Housekeeper Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a housekeeper. Feel free to use our housekeeper job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a housekeeper.
Who is a Housekeeper?
A housekeeper is a professional who is hired to perform domestic tasks such as cleaning, laundry, and occasionally cooking and errands. Generally, only wealthy households employ full-time domestic workers, though many dual-income upper and middle-class families hire a housekeeper temporarily.
Employing a full-time housekeeper, which many consider a luxury, may entail providing room and board in addition to a weekly or monthly salary. This person is typically not involved with the household’s children but is instead responsible for keeping the house clean and orderly. He or she may or may not be employed to do grocery shopping and meal preparation.
On the other hand, part-time housekeepers do not work for a single household but rather visit several throughout the week. They may work for an agency or a business that connects them with prospective clients. Households that hire part-time cleaners may do so on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis. Typically, a part-time housekeeper is responsible for only routine, thorough cleaning of the home.
A housekeeper’s typical responsibilities include vacuuming, dusting, mopping, kitchen and bathroom details, as well as surface cleaning. When discussing employment terms with the housekeeper, the employer and housekeeper agree on the specific duties of the person. Apart from private households, hotels, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities also hire housekeeping staff.
Salary for a housekeeper varies according to location and duties and can range from hourly to weekly or monthly. A full-time employee is typically compensated on a salary, whereas part-time housekeepers and those employed by businesses are typically compensated on an hourly basis. If a household wishes to hire a housekeeper who doubles as a nanny and cares for children, the expected salary is generally higher than that of a cleaner working alone.
Housekeepers keep their work environments clean by performing routine cleaning tasks. While housekeepers are frequently employed in hotels, they may also find work in residential facilities or private homes. These professionals may also be referred to as room cleaners, maids, house cleaners, room attendants, or housekeeping aides by employers.
A housekeeper is accountable for performing routine cleaning tasks to keep a sanitary and orderly environment. These professionals perform these tasks with a variety of supplies, including chemical cleaning products and disinfectants. Additionally, they may use cleaning tools such as mops, vacuum cleaners, brooms, irons, laundry machines, and dishwashers.
These individuals perform their duties in a variety of settings, including private residences, residential facilities, and commercial establishments. As a result, their cleaning duties vary according to their environment and employer. For instance, housekeepers employed in healthcare or hospitality settings may be required to adhere to stricter cleaning and sanitation standards than those employed in private homes by families. Certain housekeepers who work in private homes may also be responsible for other household tasks, such as running errands or caring for pets and children.
Housekeeper Job Description
Below are the housekeeper job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a housekeeper job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a housekeeper include the following:
- Making beds and changing bed linens
- Vacuuming carpets, sweeping and mopping floors, dusting and cleaning surfaces and lighting fixtures in bedrooms, living areas, and other areas of the home or facility
- Substituting neatly folded and artfully arranged towels, washcloths, and bath mats for bath linens
- Cleaning coffee pots, dishwashing, and replenishing supplies for the coffee bar, wet bar, and other food and beverage establishments.
- Replenishing toiletries such as soaps, lotions, shampoos, toilet paper, and facial tissue
- Maintaining cleanliness and upkeep of facilities and common areas.
- Cleaning up spills using the proper equipment.
- Notifying managers of any repairs that are required.
- Taking care of trash collection and disposal.
- Assisting guests as needed.
- Maintaining a well-stocked linen room.
- Cleaning upholstered furniture thoroughly.
Qualifications
To excel as a housekeeper, particularly in high-end environments, you must possess a diverse skill set.
Education
Housekeepers typically have few educational requirements. While some employers prefer applicants with a high school diploma or its equivalent, this is not always required. Those interested in a career in hospitality management can earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in the field. With this background, you could begin your career in hospitality as a housekeeper and work your way up to management positions.
Training
On-the-job training is provided to housekeepers. Each facility has unique requirements that new housekeepers must adhere to. Hotels typically impose strict guidelines on the management of each room, ensuring that each guest has the same experience, including the following:
- Pillow count and placement
- The quantity and location of sheets and blankets on the bed
- Furnishings and blankets arrangement and folding
- Bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, and bath mats: placement, folding, and arrangement
- The quantity and location of toiletries in the bathroom
- Folding and stocking toilet paper
- Coffee supply organization
- What to do with ice buckets and glasses
- Minibar stocking procedures
- Disposal of trash and recycling containers in the room
- Configuration of the television and deletion of voicemails from the telephone
Additionally, each employer will supply a variety of cleaning supplies for the housekeeper to use. Proper use of these products is a component of the housekeeper’s on-the-job training. High-end hotels are particularly particular about where and how each item is handled and may specify details such as which room fragrances to use throughout the hotel.
When a housekeeper is hired to work in an individual’s home, training typically includes an overview of the company’s standards and procedures, as well as a demonstration of the services provided to each client.
Certifications
Housekeepers are not required to be certified. However, there are elective certificates available to help you build a stronger resume and expand your skillset.
