Cleaning Company Employee Handbook Template

Cleaning company employees work in clients' homes and businesses — often unsupervised and with access to personal property and sensitive areas. A cleaning company employee handbook establishes trust, sets clear expectations, and protects both your business and your clients.

This guide covers everything you need to include in a cleaning-specific handbook, plus a free template to get you started.

Why cleaning companies need a specialized handbook

Generic employee handbooks don't address the unique challenges cleaning businesses face:

• Trust and access — Employees have keys, alarm codes, and access to clients' private spaces
• Unsupervised work — Most cleaning is done without direct supervision
• Chemical handling — Cleaning products can be hazardous if misused
• Client property liability — Accidental damage, theft accusations, and valuables handling
• Quality consistency — Different employees should deliver the same quality standard

A specialized handbook protects your business, builds client confidence, and ensures every cleaner knows exactly what's expected.

Download the template

Get started with our free employee handbook template. It includes all the standard sections, which you can customize with cleaning-specific policies.

This is our general template. Add the cleaning-specific sections outlined below to make it complete for your cleaning business. Need help customizing? See our guide on how to create an employee handbook.

Key sections for cleaning company handbooks

Beyond standard handbook content, cleaning companies need these specialized sections:

Safety policies to include

Cleaning work involves chemical exposure and physical hazards. Document these safety areas:

Chemical safety

• Never mix cleaning chemicals (especially bleach and ammonia)
• Read and follow product labels
• Access to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for all products
• Proper storage and transportation of chemicals
• Ventilation requirements when using strong chemicals

Personal protective equipment (PPE)

• Gloves for all cleaning tasks (types for different chemicals)
• Eye protection when using sprays or harsh chemicals
• Non-slip footwear requirements
• Masks/respirators for certain cleaning situations

Ergonomic safety

• Proper lifting techniques for equipment and supplies
• Avoiding repetitive strain injuries
• Taking breaks during long cleaning sessions
• Using proper posture when scrubbing, mopping, vacuuming

Slip, trip, and fall prevention

• Wet floor signage and procedures
• Ladder safety for high dusting and cleaning
• Cord management to prevent trips
• Proper footwear on wet surfaces

Client property policies

Protecting client property and maintaining trust is essential. Address these areas:

Valuables and personal items

• Never move or handle jewelry, cash, or valuables unless specifically instructed
• Report any found items immediately to supervisor
• Document pre-existing damage before cleaning
• What to do if you accidentally break something

Keys and access

• Key sign-out and return procedures
• Never duplicate client keys
• Alarm code confidentiality
• Lockbox procedures and codes
• What to do if locked out or alarm triggers

Privacy and confidentiality

• Never discuss client information with others
• Don't share photos of client homes/businesses
• Respect private areas and documents
• Confidentiality agreement requirements

Damage reporting

• Report all damage immediately — even if it wasn't your fault
• Documentation process with photos
• Who to contact and how quickly
• Insurance claim procedures

Quality standards and procedures

Consistent quality is what keeps clients coming back. Document your standards:

Cleaning checklists

• Room-by-room task lists
• Deep clean vs. regular clean differences
• Move-in/move-out cleaning requirements
• Time estimates per room or square footage

Quality inspections

• Self-inspection before leaving
• Supervisor spot-checks
• Client feedback process
• How quality issues are addressed

Client communication

• How to handle special requests
• What to do if you can't complete all tasks
• Leaving notes for clients
• Handling complaints professionally

Template vs. digital handbook

Cleaning staff are mobile and often work alone. Consider whether a digital solution makes sense:

Frequently asked questions

What should be in a cleaning company employee handbook?

A cleaning company handbook should include cleaning procedures and standards, chemical safety and MSDS information, client property protection policies, key and alarm code handling, uniform requirements, equipment care, and quality control procedures. Plus all the standard employment policies like anti-discrimination, leave policies, and performance expectations.

Do cleaning businesses need employee handbooks?

Yes, cleaning businesses benefit greatly from handbooks because employees work unsupervised in clients' homes and businesses. A handbook establishes trust, documents procedures, protects against liability, and ensures consistent service quality. Most cleaning companies are small businesses — see our small business employee handbook guide for more tips.

What safety policies should a cleaning company handbook include?

Cleaning company safety policies should cover chemical handling and storage, MSDS/SDS sheet access, PPE requirements (gloves, eye protection), ladder safety, ergonomic practices, bloodborne pathogen procedures, and slip/fall prevention.

How do I address theft concerns in the handbook?

Address theft prevention by documenting your background check requirements, client property handling procedures, consequences for theft (immediate termination and prosecution), and the process for handling false accusations. Make it clear that trust is the foundation of your business.

How do I get employees to acknowledge the handbook?

Have each employee sign an acknowledgement form confirming they've received and read the handbook. This is especially important for cleaning companies given the trust and access involved.