To think cleaning isn’t an unskilled job

[Thisisus909]

I am shit at cleaning. If I cleaned for 20 hours my house would look tidier but definitely not shiny clean.

I have had several cleaners ad hoc or for a season and they have always amazed me with how much cleaner they get the house.

Maybe I am just particularly bad, but I do think it’s a skill and we should give a bit more respect to those who do practical jobs. Calling it unskilled seems insulting. Just look at all the blogs and insta influencers who make a career out of training us mere mortals in how to do it better.

@ikeepseeingit

It’s definitely a skill to clean well. I have never cared for the labelling of anyone’s job as unskilled or semi-skilled, most jobs require a level of skill and if you want to be paid then it needs to be of a high standard. Yes they’re not a doctor, but neither is my hairdresser or my accountant.

Your accountant and hairdresser have both earned qualifications in their field which take years to achieve (especially accounting).

I suppose it depends whether you’re using the word ‘skilled’ with its natural English meaning or using it with the meaning it has in the labour market.

If the former then yes, it’s absolutely a skilled job - there are undoubtedly some very skilled cleaners out there. If the latter then no, it’s not a skilled job - unless it’s a specialist type of cleaning.

I now work in a professional role but cleaned as part of roles I had during Uni to help fund it. It’s hard work and to do it well it requires thinking about how to do it effectively and efficiently.

DH can spend hours cleaning and you can barely tell. He tends to listen to podcasts while he does it and doesn’t really engage his brain. I focus, plan and think about it so I can achieve better results in half the time. I feel proud of that skill and I hope that if I ever employ a cleaner they will do it as well as me and I’ll have a lot of respect for them and pay them fairly.

@SoNotRainbowRhythms

There is no such thing as an unskilled job.. Devaluing skills that are traditionally done by women , and other marginalised people is a capitalist lie designed to exploit people and give them low wages in exchange for their labour. Doesn't matter how skilled a surgeon is, if the hospital is not cleaned well the patients will die. People should know their worth.

Thank you for saying this! This society is so elitist and the language used derogatory of those in lower paid roles or who don't have degrees - usually women as you say. Not everyone has been in a position to access higher education for whatever reason, that doesn't mean they don't have a wealth of skills and experience to offer.

I've spoken to cleaners who genuinely love their jobs and get paid very well, I've also heard of people with phds and many other letters after their names living on benefits unable to find a job in their field.

@CorianderBee love your name! Totally get where you’re coming from but I think @SoNotRainbowRhythms put it really well for me.