If the chore you need to complete isn't in your
Many professional cleaning companies will only expect you to tidy prior to their arrival. Although you hear jokes about people cleaning before the cleaners come all the time, it is NOT necessary. By tidying, however, you ensure that the cleaners will be able to access everything that they want to clean.
Before the cleaners arrive, take the time to declutter your home. Remove any items that are lying around and put them in their rightful place. Remove any trash or recyclables from the surfaces and dispose of them. This will allow the cleaners to focus on cleaning, rather than picking up clutter.
While there aren't any set rules for how much you should tip, it's common to tip cleaners 15% to 20% of the cost of house cleaning. But if the house cleaning pros did an excellent job or tackled a particularly tough project, you might consider tipping 25%.
The golden rule of housekeeping is simple: clean as you go. It may sound obvious, but this rule can make a big difference in how clean and organized your home is. Cleaning as you go means cleaning up messes and spills as soon as they happen, rather than letting them sit and become harder to clean later.
Following a systematic order for cleaning your house can make the task more manageable and ensure a thorough job. By starting with decluttering and moving through dusting, disinfecting, vacuuming, mopping, and specific room cleaning, you create a clean and organized living space.
Aaron Seyedian, founder of Well Paid Maids, advises tipping $20 for a smaller house or $40 for a larger house per cleaning. If you have a team of cleaners they can split the tip. If a cleaner is working alone, they can take home the whole tip.
If the same team cleans your home each week, you might want to tip once a month. If your house cleaners change from week to week, stick with tipping each visit. For customers who tip, it's best to add it to your form of payment. Always accompany your tip with a sincere thank-you note, whatever amount you choose.
If you fall into this category, you may be wondering if it is better to leave when the maid arrives or stay and oversee the cleaning. There is no right or wrong answer to this question. It ultimately comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer to leave and allow the maid to do her job without interruption.
Respect and professionalism are two crucial elements of proper house cleaner etiquette. Your cleaner will assist you, so treat them courteously as any other professional. This means being punctual for scheduled cleanings, providing a safe working environment, and refraining from micromanaging their every move.
“Leave the hard work to the cleaning team!” “Homeowners should focus on removing clutter from high-traffic spaces prior to their cleaning appointment, but they should not feel like they need to do any actual cleaning.”
House cleaners do not usually organize personal belongings and may have to skip sections of your home that they cannot access easily.
Are you hiring an individual self-employed cleaner who runs their own business, or are you turning to a larger cleaning company with many employees? Individual owners are generally able to set their own rates and do not lose a portion to a larger company. Because of this, they do not usually expect extra tips.
Housekeeper/Cleaner
Suggested Amount or Gift: Up to the amount of one week's pay and/or a small gift.
Giving the housekeeper your key is not recommended. If they have to stop working abruptly, it may be difficult to get your key back. There are many ways to arrange a house cleaning without needing to be present. Simply let us know how your cleaner can get inside, and expect to return to a freshly cleaned home.
For one-time or occasional cleaning services, tipping is more typical and usually ranges from 15% to 20% of the total bill. This is a good way to acknowledge their hard work on a specific job.
Give notice: Wondering how much notice to give a cleaner? It's best to provide at least one week's notice. This gives them time to find other work and adjust their schedule. Pay their last wages promptly: Ensure you pay your cleaner for their work up to their last day.
The Kitchen: A Cleaning Challenge
The kitchen is the home's heart for so many people. Unfortunately, it is also one of the hardest rooms to keep clean. With all those surfaces, appliances, and utensils, it's not surprising that the kitchen often takes the longest to tidy.
60 - 90 minutes per 1000 sqft (square feet) for a Standard Clean. 90 - 120 minutes per 1000 sqft for a Deep Clean. Homes That Require a Heavy Duty Clean: 90 - 120 minutes per 1000 sqft for a Standard Clean.
Many professional cleaners suggest vacuuming first before mopping. Especially if your interior floor is hard surfaces, vacuuming will make it easier for you to sweep and mop later. Some would instead follow the process of dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming first before cleaning.