Why cleaning IS A DIRTY BUSINESS

With hard work and low pay, does the cleaning industry itself need a deep clean? Woman investigates

- MOIRA HOLDEN

The sight of a spick and span office or dust-free ornaments in the living room after the cleaner has worked their magic is often taken for granted. Cleaners beaver away, largely invisible, to make our homes and commercial premises hygienic, neat and tidy.

Their job status, however, was elevated into the spotlight during the pandemic, when those working in hospitals, care homes and public transport were designated key workers in the fight against COVID-19.

While celebrated for their work, this higher profile illustrated the often poor pay and working conditions cleaners face.

Protests were mounted from those who were at the mercy of the minimum wage, and merely entitled to statutory sick pay of £96.35 per week should they become ill – during a time when they were putting themselves at risk to protect the nation’s health.

Woman speaks to one woman who is campaigning for better working conditions and pay for those who form the bedrock of every industry.

‘WE WERE HEROES DURING THE PANDEMIC’

Antoinette Daniel, 47, is the founder of cleaning company Just Helpers. She is single, and lives in Worthing, West Sussex. Waking at the sound of my alarm,

I hurriedly pushed away the bedsheets and climbed out of bed.

At 5am, armed with a brush and cloth, I started at the top of the three-storey townhouse and cleaned my way to the bottom.

Then I dusted two lounges, ornaments and surfaces, washed and put away any dishes left overnight in the kitchen, wiped the sinks, the bathroom and the toilet.