House cleaners perform a variety of tasks when cleaning a house to ensure that it is neat, tidy, and hygienic. The specific duties may vary depending on the client’s needs and the type of cleaning service provided. Here are some common tasks that house cleaners typically perform:
Dusting: Dusting all surfaces, including shelves, furniture, baseboards, and decorative items.
Vacuuming: Vacuuming carpets, rugs, and floors to remove dirt and debris. They may also vacuum upholstery.
Sweeping and Mopping: Sweeping and mopping hard floors such as hardwood, tile, and linoleum to remove dirt and stains.
Kitchen Cleaning: Cleaning the kitchen, including wiping down countertops, appliances, sinks, and stovetops. They may also clean the inside of the microwave and oven.
Bathroom Cleaning: Cleaning and disinfecting bathroom fixtures, including the toilet, shower, bathtub, sink, and mirrors.
Emptying Trash: Emptying trash bins in all rooms and replacing trash bags.
Making Beds: Making beds with fresh linens and fluffing pillows.
Laundry: Some house cleaners may offer laundry services, including washing, drying, and folding clothes.
Organizing: Tidying up and organizing items around the house, including picking up clutter.
Window Cleaning: Cleaning windows and glass surfaces to remove streaks and smudges.
Disinfecting: Disinfecting high-touch surfaces, such as doorknobs, light switches, and remote controls.
Special Requests: Accommodating any special cleaning requests made by the client, such as cleaning specific areas or using particular cleaning products.
Appliance Cleaning: Cleaning appliances like the refrigerator and dishwasher, both inside and out.
Ceiling and Wall Cleaning: Occasionally, house cleaners may remove cobwebs and clean walls or ceilings.
Outdoor Cleaning: Some house cleaning services may offer outdoor cleaning tasks like sweeping patios, cleaning windows, or even cleaning the exterior of the house.
It’s essential to communicate your specific cleaning needs and preferences with your house cleaner or cleaning service to ensure that they provide the services you require. The frequency of cleaning and the depth of cleaning can also vary, with options for one-time deep cleaning, regular weekly or monthly cleaning, or customized cleaning schedules.
What are things residential house cleaners don’t do?
Residential house cleaners typically have certain limitations and may not perform certain tasks or services. Here are some things that residential house cleaners typically do not do:
Heavy Lifting: House cleaners typically do not engage in heavy lifting tasks, such as moving heavy furniture or appliances. They may clean around these items but won’t typically rearrange them.
Outdoor Chores: House cleaners usually focus on indoor cleaning tasks and do not perform outdoor chores like lawn care, gardening, or exterior house maintenance.
Repairs and Maintenance: House cleaners are not generally trained or equipped to perform home repairs or maintenance tasks, such as fixing plumbing or electrical issues.
Pest Control: They do not handle pest infestations. If you have a pest problem, you’ll need to contact a pest control specialist.
Carpet and Upholstery Deep Cleaning: While they may vacuum carpets and upholstery, house cleaners do not typically provide deep cleaning services like professional carpet or upholstery cleaning. You may need to hire a specialized service for deep cleaning.
Heavy-Duty Cleaning Tasks: Extremely heavy-duty cleaning tasks, such as mold remediation or hazardous waste cleanup, are beyond the scope of regular residential house cleaning services.
Personal Tasks: House cleaners are hired to clean the home, not to provide personal services like childcare, pet care, or running errands.
Moving Services: They do not offer assistance with packing or moving. If you need help with moving, you should contact a moving company.
Major Organizing and Decluttering: While house cleaners may help tidy up, they typically do not provide extensive organizational services or decluttering assistance.
Cleaning of Hazardous Materials: House cleaners should not handle hazardous materials or substances that may pose a risk to their health, such as asbestos or biohazard materials.
It’s important to discuss and clarify with your house cleaner or cleaning service what tasks they do and do not cover. Many residential cleaning services offer customizable options, so you can specify your cleaning requirements and expectations. If you have specialized needs beyond standard cleaning, you may need to hire a different type of service or a specialist for those tasks.
Do house cleaners charge per hour or per house?
The pricing structure for house cleaners can vary depending on the cleaning service, location, and the specific arrangement with the cleaner or cleaning company. There are generally two common pricing models:
Per Hour: Some house cleaners charge an hourly rate for their services. The cost can vary depending on factors like the cleaner’s experience, the complexity of the cleaning tasks, and the local market rates. In this pricing model, you pay for the number of hours the cleaner spends in your home. Keep in mind that the total cost may fluctuate if the time it takes to clean your home varies from one visit to the next.
Per Job (Flat Rate): Many professional cleaning services offer a flat or fixed rate for each cleaning session. This means you’ll be quoted a specific price for the entire job, regardless of the time it takes. The rate is often determined based on factors such as the size of your home, the number of rooms, the level of cleaning required, and any additional services you request. This pricing model provides more predictability in terms of costs.
It’s essential to discuss pricing and payment arrangements with your house cleaner or cleaning service upfront. Make sure you understand what is included in the quoted price and whether there are any additional charges for specific tasks or services. Also, consider whether you prefer an hourly rate if you have a smaller space or need less frequent cleaning, or a flat rate if you have a larger home and want a consistent cost for each cleaning session.
Keep in mind that pricing may vary based on your location and the demand for cleaning services in your area. Always get a written estimate or contract that clearly outlines the terms, pricing, and scope of the cleaning services provided to avoid any misunderstandings.