Whether you’re a school caretaker, a gym cleaner or a hotel housekeeper, as a cleaner, you’re essential to the comfort and functionality of all institutions and businesses.
A squeaky-clean CV can make your experience shine and put you on the path to a great new job. This single document will show the hiring manager that you have what it takes to meet the role criteria. For that reason, it's vital that you get it right from the start.
CV guide for a cleaner CV
Luckily, that’s where Resume.io can help. With a library of CV examples and writing guides for different industries and career levels, we’re a professional resource for job seekers. We also have an easy-to-use CV builder that will help you get the job done.
This resume guide and corresponding cleaner CV example will cover the following:
- How to write a cleaner CV
- Choosing the right CV format for a cleaner
- How to add your contact information
- Using summaries
- Adding your cleaning experience
- Listing education and relevant experience
- Picking the right CV design/layout
- What the cleaner market looks like, and what salary you can expect
How to write a cleaner CV
Creating a plan for writing your cleaner CV is the best way to ensure you stay focused. This format will allow you to capture the major points of your experience in a concise manner. Your CV should contain the following elements:
- CV header
- CV summary (aka profile or personal statement)
- Employment history section
- CV skills section
- Education section
When it comes to entry-level positions like cleaning, a well-organised format can quickly show a hiring manager that you’re serious about the job. Making sure the employer can find what they are looking for allows you to stand out among candidates who hastily threw their CV together.
If it's been a while since you last updated your CV, we've got you covered. Read our comprehensive guide now and find out the basics that you need to know to get started.
Beat the bots
While many cleaning jobs require similar skills, it’s crucial to consider the employer’s advertised job description when creating your CV.
Companies that use online application portals will likely run applicants’ CVs through a scanner that looks for keywords and ranks them against the other candidates.
Beat these Applicant Tracking Systems ( ATS) by placing specific words and phrases from the job description into the appropriate sections of your CV.
For example, a cleaner job description may include the following phrases:
- "Cleaner"
- "Ability to work independently"
- "Evenings, weekends, and overtime"
- "Sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and dusting"
- "Adhering to industry standards"
By including these in your cleaner CV, you could increase your chances of success. For example, you might write the following:
"Experienced cleaner with the ability to work independently. Available for evenings, weekends, and overtime. Proficient in sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and dusting while adhering to industry standards."
Choosing the right CV format for a cleaner
Cleaners with some level of experience will find the traditional reverse chronological format to be their best choice. That’s because this CV format focuses on an employment history section where candidates can convey the skills and responsibilities performed in previous positions going back through the past 10 years or so.
While the reverse chronological format is preferred by hiring managers and automated CV scanners, it’s not the only option. Early-career job seekers and those without much experience to show may opt for a functional CV format, which highlights skills over work history, or a hybrid format which is a combination of the other formats.
Read more about the different CV formats you can use in our guide!
Include your contact information
A distinctive CV header automatically makes everything else on the page look neat, orderly and inviting to read. If you manage to wow the hiring manager with your cleaner CV, they will want to reach out to you. Make sure that their job is easy by including the following elements:
- Full name & title. List your first name and surname, plus the role title.
- Professional email address. Use an email address that has your name in it.
- Phone number. Always include a phone number that you use regularly. Make sure that your answer phone message is suitable too.
- Location. You don't need to give your full address, but you can if you want to.
Don’t include:
- Date of birth. This detail may lead to age discrimination issues.
- Personal details. Marital status, NI number, passport number, etc.
Make use of a summary
As a cleaner, it may be difficult to immediately show an employer what makes you different from other candidates with the same essential skills. That’s where your CV summary comes in — sometimes called the profile or personal statement.
These three to five sentences allow you to speak directly to the hiring manager and point out some of your personality traits, as well as your cleaning experience. Don’t forget to use strong action verbs and numbers or statistics to convey your motivation and work ethic.
Check out these other CV examples and writing guides for more ideas and inspiration: housekeeper CV example, customer service CV example, warehouse operative CV example, and support worker CV example.
Below you’ll find the summary from our adaptable cleaner CV samples.
Friendly and hard-working cleaner seeking for work in an agency setting. Knowledgeable about the best cleaning approaches, products, and "hacks". Confident in working as part of a larger team or on an independent basis.
Dedicated and reliable cleaner with 5+ years of experience cleaning commercial spaces and offices. Up to date with the latest cleaning techniques and keen eye for detail. Boasts a flexible schedule for ongoing shift work with the right company.
Reliable, conscientious Cleaner with 10+ years of experience leaving both residential and commercial spaces in meticulous condition. A self-starter with a proven track record of managing a high-volume workload in a timely and efficient manner. Up-to-date knowledge of the most effective and eco-friendly cleaning products and techniques.
Outline your cleaner work experience
Your employment history section is the place to show that you’re capable of meeting the demands of the cleaning job because of your previous experience in the field.
Make sure to include the job title, employer name, start and end dates and location for all positions going back until about 10 years. If you don’t have any cleaning jobs to show, simply list other relevant work and focus on the transferable skills that make you a great applicant for this particular position.
Beneath each job title, take the time to outline the results you offered. For example, you may choose to include some of the following phrases:
- "Worked independently in private residences with a 99% customer satisfaction rating"
- "Collaborated with a 20-strong cleaning team working within hospitality venues"
- "Increased cleaning efficiency by 17% over the course of three months"
As. you can see above, many of these are results-based points. That means that they place the emphasis on the results that the cleaner gained due to their work. You should mimic this style when it comes to filling out your cleaner work experience section.
