What do you call a custodian?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

The best title to call a custodian depends on the specifics of their role but is usually either janitor or custodian. While a custodian and a janitor perform the same job duties, the terms can generally be interchangeable when referring to a person who works in a building care role.

A custodian typically takes care of the same building or property at any time of day, while a janitor comes to a location specifically to clean at a set time.

The responsibilities of janitors and custodians are very similar, but specific job duties vary, depending on where you work. For example, people who clean schools generally hold the title of custodian. Those duties include cleaning bathrooms and classrooms, mopping floors, and replenishing cleaning supplies and paper products.

In other settings, such as an office building, a custodian has additional responsibilities besides cleaning. A custodian may assist with building maintenance, paint rooms, and perform light repair work on various pieces of equipment. To work as a custodian, you may need additional training in plumbing, electrical working, or painting.

Janitors are only responsible for keeping a space clean and managing the inventory of various cleaning supplies. Their primary responsibilities include cleaning multiple surfaces, performing light maintenance, following safety standards (identifying wet floors or closing down areas for cleaning), and reporting discrepancies.