- Certified Guestroom Attendant (CGA) certification
This certification program provides candidates with an overview of the hospitality industry and in-depth instruction on 19 critical housekeeping tasks, including cart organization, product use, room status codes, and safety and security. The course is delivered entirely online and must be completed within three months of enrollment.
- Mold Awareness Specialist (MAS) Certification
Candidates who pass the NREP’s online examination can earn certification as a mold awareness specialist. This certificate demonstrates your familiarity with mold and how to work with it. The exam is open book, and applicants may refer to any three texts during the examination.
Essential Skills
To perform their typical job duties effectively, housekeepers require a variety of soft skills. They frequently acquire these skills through experience, ensuring that they clean to the standards established by their employers. Among the necessary skills for housekeepers are the following:
- Detail-oriented
Housekeepers are in charge of cleaning a variety of surfaces. Being meticulous ensures that they complete cleaning tasks thoroughly and to the standards set by their employers. Their employers anticipate that they will remove visible litter and debris, as well as attend to stains, dust, and other minor details. Housekeepers are responsible for leaving their work area cleaner than when they arrived.
- Independence
Housekeepers frequently carry out their responsibilities independently, without the direct supervision of a supervisor or employer. These professionals must be self-starters or possess the ability to motivate themselves to complete their tasks independently of external assistance. As a result, they may also be required to hold themselves accountable to ensure that their cleaning meets their employers’ expectations for quality and efficiency. Similarly, those who work alone should feel secure in their ability to solve problems on their own. When housekeepers can manage their tasks, they demonstrate their dependability and trustworthiness to employers.
- Communication
Typically, housekeepers carry out their duties following their employer’s instructions. Possessing strong communication skills, such as active listening, enables these professionals to comprehend their employers’ expectations and to ask pertinent questions. They can also use their communication skills to keep coworkers informed of their progress and to share or delegate responsibilities when working in a team of housekeepers. Additionally, housekeepers may be required to communicate with their employers or respond to guests’ questions and requests.
- Dependability
Employers can trust and rely on housekeepers to perform their jobs effectively when they demonstrate dependability. Housekeepers can demonstrate their dependability by arriving on time for work and completing all scheduled cleaning tasks on time. Apart from keeping homes and other environments clean and organized, employers rely on housekeepers to ensure that everything works properly and that nothing is missing. Dependability enables housekeepers to develop trusting relationships with their employers, which is especially important when working in private residences. This trust can result in a positive reputation for housekeepers and opportunities for them to take on more significant responsibilities at work.
- Time Management
Housekeepers’ time management skills ensure that they complete all necessary cleaning tasks by the end of the workday. For instance, housekeepers working in private homes may be required to visit multiple residences in a single day and arrive on time for each appointment. Those who work in hotels or other commercial establishments may be required to clean a specified number of rooms per day. Housekeepers may also adjust their schedules to accommodate guests or occupants, frequently working while they are away. With these abilities, housekeepers can effectively manage their time and ensure that their work is completed efficiently and on time.
- Physical endurance
A housekeeper’s job can be physically demanding. These individuals may spend a significant amount of time standing and walking while vacuuming or mopping floors. Additionally, they may be required to bend over and squeeze into small or restricted spaces. Housekeepers may be required to move or lift heavy objects or furniture as part of their cleaning responsibilities. Depending on their job, these professionals may be required to maneuver through large spaces to clean multiple rooms or areas within a building.
How to Become a Housekeeper
- Obtain a high school diploma.
While high school education is not required, it will help you prepare for a successful career in housekeeping by providing you with fundamental math, literacy, and communication skills.
- Become acquainted with housekeeping activities.
Learn how to properly clean basic cleaning tasks such as thoroughly cleaning a bathroom, making a square-cornered bed, folding towels neatly into thirds, and cleaning floors from back to front. These skills can be acquired from a knowledgeable friend or family member, through on-the-job training in a cleaning-related position or through a certification program.
- Acquire work experience at the entry level.
Numerous housekeeping positions are entry-level. As a first-time housekeeper, you may need to start small. Additionally, you can gain relevant work experience by working in any position that requires cleaning or janitorial duties. Consider offering your cleaning services privately to individual clients to help you build a strong resume.
- Apply for housekeeping positions in your neighborhood.
To find positions in your desired area, conduct a job search for housekeepers, maids, and house cleaners. Submit your resume and follow up with a phone call or in-person visit to aid in your interview preparation.
Where to Work as a Housekeeper
Housekeepers are typically employed in lodging establishments. They may, however, find work in residential facilities such as senior living communities, dormitories, or rehabilitation centers. Additionally, housekeepers may work in private homes, cleaning part or all of the living space.
As previously stated, housekeeping can be a physically demanding job, as these individuals may be required to lift or move heavy objects and stand for extended periods. Because housekeepers frequently use chemical cleaners, they must adhere to specific rules to ensure their own and others’ safety. Additionally, these activities may necessitate the use of gloves and other protective clothing. Housekeepers may also spend a portion of their days traveling, either between private residences or within a hotel or campus.
Housekeeper Salary Scale
Housekeepers earn an average annual salary of $35,342 on a national level. Their salaries can vary significantly depending on a variety of factors, including their location, employer, and level of experience.