Cleaning Services Guide and Directory

Most of us appreciate a clean space.  We feel more comfortable in an orderly house, and equate the cleanliness of a business with its level of professionalism.  In addition, cleanliness has actually been shown to be vitally important to our health, happiness, and well-being.  Men and women in the cleaning industry help keep environments sanitary, attractive, and germ-free, and the cleaning industry continues to be in-demand.  It employs a large number of people in diverse positions and settings, including private residences, schools, small and large businesses, government offices, libraries, museums, churches, hospitals, doctors' offices, and hotels.  Many cleaning positions require little or no training, which makes the industry ideal for anyone who is willing to work hard but doesn't necessarily have a lot of experience.

Many people with a busy schedule employ the help of a cleaning person who may live in the home, or come by to clean it periodically.  In addition to cleaning bathrooms, dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing floors, and washing windows, some residential housekeepers also do laundry and cook meals.  Over 100,000 public and private schools in the U.S provide many custodial positions.  In addition to cleaning all areas of the school, custodians often paint walls, cut the grass, de-ice walkways, and are the first ones called to make minor repairs.  Businesses, government offices, libraries, museums, and churches often need the help of a cleaning service to perform routine cleaning duties to maintain order and sanitation.  Sanitation is extremely important in hospitals and doctors' offices where workers may come in contact with blood and other bodily fluids.  In the hotel sector of the hospitality industry, the housekeeping staff employs maids and housecleaners.  Maids are responsible for stripping and remaking the beds, vacuuming and dusting, replacing towels and linens, scrubbing the bathroom, and restocking supplies.  Housecleaners clean the halls, stairs, elevators, lobby, and other public areas.

The opportunities that exist in the cleaning industry are numerous; many individuals end up going into business for themselves, either working alone, or managing employees.  The cleaning industry is often overlooked but much needed, and holds opportunities for anyone in good physical condition with the stamina and willingness to work hard.

Find more information about the cleaning industry at ISSA – The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association, the Cleaning Industry Research Institute, and the Cleaning Industry Trainers Guild.