How to Say You Cleaned on a Resume: Polishing Your Skills for Success

The job market is competitive, and every word on your resume counts. When applying for a position, whether directly related to cleaning or not, showcasing your experience in maintaining cleanliness and order can significantly boost your chances. Knowing how to effectively communicate these skills is crucial. This article will explore diverse ways to articulate your cleaning duties and related abilities on your resume, ensuring you stand out to potential employers.

Table of Contents

Understanding the Importance of Describing Cleaning Skills

Many candidates undervalue their cleaning experience. They might think of it as basic or unimportant. However, employers across various industries appreciate candidates who demonstrate responsibility, attention to detail, and a commitment to hygiene. These skills are transferable and highly valuable.

Cleaning tasks often involve more than just surface-level activities. They might include inventory management of cleaning supplies, adherence to safety protocols, and even basic maintenance. Highlighting these aspects can transform a seemingly simple cleaning job into a showcase of your capabilities.

Describing your cleaning experience effectively requires choosing the right vocabulary and phrasing. It’s about conveying the impact of your work and quantifying your achievements whenever possible. Simply stating “cleaned rooms” is insufficient. Instead, consider phrases that emphasize efficiency, thoroughness, and the positive outcomes of your efforts.

Keywords and Action Verbs for Describing Cleaning Responsibilities

The language you use is paramount. Strategic use of keywords and action verbs will make your resume more impactful and appealing to applicant tracking systems (ATS) and hiring managers.

Identifying Relevant Keywords

Keywords are words or phrases that are frequently used in job descriptions and are relevant to the specific role you are applying for. Identifying these keywords and incorporating them naturally into your resume is essential for getting past the initial screening process. Common keywords related to cleaning include:

Hygiene
Sanitization
Disinfection
Maintenance
Organization
Inventory Management
Safety Protocols
Customer Service
Detail-Oriented
Efficiency
Quality Control

Tailor your keyword selection to the specific job description. If the job emphasizes sanitization, highlight your experience with sanitization procedures. If it requires inventory management, emphasize your experience tracking and ordering supplies.

Power Verbs to Showcase Your Abilities

Action verbs are strong verbs that describe your accomplishments and responsibilities in a dynamic and engaging way. Using strong action verbs can make your resume more compelling and demonstrate your initiative and skills. Here are some effective action verbs to use when describing your cleaning experience:

Maintained: This verb conveys a sense of ongoing responsibility and care.
Sanitized: This verb emphasizes your focus on hygiene and safety.
Cleaned: While basic, can be used with descriptive adjectives (e.g., “Cleaned and sanitized”).
Organized: This verb highlights your ability to create order and efficiency.
Disinfected: This verb is particularly relevant in healthcare or food service environments.
Restocked: This verb showcases your inventory management skills.
Managed: This verb implies a higher level of responsibility and oversight.
Ensured: This verb demonstrates your commitment to quality and standards.
Improved: This verb highlights your ability to make processes more efficient.
Upheld: This verb demonstrates your commitment to following rules and regulations.
Polished: Implies a high level of attention to detail.
Scrubbed: Illustrates physical effort and thoroughness.
Swept: Simple, but effective in conveying basic duties.
Vacuumed: Specific and easily understood.
Mopped: Another common and easily understood task.

Examples of Combining Keywords and Action Verbs

Here are some examples of how to combine keywords and action verbs to create impactful resume bullet points:

“Maintained a clean and sanitary environment by disinfecting surfaces and equipment according to established hygiene protocols.”
“Organized and restocked cleaning supplies, ensuring adequate inventory levels to meet operational needs.”
“Ensured the cleanliness and sanitation of all public areas, adhering to strict safety standards.”
“Improved efficiency of cleaning processes by implementing a new organizational system for supplies.”
“Upheld the highest standards of cleanliness by regularly sanitizing restrooms and common areas.”

Crafting Effective Resume Bullet Points

The key to an effective resume is crafting compelling bullet points that showcase your skills and accomplishments. Each bullet point should start with a strong action verb and clearly describe your responsibilities and the impact of your work.

Quantifying Your Achievements

Whenever possible, quantify your achievements. Numbers and metrics can provide concrete evidence of your skills and demonstrate the value you brought to your previous employers. For example, instead of saying “Cleaned multiple rooms,” you could say “Cleaned an average of 15 rooms per day, consistently meeting or exceeding cleaning standards.”

