Beginner’s Guide to Hiring a Cleaning Lady
Gone are the days when a professional cleaning of your home was a sign that you were rich . With new apps, affordable prices, and the fact that many of us work multiple jobs , hiring a cleaning lady is not only doable, but often necessary. However, if you’ve never done this, it can be intimidating. What is etiquette? What are the rules? Here’s what to keep in mind before hiring a cleaning service for the first time.
Calculate your budget
Many services offer a discount on the first cleaning, which can be tempting, but the best thing you can do is build a relationship with the cleaning lady if you plan on having her come every two weeks or once a month and you don’t. if the regular price is out of your budget.
Some services, such as Dazzling Cleaning , offer memberships. Their service is called “Forever Clean” and entitles you to unlimited extra cleanings at over 50% off. If you end up getting some sick deal on a few cleanings, the first thing you should remember is to tip your cleaner well. They still work hard no matter how much cost cutting happens between you and the company and deserve to be adequately rewarded.
Communicate with your cleaner
This comes from my personal experience. Typically, a few days before the cleaner arrives, they send you a text message or a message through their company’s app. Even if you hire someone directly through Craigslist or another platform, you will be in touch with them. It is important to inform them about the details of your home.
Create a note on your phone or a document on your computer with details about your space. Does the radiator make a terrifying noise every day at 12:03? Is there an area of your living room that you can’t touch? Have you noticed the activity of pests that, at best, can scare someone, and at worst, pose a threat to their health? Think of all the things in your home that seem normal to you but might surprise a newbie, and then state them clearly. If you didn’t mention pets, for example, and your janitor has asthma or allergies, you’re putting him in an unfair, possibly dangerous position that could have been avoided by notifying him first. In most cases, they will simply change jobs for a different cleaner and it won’t affect you in any way. You also need to find out how much supplies they bring with them. Some cleaners bring mops, brooms, cleaning solutions and such, while others do not. Ask specifically what they need for you to provide for them to use.
I’ve always found it much less embarrassing if I’m out of the house while I’m cleaning. You don’t want to control the person who helps you clean up your dusty apartment; just let them do their job. However, you need to be clear in advance how they will access the property, whether you will be there when they arrive to let them in, or if you have a key somewhere that they will need to get.
Finally, lay out exactly what you hope to remove during the time they are there. If you really want to thoroughly clean the bathroom but don’t care about the kitchen, you should say so. They may (and likely will) reach out to you if you’re not around, but if they don’t get a response, they’ll just take out what they feel is most urgent and doable. Clearly explain your expectations to avoid any problems.
Prepare your home
You don’t have to clean the whole apartment before they arrive, because that’s what you’re hiring them for. However, you should watch the cutscene carefully and, if you can, handle the big stuff on your own so they can focus on the details. These tips are taken from Angi , the leading home services website:
- Clear up your space. If possible, clear toys, junk, and random items from surfaces so that the cleaning lady doesn’t spend most of her time figuring out how to organize your items. (If you really need organizational help, let them know ahead of time; they can be really helpful.)
- Remove dirty dishes and leftover food. Most cleaners don’t wash dishes or clean up food-related messes, but clean sinks and countertops. Do not leave things in the sink or other large messes of this kind. If you are short on time and there will be plates and food, please let us know in advance.
- Protect fragile items. If you have a figurine or heirloom that means a lot to you, put it in a safe place until the cleaner arrives. Accidents can happen.
- Remove your pets. It is useful to place your pets in a cage or in a room that you do not want to clean. Your pets and cleaners should not mix if you can avoid it. Let your pets know in advance where they will be and what rooms they don’t need to enter.