What to leave after cleaning a house?

Author: Agustina Kozey  |  Last update: Friday, July 11, 2025

Here are my top 10 Finishing Touches of a Professional Cleaner that will help cleaning contractors to improve their customer's experience.
  1. Folded Toilet Paper. ...
  2. Hard Candies & Chocolates. ...
  3. Fresh Flowers. ...
  4. Line Up the Sink Mixers. ...
  5. Leave a Note. ...
  6. Clean & Tidy an Area Not Normally Included. ...
  7. Holiday Themed Surprises.

What is the correct order to clean a house?

  • There are a number of ways to clean a house from top to bottom.
  • -Start by dusting all surfaces, including shelves, cabinets, and windowsills.
  • -Wipe down all countertops and appliances.
  • -Vacuum all carpets and rugs.
  • -Clean all bathrooms, including showers, bathtubs, and toilets.
  • -Scrub all floors with a mop or broom.

How much do you tip a house cleaner if your bill is $500?

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%.

Should you leave when the cleaning lady comes?

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. If you are unsure what to do, it is best to ask the maid directly.

How clean is a seller required to leave the house after moving out?

Basic Cleanliness: Typically, sellers are expected to leave the property in a reasonably clean condition. This usually means removing all personal belongings, trash, and debris, and cleaning surfaces such as floors, countertops, and bathrooms.

How To Keep A CLEAN HOUSE When You WORK FULL TIME | The Game Plan That FLOORED Me! (Family of 5)

Can I leave stuff behind when I sell my house?

As long as it's not specified in the contract, items not attached or built into the property typically do not stay behind. This applies to furniture and many other items that the new buyer may not want to deal with.

How clean should I leave my house when I sell it?

Most real estate contracts specify that your house should be in a broom-clean condition by the time you are handing over the keys. You should wipe down the windows, surfaces, skirting boards, and cupboards. However, you can choose to have the house professionally clean to save you time and energy.

Can you leave cleaners alone in your house?

So, do you stay when the cleaning lady comes? Whether you choose to stay or leave your home while the cleaners work is entirely up to you. Your cleaners might have an easier time without anyone home, especially children.

Do you tip a housecleaner?

Typical tip amounts for residential maid service are comparable to standard tip amounts in the restaurant business and other service industries, so tipping house cleaners 15 to 20 percent is a good benchmark. If your house cleaning service uses a team-cleaning approach, it's fine to give a $10 to $15 tip to be shared.

Do house cleaners change sheets?

Similar to other special services like oven cleaning, some house cleaning companies will change your sheets but you should expect an additional fee. Still, for most folks, it will be more than worth it.

Do you tip molly maid?

All of our residential housekeepers undergo extensive Molly Maid training to ensure that the quality of our work is always consistent. Do your housecleaners accept tips? While tips aren't expected, we're allowed to accept them.

How should I charge for cleaning?

At a Glance: What to Charge for Cleaning Homes?
  1. $120 to $280 for a flat rate.
  2. $25 to $75 per hour, per cleaner.
  3. $0.10 to $0.17 per square foot.
  4. $30 to $50 per room.

How much Christmas bonus for housekeeper?

Full-time domestic help (cook, nanny, personal caregiver, or butler): Aim for between a week and a month's pay, plus a gift. Housekeeper: If they come once a week, the equivalent of a day's pay. If they come daily, the equivalent of a week's pay, and possibly a gift, too.

What is the hardest room to clean?

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. It is one of the most time-consuming kitchen procedures to clean the oven.

How to professionally clean a house quickly?

Here a process to follow for efficient cleaning:
  1. Start by picking up. Work from one corner to the next, around the room. ...
  2. Work from the top down. ...
  3. Prioritize the kitchen and bathroom. ...
  4. Disinfect where needed. ...
  5. Practice makes perfect.

Should you mop or vacuum first?

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.

How to tell a cleaning lady to clean better?

Be direct yet polite; remember, effective communication is about clarity, not harshness. Offer to give a brief tour of your home, pointing out areas that may require extra attention. This hands-on approach ensures that your cleaning lady understands your priorities and can plan her work accordingly.

Is it rude to not tip housekeeping?

You don't have to tip your hotel housekeeper, but these hardworking staff members are often forgotten when it comes to tipping, so the money can go a long way for them.

Do you tip a self-employed cleaner?

With self-employed house cleaners, a gift card rather than a cash tip would be more appropriate as they would be accepting a gift instead of a tip, and nobody turns down gifts. Some will accept tips, however, so it really depends on the individual cleaner.

What do housekeepers not clean?

What Won't the Maids Clean?
  • Biological Waste Materials. If you have any biological waste in your house, your maids won't clean it up. ...
  • Laundry and Linens. ...
  • Dirty Places That Are High Up. ...
  • Washing Machines. ...
  • Windows. ...
  • Questionable Odors. ...
  • Dishwasher Loads and Unloads. ...
  • Bedbugs and Insect Infestations.

How long should it take one person to clean a house?

Allow yourself 2 1/2 hours a week to clean a two-bedroom home. You should also add an extra 1 hour a week when you decide to deep clean. 3 Bedroom 2 Bath Home: If you have a typical three-bedroom home or apartment, you can expect to spend about three hours a week on basic cleaning.

What is proper house cleaner etiquette?

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.

How clean does your house have to be at closing?

A contract for a home sale will often require that a seller deliver the premises in “broom-clean” or “broom-swept” condition.

Does a clean house sell faster?

Clean homes sell faster

This is because buyers are more likely to make an offer on a home that is move-in ready and doesn't require a lot of work. If your home is clean and well-maintained, buyers are more likely to see it as a good investment and make an offer quickly.

What is a broom clean condition?

Generally, “broom clean” condition means that all personal belongings and trash have been removed, the floors have been swept or vacuumed, and surfaces wiped down. In some cases, it may also imply that the property should be free of obvious dirt and grime, appliances cleaned out, and bathrooms left sanitary.

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