Special offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a £100 credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored Jobs posted directly on Indeed are 65% more likely to report a hire than non-sponsored jobs**
  • Visibility for hard-to-fill roles through branding and urgently hiring
  • Instantly source candidates through matching to expedite your hiring
  • Access skilled candidates to cut down on mismatched hires

Cleaner Interview Questions

Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

Whether you are preparing to interview a candidate or applying for a job, review our list of top Cleaner interview questions and answers.

  1. Do you prefer to work with other Cleaners or independently? See answer
  2. What cleaning products are you familiar with? See answer
  3. Do you have experience working flexible hours? See answer
  4. How do you clean a facility when other people are around? See answer
  5. How do you maintain the cleaning tools and equipment you use? See answer
  6. What would you do if your supervisor assigned tasks to you that were not part of your job description? See answer
  7. How do you handle cleaning emergencies? See answer
  8. How do you clean computer screens and other technological equipment? See answer
  9. What would you do if you accidentally broke something while cleaning? See answer
  10. How do you manage your work when you have multiple tasks to complete?
  11. Imagine routinely finding coffee stains or another mess that’s tough to clean. What would you do?
  12. What would you do if you unexpectedly ran out of cleaning products?
  13. What personality traits and skills do you think a good Cleaner needs to perform their duties?
  14. Imagine you encountered confidential information while cleaning. What would you do?
  15. How would you grade your work ethic as a Cleaner?
Show more questions Show fewer questions

Ready to get started?

Post a job

Ready to get started?

Post a job
Our mission

Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

Read our editorial guidelines

15 Cleaner Interview Questions and Answers

Do you prefer to work with other Cleaners or independently?

Depending on the client and the size of the space, Cleaners can either work alone or in teams.By asking this question, you can learn what working style an applicant prefers and whether it aligns with your organisation's culture. What to look for in an answer:

  • Applicant's working style
  • Ability to work individually or as a team
  • Ability to adapt to an organisation's needs

Example:

"I prefer to work independently or with one partner. If I'm held accountable for a cleaning task, I want to make sure I complete it well and it meets or exceeds the company's standards. However, I'm open to working with multiple Cleaners to reach a shared goal. I value teamwork when we're working within a time limit and need to clean a large space without sacrificing quality."

What cleaning products are you familiar with?

This question helps you understand what cleaning products an applicant knows about and whether they understand when and how to use them. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of various cleaning products
  • Decision-making skills
  • Critical-thinking and safety skills

Example:

"In my previous role, I used various cleaning products such as air fresheners, laundry detergents, bleaches, sanitisers, household cleaners, toilet cleaners, and dishwashing products. I am familiar with how to choose the correct products and apply them without damaging the object or surface I'm cleaning."

Do you have experience working flexible hours?

Typically, Cleaners do not work regular nine-to-five hours, but shifts. Before hiring an applicant, make surethey are available to work outside of standard hours. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to work flexible hours
  • Strong work ethic
  • Communication skills

Example:

"I worked flexible hours in my last two roles, and I find it more comfortable than working regular nine-to-five hours. Working mornings, evenings, or weekend shifts suit my schedule."

How do you clean a facility when other people are around?

Cleaners often need to carry out their duties when other people are present. The goal of this question is to learn how an applicant manages such cleaning situations while meeting all targets and goals. What to look for in an answer:

  • Problem-solving and communication skills
  • Adaptability to different environments
  • Ability to prioritise tasks

Example:

"I start by politely letting people know I want to clean a particular area or equipment. If I need to clean floors, I also put out collapsible safety signs. However, if someone needs the area, I ask when I should return and move on to other tasks in the meantime."

How do you maintain the cleaning tools and equipment you use?

Aside from performing cleaning tasks such as waxing floors, sweeping, and mopping, Cleaners must also maintain the tools and equipment they use. The goal of this question is to find out the steps a candidate takes to maintain and clean their work tools. What to look for in an answer:

  • Knowledge of maintenance procedures
  • Diligence and understanding of the importance of equipment care
  • Ability to follow instructions

Example:

"As a Cleaner, I have to maintain the equipment and tools I use to ensure they are both clean and effective. I clean brooms, brushes, and mops regularly. I also make sure I keep all cleaning tools in their correct holders and store them properly. From my experience, maintaining equipment only takes a few minutes and taking care of these tools saves the company money long term."

 How do you manage your work when you have multiple tasks to complete?

Cleaners often have to complete several tasks during a shift. The goal of this question is to learn whether an applicant can multitask. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • organisational skills
  • Multi-tasking, adaptability, and prioritizing skills

Example:

"I create a schedule of tasks I want to complete for the day. I tag these tasks as either urgent or important and handle my urgent duties first. I also prioritise tasks based on how long they take to complete and consider if they take time to dry, like mopping the floors. This way I can get more tasks done in between. Having a to-do list helps me stay organised."

 Imagine routinely finding coffee stains or another mess that's tough to clean. What would you do?

By asking this question, you can assess how an applicant handles challenging situations and interacts with someone who regularly causes an unnecessary mess. What to look for in an answer:

  • Effective communication skills
  • Problem-solving and critical-thinking skills
  • Interpersonal skills

Example:

"If clients often spilled coffee in the same area like a breakroom, I would politely approach them and explain that it is tough to clean and could stain the area where they've spilled. I'd also offer a solution to prevent spills. Then, I would clean the surface. I would inform my supervisor about the situation if I noticed they did not change their behaviour."

