Domestic Bliss: Insider Tips from a Professional Home Cleaner
They are angels in aprons, turning grime and mess to sweet-smelling order. Here's how to keep your cleaning person happy
Outsourcing is the word of the moment in the domestic domain. Of the many tasks being outsourced – pantry stocking, childcare, cooking and menus, laundry, dog walking, decluttering, personal organising, home styling, even wardrobe planning – cleaning is one of the most likely to be utilised by Australian households.
Figures from Open Universities Australia’s Future of Work survey show a 28.4 per cent rise in domestic cleaner employment in the past five years, with one in 25 Australians hiring professional domestic help. If you are in this group, you’ll know the value they add to your lifestyle. I asked expert Sue Ryan from Busy Bee Cleaning, Peregian Springs for her views on the job.
Figures from Open Universities Australia’s Future of Work survey show a 28.4 per cent rise in domestic cleaner employment in the past five years, with one in 25 Australians hiring professional domestic help. If you are in this group, you’ll know the value they add to your lifestyle. I asked expert Sue Ryan from Busy Bee Cleaning, Peregian Springs for her views on the job.
Agree on a job description
Coming to a detailed agreement on tasks, frequency, hours and rates facilitates a harmonious relationship with your cleaners. Although written contracts aren’t always necessary, (agencies generally offer one), putting it informally in writing provides a reference for both parties should questions arise.
Tip: According to Y&D Cleaning Services in Victoria, many cleaners charge by the hour, usually between $25 and $40. Several bathrooms, outdoor areas, multiple storeys, long travel time, detailing and extra products may increase rates.
Coming to a detailed agreement on tasks, frequency, hours and rates facilitates a harmonious relationship with your cleaners. Although written contracts aren’t always necessary, (agencies generally offer one), putting it informally in writing provides a reference for both parties should questions arise.
Tip: According to Y&D Cleaning Services in Victoria, many cleaners charge by the hour, usually between $25 and $40. Several bathrooms, outdoor areas, multiple storeys, long travel time, detailing and extra products may increase rates.
Factor in fur
Removing pet hair that clings to every piece of furniture in the house adds to a cleaner’s work load, Ryan says. Be aware of this when you plan a schedule. Reducing a pet’s sphere of hairiness and covering furniture saves valuable time. You shouldn’t expect your cleaner to deal with other, less pleasant, pet leftovers either.
Removing pet hair that clings to every piece of furniture in the house adds to a cleaner’s work load, Ryan says. Be aware of this when you plan a schedule. Reducing a pet’s sphere of hairiness and covering furniture saves valuable time. You shouldn’t expect your cleaner to deal with other, less pleasant, pet leftovers either.
Clarify who provides products and equipment
The majority of cleaners provide their own cleaning products and equipment, as bulk buying reduces the cost to you. Ryan keeps cleaning caddies in her vehicle with eco-friendly cleaning products for the growing number of her clients who prefer them.
She also uses a commercial backpack-style vacuum cleaner that’s easier on hardworking backs, and generally more efficient than domestic ones. If your cleaner uses your vacuum, keep it in good working condition and stay stocked up on dust bags if necessary.
The majority of cleaners provide their own cleaning products and equipment, as bulk buying reduces the cost to you. Ryan keeps cleaning caddies in her vehicle with eco-friendly cleaning products for the growing number of her clients who prefer them.
She also uses a commercial backpack-style vacuum cleaner that’s easier on hardworking backs, and generally more efficient than domestic ones. If your cleaner uses your vacuum, keep it in good working condition and stay stocked up on dust bags if necessary.
Introduce your cleaner to your home
Ryan says it’s essential to do a show-and-tell walk together through the house on a first visit. Indicate areas most used and those needing less frequent attention. Nut out an estimate for a trial routine clean. After a few visits, you can adjust tasks according to what you intend to spend and whether you want more or less done.
Ryan says it’s essential to do a show-and-tell walk together through the house on a first visit. Indicate areas most used and those needing less frequent attention. Nut out an estimate for a trial routine clean. After a few visits, you can adjust tasks according to what you intend to spend and whether you want more or less done.
Point out problems
Establishing open communication and mutual understanding starts from day one. Run a check over the tasks that were agreed on and note areas that were missed or not done as thoroughly as you had discussed. Bring your concerns up on the very next visit, but nicely – a good cleaner appreciates the feedback.
