Whenever you're hiring a cleaning service supplied by maids, it's best to do your research. Know what items will be cleaned during basic cleaning and which are considered deep cleaning at an extra cost.
Back in the Victorian era,
maids were standard employees in the homes of the well-to-do families. Nowadays they can be employed by just about anyone who can afford them. Whether you need someone to do an occasional deep cleaning before company comes, or a touch up cleaning of the entire house once a week, you can find the best option for you with many of the maid services available today.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open:
Even before you hire someone to clean your home, thoroughly check what they consider to be "basic" household tasks. You'd be surprised at the differences between companies! One may consider emptying and loading the dishwasher as something on their initial to-do list while another may charge an extra fee for that service. You'll want to be very clear about what you expect to be done each time the employee visits and what they're expecting to accomplish. Be sure to have their contact information, especially if you won't be home when they clean.
What are the Usual Basic Household Tasks?
In general, you can typically count on the floors being vacuumed or mopped, the bookshelves and other flat surfaces being dusted, the beds being made, the kitchen being cleaned (including the stove top, microwave and oven), the trash being taken out, the bathrooms being disinfected, the mirrors being cleaned, and any cobwebs being removed.
Of course, you'll need to check with the company you choose to use before you count on their maids completing all these tasks. As mentioned above, each company has a different list of basic items, which are included in their initial cost. Any other items added on to that list will cost extra.
What Other Cleaning Services are Available?
Many maid services will offer deep cleaning services at an extra cost. These cleaning options include cleaning windows, cleaning out your refrigerator, scrubbing the inside of the oven, dusting and wiping baseboards, cleaning both the inside and outside of the kitchen cabinets, dusting ceiling fans, and cleaning both sides of doors and their door knobs.
These deep cleaning items may also be very helpful if you plan to sell your house. Once all the furniture is out, maids may be hired to come do a thorough cleaning before the new owners move in. Or if you are renting your home, cleaning services can come to deep clean in between renters.
Do These Services Supply Their Own Cleaning Supplies?
Many of these cleaning maids do bring their own cleaning supplies, which is incredibly convenient for those who have young children and don't want cleaning chemicals to be stored in their home. However, this is another item you are responsible to double check on before your first cleaning appointment. If they don't provide their own cleaning supplies, you will probably be stuck paying for a cleaning session, which never got done because you failed to have the needed supplies.
Read reviews on the various companies you're considering. Find out what type of cleaning they do and if they have their own cleaning supplies. Doing all this before the first appointment may save you some frustration!
