Getting Help with Housecleaning: Finding a Service
By Kristi Patrice Carter
Housecleaning services aren’t just for movie stars and supermodels. You will find them more frequently now in everyday American homes where long hours at work make it more difficult to keep a home clean. If you and your husband are working 10-hour days, the last thing you want to do is spend your only free time cleaning. And how defeated do you feel when you come home from a long day to a house that is out of order?
Because some cleaning services are gearing toward the average American family, their services are more affordable and workable to your schedule than you might imagine. Picture this: coming home on a Friday night after a long day toiling at work to a house that has been scrubbed, dusted and vacuumed. The only thing you have to do is plan how to spend your relaxing weekend.
If you’re looking into housecleaning services, here some simple tips to consider:
- Decide what services in particular you would like. Do you want the kitchen and bath scrubbed? Vacuuming of all carpeting? Dusting? Windows cleaned? Decide what you do not want done. Maybe you have a display of collectibles that you would rather handle yourself. Services will touch, and not touch, anything you tell them to.
- Determine your budget. How much is this worth to you? Remember to keep in mind that a housecleaning service not only saves you from having to do the work, but it also frees up your time. And housecleaning usually takes place when you’re not home, so it is not an inconvenience to you.
- When selecting a service, word of mouth is the best way to decide which one to use. Ask your neighbors and friends. Someone you know must use a reliable service and might have a particular housecleaner to recommend. Ask around about what housecleaning companies are used, what services are used and what they cost.
- Check that the service is licensed and bonded.
- Compare your budget with the services offered. You may need to tailor what you want to include; maybe start smaller and add services later.
- Decide how often you wish to have a service come to your house. Most people use a service every other week, but you will have to decide if it fits in with your budget.
- Find out what, if anything, the cleaning company will need of your products or equipment. Typically, housecleaning services will use their own cleaners and equipment. (This is also something to figure into your budget and cost. If they use their own cleaners, then yours won’t be depleted).
- If you’re concerned with toxic chemicals, ask about eco-friendly products. Many services are sensitive to the fact that people with children and pets may wish to use less toxic cleaners.
If your house is getting out of control and you need some help to enjoy your home and your free time, try a housecleaning service. It will be convenient, save you precious time and be more affordable than you expect.
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