Cleaning in Canberra

The cleaning industry in Canberra features many players and service offerings. Choosing a provider – domestic or commercial – requires a basic understanding of how the cleaning industry works in Canberra. This blog article seeks to answer common questions regarding the cleaning industry in Canberra.

How is the cleaning industry structured in Canberra?

The cleaning industry in Canberra is divided into two general categories: domestic and commercial. The domestic cleaning sector focuses on residential properties, whereas the commercial cleaning sector services the business and government space. Many cleaning providers in Canberra specialise in either domestic or commercial cleaning. For the record, Sleek Cleaning Services specialises in commercial cleaning.

What domestic cleaning services and activities are popular in Canberra?

Popular domestic cleaning services and activities include sweeping and mopping, dusting and vacuuming, bathroom and toilet cleaning, oven cleaning, window cleaning, and carpet steam cleaning. Rubbish removal and end-of-lease cleaning in Canberra are also popular.

Does commercial cleaning differ from domestic cleaning in Canberra?

Yes and No. All of the services and activities performed in the domestic cleaning sector are undertaken in the commercial cleaning sector (usually at scale). However, commercial cleaners tend to wax and polish more hard floors than their domestic counterparts, as well as supply consumables such as toilet paper, paper towelling, and liquid soap.

Is the cleaning industry in Canberra subject to regulation?

Cleaning providers in Canberra aren’t registered with the ACT Government but must comply with general laws relating to work health and safety (WHS), as well as children and vulnerable people. Most professional cleaning providers in Canberra make their staff undergo a pre-employment criminal record check.

If a cleaner is working around children or vulnerable people (for example, disabled people), a Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) clearance is required by the ACT Government. It’s fair to say that many individual cleaners also possess a White Card (enabling entry to a construction site) and Asbestos / Silica Awareness training.

Do cleaning businesses in Canberra require insurance?

Yes and no. A cleaning business in Canberra isn’t required by law to have Public Liability insurance, but most professional cleaning businesses will have this insurance to protect them against claims (for property damage and accidental injury) from clients. It’s in a consumer’s interest to deal with a cleaning business that has Public Liability insurance. If a cleaning business in Canberra employs staff directly, it must (by law) have Workers’ Compensation insurance.

What are the benefits of professional cleaning in Canberra?

A client saves time and effort when they use a professional cleaning provider in Canberra. A professional cleaner can assist a business to meet its work health and safety (WHS) obligations or a tenant to pass their end-of-lease inspection.

What is colour-coded cleaning in Canberra?

Colour-coded cleaning is predominantly used in commercial settings. It involves using dedicated cleaning equipment for different parts of a building. A business or organisation with a colour-coded cleaning system in Canberra will typically use separate cleaning equipment for the kitchen, bathrooms, and general areas.

What are safety data sheets (SDS)?

Safety data sheets (SDS) are standardised information documents that detail the safe use, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals in Australia. They are mandatory under work health and safety (WHS) laws, as they include first aid instructions. Safety data sheets (SDS), which are usually written by chemical manufacturers and distributors, are often kept in cleaning cupboards alongside any hazardous cleaning chemicals.

What is the cost of professional cleaning in Canberra?

Reliable domestic cleaners in Canberra typically charge between $35.00 and $70.00 per hour. On the other hand, hourly commercial cleaning rates in Canberra are hard to pinpoint due to different environments, after-hours attendance, and the use of expensive equipment. Like all products and services, quality usually costs a little extra.

What formal qualifications are cleaning staff in Canberra likely to have?

Many cleaning staff in Canberra – particularly those working in the commercial space – have a White Card, Working with Vulnerable People (WWVP) clearance, and Asbestos / Silica Awareness training. Given the trust placed in cleaners, most reputable cleaning providers in Canberra also conduct a pre-employment criminal record check.

Which microbes do professional cleaners in Canberra come across regularly?

Professional cleaners in Canberra come across many unhealthy microbes (bacteria, moulds, and viruses) in their work. A snapshot of common microbes is provided below.

Bacteria: Staphylococcus (staph), Group A Streptococcus (GAS), Salmonella, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Campylobacter, Shigella, and Listeria.

Moulds: Alternaria, Aspergillus, Stachybotrys Chartarum (black mould), Mucor, Penicillium, Cladosporium, and Aureobasidium.

Viruses (found on surfaces): Influenza, COVID-19, and Norovirus.

What cleaning equipment do professional cleaners use in Canberra?

Professional cleaning providers in Canberra use equipment ranging from mops and microfibre cloths to commercial-grade dry vacuum cleaners (with HEPA / ULPA filters). In the commercial space, powerful floor scrubbing and polishing machines are often used.

To learn more about commercial cleaning in Canberra, please call 0415 147 240. Alternatively, please email admin@sleekcleaningcanberra.com.