Anyone thinking of using professional house cleaning services is probably asking, “What does a maid service do?”
Like most homeowners, you most likely have some experience with home cleaning tasks.
Even then, you can’t be sure what to expect from cleaning companies unless you have tried hiring one.
Will they scrub the bathroom tiles or clean the inside of your kitchen appliances? Are they going to bring their own cleaning supplies?
There are many things you need to consider when dealing with house cleaners for the first time.
Fortunately for you, we’ve done some of the legwork and gathered all the basics you need to learn.
Why Do You Need Professional Clean Services?
Before we take on the question, “What does a cleaner do?” we must first discuss the why.
It is a fair question because house cleaning services, while generally affordable, are not free. So, why would you pay someone to do something you are capable of doing yourself?
Perhaps the biggest draw of hiring a cleaning lady is that it leaves you with more time and energy to do the things you love.
Between work, family obligations, household chores, and many other things competing for your attention, you can’t do much else in life.
Using a house cleaning service allows you to pursue a passion that you normally could not fit into your schedule.
If you considered cleaning less frequently, or not cleaning at all, that would not be a good idea.
Having a cluttered living space invites accidents like tripping, while dirt encourages bacterial growth. Both scenarios are not good for you or your family.
On the flip side, having a professional cleaner in your corner gives you more freedom to enjoy life. You also get peace of mind in knowing your family has a safe place to call home.
What Does a Cleaning Service Do?
The first thing you need to understand about cleaning companies is that they offer a wide range of services.
Different establishments need different cleaning methods, like office cleaning, commercial cleaning, and even post-construction cleaning.
As for house cleaning, you can generally divide it into two parts: regular and deep cleaning.
Regular Cleaning
Regular house cleaning includes basic tasks you would normally do at least once a week.
It is designed to help you maintain a certain level of cleanliness without being too exhaustive with the cleaning process.
The usual targets of a regular cleaning session are areas that see a lot of foot traffic. These places attract dust and dirt at a faster rate and require more frequent attention.
Regular cleaning also applies to commonly used appliances and furniture. It is comprehensive in its own right, but it is not as detailed as deep cleaning.
Naturally, each session of regular cleaning costs less, but you do have to schedule it more often.
Deep Cleaning
Deep cleaning includes most of the regular cleaning tasks and then some. It is more extensive and pays more attention to detail at the same time.
For instance, when you deep clean, you also clear all the grease and grime that your kitchen appliances have collected.
With regular cleaning, you only wipe the outside of microwave ovens, range hoods, and others.
That’s why deep cleaning requires more time and energy from the house cleaner. Naturally, it generally costs more.
Note that you can’t use just one type of cleaning exclusively. To keep your home clean and safe, you need to use a combination of the two.
What To Expect From a House Cleaner
While cleaning companies are not all created equal, there are a few things you should expect from them, no matter who you hire.
These are non-negotiables that every reputable cleaning business should provide.
For instance, they must be insured and bonded. These conditions protect you in case something gets broken or someone gets hurt.
These things almost never happen, but it’s nice to be ready for them just the same.
Next, cleaners must arrive on time, ready with the tools and equipment they need for the job.
Most cleaning companies provide their cleaners with their own supplies, and they are trained to use these products.
Finally, you can expect a cleaner to be professional.
Rest assured that they will have the utmost respect for your property and will protect your privacy.
Reputable cleaning businesses have a strict screening process, and they only hire people with the highest integrity and work ethic.
On the flip side, you shouldn’t expect your cleaner to magically transform your home, especially if it has seen much better days.
It would take a few rounds of TLC before you can restore a badly-neglected space to its former glory.
Also, you should not ask your cleaner to run personal errands like buying groceries or picking up your laundry. These tasks are not part of their job description.
What Does House Cleaning Include?
When you hire a cleaning company, you have full control over what you want to have cleaned and at what level.
For instance, you can ask them to focus on the bathroom or kitchen in case you want to clean the rest of the house.
However, if you want a comprehensive cleaning service, here’s what it includes:
Kitchen Cleaning
For the kitchen, regular cleaning involves dusting the general area. Mirrors and windowsills are wiped down, and faucets or taps are polished.
Kitchen appliances will also be cleaned, but only the exterior.
Next is the vacuuming of the floor to remove all the dust and larger debris. Once done, the cleaner will mop it to get rid of stubborn dirt that might still remain.
Deep cleaning includes all the above tasks plus the inside of the appliances. The staff will also remove deep-seated dirt on the tiles and under the sink.
Bathroom Cleaning
Inside the bathroom, regular cleaning would include wiping down baseboards. The cleaner will also clean and disinfect the tiles.
Next are sinks, showers, tubs, and toilets. These areas will receive a thorough cleaning using the appropriate cleaning agents.
Finally, the cleaner will clean the mirror, removing smudges and other forms of contamination.
When it comes to deep cleaning, there is the additional task of removing scale buildup and grime from bathroom tiles.
The shower heads are also thoroughly cleaned by removing any similarly hardened buildup.
Vacuuming Throughout the House
Whether you use standard or