20 House Cleaner Interview Questions (With Example Answers)
It's important to prepare for an interview in order to improve your chances of getting the job. Researching questions beforehand can help you give better answers during the interview. Most interviews will include questions about your personality, qualifications, experience and how well you would fit the job. In this article, we review examples of various house cleaner interview questions and sample answers to some of the most common questions.
Common House Cleaner Interview Questions
- What is your name?
- What are the hours you are available?
- How many years of experience do you have?
- How would you clean a bathroom?
- How would you dust furniture?
- How would you vacuum a carpet?
- How would you clean a kitchen?
- How would you handle cleaning a home with pets?
- How do you deal with tough stains?
- What cleaning products do you prefer to use?
- Are you comfortable working with chemicals?
- What is your policy on overtime?
- Do you have any experience in commercial cleaning?
- Do you have liability insurance?
- What is your average rate per hour?
- Do you require a deposit?
- What forms of payment do you accept?
- What is your cancellation policy?
- Do you offer any discounts?
- When are you available to start work?
What is your name?
The interviewer is likely asking for the house cleaner's name in order to create a rapport and establish trust. It is important for the interviewer to know the name of the person they are talking to in order to create a connection.
Example: “My name is ____________. I am a professional house cleaner. I have been cleaning houses for over 10 years. I am reliable, trustworthy, and detail-oriented. I will make sure your home is clean and clutter-free.”
What are the hours you are available?
The interviewer is trying to determine if the house cleaner is available to work during the hours that the interviewer needs cleaning to be done. It is important to know the house cleaner's availability so that the interviewer can determine if they are able to meet their needs.
Example: “I am available Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.”
How many years of experience do you have?
An interviewer would ask "How many years of experience do you have?" to a/an House Cleaner in order to gauge their level of experience and expertise. This is important because it allows the interviewer to determine whether or not the House Cleaner is qualified for the position they are applying for. Additionally, it helps the interviewer to get a better sense of the House Cleaner's work history and what they may be able to bring to the table in terms of skills and knowledge.
Example: “I have been cleaning houses for over 10 years. I have experience with all types of homes and cleaning needs. I am confident in my abilities to provide a high level of cleanliness and customer satisfaction. I take pride in my work and always aim to exceed expectations.”
How would you clean a bathroom?
One reason an interviewer might ask a house cleaner how they would clean a bathroom is to gauge the level of experience and expertise the house cleaner has. This question can also reveal how the house cleaner would approach a cleaning job, and whether they would take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and others from potentially harmful cleaning products and chemicals.
Example: “To clean a bathroom, you will need to gather the following supplies: a bucket, a sponge, a toilet brush, a scrub brush, cleaning cloths, gloves, a dust mask, and bathroom cleaner. You will also need to open the windows to ventilate the room.
1. Fill your bucket with hot water and add the bathroom cleaner.
2. Dip your sponge in the bucket and start scrubbing the sink, countertops, and toilet.
3. Use the toilet brush to clean the bowl and under the rim.
4. Scrub the tub and shower with the scrub brush.
5. Wipe down all surfaces with a clean cloth.
6. Mop the floor with hot water and bathroom cleaner.
7. Open the windows to air out the room.”
How would you dust furniture?
The interviewer is trying to gauge the house cleaner's attention to detail. It is important for a house cleaner to be detail oriented in order to do a thorough job.
Example: “To dust furniture, you will need to gather a few supplies including a dust cloth, a feather duster, or a vacuum with a soft brush attachment. You will also need to decide whether you want to use a furniture polish or not. If you do choose to use furniture polish, make sure it is safe for the type of furniture you are cleaning.
Start by dusting any flat surfaces on the furniture using your dust cloth or feather duster. Be sure to get into all the nooks and crannies. If you are using a vacuum with a soft brush attachment, start with the upholstered areas of the furniture. Vacuum in a back and forth motion across the fabric.
Next, move on to dusting any carved details or other ornate features on the furniture. Again, use your dust cloth or feather duster to get into all the small spaces. If you are using a vacuum, be careful not to scratch the furniture with the attachment.
Finally, if you are using furniture polish, apply it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Polish can help protect furniture from dirt and dust and can also give it a nice shine.”
How would you vacuum a carpet?
One important aspect of being a house cleaner is knowing how to vacuum a carpet. This question allows the interviewer to gauge the applicant's cleaning knowledge and skills. It is important to know how to vacuum a carpet because it is one of the most common ways to clean carpets.
Example: “First, you would need to determine the type of carpet you are dealing with. If it is a low-pile carpet, you can use a vacuum with a beater bar or brush attachment. If it is a high-pile carpet, you will need to use a vacuum with a roller attachment.
Once you have determined the appropriate attachment, you can begin vacuuming the carpet. Start by vacuuming in one direction, and then switch directions and vacuum in the other direction. Be sure to overlap your strokes so that you don't miss any spots.”
How would you clean a kitchen?
An interviewer would ask "How would you clean a kitchen?" to a/an House Cleaner to get an idea of the House Cleaner's cleaning routine and to see if the House Cleaner is familiar with common cleaning techniques. This is important because it helps the interviewer understand the House Cleaner's attention to detail and ability to follow directions.
Example: “The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house, and it needs to be kept clean and tidy at all times. There are a few different ways to clean a kitchen, and the best way will depend on the size and layout of the room.
If you have a small kitchen, you can start by cleaning the sink and countertops. Then, move on to cleaning the stovetop and oven. Be sure to scrub all of the surfaces well, using hot water and dish soap. Next, clean the floors by sweeping and mopping. Finally, wipe down all of the cabinets and appliances.
