– Who is eligible to work as a cleaner? People often assume that the reliability of apartment cleaning rests with specialists, judged at a quick glance from the street.
– And there it is. Not every cleaning company provides formal training. Where training exists, newcomers learn how to handle cleaning agents, which surfaces can be treated, what is permitted, how to clean efficiently, and the basics of communication. In many firms, practices differ. A self-employed cleaner recalled being hired to clean an entire building and earning 10,000 rubles for the job. They taught themselves the essentials, insisting they could learn whatever was needed. They were hired without a background check and without a criminal record verification. The risk is real in many places where origin or past employment matters little for a role, as long as a person is willing to grab a rag and start working. When complaints accumulate, workers are dismissed with little concern for their individual situation. The impression is that some employers replace workers quickly instead of supporting them when problems arise, driven by pressure to finish fast and move on.
– Is this what informal work looks like in practice?
– When a role becomes formal under a contract, pay is usually lower. Yet some teams maintain workers longer because trust has grown. In one scenario, a cleaner accepted a steady contract after a few initial pay-per-task assignments. They signed a contract after each cleaning at first, then sometimes worked without one when tasks were urgent, yet still received payment. Over time, full contracts were expected and pay became regular. But delays appeared. The delays came with excuses about epidemics or underfunded budgets, and the cleaner found themselves owed a sizable sum. The situation worsened until money stopped arriving altogether. It reached a point where the cleaner owed roughly 100 thousand rubles, and pursuing legal action became impractical. This pattern is common for workers hired on projects who face a variety of excuses to avoid payment. The fear of speaking up remains real, and the risk of losing future gigs looms large.
Once again, the informal nature of arrangements is in question.
– And when work is formal or contract-based, the risk shifts from unpaid wages to other forms of pressure. The experience can begin with a promise of regular pay, then drift into irregular settlements. After a period of calm, the employer asserts that money will be paid later due to external events. The ongoing pattern leaves workers under financial stress and often without recourse. In some cases, the client indicates dissatisfaction as a justification to withhold payment, or the business claims a setback tied to a broader crisis. The result is repeated unpaid work and mounting debt for the cleaner, who fears losing the chance to earn anything at all.
– A common worry is theft or the idea that cleaners might take valuables or stay beyond the agreed hours. Is that possible?
– It is possible, but rare for a trusted company with a solid reputation. A long-established firm that values its standing will compensate clients for losses and take action against the employee if necessary. If the client threatens police involvement, the company will act quickly to resolve the issue. In practice, clients tend to choose companies with a strong track record. This helps prevent theft and offers customers peace of mind. After a cleaning, some clients inspect the space to ensure nothing is missing. If a loss isn’t noticed immediately, the incident is often treated as the client’s loss rather than the company’s fault. Still, very few cleaners engage in theft, and most teams focus on delivering dependable service.
There was a moment when a team was dispatched to clean an office with three workers in total. One cleaner felt a small amount of money might be pocketed but restrained the impulse. A colleague cited ethical and moral boundaries, insisting that theft would be wrong. It is not always clear whether such behavior is widespread or isolated, but the story highlights concerns about integrity on the job.
– What about food left in the refrigerator? Can cleaners eat it?
– That depends on the situation. If the cleaning is scheduled after a party and the owner asks to discard leftovers, cleaners may do so, especially if the food is still edible. If food is left unattended and not spoiled, it might be consumed by the staff, though that is not standard practice. It is common for workers to feel tired after a long cleaning session, and sometimes food is considered a practical way to refuel. The key is respectful boundaries and clear expectations about personal belongings and shared spaces.
In daily work, cleaners often face fatigue. A typical session can stretch for hours, and the body pays the price—especially on larger homes. A 250-square-meter residence can demand long hours, and even drivers or couriers may decline extra duties when the team is exhausted. The job is demanding, and success depends on staying efficient without compromising safety or quality.
Which clients are most challenging?
– The most demanding are those who tighten the screws on every step. They schedule a major cleanup only every few years but push to micro-manage every detail. The constant pressure can wear down the team and spoil the mood. A light touch can become a stress test, and deadlines turn into a source of tension.
When cleaners work for higher-income clients who expect premium service, the dynamic shifts. If the property is already tidy but the initial visit has not yet been paid for, the team may be invited to return and complete refinements. If the client requests changes, the team can adjust and still receive fair compensation, which contributes to a smoother workflow and a sense of professional respect.
– Do cleaners ever cheat customers for money?
– Not typically. Payments are usually calculated per square meter by the manager, with clear estimates before the work begins. There may be suggestions to upgrade services—for example, offering to skip the checkout and handle a carpet clean for a lower upfront price, and then charging the full dry-cleaning rate later—but in most cases, that approach is not common. A fair transaction leaves both sides satisfied, and there is little incentive for deception. The focus remains on delivering solid results and maintaining trust across the customer base.