What Should a Housekeeper Clean? A Helpful Cleaning Guide

Maintaining a clean home is essential for both comfort and health. However, with busy schedules and other responsibilities, finding the time to tackle household chores can be challenging. This is where hiring a professional housekeeper can make a world of difference. In this helpful cleaning guide, we’ll explore what housekeepers should clean in your home and answer popular questions, such as how much housekeepers charge and how long they take to a clean a house.

What is a Housekeeper?

First, let’s explain what a housekeeper is, which is not the same as a house cleaner. While housekeepers and house cleaners may seem similar they have distinct differences between the two roles in terms of responsibilities, scope of work, and level of service.

A housekeeper typically provides ongoing cleaning services within a household. Sometimes this could be several times a week, bi-weekly, or monthly. In contrast, a house cleaner is usually hired less frequently for larger jobs, such as a one-time deep clean, which oftentimes home sellers or buyers elect to do when moving in or out of a property.

What Should a Housekeeper Clean?

Cleaning a house isn’t a one-size-fits-all job and every housekeeper will have their way of doing things. However, there are essential items that every housekeeper should clean, let’s take a closer look at these items now with this helpful cleaning checklist:

1. Kitchen:

• • The exterior of the kitchen cabinets should be wiped down to remove dirt and grease.
  • Countertops and backsplashes should be wiped down to remove dirt and grime.
  • Appliances such as the refrigerator, oven, microwave, and dishwasher should be cleaned on the exterior.
  • The sink basin and faucet should be scrubbed to ensure they are free from stains and residue.
  • Floors should be swept and mopped.

2. Bathrooms:

• • • The toilet bowl, seat, lid, and surrounding areas should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.
    • Shower tiles, walls, and glass doors should be scrubbed to remove soap scum and mold buildup.
    • Countertops, sinks, faucets, and mirrors should be wiped down.
    • Any cabinetry should be wiped down.
    • Bathroom floors should be swept, mopped, and sanitized.

3. Bedrooms:

• • • • Beds should be made neatly.
      • Surfaces such as nightstands, dressers, and shelves should be dusted.
      • Carpets and rugs should be vacuumed, and hard floors should be mopped.

4. Living Areas:

• • Furniture surfaces such as sofas, chairs, coffee tables, and entertainment centers should be dusted and polished.
  • Electronic devices like TVs, gaming consoles, and sound systems need to be dusted and wiped down.
  • Carpets, rugs, and hard floors should be vacuumed and mopped.

5. General Tasks:

• • Dusting should be done on all surfaces throughout the home, including light fixtures, ceiling fans, and window sills.
  • Trash bins should be emptied and replaced in all rooms.

What Does a Deep Clean Involve?

When it comes to maintaining a pristine living space, sometimes a standard cleaning just won’t cut it. That’s where a deep house cleaning comes into play. This intensive cleaning service goes beyond the surface to tackle hidden dirt, grime, and neglected areas that often accumulate over time. Let’s take a look at what a deep house clean typically includes:

1. Cleaning Under Furniture and Appliances

Moving furniture and appliances to thoroughly clean these hard-to-reach areas, eliminating hidden dirt and allergens.

2. Cleaning Windows

Cleaning windows inside and out, ensuring they sparkle and shine for maximum clarity and curb appeal.

3. Cleaning Out the Refrigerator

The refrigerator can harbor spills, expired food, and unpleasant odors, so it should be cleaned. This involves emptying the refrigerator and removing shelves and drawers. All surfaces should be cleaned to ensure a sanitary storage space for your food.

4. Cleaning Out the Cabinets and Pantry

Kitchen cabinets and pantry spaces should emptied, cleaned, and organized to maximize storage efficiency and cleanliness.

5. Doing Laundry and Changing Bed Linens

Laundry services, including washing and folding clothes, as well as changing bed linens should be done.

6. Wiping Down Walls

Walls can accumulate dust, fingerprints, and stains, detracting from the overall cleanliness of your home. A deep house clean involves wiping down walls with a gentle cleaner to remove dirt and marks, leaving your walls looking fresh and revitalized.

