There are 8 lessons:

1. Nature and Scope of Cleaning

• Introduction
• Standard Types of Cleaning
• Bond Cleans
• Outdoor Work
• Cleaning Roles – general cleaners, specialist cleaners,
• Chemicals/Products
• Natural versus Synthetic Products
• General Procedures (over 25 product types reviewed)
• Equipment and Tools
• Inventory and Resourcing
• Reporting Concerns
• Disposal of Waste
• Compliance with legislation
• Sustainability and Maintaining Reputation
• Pest Control -spiders, rodents, insects

2. Cleaning Stains & Specialist Cleaning Techniques

• Introduction
• Categories of Stains
• Protein Stains
• Carbohydrate Stains
• Lipid Stains
• Pigment Stains
• Resin Stains
• Cleaning Artwork – restoration
• Cleaning Products You can Make Easily

3. Floor Care

• Introduction
• Carpet Cleaning
• Deep Cleaning Carpet
• Shampooing Carpet – manually, with a machine
• Steam Cleaning Carpet
• Removing Pigment Stains from Carpet
• Rugs
• Sisal, Jute, Seagrass
• Wool
• Cleaning Newer Timber Floors
• Cleaning Reclaimed Timber
• Waxing and Polishing Timber
• Unvarnished Timber
• Varnished Timber
• Tiles
• Porcelain Tiles
• Stone Tiles
• Concrete/Cement Floors
• Bamboo Flooring
• Linoleum
• Outdoor Ground Surface Cleaning
• Tiles
• Paving
• Timber
• Concrete
• Artificial Grass

4. Furniture & Furnishings

• Furniture versus Furnishings
• Cleaning Furniture
• Upholstered Furniture – general clean, deep clean
• Wood Fixings
• Waxing Furniture
• Polishing
• Conducting Inspections
• Cleaning Leather
• Linen Cleaning
• Assessing Quality of Linen
• Care of Linen
• Fibre Structure and Appearance -tensile strength, Elongation, Elasticity, Specific Gravity
• Effect of Moisture
• Chemical Properties of Fibres
• Insect Resistance
• Resistance to Microorganisms
• Electrical Properties
• Effect of Sunlight
• Thermal Properties
• Fire Resistance
• Classification of Fibres
• Natural Fibres -Cotton, Linen, Wool
• Manmade Fibres – Viscose Rayon, Acetate, Nylon, Polyester, Acrylic, Plypropylene, Fibreglass
• Blended Fibres

5. Washroom Cleaning

• Importance of Hygiene
• Routing Cleaning Maintenance
• Wash Basins and Taps
• Soap Dispensers
• Mirrors
• Paper Towel Dispensers
• Hand Dryers
• Vending Machines
• Sanitary Item Dispensers
• Sharps Disposal Containers
• Toilet Paper Holders
• Toilets
• Urinals
• Light Fixtures
• Floor Cleaning
• Rubbish Removal and Disposal
• Vandalism
• Replacing Dispensers
• Workplace Health and Safety
• Avoiding Falling
• Caustic and Corrosive Cleaners

6. Kitchen Hygiene and Cleaning

• Introduction
• Storage Cupboards
• Sink and Drainage Area
• Removing drain blockages
• Cleaning Sinks
• Oven Cleaning
• Oven Door
• Cooktop -gas, ceramic, metal, etc
• Refrigerator
• Freezer
• De-icing
• Freezer Drains
• Defrosting a Freezer
• Dishwasher
• Waste Disposal
• Waste Disposal and Work Flow
• Organic Waste Disposal

7. Commercial Cleaning

• Introduction
• Divisions of Commercial Cleaning
• Janitorial Work -finding work, cleaning skills, building maintenance, administration, general
• Commercial Cleaner Work – finding work, skills/scope of work
• Specialist Cleaning Jobs
• High Rise Window Cleaner
• Professional Laundry Worker
• Future outlook for Cleaning Industry

8. Cleaning Businesses

• Introduction
• Cleaners versus Housekeepers
• Essential Cleaning Skills
• Advanced Cleaning Skills
• Administrative Skills
• General Skills
• Becoming a Residential Cleaner
• Joining a Franchise
• Setting up your Own Business
• Getting a first Client
• Introductory Offers/ Loss Leaders
• Advertising -local print, digital, etc
• Complaints

Please note:  Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the academy, marked by your tutor and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

• Explain the nature of the cleaning industry, equipment and materials used, and concepts such as sustainability.
• Understand how to clean a range of stains from different surfaces and specialist cleaning techniques.
• Describe how to clean different indoor floor surfaces and outdoor ground surfaces.
• Understand ways to clean furnishings and furniture including a range of fabrics and other materials.
• Understand what is involved in washroom cleaning including toilets bathrooms.
• Understand how to clean and maintain hygiene in kitchens in residential homes, cafes, and restaurants.
• Discuss requirements for working in a range of commercial cleaning ventures such as cleaners in industry, hospitals, shopping centres, or for specific purposes.
• Discuss the requirements for cleaners working primarily as cleaners of residential buildings.

