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Cleaner interview questions and answers

This is a sample of Cleaner interview questions to help you identify skilled candidates to meet your company cleaning needs.

Christina Pavlou
Christina Pavlou

An experienced recruiter and HR professional who has transferred her expertise to insightful content to support others in HR.

cleaner interview questions

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10 good cleaner interview questions

  1. What cleaning products do you normally use?
  2. How do you clean computer screens?
  3. How much time do you need to clean a working space of 10 offices?
  4. Have you ever used green cleaning products? If yes, how would you rate them compared to products you’ve traditionally used?
  5. What are the most important duties when cleaning a bathroom?
  6. Is there any specific task that you don’t perform? (e.g. due to an allergy)
  7. How do you deal with emergencies? Can you mention a few examples from your past experience?
  8. Do you have experience with outdoor cleaning?
  9. How flexible are your working hours? Would you be available for early morning or late night shifts?
  10. How do you treat different materials like wood, marble, or granite?

A cleaner plays a crucial role in maintaining a clean and organized environment. Here are 10 essential interview questions to help identify candidates with the right skills and attitude for the job.

What cleaning products do you normally use?

This question assesses the candidate’s familiarity with cleaning agents.

Sample answer:

“I typically use eco-friendly products like Method and Ecover. They’re effective and safe for the environment.”

How do you clean computer screens?

This question evaluates the candidate’s knowledge of delicate cleaning tasks.

Sample answer:

“I use a microfiber cloth and a screen cleaner solution to gently wipe the screen, ensuring no streaks are left behind.”

How much time do you need to clean a working space of 10 offices?

This question gauges the candidate’s efficiency.

Sample answer:

“Depending on the size and condition of the offices, it would take me around 4-5 hours to thoroughly clean 10 offices.”

Have you ever used green cleaning products? If yes, how would you rate them compared to products you’ve traditionally used?

This question probes the candidate’s eco-awareness and adaptability.

Sample answer:

“Yes, I’ve used green products. They’re as effective as traditional ones and are better for the environment.”

What are the most important duties when cleaning a bathroom?

This question tests the candidate’s thoroughness.

Sample answer:

“The most important duties include disinfecting surfaces, cleaning the toilet, scrubbing tiles, and ensuring the sink and mirrors are spotless.”

Is there any specific task that you don’t perform? (e.g. due to an allergy)

This question assesses any limitations the candidate might have.

Sample answer:

“I’m allergic to certain strong chemicals, so I prefer using milder, eco-friendly products.”

How do you deal with emergencies? Can you mention a few examples from your past experience?

This question evaluates the candidate’s problem-solving skills.

Sample answer:

“Once, a pipe burst while I was cleaning. I quickly shut off the water supply and informed the maintenance team.”

Do you have experience with outdoor cleaning?

This question probes the candidate’s versatility.

Sample answer:

“Yes, I’ve cleaned patios, windows, and outdoor furniture in my previous roles.”

How flexible are your working hours? Would you be available for early morning or late night shifts?

This question assesses the candidate’s availability.

Sample answer:

“I’m quite flexible and can adjust to early morning or late-night shifts as required.”

How do you treat different materials like wood, marble, or granite?

This question tests the candidate’s knowledge of cleaning different surfaces.

Sample answer:

“For wood, I use a wood-specific cleaner. For marble and granite, I use a pH-neutral cleaner to prevent any damage.”

Why it’s important to ask cleaner interview questions

Hiring the right cleaner ensures that spaces are not only clean but also maintained in a way that prolongs the life of materials and fixtures. By asking the right questions, employers can identify candidates who are thorough, efficient, and knowledgeable about best cleaning practices.

Red flags

Be wary of candidates who provide vague answers or lack knowledge about basic cleaning techniques. A lack of flexibility or unwillingness to adapt to new cleaning methods can also be concerning. Additionally, candidates who seem disinterested or view the job as temporary might not be committed in the long run.

Let’s summarize some of the questions and add a few more divided into specific types.



Operational and Situational questions

  • What cleaning products do you normally use?
  • How do you clean computer screens?
  • How much time do you need to clean a working space of 10 offices?
  • Have you ever used green cleaning products? If yes, how would you rate them compared to products you’ve traditionally used?
  • What are the most important duties when cleaning a bathroom?
  • Is there any specific task that you don’t perform? (e.g. due to an allergy)
  • How do you deal with emergencies? Can you mention a few examples from your past experience?
  • Do you have experience with outdoor cleaning?
  • How flexible are your working hours? Would you be available for early morning or late night shifts?
  • How do you treat different materials like wood, marble or granite?
  • Are you familiar with cleaning machinery? What devices have you previously used?
  • If you found a personal item and you didn’t know who it belonged to, what would you do?
  • What do you do when you have to move heavy furniture to vacuum?
  • Are you familiar with health and safety precautions?

Behavioral questions

  • What’s the most frustrating task you have faced in your previous positions?
  • Describe a situation where you went the extra mile and performed a task out of the ordinary.
  • Do you prefer working in a team or independently?
  • Have you ever seen a co-worker stealing? What did you do?

Frequently asked questions

Ready to fine-tune this interview kit?
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