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 deep clean services, it will typically involve vacuuming.
This task is very important because it helps remove all the dust and small particles that have settled on floors.
If you don’t remove them, they become airborne every time you step on your carpet, which is not good for indoor air quality.
Expect your cleaner to vacuum your bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom, and other high-traffic areas.
Deep cleaning would also involve vacuuming furniture and upholstery, as well as carpet edges.
Mopping
Floors have the tendency to get dirty from normal use, especially if you have a big family. That’s because of the heavy foot traffic that will bring in a lot of dirt from the outside.
The contamination is worse if you have pets, as you would also have dander to contend with.
In any case, mopping will help bring your floors back to base condition. It can get rid of all the dust and dirt that vacuuming cannot remove.
We’ve mentioned mopping the kitchen and bathroom floors, but cleaners will also include the living room, bedrooms, hallways, and other areas.
Making Beds
Making beds is supposed to be easy, but it can be time-consuming.
If you are going to schedule a cleaning session anyway, the cleaner can do it for you as part of their routine.
They will change the bed linens as they carry out other cleaning tasks in the bedroom. This includes things like picking up clutter, dusting, vacuuming, and window cleaning.
Dusting All Surfaces
Like vacuuming and mopping, dusting is a big part of a professional cleaner’s job. This is true whether you ask for the regular weekly cleaning or the more in-depth spring cleaning.
Most cleaning companies provide their staff with an extendable duster that allows them to clean hard-to-reach areas.
Some of these tools act like a magnet to dust particles and have to be cleaned later.
With other dusters, some of the dust will just fall to the floor, and then the cleaner will just vacuum and mop them later.
Dishes and Appliances
For most cleaning businesses, washing dirty dishes is not a normal part of their cleaning routine. However, you can ask for this service as an add-on.
On the other hand, cleaning of the appliances is included in both standard and deep cleaning.
Questions To Ask Your Cleaning Service
There are many things you should ask a cleaner before you hire them, but one of the more common is about cleaning supplies.
It’s best if you find out early if they bring their own, as there are a few companies that don’t supply everything.
You should also ask what services they offer to know right away if they can meet all your cleaning needs.
When it comes to the quality of their work, you should ask if they can guarantee your satisfaction.
The best companies are willing to work with you in case you have some issues with the results.
Finally, always ask if the company is insured and bonded to make sure you are protected, whatever happens.
Look for a Company That Offers a Personal Touch
You can take your pick from any of the countless cleaning companies today, so why not look for the best?
Choose a company that goes one step further than just the expected by offering a personal touch, like Master Maid.
Cleaning Service at Master Maid
Master Maid is the go-to cleaning company for many homeowners, business owners, and office managers in the Greater Toronto Area.
We offer a wide range of cleaning services at an affordable price, and we have been delighting clients since 2011.
Our highly-trained staff will be at your doorstep with a friendly smile. However, you will quickly find out that we mean serious business when it comes to cleaning.
Should You Tip a Cleaning Service?
Now that you have the answer to the question, “What do cleaning services do?” there is one more thing you need to consider.
Should you tip your cleaner? If so, how much?
Note that tipping is by no means mandatory in the cleaning industry. That said, it’s a good way to show your appreciation for a job well done.
If you do decide to tip, the usual range is around 15% to 20% of the cost of the services rendered.
Trust the Cleaning Professionals
It’s hard to trust people you do not know and let them into your home.
But there are ways to manage your doubts and expectations as you search for a cleaning company.
We have outlined what awaits you once you hire a cleaner and laid out the questions you should ask them.
If you need more help, our staff here at Master Maid is ready to meet all your cleaning needs.
