In an ideal world, you’d easily find time to keep to a cleaning schedule, and messes would hardly have a chance to settle before you swept them away. But the real world is much busier — and messier — than you’re able to account for sometimes. The inside of your oven hasn’t been cleaned in a year or two, and you’d rather not talk about what’s happening in the recesses behind the toilet. This is where a house cleaner can swoop in and save your sanity, like your own personal fairy godmother.
“Hiring the right cleaning service can be a total game changer in life,” says Jessica Agate, owner of The Cleaning Diva in Belmar, New Jersey. “It eases stress, gives you your time back and allows you more freedom to do the things you really want to be doing.”
So where do you even get started? Below, the experts we spoke to share how to find a house cleaner, how to go about hiring them and how to prepare your home for your first clean.
Key takeaways
- When you first start looking to find a house cleaner, you’ll want to determine the type of cleaning service you need and set a budget.
- Be sure to seek recommendations from friends, online communities and directories, then interview candidates, check references, verify credentials and consider background checks for security.
- Set clear expectations through a walk-through, establish a cleaning schedule that fits your lifestyle and prepare your home by decluttering to maximize cleaning efficiency.
1. Decide on the type of clean (and your budget)
Some cleaners may specialize in deep cleanings and move-out cleanings, while others prefer to keep a roster of regular clients. So ask yourself:
- How frequently do you want your home cleaned?
- Do you want your home to be cleaned on a weekly, bi-weekly or monthly basis?
- Or do you need an occasional deep cleaning?
What you decide here can also affect how much you’ll end up paying, as initial or deep cleanings are usually priced higher, adds Agate.
2. Ask your community for recommendations
If someone you know has a great cleaner, you might have to bribe them to share their name. But both Agate and Val Oliveira, chief executive officer and founder of Val’s Services Cleaning in Chicago state that referrals from satisfied clients is a common way people find them. “Asking for recommendations from friends, family or neighbors can be a great way to find a reliable service,” says Oliveira.
And if your inner circle doesn’t have what you need, online communities may also have suggestions. Sam Aldrich from Brooklyn took to an online local mom group for recommendations and was able to get a handful of referrals to vet.
If you want a truly great fit though, don’t just ask for a recommendation — dive a little deeper and ask questions like what your friend likes about their house cleaner, what their cleaning procedures are like and if they include a virtual or in-home walkthrough appointment (more on that later).
3. Utilize the internet
If reaching out to people you know proves fruitless, Oliveira suggests looking at trusted online directories like Google, Yelp and Care.com, where companies are reviewed and rated by real customers.
However, since you’re dealing with faceless strangers on the internet now, it’s even more important to vet the information you find online. Look for recent reviews, multiple opinions and be wary of reviews that appear overly positive or vague.
So you have a list of potential candidates in hand. What now? Just because a house cleaner worked for someone else, doesn’t mean they’ll be a good fit for you. That’s where the next step comes in.
4. Interview candidates
Some house cleaners will automatically cover some of the below questions in an interview or initial discussion. However, this list will help you narrow down what you want to know ahead of time from a cleaner to hire them.
- What types of cleaning services do you offer?
- How do I book a cleaning, and what is the pricing structure?
- What areas do you clean, and what services are add-ons (such as changing linens, or cleaning baseboards and windows)?
- Do you bring your own cleaning supplies and equipment?
- Do you use non-toxic cleaning products?
- What safety and sanitation measures do you follow?
- What do I do with my pets when the team is here?
- How will you get in the house?
- Should I be home?
- What happens if that solo cleaner gets sick or can’t make it to work as scheduled? Is there someone to cover the shift or will the cleaning have to be skipped/rescheduled?
- What are your policies if I have to cancel or reschedule an appointment?
- How and when do I pay you?
- How do I prepare for your arrival?
- How can I communicate with the team?
- What if something breaks?
- Do you have proof of insurance?
- Do you offer satisfaction guarantees? (And if you’re unsatisfied with the clean, what is their procedure for rectifying it? Will they re-clean? And if so, will it be within a certain timeframe?)
“Time is the most valuable asset our clients have. And we’re here to help them get their nights and weekends back by handling the cleaning so they can relax more, spend quality time with their families, make more money or spend it doing what they enjoy most — guilt-free.”
— Jessica Agate, owner of The Cleaning Diva in Belmar, New Jersey
5. Do a walk-through
When working with a potential client, Agate likes to do a virtual walk-through via FaceTime or a similar app “to get a better idea of their home and space before evaluating the service price.” But some cleaners may prefer to do this in-person. There are pros and cons to both: A virtual walk-through may be easier to schedule, while an in-person appointment gives your cleaner a better chance to really inspect your space. This walk-through can also help ensure you’re on the same page as to what will be covered in the cleaning.
