A quick-reference guide for every cleaner on the my cleanerHUB platform. Bookmark this page — it’s here whenever you need it.
You’re often working alone, in someone else’s home, with chemicals, equipment, and unfamiliar spaces. A little preparation goes a long way toward keeping you safe and protecting your clients’ homes.
Check the job details for any notes about pets, access, allergies, or property quirks (alarms, stairs, parking).
Pack a basic kit: gloves, a couple of cloths/microfibre, and any PPE you may personally rely on (e.g. an FFP mask if you’re sensitive to dust or fumes).
Let someone know your schedule. If you’re working alone in unfamiliar properties, tell a friend, family member, or use a simple check-in app so someone knows where you are and when you’re expected to finish.
Never mix cleaning chemicals — especially bleach with anything containing ammonia — this can create dangerous gases.
Keep products in their original, labelled containers.
Ventilate the room (open a window) when using anything strong-smelling.
Store chemicals upright, away from children and pets, if you’re setting them down mid-job.
If a client asks you to use a product you don’t recognise, check the label for hazard symbols before use.
Bend at the knees, not the back, when lifting.
Don’t overreach — move furniture or your position rather than stretching.
Use a proper step stool for anything above shoulder height. Never stand on chairs, worktops, or windowsills.
Take short breaks on longer jobs — fatigue is when most slips and strains happen.
Dry floors as you go, especially on tiled or hard flooring.
Use “wet floor” awareness even without a sign — warn anyone in the property.
Keep cables, hoses, and your own equipment tidy and out of walkways.
Check plugs and cables on your own equipment regularly for fraying or damage.
Never use electrical equipment with wet hands or near standing water.
If you notice damaged sockets or wiring in a client’s home, stop, don’t touch it, and report it (see Section 8).
Trust your instincts — if a situation feels wrong, you’re entitled to leave.
Keep your phone charged and accessible.
Be mindful of pets you don’t know — ask the client to secure animals if you’re not comfortable, especially dogs.
Respect boundaries around personal belongings, valuables, and private spaces (e.g. don’t open drawers or cabinets that aren’t part of the job).
If you have a known allergy (e.g. latex, specific chemicals, pet dander), flag this on your profile so it can inform job matching where possible.
Carry any personal medication you might need (e.g. an inhaler) rather than relying on it being at the property.
If you’re injured, have a near-miss, or encounter something unsafe at a property (damaged wiring, mould, pest infestation, a hazard that isn’t part of the job):
Make yourself safe first.
Photograph the issue if it’s safe to do so.
Report it through the app / to your my cleanerHUB contact as soon as possible.
If it’s a medical emergency, call 999 (or 111 for non-emergency medical advice) before anything else.
If you’re ever concerned about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult in a property you’re working in, you can report this confidentially — please contact us directly rather than raising it with the client. We’ll advise on next steps.
Situation | Where to go |
|---|---|
Medical emergency | 999 |
Non-emergency medical advice | 111 |
Incident/hazard at a job | Report via the app or your my cleanerHUB contact |
Safeguarding concern | Contact my cleanerHUB directly |
This page provides general guidance and doesn’t replace your own risk assessment on each job. As a self-employed cleaner, you’re responsible for working safely - this is here to help you do that with confidence.