• Choose one indoor and one outdoor floor surface to clean, either where you live or where you work. Clean each of these two surfaces using notes from this lesson, your own knowledge, and any other tips you may have found out through research. Take photos before you clean the surface, during cleaning and after cleaning. Also, photograph any cleaning products you used and how you made them (if you combined ingredients). Remember to follow health and safety guidelines. Don’t mix chemicals you are unsure about. Wear personal protective equipment and ensure the room for your indoor surface is well-ventilated.
• Search for residential cleaning jobs in your nearest town or city. You may find these online via jobs websites or you may find them in the classified section of newspapers. Try to find three different jobs that are currently being advertised and make notes on what they ask for. Note: If you can’t find any jobs advertised in your nearest town or city try looking further afield. The point is to get an idea of what sort of skills and duties are required.
• Find out what different types of cleaning services are available in your town or city (or nearest large town if you live in a rural or remote location). You may find this information quickly through conducting an online search. Make a note of what services are being offered, the most common types of service and those which are less common.
• Get hold of a piece of fabric which you can experiment with by applying and attempting to remove stains. For example, you could use an old sheet, an item of clothing, or perhaps pick up an off-cut of material from a fabric or sewing accessories store. It is better for this experiment to use something which is pale and plain coloured (not patterned) so that the stains are easy to see. Don’t use anything of value to you in case you permanently damage it.Apply five stains to the fabric as follows: Protein stain – egg yolk is probably easiest, but you could rub grass onto the fabric or use blood from a piece of fresh meat; Carbohydrate stain – tomato sauce, chocolate or gravy; Lipid stain – cooking oil or machine oil; Pigment stain – pen ink; Resin stain – wax, glue or tree sap.Next, take a photo of each stain and label it. Now, attempt to remove each stain using methods described in this course (take precautions where necessary e.g. wear rubber gloves, eye goggles and a face mask which blocks vapours, and do this in a ventilated room). Photograph the end result and once again label your photos.
  
  These activities are examples of what you will do in the course.

There are 8 assignments – one per lesson. – these are marked and returned with feedback from your tutor. At the end of the module, you can formalise your learning and sit the exam in Cleaning Solutions to obtain the Statement of Attainment. This is the final challenge to assess your knowledge. You will receive your Statement of Attainment in Cleaning Solutions (Home and Work) to present to employers or anyone with an interest in your industry competence.

Working flexibly, online with no set deadlines to meet, makes this substantial online course in Cleaning the perfect option for busy people.

To find out more about this course, please contact our friendly team of Course Advisors.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here is a list of the most often asked FAQ’s.

General

Q. Why should I enrol with the Academy for Distance Learning?
A. Here at ADL, our students are our priority – we treat everyone as a unique individual.

Q. Do I need to buy text books?
A. No, as each module has been written by highly qualified industry professionals. The content of the material is presented in such a way that text books are not required. However, if you require additional reading your tutor will be able to supply a list.

Q. What happens if I have to stop studying for a while? (eg. become sick, go on holidays, have a baby, move house, etc)
A. It’s OK to take a break and start up your study at a later point in time. Just let us know.

Q. Is there an age limit?
A. There is no maximum age limit. We do however, have a minimum age limit of 18 years. Below that age parental consent would be required.

Q. Are your courses up-to date?
A. Our courses are revised and updated on a rotation system.

Q. Do you have a Cancellation policy?
A. Yes. We have a cancellation policy that is fair and equitable. For further details please click here.

Q. Will I have any opportunity to engage with other students?
A. We have a Student Community group based on facebook! If you don’t have a facebook account already, you could make one just for talking with fellow students on the group.

Enrolment

Q. When can I enrol/start?
A. You may enrol and start at any time of the year – it’s all self- paced.

Q. Can I study from anywhere in the world?
A. Our courses are available to anyone, anywhere in the world from the comfort of your own home. The course content is relevant to any country, culture or economy.

Q. How long do I have to complete the course?
A. You complete the course at any time that is convenient for you.

Q. Completing a 100 hour module – how long will it take?
A. For some students a 100 hour module will take approximately to 3- 6 months to complete. Others take less time and some even longer.

Assessment

Q. Assessment – how does it work?
A. For each 100 hour module you are assessed by assignments (at the end of each lesson) and a final one and a half hour exam (or you may elect to complete a Project, instead of sitting the exam) – the choice is yours – you sit for the exam in your own location.

Q. I don’t cope well with exams – what can I do?
A. You may elect to undertake a Project (set by your tutor) instead of sitting the exam. Projects are completed from your home and can usually take a couple of weeks to complete.

Q. If my assignment is not up to standard is there an opportunity to resubmit my work?
A. Yes –

Q. How many assignments do I need to complete for each module?
A. At the end of each lesson, there is an assignment – so if a course has say, 10 lessons, there would be 10 assignments.

Q. I am having difficulty attending workshops/industry meetings, what can be done?
A. If your course requires attendance at workshops, conferences, or industry meetings; alternative arrangements can be made in your country.

Qualifications

Q. What qualification will I receive?
A. For individual modules, you would be awarded a Certificate endorsed by TQUK (Training Qualifications, UK), providing you complete all assignments and the exam. If you just want to complete only the assignments and not sit for the exam or finish a Project, then a Letter of Achievement would be awarded. For more details on qualifications available please click here.

Q. Can I customize my diploma/higher qualification?
A. Not all educational institution’s certificates /diplomas meet everyone’s needs. The opportunity to Design Your Own Diploma at the Academy (subject to our approval) is an added bonus, not found at other colleges. You choose modules that you think will help you in achieving your goal.

Q. What do I get when I complete the course? Will I receive a transcript?
A. At the completion of all courses and providing all assignments and exam requirements have been met, you will receive your Award and a Transcript.

Tutors

Q. Our tutors – who are they?
A. We appoint Tutors and require that they must be currently active in their industry, with at least 5 years’ experience in their chosen profession.

Q. Can I contact my tutor at any time?
A. Yes – you have unlimited access to your tutor via email through our Online Classroom. You can always leave a message with ADL requesting your tutor to contact you. You decide on how much or how little contact you wish to have.

Q. Practical work – How is this done?
A. To find out more about this part of the course please visit the section on How Our Courses Work here.