What would you do if you unexpectedly ran out of a cleaning product?

Cleaners are responsible for refilling supplies such as paper towels, toilet paper, and basic cleaning products. The goal of this question is to find out how an applicant handles cleaning product shortages. What to look for in an answer:

  • Critical-thinking skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Ability to remain calm under pressure

Example:

"If I unexpectedly ran out of a cleaning product, I would inform my supervisor before leaving the premises to purchase more of a product if necessary. If the product was something I needed time to order, I would inform the client and schedule a time to return and perform the proper cleaning. I would also check whether I am running out of other cleaning products so I could refill them at the same time. I would then make a record of the cleaning products I refill for accountability and restocking purposes."

What would you do if your supervisor assigned tasks to you that were not part of your job description?

Sometimes, acleaning supervisor may assign Cleanersadditional duties. The goal of this question is to learn how a candidate would handle taking on extra work. Things to look for in an answer:

  • Professionalism
  • Ability to adapt to extra responsibilities
  • Problem-solving skills

Example:

"I understand that the duties of Cleaners, Janitors, Housekeepers, and related professionals may overlap. When I had time available, I wouldcomplete the task and ask my supervisor whether it would become one of my regular duties. Their response would help me plan my day and determine whether they need to include the task in my job description."

How do you handle cleaning emergencies?

The goal of this question is to learn whether an applicant can handle cleaning emergencies. What to look for in an answer:

  • Ability to differentiate urgent tasks from emergencies
  • Knowledge of emergency cleaning procedures
  • Communication skills

Example:

"I know various cleaning emergencies such as chemical spills, natural disasters, and fires can happen. I make sure that I follow the standard emergency procedures of an organisation while maintaining the Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) standards of Canada.In my previous roles, I learned how to clean surfaces or items quickly after an emergency situation such as a roof leak using the right cleaning products."

How do you clean computer screens and other technological equipment?

Computer screens and other technological equipment require specialised cleaning products and techniques. If you have electronic systems in your organisation, make sure an applicant understands how to clean them correctly. What to look for in an answer:

  • Decision-making skills
  • Knowledge of how to clean technical equipment
  • Communication and interpersonal skills

Example:

"In my previous role, I learned that applying a cleaning solution directly to a computer screen can damage it. I would use a microfiber cloth or preferred substitute and either wipe the equipment clean or apply a cleaning solution to it. I would start from the centre of the screen and wipe in circular motions out towards the edges. If there was a delicate piece of equipment I don't know how to clean, I would reach out to my supervisor or other Cleaners on my team for guidance."

What personality traits and skills do you think a good cleaner needs to perform their duties?

An ideal cleaner has certain personality traits and skills that enable them to perform their duties and responsibilities. By asking this question, you learn whether an applicant possesses the qualities you need in a cleaner. Here are things to look for in an answer:

  • Soft skills such as interpersonal and communication skills
  • Time management and multi-tasking abilities
  • Strong attention to detail

Example:

"I think a good cleaner needs excellent people management and communication skills. They must be proactive and able to work with minimal supervision. A good cleaner also needs excellent time management skills and the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment. I am very meticulous when I clean, paying attention to the tiniest details to check for any surfaces that still need attention. I'm confident I have the personality traits and skills of a good cleaner."

 Imagine you encountered confidential information while cleaning. What would you do?

Sometimes, Cleaners find documents while cleaning floors, desks, or other surfaces. By asking this question, you can learn whether an applicant's values align with the work culture of your organisation. Here are things to look for in an applicant's answer:

  • Accountability
  • Excellent decision-making skills
  • Honesty

Example:

"I'm aware people may sometimes leave confidential documents, papers, or folders in their workspaces. I would first determine what type of information is on the document. If it seemed confidential, I would inform my supervisor. Otherwise, I would pick up the document and place it on a surface where another employee could find it. I understand that the ability to maintain confidentiality is a trait that my employers expect."

What would you do if you accidentally broke something while cleaning?

A cleaner may accidentally break something while performing their cleaning tasks. The goal of this question is to assess how an applicant handles their mistakes at work. What to look for in an answer:

  • Sense of accountability and honesty
  • Ability to admit to any mistakes
  • Desire to correct errors in the future

Example:

"If I accidentally broke something at work, I would notify my supervisor, acknowledge what happened, and explain the situation. I would determine a solution to the issue and create a strategy to prevent such errors from recurring, sharing both ideas with my supervisor."

 How would you grade your work ethic as a cleaner?

As an employer, you want dedicated employees. By asking this question, you can learn the candidate's working style and how seriously they take their duties and responsibilities. What to look for in an applicant's answer:

  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • A strong work ethic
  • Professionalism

Example:

"I would grade myself at nine out of 10. I have a determined attitude, and I'm dedicated to providing top-quality cleaning . In my previous role, I earned the Employee of the Year award for my discipline, reliability, and integrity. From my experience, these skills make me stand out among other Cleaners, and I am eager to apply the same work ethic in a position with your company."

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

Ready to get started?

Post a job

Explore Interview Questions by Title

No search results found