you might have a unique way to attract the employer’s attention up front. For instance, if you have an online portfolio of before-and-after photos of premises you have cleaned, or rave reviews from happy clients, by all means place a weblink in the header space.
Cover letter greeting
When you enter a property where a wondrous space awaits, full of warmth and beautiful scents, you instantly have a positive first impression. As a cleaner who takes pride in the welcoming impact that your work has on people, you should approach your cover letter greeting.
This is the first contact you have with the employer, so you want it to be respectful and friendly to build rapport as quickly as possible.
Addressing the recipient by name allows you to build that rapport in a personal but professional manner. We recommend the traditional “Dear Mr. Brown,” as opposed to the casual "Hi Brian." The latter might be fine in an email when you and the recipient know each other, but not in a relatively formal cover letter.
If you are unsure of the cover letter recipient, a greeting such as “Dear Facilities Manager” or "Dear Cleaner Hiring Team" is your next best option.
The aim of a cover letter greeting: Respectfully introduce yourself, setting setting off your interactions with the employer on a positive footing.
Cover letter introduction
We all know the difference between entering an immaculate, tidy, comfortable space and a dirty, messy one.
Just as an introduction to a polished and inviting environment sets the scene for a positive experience, the introduction to your cleaner cover letter serves a similar purpose
Include one or two sentences that underscore why you are the best person for the job. Tailor this to suit the job you are applying for. Ultimately, you want the hiring manager to believe you have the right abilities and attitude for the role.
How much experience do you have? Are you used to cleaning the type of premises this employer needs to be cleaned? What makes you shine in the sea of other candidates?
The aim of the cover letter introduction: Grab the hiring manager's attention in just a couple of sentences, conveying the key reasons you are the right fit for the job.
Here is the greeting and introduction from our cleaner cover letter example.
Dear Ms. Riley,
With 10 years of experience in cleaning commercial premises, I’m excited about the possibility of joining The Cleaning Co.’s team as a cleaner. The skills I have acquired, along with my commitment to impeccable results, align closely with your company’s reputation for personalised and efficient service.
Cover letter middle part (body)
The middle section, or body, of your cover letter is where you can set yourself apart from the other candidates. You have a bit more freedom here to expand on your most important and relevant skills and expertise.
Bullet points can be an effective, reader-friendly way to highlight your most impressive abilities and achievements. For instance, have you been a cleaner for a world-famous property? Do you have a system that allows you to turn a junkyard into a pristine palace in just a few hours? Don't be afraid to put modesty aside.
The aim of the body of your cover letter: Elaborate on the type of cleaner you area, what makes you different from other cleaners, and how people feel when they enter a place you have cleaned.
Our cleaner cover letter sample illustrates what you might include in the middle part:
Known for being a friendly, conscientious worker, no matter how daunting the circumstances, I have received positive feedback from my employers in all the cleaning roles I have fulfilled. I always aim to exceed expectations, with a track record that has earned individual employee awards on several occasions, as well as “most spotless store” honors for up to seven months at a stretch.
I work hard during the night shift to ensure customers and staff arrive at a squeaky clean and tidy store every morning. This is achieved through my meticulous efforts to:
- Sweep and mop all floors, with extra regard for the highest-traffic areas where 300 to 450 sets of customer footprints might be left on a busy day
- Wipe down and sanitise all surfaces and equipment, from display cases and cash register to office furniture to kitchen counters and appliances
- Efficiently dispose of rubbish in a hygienic manner and manage complex recycling protocols
- Contribute to an accident-free workplace and reduced staff illness rates by complying with health and safety rules
How to close a cleaner cover letter (conclusion and sign-off)
The conclusion of your cleaner cover letter is where you can reinforce your interest in the job and why the employer should hire you.
Be sure to include a call to action, expressing your excitement at the prospect of attending an interview. Implying that you expect some kind of response from the hiring manager can still come across respectfully. We’re not saying you should demand an interview, but don't be afraid to show that you want one!
The aim of the cover letter conclusion: Reinforce your interest in the job and end on a respectful, enthusiastic note.
Below is the closing section of our cleaner cover letter sample.
I would welcome the chance to discuss in more detail my potential for being a skilled and reliable cleaner at The Cleaning Co., and to learn more about your needs and clientele.
Best regards,
Susan McNally
Basic mistakes in a cleaner cover letter (and how to avoid them)
Cleaners are known for their attention to detail, organisation skills, and ability to do a thorough job. The same skills are also required to ensure your cleaner cover letter is error-free. Here are some of the most common cover letter mistakes you want to avoid.
- Spelling and grammar: Always ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors on your cover letter. These are extremely off-putting to employers. Even though your job is physical, writing faults show a lack of professionalism and attention to detail — qualities that are paramount for a good cleaner!
- Letters that are too long. Hiring managers are instantly put off when an essay-length cover letter lands on their lap. Keep it short and sweet. Never go over one page in length. Remember, your cover letter leads the reader your CV; it is the synopsis, not the whole story.
- No personality. A cover letter should reflect your personality. The free-form style allows you to make it your own. Think of it as a conversation rather than a ticked-box exercise. It will seem more more natural and help you build a rapport with the reader.
- Lack of regard for visual appearance. Flawed layout, design and formatting flaws can make your cover letter uninviting or difficult to read. Consider using one of Resume.io’s tried-and-tested cover letter templates to ensure your letter looks as good as it reads.
Key takeaways
- Give the reader an insight into what it would be like to walk into a property you have cleaned.
- Use quantifiable examples, where possible, to illustrate the value you can bring to the employer.
- Share your passion for the job and, in particular, why you're applying for this role specifically.
- Use our cover letter examples and cover letter samples for guidance.
