cleaning techniques
Various techniques and tools used to clean different types of surfaces to achieve a certain degree of cleanliness such as sweeping, vacuuming, degreasing and wet cleaning.
Domestic housekeepers are responsible for all the household activities in a private house. They oversee and execute duties according to the needs of the employer such as cooking, cleaning and washing activities, taking care of children and gardening. They order supplies and are in charge of expenditures allocated. Domestic housekeepers may supervise and instruct household staff in large households.
Competences and skills
58 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 1 competence
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Cross-sector
1 competenceEssential skills and competences 22 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
10 competencesbuy groceries
Purchase ingredients, products and tools that are necessary for daily housekeeping activities.
- Scope note
- Also online purchases are included.
identify customer's needs
Use appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.
maintain inventory of cleaning supplies
Follow the stock of cleaning materials, order new material when the stock is empty and follow their usage to maintain a constant supply.
make the beds
Clean sheets, turn mattresses, plump pillows and change cushions.
monitor kitchen supplies
Oversee stock levels for supplies used in the kitchen. Report to the appropriate person.
remove dust
Remove dust from furniture, blinds and windowsills using specialised dust cloths or hand-cleaning items.
store kitchen supplies
Keep delivered kitchen supplies for future use in a safe and hygiene place according to guidelines.
supervise housekeeping operations
Oversee the day-to-day service and cleaning of rooms and public areas to ensure continuous operations.
vacuum surfaces
Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and small particles from floors, drapes, carpets or furniture.
wash the laundry
Wash or clean clothes by hand or by use of a washing machine.
Cross-sector
12 competencesclean rooms
Clean rooms by cleaning glasswork and windows, polishing furniture, vacuuming carpets, scrubing hard floors, and removing garbage.
clean surfaces
Disinfect surfaces in accordance with sanitary standards.
- Scope note
- Including walls, floors, tables, kitchen and service equipment
control of expenses
Monitor and maintain effective cost controls, in regards to efficiencies, waste, overtime and staffing. Assessing excesses and strives for efficiency and productivity.
handle chemical cleaning agents
Ensure proper handling, storage, management and disposal of cleaning chemicals (CIP) in accordance with regulations.
- Scope note
- The chemicals include hazardous materials.
iron textiles
Pressing and ironing in order to shape or flatten textiles giving them their final finishing appearance. Iron by hand or with steam pressers.
maintain cleaning equipment
Clean and preserve the equipment and material used for cleaning purposes in a proper state.
maintain personal hygiene standards
Preserve impeccable personal hygiene standards and have a tidy appearance.
manage schedule of tasks
Maintain an overview of all the incoming tasks in order to prioritise the tasks, plan their execution, and integrate new tasks as they present themselves.
order supplies
Command products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.
perform cleaning duties
Perform cleaning duties such as waste removal, vacuuming, emptying bins, and general cleaning of the working area. Cleaning activities should follow health and safety regulations if required.
satisfy customers
Communicate with customers and make them feel satisfied.
work ergonomically
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.
Optional knowledge 2 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competencelawn care
Procedures, equipment and products used to maintain the cleanliness of lawns and other grass surfaces in parks or residences.
Cross-sector
1 competencedietary regimes
The field of food habits and dietary regimes, including those inspired by religious beliefs.
Optional skills and competences 33 competences
Occupation specific
1 competencepolish silverware
Rub the surface of silver or silver coated dishes, containers and cutlery to make it smooth and shiny.
Sector-specific
12 competencesassist children with homework
Help children with school tasks. Assist the child with the interpretation of the assignment and the solutions. Make sure the child studies for tests and exams.
clean household linens
Wash linens such as sheets, towels and table cloths with water and soap or detergent. Clean linens by hand or by the use of a washing machine.
feed pets
Make sure that pets are given appropriate food and water on time.
organise wine cellar
Systematise the wine cellar to ensure an appropriate amount and variation of wine and carry-out efficient and effective stock rotation.
oversee maintenance work
Oversee the landscaping maintenance work: mowing, strimming, spraying, weeding and pruning.
provide dog walking services
Provide dog-walking services, including activities such as agreement of services with the customer, selection and use of handling equipment, interaction with the dog, and safe and responsible dog walking.'
serve beverages
Provide a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drinks, mineral waters, wine and bottled beer over a counter or using a tray.
- Scope note
- Does not include drinks which take a more involved preparation, such as specialised coffee, other hot drinks, mixed drinks, and beers served in a glass.
serve food in table service
Provide food at the table whilst maintaining high level of customer service and food safety standards.
tend to elderly people
Help elderly people in their physical, mental, and social needs.
use cooking techniques
Apply cooking techniques including grilling, frying, boiling, braising, poaching, baking or roasting.
use food preparation techniques
Apply food preparation techniques including the selecting, washing, cooling, peeling, marinating, preparing of dressings and cutting of ingredients.
wash the dishes
Wash plates, glasses, silverware and cooking gear used for a meal, by hand or by use of a dish washer. Put everything back in its place afterwards.
Cross-sector
20 competencesarrange special events
Organise the necessary preparations for catering at special events such as conferences, large parties or banquets.
assist clients with special needs
Aid clients with special needs following relevant guidelines and special standards. Recognise their needs and accurately respond to them if needed.
attend to children's basic physical needs
Tend to children by feeding them, dressing them, and, if necessary, regularly changing their diapers in a sanitary manner.
clean glass surfaces
Use cleaning products to clean any surface covered by glass.
collect mail
Empty the letter box on a regular basis, organising it on importance and deal with urgent mail.
communicate with youth
Use verbal and non-verbal communication and communicate through writing, electronic means, or drawing. Adapt your communication to children and young people`s age, needs, characteristics, abilities, preferences, and culture.
control minor maintenance
Follow up on the maintenance and repairs to be carried out. Solve minor problems and pass harder problems on to the person responsible for maintenance.
disseminate messages to people
Receive, process, and pass messages to people coming from phone calls, faxes, postal, and emails.
follow written instructions
Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
give instructions to staff
Give instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.
greet guests
Welcome guests in a friendly manner in a certain place.
handle linen in stock
Manage laundered items and store them in safe and hygienic conditions.
maintain gardening equipment
Perform daily maintenance on tools and equipment and report major faults to a superior.
manage cleaning activities
Oversee cleaning activities undertaken by employees.
manage staff
Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.
perform outdoor cleaning activities
Adapt the cleaning working methods and procedures to the environmental conditions and adapt to weather conditions such as rain, strong wind or snow, when this affects the performance of the equipment or machinery that is being used.
promote human rights
Promote and respect human rights and diversity in light of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of autonomous individuals, taking into account their opinions, beliefs and values, and the international and national codes of ethics, as well as the ethical implications of healthcare provision, ensuring their right to privacy and honouring for the confidentiality of healthcare information.
supervise children
Keep the children under supervision for a certain period of time, ensuring their safety at all times.
support children's wellbeing
Provide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.
teach housekeeping skills
Teach housekeeping as well as manual skills aiming to improve everyday tasks and life circumstances.