How to put housework in perspective
Establishing open communication and mutual understanding starts from day one. Run a check over the tasks that were agreed on and note areas that were missed or not done as thoroughly as you had discussed. Bring your concerns up on the very next visit, but nicely – a good cleaner appreciates the feedback.
How to put housework in perspective
Protect precious items
Your cleaner would feel as bad as you would if a valued item were damaged. If possible, put anything irreplaceable out of harm’s way. Surfaces such as French-polished or unsealed timber, marble and stone can be damaged by certain cleaning products. Specify what is to be used.
Ryan says she is vigilant when hiring, but says it’s best for everyone if cash and valuables are not left in full view. Although reputable agencies do security checks on staff, it’s wise to check the fine print in your home contents and liability insurance.
Tip: Most cleaners have Trades Public Liability cover.
Your cleaner would feel as bad as you would if a valued item were damaged. If possible, put anything irreplaceable out of harm’s way. Surfaces such as French-polished or unsealed timber, marble and stone can be damaged by certain cleaning products. Specify what is to be used.
Ryan says she is vigilant when hiring, but says it’s best for everyone if cash and valuables are not left in full view. Although reputable agencies do security checks on staff, it’s wise to check the fine print in your home contents and liability insurance.
Tip: Most cleaners have Trades Public Liability cover.
Create flexibility and trust
Many cleaners, Ryan included, prefer to work in an empty house. Having someone cooking or making snacks, taking a shower and walking on wet floors makes extra work. “If not empty, then child-free,” she adds. It may take time to feel happy to hand over the key to your home, but once you take the step, it adds flexibility for both parties.
Tip: A recommendation from a friend is a good place to start when hiring someone and creates an initial climate of confidence.
Many cleaners, Ryan included, prefer to work in an empty house. Having someone cooking or making snacks, taking a shower and walking on wet floors makes extra work. “If not empty, then child-free,” she adds. It may take time to feel happy to hand over the key to your home, but once you take the step, it adds flexibility for both parties.
Tip: A recommendation from a friend is a good place to start when hiring someone and creates an initial climate of confidence.
Don’t assume baby-sitting
Cleaners are in your house to clean, not mind your children. They don’t want – and shouldn’t be asked to take on – the responsibility for their safety, and an accident could create unpleasant liability questions. In school holidays, try to schedule cleaning for when everyone is out.
If your kids’ (read teens’) rooms look like Armageddon, don’t ask your cleaner to restore them to order. Impress on kids that the cleaner is not there to do their jobs for them, and never let your children be rude or give instructions. Ryan recalls being abused by a three-year-old once while mum looked on indulgently.
Kids’ bedroom mess doing your head in?
Cleaners are in your house to clean, not mind your children. They don’t want – and shouldn’t be asked to take on – the responsibility for their safety, and an accident could create unpleasant liability questions. In school holidays, try to schedule cleaning for when everyone is out.
If your kids’ (read teens’) rooms look like Armageddon, don’t ask your cleaner to restore them to order. Impress on kids that the cleaner is not there to do their jobs for them, and never let your children be rude or give instructions. Ryan recalls being abused by a three-year-old once while mum looked on indulgently.
Kids’ bedroom mess doing your head in?
Respect schedules
One of the reasons you might hire someone to clean your house is that your schedule is super busy. When it’s disrupted by something unexpected, it has a knock-on effect. You hate it – so do cleaners. They may clean several homes in a day and have clients just like you to please, so treat them how you would any other work colleague. “Give and take,” Ryan says. “I can be flexible, but I am running a business too.”
One of the reasons you might hire someone to clean your house is that your schedule is super busy. When it’s disrupted by something unexpected, it has a knock-on effect. You hate it – so do cleaners. They may clean several homes in a day and have clients just like you to please, so treat them how you would any other work colleague. “Give and take,” Ryan says. “I can be flexible, but I am running a business too.”
A highly unpopular client habit is suddenly springing a time-consuming task when your cleaner is there for a routine clean. Prior warning of extras such as oven, grout or window cleaning is a courtesy. They may not have the required equipment, products – and time – available at a moment’s notice.
Ryan was recently asked to hand-wash a cabinet full of glassware as she was leaving for another client. “I try to oblige, especially with long-term clients, but it can throw my whole schedule out,” she says.