For a larger kitchen, you may need to divide the cleaning into sections. Start by cleaning the sink and countertops, then move on to one section of the room at a time. Be sure to pay special attention to areas that tend to get dirty quickly, such as near the stovetop or oven. Don't forget to sweep and mop the floors when you're finished!”
How would you handle cleaning a home with pets?
An interviewer might ask this question to a house cleaner to gauge their ability to work in a home with pets. This is important because some people are allergic to pets or may not be comfortable working around them.
Example: “If the home has pets, I would take extra care to ensure that all areas are clean and free of pet hair. I would also be sure to vacuum and mop thoroughly to remove any pet dander from the floors.”
How do you deal with tough stains?
An interviewer would ask "How do you deal with tough stains?" to a house cleaner to gauge the level of experience and knowledge the house cleaner has. It is important because it shows how well the house cleaner can handle difficult situations.
Example: “There are a few different ways to deal with tough stains, depending on the type of stain and the material it is on. For example, if you are dealing with a tough grease stain on clothing, you can pretreat it with a grease-fighting laundry detergent before washing it. If you are dealing with a tough food stain on carpet, you can try blotting it with a mixture of dish soap and water, then scrubbing it with a brush.”
What cleaning products do you prefer to use?
Some cleaning products can be harsh on surfaces, so it is important for the house cleaner to know which products to use on which surfaces. This will help the interviewer determine if the house cleaner is knowledgeable about cleaning products and how to use them properly.
Example: “I prefer to use cleaning products that are natural and non-toxic. I also like to use products that are effective and affordable.”
Are you comfortable working with chemicals?
Some house cleaners may be asked to work with chemicals as part of their job. It is important for the interviewer to know if the candidate is comfortable working with these materials.
Example: “Yes, I am comfortable working with chemicals. I have experience using a variety of cleaning products and solutions, and I am familiar with the safety precautions that need to be taken when using them. I am also comfortable using more heavy-duty cleaning products and solutions if necessary.”
What is your policy on overtime?
In many places, house cleaners are entitled to time-and-a-half pay for any hours worked over a certain number in a day or week. Asking about the policy on overtime can give the interviewer an idea of how much the applicant is willing to work and how much they expect to be paid. It can also help the interviewer to understand the applicant's availability and schedule.
Example: “We do not offer overtime.”
Do you have any experience in commercial cleaning?
The interviewer is trying to gauge whether the house cleaner has the skills and experience necessary to perform commercial cleaning tasks. This is important because commercial cleaning generally requires a higher level of skill and experience than residential cleaning.
Example: “Yes, I have experience in commercial cleaning. I have worked in a variety of commercial settings, including office buildings, retail stores, and restaurants. I have experience with a variety of cleaning tasks, including vacuuming, mopping, dusting, and restroom cleaning. I am familiar with a variety of commercial cleaning products and equipment. I am also experienced in working as part of a team to complete cleaning tasks efficiently and effectively.”
Do you have liability insurance?
An interviewer would ask "Do you have liability insurance?" to a/an House Cleaner because it is important for the company to know if the House Cleaner is covered in case of any accidents that may occur while working.
Example: “Yes, I have liability insurance.”
What is your average rate per hour?
The interviewer is likely trying to gauge how much the house cleaner would charge for their services. This information is important because it can help the interviewer determine if the house cleaner is within their budget.
Example: “Our average rate per hour is $25. We offer a variety of services and our rates may vary depending on the type of service requested. For example, our rates for deep cleaning are higher than our rates for general cleaning.”
Do you require a deposit?
This question is important because it allows the interviewer to gauge whether or not the house cleaner is comfortable working with a deposit. A deposit is typically required when hiring a house cleaner so that the individual has some skin in the game, so to speak. If the house cleaner is not comfortable working with a deposit, it may be an indication that they are not as professional as the interviewer would like.
Example: “We do not require a deposit for our house cleaning services. However, we do require full payment upfront.”
What forms of payment do you accept?
There are a few reasons an interviewer might ask a house cleaner about their payment policy. First, the interviewer may be trying to gauge the house cleaner's flexibility. Second, the interviewer may be trying to determine if the house cleaner is able to work with different types of payment methods. Finally, the interviewer may be trying to determine if the house cleaner is able to work with different types of clients. By asking this question, the interviewer can get a better sense of the house cleaner's business practices and whether they would be a good fit for the company.
Example: “I accept cash, check, and all major credit cards.”
What is your cancellation policy?
The interviewer is asking about the cancellation policy to get a sense of how flexible the house cleaner is and how much notice they need if a customer needs to cancel a booking. It is important to know this information so that the customer can plan accordingly and not be left in a bind if they need to cancel at the last minute.
Example: “We understand that life happens and sometimes you need to cancel your cleaning appointment. We require 24 hours notice for cancelling or rescheduling an appointment. If you do not provide us with at least 24 hours notice, you will be charged a $50 fee.”
Do you offer any discounts?
There could be several reasons why an interviewer would ask if a house cleaner offers any discounts. One reason could be that the interviewer is trying to get a sense of the house cleaner's pricing structure. Another reason could be that the interviewer is trying to see if the house cleaner is willing to negotiate on price. It is important for the interviewer to ask this question because it will help them determine if the house cleaner is a good fit for their needs.
Example: “We offer a variety of discounts, depending on the services you require. For example, we offer a 10% discount for first-time customers, as well as discounts for seniors and military personnel.”
When are you available to start work?
The interviewer is trying to determine if the house cleaner is available to start work immediately or if there is a waiting period. This is important because the interviewer needs to know how soon the position can be filled.
Example: “I am available to start work immediately.”