What Is Trauma Informed Cleaning?
For many people, cleaning is just another household task. But for others, having someone enter their home and touch their belongings, move furniture or open cupboards can feel deeply unsettling.
This is where trauma informed cleaning comes in.
Trauma informed cleaning recognises that a home is not just a physical space. It holds memories, routines, emotions and sometimes experiences of loss, illness, violence or instability. A trauma informed cleaner works with care, consent and empathy, not just efficiency.
For people accessing NDIS cleaning services, aged care cleaning services, or other forms of in home support, the way cleaning is delivered matters just as much as the result.
Understanding Trauma in the Home
Trauma can come from many life experiences, including:
Domestic or family violence
Hoarding or housing insecurity
Serious illness or disability
Mental health challenges
Grief and loss
Ageing and loss of independence
Institutional care experiences
For someone who has lived through trauma, changes to their home environment can trigger anxiety, loss of control or distress, even if the intention is helpful.
That is why trauma informed cleaning focuses on how the service is delivered, not just the end result.
What Makes Cleaning Trauma Informed?
Trauma informed cleaning is guided by a few key principles that are especially important in NDIS and aged care cleaning services.
1. Safety Comes First
Trauma informed cleaners prioritise emotional and physical safety. This means:
Introducing themselves clearly and respectfully
Explaining what they plan to do before they do it
Moving at the client’s pace
Being aware of body language and tone
A trauma informed cleaner understands that trust may take time, and that is okay.
2. Choice and Control
Many people who have experienced trauma have had their control taken away. Trauma informed cleaning restores choice by:
Asking permission before moving or discarding items
Checking preferences around cleaning products, routines or areas of focus
Allowing clients to stay present or step away, whatever feels safest
Even small choices like “Would you like me to start in the kitchen or the bathroom?” can make a big difference during in home cleaning support.
3. Respect for Belongings
What may look like clutter to one person may hold meaning for another. Trauma informed cleaners:
Never judge or shame
Avoid rushing decisions about belongings
Handle personal items carefully and respectfully
The goal is not to impose standards. It is to support wellbeing, dignity and independence in the home.
4. Calm, Consistent Communication
Clear, gentle communication helps reduce anxiety. This includes:
Letting clients know before entering rooms
Explaining unfamiliar equipment or processes
Checking in regularly by asking “Is this okay?” or “How are you feeling about this?”
Consistency also matters. Seeing the same cleaner regularly can help build trust, especially for clients receiving ongoing NDIS or aged care cleaning support.
Who Benefits From Trauma Informed Cleaning?
Trauma informed cleaning is especially valuable for:
NDIS participants, particularly those with psychosocial disabilities
Older Australians accessing aged care cleaning services
People living alone with limited supports
Clients receiving in home cleaning services for the first time
Anyone feeling overwhelmed by their living environment
In many cases, cleaners may be the only people regularly entering a client’s home. That makes trauma informed cleaners an important part of a broader care team.
More Than Cleaning: The Eyes and Ears on the Ground
At Sistability, our domestic care specialists often act as the eyes and ears on the ground. Trauma informed cleaning means noticing changes, not to judge but to support.
This could include:
Signs a client is becoming withdrawn
Declining mobility or home safety risks
Increased clutter linked to mental health changes
Changes in mood or routine
With appropriate training and reporting pathways, cleaners providing NDIS and aged care cleaning services can help flag concerns early and contribute to safer, more supportive care.
Trauma Informed Cleaning in Practice
A trauma informed clean might look like:
Starting with one room instead of the whole house
Leaving certain areas untouched if requested
Slowing down when a client becomes distressed
Celebrating small wins instead of aiming for perfection
Progress is measured by comfort and confidence, not just how clean a space looks.
Why Trauma Informed Cleaning Matters
A clean home should feel safe, not stressful.
When cleaning is trauma informed, it can:
Reduce anxiety and overwhelm
Support independence and dignity
Improve physical and mental wellbeing
Help people feel respected in their own home
For many clients using in home cleaning support, trauma informed cleaning is not just helpful. It can be life changing.
How Sistability Delivers Trauma Informed Cleaning
As a certified social enterprise, Sistability provides trauma informed cleaning services in Northern NSW, supporting NDIS participants, older Australians and people needing respectful in home care.
Our team is trained to work gently, professionally and with awareness of the diverse experiences our clients bring into their homes.
We believe:
Everyone deserves dignity in their space
Cleaning services should never feel rushed or transactional
Trust is just as important as results
Whether you are looking for NDIS cleaning services, aged care cleaning support, or a cleaner who truly understands vulnerability, trauma informed cleaning is central to how we work.
Looking for trauma informed cleaning in Northern NSW?
If you or someone you care for is feeling overwhelmed at home, Sistability can help with respectful, professional and trauma informed in home cleaning services. Contact our team to learn more about support that puts people first. Get In Touch Today.