Examples of quantifying achievements in cleaning roles:

“Reduced cleaning time by 15% through the implementation of a more efficient cleaning system.”
“Maintained a 100% satisfaction rate in cleanliness inspections for three consecutive months.”
“Managed an inventory of over 50 different cleaning supplies, reducing waste by 10%.”
“Served over 100 clients a week, ensuring their spaces were clean and tidy.”
“Prepared over 20 rooms a day for occupants, maintaining a high level of cleanliness.”

Tailoring Your Resume to the Job Description

It’s crucial to tailor your resume to each job you apply for. Carefully review the job description and identify the key skills and qualifications the employer is seeking. Then, customize your resume to highlight your relevant experience and skills.

If the job description emphasizes teamwork, highlight your experience working collaboratively with others. If it requires attention to detail, provide examples of how you have demonstrated attention to detail in your previous roles. Use the same language as the job description whenever possible to show that you understand the employer’s needs and that you are a good fit for the position.

Examples of Tailored Bullet Points

Here are some examples of how to tailor your resume bullet points to specific job descriptions:

Job Description: “Seeking a detail-oriented housekeeper with experience in sanitizing high-touch surfaces.”

Resume Bullet Point: “Consistently sanitized high-touch surfaces in guest rooms and common areas, exceeding hygiene standards and ensuring guest safety.”
Job Description: “Looking for a reliable cleaner with excellent time management skills.”

Resume Bullet Point: “Effectively managed time to clean and sanitize multiple rooms within a strict schedule, consistently meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations.”
Job Description: “Hiring a team player to maintain the cleanliness of a busy office environment.”

Resume Bullet Point: “Collaborated with a team of cleaners to maintain a clean and organized office environment, ensuring a positive and productive work space for all employees.”

Highlighting Transferable Skills from Cleaning Roles

Cleaning jobs provide opportunities to develop a wide range of transferable skills that are valuable in many different industries. These skills include:

Time Management: Cleaning tasks often need to be completed within a specific timeframe.
Organization: Maintaining a clean and orderly environment requires strong organizational skills.
Attention to Detail: Thorough cleaning requires a keen eye for detail.
Problem-Solving: Cleaners often need to identify and solve problems, such as dealing with spills or stains.
Physical Stamina: Cleaning can be physically demanding, requiring the ability to stand for long periods and perform repetitive tasks.
Communication: Cleaners may need to communicate with clients or colleagues to understand their needs and address their concerns.
Customer Service: In some cleaning roles, such as housekeeping, cleaners interact directly with customers and need to provide excellent customer service.
Initiative: Cleaners often need to take initiative to identify areas that need cleaning and to proactively address potential problems.

Integrating Transferable Skills into Your Resume

When describing your cleaning experience, make sure to highlight the transferable skills you developed. For example, instead of simply saying “Cleaned offices,” you could say “Managed time effectively to clean multiple offices per day, demonstrating strong organizational skills and attention to detail.”

Here are some examples of how to integrate transferable skills into your resume bullet points:

“Utilized strong problem-solving skills to effectively remove stubborn stains and spills, ensuring a spotless environment.”
“Demonstrated excellent time management skills by efficiently cleaning multiple rooms within a strict schedule, consistently meeting deadlines.”
“Provided exceptional customer service by responding promptly to client requests and addressing their concerns in a professional and courteous manner.”
“Took initiative to identify areas that needed cleaning and proactively addressed potential problems, ensuring a consistently clean and orderly environment.”

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Describing Cleaning Experience

Several common mistakes can weaken your resume and prevent you from landing the job you want.

Vague Descriptions

Avoid using vague or generic descriptions of your cleaning experience. Instead of saying “Cleaned rooms,” be specific about the types of rooms you cleaned, the tasks you performed, and the impact of your work.

Overusing Jargon

While it’s important to use relevant keywords, avoid overusing jargon or technical terms that the hiring manager may not understand. Use clear and concise language that is easy to understand.

Inconsistency

Ensure consistency in your formatting and language throughout your resume. Use the same verb tense and style for all of your bullet points.

Exaggeration

Be honest and accurate in your descriptions of your cleaning experience. Exaggerating your skills or accomplishments can backfire if you are asked about them in an interview.