See our cleaner CV sample text for the employment history section below.
Facility Cleaner at Maple Ridge Apartments, Cambridge
August 2017 - May 2023
- Complaint-free record of meticulously cleaning 50+ flats per week, uniformly upholding company cleaning and sanitation standards.
- Worked collaboratively with other cleaning staff to ensure assignments were completed within the allotted time frame.
- Researched the most effective and up-to-date cleaning methods to ensure quality work, sharing this knowledge with colleagues.
- Notified supervisor promptly of any issues or rooms needing attention.
- Maintained an inventory of cleaning supplies and replaced as needed, resulting in 20% cost savings compared to previous years.
- Protected the privacy and security of flat owners and handled their belongings with care and consideration.
Housekeeper at Madelia Maids, Cambridge
March 2013 - July 2017
- Maintained the cleanliness of residents' homes as assigned by the director of housekeeping, with 40+ recommendations and 0 complaints.
- Proficiently used cleaning chemicals properly and safely.
- Cheerful, friendly, and professional attitude was appreciated by residents and co-workers alike.
- Upheld sanitation standards and recycling protocol for rubbish disposal.
Front Desk Clerk at Southampton Apartments, Cambridge, UK
June 2012 - February 2013
- Greeted residents and guests promptly in a friendly and helpful manner.
- Informed, directed and guided building visitors as needed, always with regard for resident safety and security.
How to write a cleaner CV with no experience
If you are new to the world of cleaning, don't fret. Whether you are a career changer or recent graduate, there are ways in which you can wow the hiring manager all the same.
One option is to focus on your transferrable skills. For example, if you have worked in a group environment and this cleaning role is collaborative, talk about that. If you are highly organised and have proof of it, mention this in your cleaner CV.
Many of the skills you need as a cleaner — such as time management, organisation, and self-motivation — are necessary in other roles. With that in mind, think about the experience you do have and how it relates to the role of a cleaner. If in doubt, you can always go back to the original job posting and see what the core criteria is there.
Include the relevant key skills that make you a great cleaner
As a cleaner, your skills are at the heart of your daily responsibilities. They should also be front and center in your CV skills section. Since this section is generally a bullet-point list, it’s worth taking a moment to check the job description so that you can place only the most relevant skills in this list.
Any areas of expertise should be highlighted here, along with specialised equipment you are comfortable with. Those are typically hard skills. Be sure to add a few soft skills — personality traits and work habits — as a great way to round out this section by showing an employer that you’re a pleasure to be around. Here are some cleaning examples:
- Confident using cleaning methods (e.g., steam cleaning, dry cleaning)
- Experience and knowledge of cleaning and sanitisation protocols — especially in healthcare or hospitality
- High level of attention to detail for thorough cleaning and spot check
- Familiarity with health and safety regulations
Here are some examples if you use specialised equipment:
- Knowledegable about using industrial carpet cleaners
- Confident using floor buffers and polishers
- Skilled in using steam cleaners for a variety of surfaces
Check out the skills section from our cleaner CV sample below.
- Cleaning Techniques
- Deep Sanitation Practices
- Basic Maintenance
- Effective Time Management
- Hard Working
- Fast Learner
- Customer Service
- Ability to Multitask
Detail your education & relevant certifications
While cleaners aren’t required to have formal education, if you have completed any sort of degree, it’s worth adding to your CV education section. Your secondary school qualifications, dates and location can help give an employer a sense of your background.
If you’ve attended university or completed another form of coursework, make sure to add that here — even if it’s a degree in progress. You might also include:
- NVQ training: NVQ Level 1/2 in Cleaning and Support Service Skills
- BICSc qualifications: British Institute of Cleaning Science Certification
- COSHH certificates: Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Training
- HSE certificates: Health and Safety Executive compliance certification
- Infection Control Certificate: This is especially important if you work in healthcare
See the education section from our cleaner CV example below.
St. Mary's School, GCSE, Cambridge, UK
Sep 2007 - May 2012
Pick the right resume layout and design for a cleaner CV
Just as cleanliness increases the attractiveness of an environment, a polished and organised CV layout can instantly draw a hiring manager toward your application.
A cleaner CV needn’t be over the top with colour or other embellishments, but it should look attractive and inviting to read at first glance.
A balance of white space to text can help alleviate fatigue for the reader’s eyes. Keeping your margin settings to the default one inch on all sides of the page is one step in that direction.
Make sure to stick with the same one or two font styles throughout your CV. You can make this easier by using one of Resume.io's professionally-designed CV templates.
Cleaner job market and outlook
The future may be bright for cleaners. According to the British Cleaning Council, cleaners make up 5% of the UK’s workforce, with 1.4 million people employed in that sector. If you are considering a role in this sector, now is the time to spruce up your CV.
What type of salary you can expect in cleaning
Before you get started with this job, you need to know how much you will make. According to Indeed, cleaners in the UK can expect to make £10.94 per hour on average. The job search site also suggested that cleaners make an average salary of £20,594 per year.
Key takeaways for a cleaner CV
An attractive and polished CV can go a long way in making a cleaner’s job application stand out from others with similar skill sets. Make sure to take full advantage of the summary by calling the employer’s attention to your strengths, experience and work style. Don’t forget to quantify your employment experience with numbers and statistics.
If you want to take your cleaner CV to the next level, make sure you use our CV builder now. We will help you create an application that will wow the hiring manager in no time.