“A walk-through allows both the client and the cleaning professional to set clear expectations regarding the scope of work, specific cleaning preferences and any special requests,” adds Oliveira.
These special requests may be as simple as asking them to pay particular attention to one area. However, if there are areas you don’t want your cleaner to go or things you don’t want them to touch, quirky things about the house or time frame restrictions, let them know to avoid potential tension or issues, says Agate.
6. Call references
If you’ve received the recommendation for your potential cleaner from a friend or another trusted person, or they are well-reviewed online, you might feel comfortable skipping this step. However, if you want reassurance, ask for references you can call.
“Speaking with past or current clients offers valuable insights into the cleaner’s reliability, professionalism and quality of work,” says Oliveira. “Reputable cleaning services should readily provide references upon request.”
Once you get references on the phone, ask about their experience:
- Did the house cleaner show up on time?
- Was the cleaning to their satisfaction?
- Were they respectful of the space?
- And if anything was not cleaned to their standards, how did the cleaner respond when they communicated it?
7. Check their credentials
For your peace of mind, it’s important to ask any potential house cleaner about their credentials.
“When hiring a cleaning service, homeowners should always ask about licenses, insurance and accreditations to ensure they are choosing a reputable and trustworthy provider,” says Oliveira. “A professional cleaning company should be licensed (if required by local regulations) and, most importantly, insured and bonded to protect both the client and the cleaners in case of accidents, damages or liability issues.”
8. Consider running a background check
Background checks serve as an essential layer of security when you’re allowing a house cleaner access to your home. If you’re hiring an established cleaning company, Oliveira says they typically conduct their own background checks on any employees. However, if you’re considering hiring a solo house cleaner, you may want to request one or perform it yourself through a website like Checkr. It’s important to note that you may be required by federal or local laws to disclose that you will be running a background check, according to Checkr.
“Speaking with past or current clients offers valuable insights into the cleaner’s reliability, professionalism and quality of work. Reputable cleaning services should readily provide references upon request.”
— Val Oliveira, chief executive officer and founder of Val’s Services Cleaning in Chicago
9. Figure out taxes
This might be surprising to some, but there are some situations in which you could be on the hook for employment taxes. The IRS may consider your house cleaner to be a household employee if they meet certain criteria that you can find in their Household Employer’s Tax Guide. You can read more about house cleaner tax questions.
10. Schedule your clean
You’re in the homestretch now. You’ve found someone you like with great reviews or references. There’s nothing left to do now except to schedule the clean and prepare for your house cleaner’s arrival. If you’re unsure of when to schedule your clean, Agate says asking yourself:
- Are morning cleaning appointments better for you or would they be too hectic?
- Is an afternoon time slot out of the question, or does it work best?
- Do you work from home on Tuesday and Friday and know those days aren’t good cleaning days?
She suggests deciding on a few days and time ranges that would work for you and your family since every company sets up their schedule availability differently. This way, you’ll “save yourself some time and ensure their schedule jives well with yours,” Agate adds.
11. Prepare for your first clean
Depending on what your cleaning priorities are (and what you’ve discussed with your house cleaner), you may want to consider tidying areas you don’t want them to clean before they arrive. Doing so allows them to focus on the tasks that you would most like them to concentrate on. For instance, picking up the toys in your children’s playroom will allow the house cleaner to more quickly dust and vacuum.
Before her house cleaner came, Aldrich says she tidied the home, cleared clutter and did the dishes. “If you want them to spend time doing dishes, laundry and putting away toys, that’s certainly an option,” she says, explaining that she preferred her house cleaner to focus on cleaning versus tidying.
If you would prefer that your cleaner clean versus tidy, Agate advises clearing surfaces of clutter and debris. “This allows us to maximize our cleaning time at your house as efficiently and effectively as possible so you get the best experience possible,” she notes.
Additionally, let the team know where necessary supplies are located — i.e. garbage/recycling bins, garbage bags, fuse box in case a fuse gets blown, says Agate. And if you have certain details in your agreement (such as changing linens or using your cleaning supplies), make sure to tackle that ahead of time by leaving clean linens on the bed and the cleaning supplies in an agreed-upon, easily accessible spot.
Don’t forget — especially if you’re leaving during the clean — to communicate any how-tos for getting into the house, says Agate. If there’s a gate or house door code or an alarm, make sure you tell your house cleaner ahead of time.
12. Enjoy your newfound free time
Having someone else in your home cleaning can be awkward. There’s no way around that fact. But it can also be a powerful way to take control of your valuable time.
“Time is the most valuable asset our clients have,” says Agate. “And we’re here to help them get their nights and weekends back by handling the cleaning so they can relax more, spend quality time with their families, make more money or spend it doing what they enjoy most — guilt-free.”
