🚨 Red Flags When Hiring a Cleaner – What to Look for & How to Protect Yourself!
Hey everyone, Fiona Morris here! As a business coach for cleaning companies, I’ve hired and fired more cleaners than I can count. And if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s that not all cleaners are created equal.
Just today, I saw a post about a cleaner on the Sunshine Coast with a criminal history, in and out of rehab, and yet—offering services in people’s homes. The comments? "Name and shame! Tell us who it is!" not only is that illegal but IT MISSES the issue
Here’s the real issue- people let any old cleaner into their home !!!
👉 If you're hiring a cleaner on Facebook with no real screening process, how do you even know who’s coming into your home or business?
It’s time to raise the standards in this industry and stop gambling with your security. If you want a professional cleaner—not just someone with a mop and a Facebook page—here are the five biggest red flags to watch for and how to hire the RIGHT cleaner.
🚩 RED FLAG #1: No Insurance – They Are NOT a Business! 🛑
If a cleaner does not have:
✅ Public Liability Insurance (minimum $20 million)
✅ Workers’ Compensation
✅ Income Protection
…then they are not running a real business. They’re a side hustler with no financial or legal backing to protect you if something goes wrong.
💡 Daniel Ufere from Priority Insurance Brokers specializes in insurance for the cleaning industry. A real cleaner should be fully covered to protect both themselves and their clients. If they don’t have the right cover, run the other way.
🚩 RED FLAG #2: No Police Checks or Qualifications 🔍
Would you let a random stranger with no background check into your home? No? Then why let an unvetted cleaner in?
When hiring a cleaner, ask for:
✔️ A current Police Check
✔️ A Working With Children Check (if kids are present in the home)
✔️ Formal training – A Certificate III in Cleaning Operations shows they take their work seriously
A legit cleaning business should also provide a statement confirming their team members have NO criminal history.
🚩 RED FLAG #3: No Website – Are They Even Legit? 🌐
Let’s be real: If they don’t have a website, they are not running a professional business.
A proper cleaning company should have a website that includes:
💻 Their services & pricing
📍 Their business location & contact info
⭐ Client reviews
💡 Karen Grace from Graceful Designs is an expert at creating professional, high-converting websites for cleaning businesses. If your cleaner is only taking bookings through Facebook messages and has no real online presence, chances are they won’t be around for long.
🚩 RED FLAG #4: No Safety Policies or Risk Assessments ⚠️
A cleaner is entering your personal space—your home, your business. What happens if:
❌ They damage your property?
❌ They steal something?
❌ They break safety laws?
A professional cleaning business should provide:
✔️ Risk assessments
✔️ A safety policy
✔️ Employee handbooks outlining hiring and training standards
Most insurance policies don’t cover illegal activities—so if a shady cleaner causes damage or theft, you could be left paying out of pocket.
🚩 RED FLAG #5: Dirt-Cheap Prices = Dirt-Cheap Standards 💸
If the price is too good to be true, it probably is.
🚫 Untrained cleaners charge low rates because they don’t invest in training, insurance, or proper cleaning products.
🚫 They might be using low-quality or even harmful chemicals that could damage your home.
🚫 They probably won’t stick around. Low-priced cleaners often disappear within months, leaving you scrambling for a replacement.
💡 Instead of looking for the cheapest cleaner, look for the best value—someone with experience, training, and the right credentials.
✅ How to Find a GREAT Cleaner (and Not Get Scammed)
🔹 Check for proper insurance – Ask for a certificate of currency!
🔹 Ask for background checks & training – Ensure they have a police check and proper qualifications.
🔹 Look for an online presence – A website, professional email, and Google reviews show legitimacy.
🔹 Ensure they have policies & procedures – A good cleaner has risk assessments, contracts, and clear processes.
🔹 Don’t fall for dirt-cheap pricing – Invest in quality, not just the lowest price.
Final Thoughts: Raise Your Standards!
I’ve seen so many people enter the cleaning industry with zero training, no systems, and no idea what they’re doing—and clients suffer because of it. As a cleaning business coach, I want to see higher standards across the industry.
If you’re hiring a cleaner, make sure they’re running a real business, not a side hustle. If they can’t tick these boxes, don’t let them into your home or business.
💬 What’s the biggest red flag YOU’VE seen when hiring a cleaner? Hit reply and tell me!
Stay safe & hire smart,
Fiona Morris
Cleaning Business Coach 🚀