When keeping your house clean seems like mission impossible
House cleaners cover a wide range of cleaning tasks across different rooms in your home.
One of the most common frequencies for professional house cleaning is bi-weekly.
Most house cleaners bring their own supplies, but it depends, so it is important to ask first.
Between commuting to work, taking the kids to and from school and practice, and running errands, it can be hard to find time to keep the house clean. With a house cleaning service, you can get regular cleanings or occasional deep-cleans to keep your space sparkling. Here’s what to expect from a house cleaner.
Professional house cleaning services can vary based on your needs and what the company offers. You can request a cleaning service to spend more time cleaning up the kitchen instead of the living room.
You can ask if they’ll clean windows, wash dishes, and take out garbage and recycling, but they may not offer those services. Some cleaning companies may focus mostly on cleaning floors and hard surfaces.
Here’s a look at the services cleaning companies typically provide:
Cleaning floors (sweeping, mopping, vacuuming)
Picking up clutter
Dusting (baseboards, decor, mantels, window sills)
Cleaning the kitchen (appliances, countertops, cupboards)
Cleaning bathrooms (tub and/or shower, toilet, sink, counters, mirror)
Cleaning bedrooms
Cleaning windows
Changing linens
A house cleaning service is not the same as a housekeeper. A housekeeper will visit your home multiple times a week, sometimes daily, and will handle daily cleaning tasks, including folding laundry.
A house cleaner is hired less frequently and typically for larger jobs. A professional house cleaning service will typically do a deep clean, and may require this for first-time customers.
When comparing housekeepers vs. house cleaners, the line between can get blurry because different people and companies can offer a variety of services and schedules.
| House Cleaner | Housekeeper |
|---|---|
| Provides services on a regular or one-time basis | Provides services multiple times a week, sometimes daily |
| Completes deep cleaning tasks | Completes day-to-day cleaning tasks |
| Solely responsible for cleaning jobs | May provide other household management services, like cooking |
One of the most common cleaning frequencies for house cleaning services is bi-weekly. But you have plenty of options. You can hire a housekeeper for daily cleanings or to stop by two to three times a week.
"The main reason that bi-weekly cleaning services have become the most common cleaning frequency for those that utilize the service is that it’s more cost-effective and provides a homeowner with services that are maintainable until the next cleaning," said Aysa Biddle, Angi Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dustbusters, a family-owned and operated janitorial company in Williamsport, PA.
You could have someone do a weekly, monthly, or even quarterly cleaning. You also have the option to hire for one-time services, including the cost of cleaning services when moving out. Different companies may offer different packages or allow you to create your own cleaning schedule based on your needs.
“The lower the frequency of cleanings, the higher the cost,” Biddle said. “This is due to the fact that it will take the service much longer to provide a monthly house cleaning than it will to provide a bi-weekly or weekly cleaning.”
There are many questions to ask a professional cleaning company before hiring, such as if the workers will be bringing their own cleaning supplies.
For a house cleaning service, the company typically provides the supplies, but this can vary by company. Housekeepers, on the other hand, will typically use the cleaners and towels that you provide.
You can help make the most out of the cleaners’ time by following a few tips before hiring a cleaning service, like getting a consultation and doing a light clean-up.
Here are a few things to do to prepare for a house cleaner:
Walk-through: If this is the first time you’re working with a certain cleaning service, it’s wise to walk through the room or home with them to review what needs the most attention.
Clear clutter: Typically, you hire a cleaning service for a set number of hours per visit. That time could be used to deep-clean crevices and mop floors, or it could be wasted picking up toys from the floor. Do a quick clutter pick-up before the cleaner arrives.
Provide fresh linens: If the cleaning service will be changing bed linens or replacing bathroom towels, be sure to let the professionals know where fresh sheets and towels are located.
You want to hire a house cleaner who is both reputable and a good fit for your needs. Here are some key considerations to keep in mind when searching for a house cleaning service near you, and to help you decide who will be the best fit..
Fees: When budgeting for a house cleaner, make sure that their fees work for you. The cost will vary depending on their years of experience and how they will charge you. For example, some charge per hour while others charge per square foot.
Reviews: Ask for and read customer reviews, so you can gather some opinions of their work. This will help you to know what to expect, as well as if they have built relationships with current and past clients.
Cleaning experience: It’s important to know that whomever you hire has the experience and ability to do the job. Ask them to provide a resume or photos, if possible.
Availability: A house cleaner’s availability needs to align with your schedule. If you need to be available to let them into your home, you have to factor that into your hiring decision.
The short answer is, yes, it’s common courtesy to tip a house cleaner, though it may not be a requirement, and some cleaning companies add gratuity to their total price. Knowing how much to tip house cleaners–if it’s not already built into your total amount–will depend on the total sum and quality of the job, but typically 15% to 20% is customary.
If you’re hiring a house cleaner, you should have them clean the house bi-weekly. This is the most common frequency for people who hire house cleaners, but what’s best for you will depend on how big your house is, how many people live in it, and if you have any pets. If you can maintain tidiness and deal with any immediate spills or splashes on your own, then a professional clean bi-weekly or even monthly should do the trick.
The main difference between a general cleaning and a deep clean is that a general cleaning focuses on regular maintenance, while a deep clean hones in on the nitty gritty details of cleaning that may not impact your day-to-day life. For example, it’s important to wipe down your counter and have a clean place to cook regularly, but you may not think twice about pulling out your stove to clean behind it until it’s time for a deep cleaning.
