Skills
- Service Orientation Actively looking for ways to help people.
- Coordination Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Time Management Managing one's own time and the time of others.
SOUTH AFRICA · SALARY IN RANDS
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
What the work involves, the skills employers want, and how to get started in South Africa.
- Chambermaid
- Cleaner
- Cottage Attendant
- Environmental Services Aide
- Environmental Services Worker
- Guest Room Attendant (GRA)
- Housekeeper
- Housekeeping Laundry Worker
What do Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners do?
Maids and housekeeping cleaners are professionals responsible for maintaining cleanliness and order in residential, commercial, and institutional environments. Their primary duties include cleaning and sanitizing various areas such as living rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms, as well as performing laundry and organizing household items. These professionals use a variety of cleaning products and equipment to ensure that spaces are hygienic and inviting. Additionally, they may be tasked with tasks such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping floors, and ensuring that surfaces are free from dirt, grime, and allergens. Attention to detail and a strong work ethic are essential traits for success in this field, as the quality of cleaning can greatly impact the comfort and satisfaction of clients. Maids and housekeeping cleaners often work independently or as part of a team, and their services can be contracted on a regular basis or for special occasions such as events or parties.
What the work actually is
- Keep storage areas and carts well-stocked, clean, and tidy.
- Carry linens, towels, toilet items, and cleaning supplies, using wheeled carts.
- Clean rooms, hallways, lobbies, lounges, restrooms, corridors, elevators, stairways, locker rooms, and other work areas so that health standards are met.
- Empty wastebaskets, empty and clean ashtrays, and transport other trash and waste to disposal areas.
- Sweep, scrub, wax, or polish floors, using brooms, mops, or powered scrubbing and waxing machines.
Skills employers expect
Abilities
- Trunk Strength The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.
- Extent Flexibility The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
- Near Vision The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
- Oral Comprehension The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Knowledge
- Customer and Personal Service Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
- English Language Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Public Safety and Security Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
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How people get into it
Education of new hires
Less than high school diploma
High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
A normal week
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Getting Information
Tools used on the job
Technology
- Spreadsheet software Microsoft Excel
- Desktop communications software Eko
- Electronic mail software Email software
- Facilities management software Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
- Operating system software Microsoft Windows
Tools
- Laundry type washing machines Household washers · Light commercial washing machines · Washer extractors
- Vacuum cleaners Backpack vacuums · Industrial vacuum cleaners · Standing HEPA vacuums
- Clothes dryers Household dryers · Industrial clothes dryers
- Floor polishers Floor burnishers · Power floor buffers
- Cleaning brushes Tile brushes
Who it suits
Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
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Questions people ask
How much do Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners earn in South Africa?
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners salaries in South Africa vary by experience, province and employer.
What do Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners do?
Keep storage areas and carts well-stocked, clean, and tidy, Carry linens, towels, toilet items, and cleaning supplies, using wheeled carts and Clean rooms, hallways, lobbies, lounges, restrooms, corridors, elevators, stairways, locker rooms, and other work areas so that health standards are met.
How do I know if this career fits me?
Take the free Assessify career assessment. It matches your answers to careers and shows the South African salary next to each one.