What skills does a domestic housekeeper need?

A domestic housekeeper needs 22 essential skills including cleaning techniques, maintain inventory of cleaning supplies, supervise housekeeping operations, wash the laundry, manage schedule of tasks. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace domestic housekeeper jobs?

The AI disruption score for domestic housekeeper is 29/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Social ServicePersonal service workersISCO 5152

domestic housekeeper

Domestic housekeepers are responsible for all the household activities in a private house. They oversee and execute duties according to the needs of the employer such as cooking, cleaning and washing activities, taking care of children and gardening. They order supplies and are in charge of expenditures allocated. Domestic housekeepers may supervise and instruct household staff in large households.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (22)

cleaning techniquescleaning techniquesVarious techniques and tools used to clean different types of surfaces to achieve a certain degree of cleanliness such as sweeping, vacuuming, degreasing and wet cleaning.maintain inventory of cleaning suppliesmaintain inventory of cleaning suppliesFollow the stock of cleaning materials, order new material when the stock is empty and follow their usage to maintain a constant supply.supervise housekeeping operationssupervise housekeeping operationsOversee the day-to-day service and cleaning of rooms and public areas to ensure continuous operations.wash the laundrywash the laundryWash or clean clothes by hand or by use of a washing machine.manage schedule of tasksmanage schedule of tasksMaintain an overview of all the incoming tasks in order to prioritise the tasks, plan their execution, and integrate new tasks as they present themselves.maintain personal hygiene standardsmaintain personal hygiene standardsPreserve impeccable personal hygiene standards and have a tidy appearance.work ergonomicallywork ergonomicallyApply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.remove dustremove dustRemove dust from furniture, blinds and windowsills using specialised dust cloths or hand-cleaning items.perform cleaning dutiesperform cleaning dutiesPerform cleaning duties such as waste removal, vacuuming, emptying bins, and general cleaning of the working area. Cleaning activities should follow health and safety regulations if required.iron textilesiron textilesPressing and ironing in order to shape or flatten textiles giving them their final finishing appearance. Iron by hand or with steam pressers.vacuum surfacesvacuum surfacesUse a vacuum cleaner to remove dust and small particles from floors, drapes, carpets or furniture.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.clean surfacesclean surfacesDisinfect surfaces in accordance with sanitary standards.buy groceriesbuy groceriesPurchase ingredients, products and tools that are necessary for daily housekeeping activities.maintain cleaning equipmentmaintain cleaning equipmentClean and preserve the equipment and material used for cleaning purposes in a proper state.clean roomsclean roomsClean rooms by cleaning glasswork and windows, polishing furniture, vacuuming carpets, scrubing hard floors, and removing garbage.satisfy customerssatisfy customersCommunicate with customers and make them feel satisfied.monitor kitchen suppliesmonitor kitchen suppliesOversee stock levels for supplies used in the kitchen. Report to the appropriate person.store kitchen suppliesstore kitchen suppliesKeep delivered kitchen supplies for future use in a safe and hygiene place according to guidelines.make the bedsmake the bedsClean sheets, turn mattresses, plump pillows and change cushions.control of expensescontrol of expensesMonitor and maintain effective cost controls, in regards to efficiencies, waste, overtime and staffing. Assessing excesses and strives for efficiency and productivity.

Optional (34)

dietary regimesdietary regimesThe field of food habits and dietary regimes, including those inspired by religious beliefs.lawn carelawn careProcedures, equipment and products used to maintain the cleanliness of lawns and other grass surfaces in parks or residences.teach housekeeping skillsteach housekeeping skillsTeach housekeeping as well as manual skills aiming to improve everyday tasks and life circumstances.assist children with homeworkassist children with homeworkHelp children with school tasks. Assist the child with the interpretation of the assignment and the solutions. Make sure the child studies for tests and exams.give instructions to staffgive instructions to staffGive instructions to subordinates by employing various communication techniques. Adjust communication style to the target audience in order to convey instructions as intended.feed petsfeed petsMake sure that pets are given appropriate food and water on time.tend to elderly peopletend to elderly peopleHelp elderly people in their physical, mental, and social needs.greet guestsgreet guestsWelcome guests in a friendly manner in a certain place.clean household linensclean household linensWash linens such as sheets, towels and table cloths with water and soap or detergent. Clean linens by hand or by the use of a washing machine.organise wine cellarorganise wine cellarSystematise the wine cellar to ensure an appropriate amount and variation of wine and carry-out efficient and effective stock rotation.manage staffmanage staffManage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the wor...control minor maintenancecontrol minor maintenanceFollow up on the maintenance and repairs to be carried out. Solve minor problems and pass harder problems on to the person responsible for maintenance.collect mailcollect mailEmpty the letter box on a regular basis, organising it on importance and deal with urgent mail.serve food in table serviceserve food in table serviceProvide food at the table whilst maintaining high level of customer service and food safety standards.use food preparation techniquesuse food preparation techniquesApply food preparation techniques including the selecting, washing, cooling, peeling, marinating, preparing of dressings and cutting of ingredients.follow written instructionsfollow written instructionsFollow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.oversee maintenance workoversee maintenance workOversee the landscaping maintenance work: mowing, strimming, spraying, weeding and pruning.handle linen in stockhandle linen in stockManage laundered items and store them in safe and hygienic conditions.promote human rightspromote human rightsPromote and respect human rights and diversity in light of the physical, psychological, spiritual and social needs of autonomous individuals, taking into account their opinions, beliefs and values, an...provide dog walking servicesprovide dog walking servicesProvide dog-walking services, including activities such as agreement of services with the customer, selection and use of handling equipment, interaction with the dog, and safe and responsible dog walk...disseminate messages to peopledisseminate messages to peopleReceive, process, and pass messages to people coming from phone calls, faxes, postal, and emails.support children's wellbeingsupport children's wellbeingProvide an environment that supports and values children and helps them to manage their own feelings and relationships with others.manage cleaning activitiesmanage cleaning activitiesOversee cleaning activities undertaken by employees.arrange special eventsarrange special eventsOrganise the necessary preparations for catering at special events such as conferences, large parties or banquets.communicate with youthcommunicate with youthUse verbal and non-verbal communication and communicate through writing, electronic means, or drawing. Adapt your communication to children and young people`s age, needs, characteristics, abilities, p...assist clients with special needsassist clients with special needsAid clients with special needs following relevant guidelines and special standards. Recognise their needs and accurately respond to them if needed.attend to children's basic physical needsattend to children's basic physical needsTend to children by feeding them, dressing them, and, if necessary, regularly changing their diapers in a sanitary manner.serve beveragesserve beveragesProvide a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as soft drinks, mineral waters, wine and bottled beer over a counter or using a tray.wash the disheswash the dishesWash plates, glasses, silverware and cooking gear used for a meal, by hand or by use of a dish washer. Put everything back in its place afterwards.polish silverwarepolish silverwareRub the surface of silver or silver coated dishes, containers and cutlery to make it smooth and shiny.clean glass surfacesclean glass surfacesUse cleaning products to clean any surface covered by glass.perform outdoor cleaning activitiesperform outdoor cleaning activitiesAdapt the cleaning working methods and procedures to the environmental conditions and adapt to weather conditions such as rain, strong wind or snow, when this affects the performance of the equipment ...use cooking techniquesuse cooking techniquesApply cooking techniques including grilling, frying, boiling, braising, poaching, baking or roasting.supervise childrensupervise childrenKeep the children under supervision for a certain period of time, ensuring their safety at all times.