Ryan was recently asked to hand-wash a cabinet full of glassware as she was leaving for another client. “I try to oblige, especially with long-term clients, but it can throw my whole schedule out,” she says.
Give prior notice of holidays
Agencies who contract staff are pretty flexible and last-minute notice generally is no problem. But small operators and single-person businesses often run on tight budgets. Suddenly announcing you won’t need their services for a month may significantly affect their income. Giving them as much prior notice as possible is only polite. The same applies if you decide to terminate their employment permanently.
With a long-term relationship, you could consider paying extra to tide them over or passing their details to a friend who could employ them for that period.
Agencies who contract staff are pretty flexible and last-minute notice generally is no problem. But small operators and single-person businesses often run on tight budgets. Suddenly announcing you won’t need their services for a month may significantly affect their income. Giving them as much prior notice as possible is only polite. The same applies if you decide to terminate their employment permanently.
With a long-term relationship, you could consider paying extra to tide them over or passing their details to a friend who could employ them for that period.
Do a pre-clean whip-around
The joke that many people clean the house before the cleaner comes has been around for a while, but it’s a good idea to take a few minutes on cleaning day to tidy some mess, make a bed or two, check the loo passes muster and put food away. It saves your cleaner precious minutes and you’ll feel less guilty.
Put personal stuff away
A frequent and understandable reaction to having a stranger accessing all areas of your home is a level of discomfort about revealing personal habits. Tuck your private belongings away to save any embarrassment.
The joke that many people clean the house before the cleaner comes has been around for a while, but it’s a good idea to take a few minutes on cleaning day to tidy some mess, make a bed or two, check the loo passes muster and put food away. It saves your cleaner precious minutes and you’ll feel less guilty.
Put personal stuff away
A frequent and understandable reaction to having a stranger accessing all areas of your home is a level of discomfort about revealing personal habits. Tuck your private belongings away to save any embarrassment.
Cleaners have lots more to do besides reading personal papers on your desk or emails on your screen. But cleaning a desk three-deep in financial statements and confidential paperwork is impossible. Clear the desktop and close your computer, or remove cleaning your desk from their job list.
Have some pride
Occasionally there can be an issue with some people leaving bathrooms – and toilets in particular – in a sorry state, expecting the cleaners to dive right in to this unsavoury task. “Teenage boys are the worst,” Ryan says. “Lots of kids now have their own ‘retreats’ and bathrooms, and they get pretty grim.” Although cleaners are familiar with the seamy side of many homes, they are still shockable. “I’ve only ever let go of one client in the years I’ve spent cleaning,” Ryan says. “We have our limits.”
Occasionally there can be an issue with some people leaving bathrooms – and toilets in particular – in a sorry state, expecting the cleaners to dive right in to this unsavoury task. “Teenage boys are the worst,” Ryan says. “Lots of kids now have their own ‘retreats’ and bathrooms, and they get pretty grim.” Although cleaners are familiar with the seamy side of many homes, they are still shockable. “I’ve only ever let go of one client in the years I’ve spent cleaning,” Ryan says. “We have our limits.”
Say thank you
Not everyone is lucky enough to have the budget for a cleaner. Count your blessings you can delegate some house cleaning tasks, gain time for you and your family and build a great relationship with a trusted worker. Let them know how much their contribution is appreciated.
Tell us
Do you have a home cleaner? How has it changed your lifestyle? Let us know in the Comments below and join the conversation!
More
Find a cleaning professional
Not everyone is lucky enough to have the budget for a cleaner. Count your blessings you can delegate some house cleaning tasks, gain time for you and your family and build a great relationship with a trusted worker. Let them know how much their contribution is appreciated.
Tell us
Do you have a home cleaner? How has it changed your lifestyle? Let us know in the Comments below and join the conversation!
More
Find a cleaning professional
Opinions on hiring a home cleaner are divided. One school believes if we were better time managers we could – and should – deal with our own mess. This theory is often tinged with moral outrage at perceived exploitation of low-waged workers. Another school suggests paying a cleaner creates more time for family activities, leisure and enjoyment of the home, away from the demands of work. Then there are those with physical issues that make domestic help a necessity.
If you’re in the latter camps, here’s how to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with whoever you hire to make your home spick and span when you can’t.