7. Cleaning Baseboards

Baseboards often collect dust, pet hair, and other debris, and should be thoroughly wiped down to remove buildup and restore their original appearance.

Learn about the standard cleaning practices a housekeeper does and find answers to frequently asked questions in this informative cleaning guide. #housekeeper #cleaningservices Click to Tweet

How Much Does a Housekeeper Charge?

The cost of hiring a housekeeper can vary depending on factors such as the size of the home, the level of cleaning required, and the frequency of service. Prices can range from $25 to $75 per hour, with some housekeepers offering discounts for regular or recurring services.

How Long Does a Housekeeper Take to Clean a House?

The time it takes for a housekeeper to clean a house will also vary depending on the size of the home, the level of cleaning required, and whether it’s a single housekeeper or multiple. Generally, a routine cleaning of an average-sized home (1,500-2,000 square feet) can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours.

However, larger homes or homes with extensive cleaning needs may require more time, while smaller homes or those requiring lighter cleaning may take less time. Additionally, factors such as the presence of pets, the number of occupants, and any specific cleaning requests from the homeowner can also impact the cleaning time.

How Should a Homeowner Prepare for a House Cleaning?

Cleaners are there to clean, not to pick up and organize belongings. So before the housekeeper arrives there are a few steps to take, this includes picking up toys, clothes, and other items from floors and surfaces, as well as clearing clutter to allow the housekeeper easy access to all areas of the home.

9 Questions to Ask a Housekeeper Before Hiring Them

Before hiring a housekeeper, homeowners should ask several questions to ensure they find the right fit for their needs. Here are some “must-ask” questions:

1. What services do you offer? It’s important to clarify the range of cleaning tasks they can perform, such as general cleaning, deep cleaning, laundry, and/or organization.
2. What is your experience and background? Inquire about their experience in cleaning homes, any relevant training, and if they have undergone background checks.
3. Do you have references? Request references from previous clients to gauge their reliability, professionalism, and quality of work.
4. Are you insured and bonded? Verify that they carry liability insurance and bonding to protect against any accidents or damages that may occur during cleaning.
5. What is your availability and scheduling flexibility? Determine their availability for regular cleanings and if they can accommodate your preferred schedule.
6. What are your rates and payment terms? Clarify their rates, including whether they charge hourly or per job, and any additional fees for specialized services or supplies.
7. Can or should you be home during cleaning? Often it’s easier for a housekeeper to clean if nobody is around. However, some homeowners may prefer to be present to provide instructions or oversee the work, while others may feel comfortable giving the housekeeper access to the home while they’re away. This is something that should be discussed upfront.
8. How do you handle communication and feedback? Discuss how they prefer to communicate with clients, address any concerns or special requests, and provide feedback on the cleaning services.
9. Who Provides the Cleaning Products? Housekeepers usually bring their cleaning supplies and equipment, including vacuum cleaners, mops, and cleaning solutions. However, some homeowners may prefer to provide their preferred cleaning products to ensure compatibility or accommodate specific preferences.

By asking these questions before hiring a housekeeper, homeowners can ensure they find a trustworthy and competent professional who meets their cleaning needs and preferences.

Final Thoughts

Hiring a professional housekeeper can be a game-changer in maintaining a clean and organized home. By following this helpful cleaning guide homeowners can enjoy a stress-free cleaning experience and a pristine living environment.

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Learn about the standard cleaning practices a housekeeper does and find answers to frequently asked questions in this informative cleaning guide. #housekeeper #cleaningservices Click to Tweet

About the Author

Top Wellington Realtor, Michelle Gibson, wrote: “What Should a Housekeeper Clean? A Helpful Cleaning Guide”

Michelle has been specializing in residential real estate since 2001 throughout Wellington Florida and the surrounding area. Whether you’re looking to buy, sell or rent she will guide you through the entire real estate transaction. If you’re ready to put Michelle’s knowledge and expertise to work for you call or e-mail her today.

Areas of service include Wellington, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Boynton Beach, West Palm Beach, Loxahatchee, Greenacres, and more.

What Should a Housekeeper Clean? A Helpful Cleaning Guide