cleaner

[/ˈkliːnər/]
nounpl: cleaners
limpador/limpadora
1. A person whose job is to clean buildings, homes, or other spaces
The cleaner comes to our office every Tuesday.
O limpador vem ao nosso escritório toda terça-feira.
2. A substance or product used for cleaning
I bought a new window cleaner at the supermarket.
Comprei um novo limpador de janelas no supermercado.
3. A device or machine designed to remove dirt or debris
We need to replace the filter in our vacuum cleaner.
Precisamos trocar o filtro do nosso aspirador de pó.
In Brazil, domestic cleaners (limpadores) are a common part of household services, particularly among middle and upper-class families. The profession is significant in the service economy. In the USA, commercial cleaning companies employ many workers, and the role is essential for office and institutional maintenance. The term carries different social connotations across regions and socioeconomic contexts.
NYC Slang
cleaning lady/guy (informal, potentially dated); sometimes just 'the cleaner'
Synonyms / Sinônimos
janitorhousekeepercustodiancleaning agentcleaning product
Antonyms / Antônimos
pollutantdirtmess

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
limpador/limpadora
Most common term for a cleaning person or cleaning product
Brazil - São Paulo
servente de limpeza
More formal term, often used in commercial contexts
Brazil - Rio de Janeiro
zelador/zeladora
Often used for building maintenance staff who also clean
Portugal
limpador/limpadora or auxiliar de limpeza
Similar usage but 'auxiliar de limpeza' more common in formal settings

Related Words

cleancleaningcleanlinesssanitationhygienesweepscrub

Related Idioms & Phrases

come clean (confess) - não directly related to 'cleaner' noun but shares 'clean' root
clean slate - fresh start, unrelated to cleaner profession
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