Industrial cleaner

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a team supervisor or manager with a cleaning company.

You could also set up your own business to specialise in a particular type of cleaning, like flood relief or biohazards.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• physical skills to handle equipment and clean hard-to-reach areas
• knowledge of public safety and security
• the ability to work well with your hands
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• excellent verbal communication skills
• customer service skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• be able to cope with working at height

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Chemistry - Industrial cleaners mix chemicals for cleaning and decontamination, and need to understand how different substances react with each other and with the materials they're cleaning. They also handle hazardous waste and need to know how to dispose of chemicals safely without causing harm to people or the environment.

Also relevant

• Biology - Industrial cleaners who work in hospitals or deal with biohazard clean-ups need to understand how bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens spread. This knowledge helps them decontaminate areas effectively and prevent the risk of infection.
• Physics - Industrial cleaners use high-pressure hoses, industrial vacuums, and sandblasting equipment, all of which rely on principles like pressure, force, and fluid dynamics. Understanding how these systems work helps them operate equipment safely and effectively.
• Design and Technology - Industrial cleaners work with a wide range of specialist tools and machinery, from access platforms to high-pressure cleaning systems. Practical skills in handling equipment, understanding how machines work, and solving problems on site are a regular part of the job.
• Business - Industrial cleaners often progress to running their own specialist cleaning businesses, for example in flood relief or biohazard clean-up. Understanding how to manage finances, price jobs, and build a client base is important for those who want to work for themselves.
• Environmental Science - Industrial cleaners deal with spills, floods, and contaminated sites where understanding the environmental impact of pollutants matters. They need to know how to clean up hazardous materials without causing further damage to the surrounding environment.