Neglecting Soft Skills

Don’t focus solely on the technical aspects of cleaning. Highlight your soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and customer service.

Examples of How to Phrase Cleaning Experience on a Resume

Here are several examples of how you can phrase your cleaning experience on a resume, depending on the specific role and context:

General Cleaning: “Maintained the cleanliness and sanitation of a 5,000 sq ft office space, ensuring a healthy and productive work environment for 50+ employees.”
Housekeeping: “Provided exceptional housekeeping services in a 5-star hotel, consistently exceeding guest expectations and maintaining high standards of cleanliness.”
Janitorial Services: “Performed comprehensive janitorial duties, including sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, and disinfecting surfaces, in a high-traffic retail environment.”
Commercial Cleaning: “Managed a team of three cleaners to provide commercial cleaning services for multiple clients, ensuring consistent quality and customer satisfaction.”
Industrial Cleaning: “Operated and maintained industrial cleaning equipment, such as floor scrubbers and pressure washers, to clean and sanitize manufacturing facilities.”
Healthcare Cleaning: “Adhered to strict hygiene protocols to clean and disinfect patient rooms and medical equipment in a healthcare setting.”
Detail-Oriented Cleaning: “Demonstrated meticulous attention to detail in cleaning and polishing surfaces, ensuring a spotless and presentable environment.”
Efficiency-Focused Cleaning: “Streamlined cleaning processes to improve efficiency and reduce cleaning time by 10%, resulting in cost savings for the company.”
Supervisory Role: “Supervised and trained a team of five cleaners, ensuring consistent adherence to company standards and providing ongoing performance feedback.”
Inventory Management Focused: “Managed cleaning supplies inventory, tracked usage, and ordered supplies, ensuring adequate stock levels and minimizing waste.”

Putting It All Together: A Sample Resume Excerpt

Here’s a sample resume excerpt that demonstrates how to effectively describe cleaning experience:

ABC Cleaning Services, Anytown, USA
Janitor | 2018 – Present

Maintained the cleanliness and sanitation of a 10,000 sq ft office building, ensuring a healthy and productive work environment for over 100 employees.
Managed time effectively to clean and sanitize multiple offices per day, consistently meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations.
Utilized strong problem-solving skills to effectively remove stains and spills, ensuring a spotless environment.
Managed cleaning supplies inventory, tracked usage, and ordered supplies, ensuring adequate stock levels and minimizing waste.
Adhered to all safety protocols and regulations, ensuring a safe working environment for myself and others.

This example showcases the use of strong action verbs, relevant keywords, and quantified achievements to create a compelling and impactful description of cleaning experience.

Final Thoughts: Polishing Your Presentation

Effectively communicating your cleaning experience on your resume is about more than just listing tasks. It’s about highlighting your skills, quantifying your achievements, and tailoring your resume to the specific job you are applying for. By using strong action verbs, relevant keywords, and concrete examples, you can showcase the value you bring to potential employers and increase your chances of landing the job you want. Remember to always proofread your resume carefully for any errors in grammar or spelling. A polished resume reflects a polished professional. Always tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for. This ensures that your most relevant skills and experiences are highlighted.

How can I effectively describe my cleaning experience on a resume if I lack formal cleaning jobs?

Even without direct “cleaning” job titles, you likely possess transferable skills from other roles or volunteer experiences. Think about times you were responsible for maintaining a clean and organized workspace, perhaps as part of office duties, event setup, or even home management. Emphasize these experiences by using action verbs that highlight your cleaning abilities, such as “maintained,” “organized,” “sanitized,” or “disinfected.” Frame these actions in a way that demonstrates your attention to detail, efficiency, and commitment to hygiene.

For example, instead of just saying “Office Assistant,” you could write “Office Assistant – Maintained a clean and organized office environment, including disinfecting surfaces and restocking supplies to ensure a safe and productive workspace.” Quantify your accomplishments whenever possible. If you were responsible for cleaning a specific area or equipment, mention the size or type. This provides concrete evidence of your capabilities and makes your skills more impactful to a potential employer.

What are some action verbs I can use to make my cleaning responsibilities sound more professional on my resume?

