A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921.

ORDER XXVII.—PERSONS ENGAGED IN PERSONAL SERVICE (including Institutions, Clubs, Hotels, etc.)

922.—Charwomen, Office Cleaners

charwoman, charer, char-lady, cleaner ; journey-woman: a daily non-resident domestic worker who renders casual assistance in a household, offices or elsewhere (scrubbing, cleaning, etc.).
cleaner (bank, hall, library, messroom, office, school, etc.): sweeps, cleans and dusts premises of bank, office, etc.; polishes brasswork, etc.; makes fires if necessary; usually part-time worker, working night and morning.
cleaner, brass (offices): cleans and polishes brass or copper fittings in offices.
cleaner, call office cabinet (G.P.O.): cleans, with wet brush, windows, walls and floor of telephone call boxes.
cleaner, church: assists church caretaker (921) (q.v.) in cleaning of church by scrubbing floors, dusting, etc.
cleaner, house: a charwoman (q.v.) who scrubs or cleans the interior of houses, usually on change of tenancy.
cleaner, ship's: a charwoman (q.v.) who does rough cleaning work in cabins and saloons of passenger vessels in dock.
cleaner, step: scrubs, washes and cleans steps; may also clean windows.
journey woman: see charwoman.
scrubber: does rough hard cleaning of premises, scrubbing off dirt, grease, etc., from floors and steps; cf. charwoman.

From: A Dictionary of Occupational Terms Based on the Classification of Occupations used in the Census of Population, 1921,
Ministry of Labour, 1927. Digitised by Peter Christian, August, 2016. This text is in the Public Domain.