Janitors and Building Cleaners
Janitors and building cleaners keep many types of buildings clean, orderly, and in good condition.
Janitors and building cleaners typically do the following:
- Gather and empty trash and trash bins
- Clean building floors by sweeping, mopping, or vacuuming them
- Clean bathrooms and stock them with soap, toilet paper, and other supplies
- Keep buildings secure by locking doors
- Clean spills and other hazards using sponges and squeegees
- Wash windows, walls, and glass
- Order cleaning supplies
- Make minor repairs to the building, such as changing light bulbs
- Notify managers when the building needs major repairs
Janitors and building cleaning workers keep office buildings, schools, hospitals, retail stores, hotels, and other places clean, sanitary, and in good condition. Some do only cleaning, while others have a wide range of duties.
In addition to keeping the inside of buildings clean and orderly, some janitors and building cleaners work outdoors, mowing lawns, sweeping walkways, or shoveling snow. Some janitors also monitor the heating and cooling system, ensuring that it functions properly.
Janitors and building cleaners use many tools and equipment. Simple cleaning tools may include mops, brooms, rakes, and shovels. Other tools may include snowblowers and floor buffers.
Some janitors may be responsible for repairing small problems with electricity or plumbing, such as leaky faucets.
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
Maids and housekeeping cleaners perform general cleaning tasks, including making beds and vacuuming halls, in private homes and commercial establishments.
Maids and housekeeping cleaners typically do the following:
- Clean rooms, hallways, and other living or work areas
- Change sheets and towels; make beds; wash, fold, and iron clothes
- Empty wastebaskets and take trash to disposal areas
- Replenish supplies, such as soap and toilet paper
- Dust and polish furniture and equipment
- Sweep, wax, or polish floors using brooms, mops, or other floor-cleaning equipment
- Vacuum rugs, carpets, and upholstered furniture
- Clean or polish windows, walls, and woodwork
- Lift and move lightweight objects and equipment
Maids and housekeeping cleaners do light cleaning tasks in homes and commercial establishments, such as hotels, restaurants, hospitals, and nursing homes.
In addition to keeping these places clean and neat, maids who work in private homes also may prepare meals, polish silver, and clean ovens, refrigerators, and sometimes windows. Some also shop for groceries, pick up and drop off dry cleaning, and do other errands.
Those who work in hotels, hospitals, and other commercial establishments are responsible for cleaning and maintaining the premises. They may also share other duties. For example, housekeeping cleaners in hotels may deliver ironing boards, cribs, and rollaway beds to guests’ rooms. In hospitals, workers may have to wash bed frames and disinfect and sanitize equipment with germicides.
