What a cleaner does
Cleaners keep offices, clinics, retail stores, plants and common areas clean, sanitary and presentable. They dust, vacuum, mop, clean washrooms and kitchens, empty waste and recycling, restock supplies and report damage or hazards. In healthcare and food settings, they follow stricter disinfection and infection control routines. Many cleaners work after hours with access to secure areas, so they are trusted with keys, alarm codes and your property as well as the cleaning itself.
That trust is why screening matters. Finch looks for cleaners with steady work histories, solid references and a clear understanding of safe chemical use. We ask about the types of spaces they have cleaned, the products and equipment they used and the routines they followed. We also confirm availability for evening or early morning hours if your site needs them. You meet a shortlist of suitable cleaners you can rely on.
Typical responsibilities
- Clean and sanitize washrooms, kitchens, offices and common areas
- Dust, vacuum, sweep and mop floors and surfaces
- Empty waste, recycling and organics and replace liners
- Restock soap, paper products and other supplies
- Use and store cleaning chemicals according to labels and safety data sheets
- Report damage, spills, maintenance issues and security concerns
Qualifications and credentials
- No licence is required; employers typically look for commercial cleaning experience
- WHMIS training and safe handling of cleaning chemicals
- Ontario's mandatory worker health and safety awareness training
- Infection prevention practices for healthcare or food settings
- Willingness to complete a background check if your site requires one
Who hires a cleaner
- Office buildings and corporate facilities
- Medical clinics and dental offices
- Schools, daycares and community centres
- Retail stores and shopping centres
- Commercial cleaning contractors
Where we recruit cleaner candidates
We fill cleaner roles for employers across Toronto and the GTA, including North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Mississauga, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Oshawa and Pickering, and for employers across Canada. GTA employers can meet us at our North York office by appointment.
What Finch checks before you meet a candidate
- Types of facilities cleaned and routines followed
- Knowledge of cleaning products, WHMIS and safety data sheets
- References on reliability and trustworthiness
- Availability for after-hours or early morning schedules
Interview questions to ask
- What is your routine for cleaning a washroom, from start to finish?
- How do you decide which cleaning product to use on a surface you have not cleaned before?
- What would you do if you found a door unlocked or something out of place after hours?