Instead of generic verbs like “cleaned,” use action verbs that paint a more vivid picture of your cleaning abilities. Some strong choices include “sanitized” (emphasizes hygiene and health), “disinfected” (highlights your knowledge of disease prevention), “maintained” (shows ongoing responsibility), “organized” (demonstrates attention to detail), “sterilized” (implies a high level of cleanliness), “polished” (suggests care and precision), and “restored” (conveys the ability to bring items back to their original condition). Using these verbs can elevate the perceived value of your cleaning experience.

Consider the context of the job you’re applying for when selecting action verbs. For a healthcare setting, “sanitized” and “disinfected” are particularly relevant. For a hospitality position, “polished” and “restored” might be more appropriate. Tailoring your language to the specific requirements of the role will increase your chances of catching the recruiter’s eye and demonstrating your suitability for the position.

Should I include cleaning responsibilities on my resume if they were only a small part of a previous job?

Yes, even if cleaning was a minor aspect of a previous role, it’s worth including if the job you’re applying for emphasizes cleanliness or hygiene. Frame it carefully to highlight your competence in that area. Focus on the specific cleaning tasks you performed and the positive impact they had, such as maintaining a safe workspace or improving customer satisfaction.

However, avoid overemphasizing cleaning if it was truly a negligible part of your previous role. Don’t dedicate a large portion of your bullet points to cleaning duties if other skills and responsibilities were more significant. Instead, integrate it concisely within a broader description of your responsibilities. For instance, you might say, “Managed daily operations, including maintaining a clean and organized workspace to ensure a productive and efficient environment.”

How can I tailor my resume to a specific cleaning job when I apply?

Carefully review the job description to identify the specific cleaning duties and requirements they are seeking. Use the same keywords and phrases from the job posting in your resume. If the job emphasizes floor cleaning, for example, highlight your experience with various floor types and cleaning equipment. If it mentions sanitation protocols, emphasize your knowledge and adherence to those protocols.

Beyond keywords, consider the broader skills the job requires. Does it require teamwork, time management, or physical stamina? Tailor your resume to showcase these qualities as well, providing specific examples of how you’ve demonstrated them in previous roles. This demonstrates that you not only have the cleaning skills but also the soft skills necessary to succeed in the position.

What if I have a gap in my employment history? Can I include cleaning responsibilities to fill the gap?

If you were responsible for maintaining a clean and organized home environment during a period of unemployment, you can certainly include this experience on your resume, especially if you frame it effectively. Consider creating a section titled “Home Management” or “Household Responsibilities” to showcase these skills. Emphasize the responsibilities you undertook, such as maintaining a budget, managing household tasks, and ensuring a clean and healthy living environment.

While it’s acceptable to highlight household responsibilities, it’s important to be honest and transparent. Avoid exaggerating your duties or presenting them as a full-time job if they weren’t. Focus on the transferable skills you developed, such as time management, organization, problem-solving, and attention to detail. These skills are valuable in many work environments and can help bridge the gap in your employment history.

Should I list specific cleaning equipment I’m proficient with on my resume?

Yes, listing specific cleaning equipment is a great way to demonstrate your practical skills and experience, especially if the job description mentions particular equipment. Include items like floor scrubbers, pressure washers, carpet extractors, vacuum cleaners (specific types like HEPA filters), and other specialized tools you’re comfortable using. This shows employers you can hit the ground running without extensive training.

When listing equipment, be specific. For example, instead of just saying “floor cleaner,” you could say “Trained and proficient in operating industrial floor scrubbers, including Tennant and Clarke models.” If you have experience with sanitizing equipment or specific cleaning agents, include those details as well. This level of detail demonstrates your expertise and makes your resume stand out from other applicants.

How can I include cleaning skills in my resume’s skills section if they aren’t from formal jobs?

Create a “Skills” section and include cleaning-related skills that you possess, regardless of whether they were gained through formal employment. Categorize your skills into hard skills (technical abilities) and soft skills (personal attributes). Under hard skills, list things like “Surface Sanitization,” “Floor Maintenance,” “Equipment Operation,” “Disinfection Protocols,” and “Inventory Management (Cleaning Supplies).”

Under soft skills, list attributes that complement your cleaning abilities, such as “Attention to Detail,” “Time Management,” “Efficiency,” “Physical Stamina,” “Problem-Solving,” and “Teamwork” (if applicable). Provide brief examples of how you’ve demonstrated these skills in previous roles or volunteer experiences in your resume’s work history section to support the claims you make in the skills section. This reinforces your competence and provides concrete evidence of your abilities.