Cleaning is a vital profession that plays a key role in maintaining hygiene and safety across various settings—from private homes and offices to specialised environments like crime scenes and healthcare facilities. Whether you want to become a house cleaner, a window cleaner, or a specialist like a crime scene cleaner, there are clear steps you can take to build a successful career in cleaning in the UK. This guide explains how to become a cleaner, what qualifications you might need, and how to grow within this field.
Why Choose a Career in Cleaning?
Becoming a cleaner offers a practical career path with opportunities for self-employment, flexible working hours, and the chance to specialise in diverse areas. The cleaning industry also offers steady demand, making it a stable option even during economic fluctuations. For those interested in more specialist work, roles such as crime scene cleaner, forensic cleaner, or biohazard cleaner offer unique challenges and the chance to develop specialised skills.
Steps to Become a Cleaner in the UK
If you’re interested in starting a cleaning career in the UK, these essential steps will guide you from understanding the role to gaining experience, training, and building a professional CV.
1. Understand the Role of a Cleaner
Before diving in, it’s important to understand what cleaning jobs involve. Cleaners work across residential, commercial, and specialised environments. Tasks may include dusting, vacuuming, floor care, window cleaning, waste removal, and disinfecting surfaces. Specialist roles may involve hazardous waste handling, crime scene decontamination, or industrial cleaning.
While general cleaning roles often require minimal qualifications, many employers look for reliability, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic. Physically, the job can be demanding, so a reasonable level of fitness helps.
2. Gain Basic Experience
The best way to start your cleaning career is by gaining practical experience. Many begin with domestic cleaning jobs or work for cleaning companies in offices, schools, or healthcare facilities. Volunteering or part-time jobs can help you develop your skills, build a reputation, and improve your chances of getting paid work.
This experience can also help you decide if you want to specialise in a particular type of cleaning, such as becoming a window cleaner or moving into more technical roles like drain cleaning or forensic cleaning.
3. Training and Qualifications
While formal qualifications aren’t mandatory for most cleaning jobs, they can improve your employability and help you command higher rates, especially if you want to become a professional cleaner.
- City & Guilds Cleaning Courses: The City & Guilds Level 1 or 2 Certificate in Cleaning and Support Services is recognised across the UK and demonstrates your knowledge of cleaning techniques, health and safety, and environmental standards.
- British Institute of Cleaning Science (BICSc): BICSc offers training and accreditation for professional cleaners, boosting credibility with employers.
- Specialist Training: For crime scene cleaners or biohazard cleaners, you will need specific training covering hazardous waste handling, use of PPE, and decontamination procedures. Accredited courses such as those provided by the National Academy of Specialist Cleaners (NASC) are essential.
4. Obtain Necessary Licenses and Certifications
Depending on the cleaning role, you may need certifications to comply with legal and health standards.
- Certified Cleaner: Becoming a certified cleaner through recognised bodies adds professional credibility.
- Crime Scene Cleaner UK: This role requires specialised certification due to the nature of the work involving biohazards and potentially dangerous substances.
- Licensed House Cleaner: Some clients or agencies require cleaners to be licensed, especially for working in healthcare or childcare environments.
5. Building Your Cleaner CV
Whether applying to an agency or seeking self-employed work, a strong cleaner CV is crucial. Include your relevant experience, training courses, certifications, and any specialised skills (e.g., high-rise window cleaning, crime scene cleaning, or carpet cleaning). Highlight reliability, attention to detail, and any customer service experience, as these are valued traits.
Specialised Cleaning Roles
Specialised cleaning roles require specific skills and training—here’s an overview of some unique careers within the cleaning industry in the UK, from crime scene cleaning to window cleaning and beyond.
Crime Scene Cleaner
One of the most demanding and specialised roles is that of a crime scene cleaner. These professionals handle the cleaning and sanitisation of areas affected by violent crimes, accidents, or suicides. Becoming a crime scene cleaner in the UK requires training in health and safety, biohazard management, and legal compliance.
- Training: Look for accredited courses such as those from NASC that cover trauma scene cleaning procedures and the correct use of protective equipment.
- Age and Eligibility: Typically, you need to be over 18 and pass background checks due to the sensitive nature of the work.
- Salary: Crime scene cleaners can earn competitive wages due to the specialist skills required.
Self-Employed Cleaner
Many cleaners in the UK choose to work for themselves. To become a self-employed cleaner, you must:
- Register as self-employed with HMRC.
- Manage your own taxes and National Insurance.
- Obtain appropriate insurance (public liability, employer’s liability if hiring others).
- Invest in cleaning supplies and transport.
- Build a client base through marketing and referrals.
Self-employment offers flexibility but requires good organisational skills and business sense.
Window Cleaner
Window cleaning is a popular and lucrative niche within the cleaning industry. To become a window cleaner in the UK, especially high-rise or skyscraper window cleaning, you must be trained in working safely at heights.
Training: Health and safety training, including working at height certificates, are mandatory. Many window cleaners work with ladders or use rope access techniques requiring specialised skills.
Other Specialised Cleaners
- Drain Cleaner: Requires knowledge of plumbing and clearing blockages.
- Pool Cleaner: Focuses on maintaining pools and water quality.
- Biohazard Cleaner: Works in environments with biological hazards, often overlapping with crime scene cleaning.
- Airbnb Cleaner: Caters to short-term rental properties, needing reliability and quick turnaround skills.
- Rug and Carpet Cleaner: Uses specialised equipment and products to deep clean floor coverings.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Cleaner?
For general cleaning roles, you can start immediately with little to no experience. Gaining entry-level experience can take just a few weeks or months depending on your commitment. Getting professional qualifications or specialist training may take several weeks to a few months, depending on the course.
Specialist roles, like crime scene cleaning, may take longer due to the need for formal accredited training and experience in hazardous environments.
Tips for Success in Cleaning Careers
- Build a Reputation: Word of mouth and reliability lead to more job offers.
- Invest in Training: Even basic courses improve skills and credibility.
- Consider Specialisation: Specialist roles often pay more and offer career progression.
- Be Professional: Dress appropriately, arrive on time, and maintain communication with clients.
- Stay Fit: Cleaning can be physically demanding; good health helps.
- Keep Learning: Stay updated on new cleaning technologies, chemicals, and safety regulations.
Conclusion
Whether you want to become a house cleaner, a crime scene cleaner, or specialise in window cleaning or another niche, the cleaning industry offers a variety of career paths in the UK. Starting with basic experience, gaining the right training, and building a professional cleaner CV will help you stand out in this competitive field.
If you’re considering self-employment, make sure you understand the legal and business responsibilities involved. With dedication and the right approach, you can develop a rewarding and stable career in cleaning.
