25 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You usually start by checking the day's schedule in Microsoft Outlook or a printed rota: which buildings, arrival times, and any special requests. Mornings often mean setting up ladders, scaffolding, or safety gear, then cleaning exterior and interior windows with a squeegee and detergents mixed to the company spec.
Between buildings you sweep, mop, empty trash, dust fixtures, and clean break rooms or restrooms as needed. You report repairs or hazards to management, note them in Excel or Word logs, and finish by restocking supplies and updating the day's checklist in whatever system your employer uses (Eko or paper).
On the tools side: squeegees, scrapers, ladders, hand trucks, buckets, and cleaning chemicals mixed to instructions. For building maintenance you might use steps to clean chimneys, tend boilers, or clear sidewalks of snow and debris.
For paperwork and scheduling you'll see Microsoft Outlook for appointments, Excel for inventory or route logs, and Word for incident reports. Some employers use Eko (a facilities management app) to assign jobs and track supplies. Keep a simple phone photo record and dated notes if a digital system isn't available.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) gives the official numbers: about 2,209,760 employed in 2025, with a median annual wage of $36,840. The lowest 10% earned about $28,640 and the top 10% about $50,270, according to BLS.
Wages vary by region, employer, and whether you do high-rise rigging or general janitorial work. Union jobs, commercial contracts, and specialised tasks like boiler tending or insect control can push pay higher.
Yes, but use AI as an assistant, not as the final authority. You can use AI to draft checklists, translate cleaning procedures, or summarize incident notes for Outlook or Word. Always verify chemical mix ratios, safety steps, and legal requirements with official manuals or a supervisor.
Never rely on AI for real-time safety decisions like when to stop work in high winds or how to rig scaffolding. Those require certified training, on-site inspection, and company procedures.
A window cleaner focuses on windows and related tasks: exterior and interior glass, squeegee work, ladders, and sometimes high-rise systems. You also do related cleaning: dusting, emptying trash, and cleaning break rooms and restrooms.
A janitor or custodian has a broader remit for entire buildings, regularly handling floor care, HVAC checks, event setups, and maintenance tasks like tending boilers. In smaller sites one person may do both jobs; in larger sites roles are separated.
Start with a basic custodial or window-cleaning course from a community college, trade school, or your employer. Seek certified training for ladder safety and scaffold use (OSHA or local safety courses) and for handling pesticides if you’ll spray insecticides.
On the job, learn your company's written procedures, chemical mix ratios, and equipment checks. Practice with an experienced cleaner for several weeks before doing high or complex jobs alone. Keep records in Word or Excel of completed training.
Attention to detail: you must spot streaks, damage, and safety hazards like loose handrails or cracked glass. Physical stamina and safe handling of heavy items and ladders are essential.
Basic admin skills matter: using Outlook to read schedules, entering supply counts in Excel, and writing short incident reports in Word. Teamwork and clear communication—coordinating work, training others, and reporting repairs—make you reliable and promotable.