This checklist will help you understand the essential duties of housekeeping.
If you’ve ever looked around your house in a moment of high stress and wondered if you should hire a housekeeper to help, the answer is yes. These days, many households have parents who are working outside the home. Holding down a full-time job, taking care of the cooking and cleaning, and keeping up with your children’s busy schedules can be overwhelming.
Hiring a housekeeper could be the perfect solution if you can afford to hire an extra pair of hands. Before you begin your search, it’s essential to understand the duties that a housekeeper performs.
Learn how to find your home’s best housekeeper and the most common duties.
A housekeeper differs from a cleaner
You should first know that a cleaner is not the same as a maid. You must know the differences between the two, even though they may sound similar. This will help you hire the best person for the position you are looking to fill. The main differences between a home cleaner and a housekeeper revolve around their frequency of visits and the services they provide when they are in your home.
What does a housekeeper do?
A housekeeper will be a constant presence in your home. Depending on your needs, a housekeeper would come to your home once or twice a week. The housekeeper will complete a list of duties at your home for the day or week. You provide them with all the cleaning products needed to do their jobs.
What does a house cleaner do?
You would hire a house cleaner less often and more for larger jobs, like deep cleaning, preparing a home for sale, or preparing a vacation property.
A housekeeper can be the best choice if you want someone to maintain a constant presence in your home and complete the tasks.
These definitions may not be 100% accurate. The skills and services of a housekeeper or a house cleaner may vary depending on the job description. This can make it difficult to distinguish between housekeepers and housecleaners. Ensuring the person you hire understands the tasks and the consistency you expect is essential.
What duties can you expect from your housekeeper?
The list of duties a housekeeper is responsible for in your home will vary depending on what you need. If you have specific needs (such as caring for pets), ensure they are included in your job description. The general duties of a householder are:
Living areas should be cleaned lightly. Dusting, vacuuming, and sweeping the floors are required in every room.
Clean the Bathrooms, including mirrors.
Clean the kitchen, including wiping appliances, counters, and sinks.
How to wash and dry dishes, and how to put them away.
Making the bed and changing the linen.
How to wash, fold, and iron clothes.
Recycling and removing garbage.
Stocking up on personal items like toilet paper, tissues, and so on
Rooms should be cleaned up in general. Toys, decluttering, and light organizing are all part of this.
This includes running errands around the house for your family. You can drop off dry cleaning, mail, or grocery shopping. You should discuss this with your housekeeper and ensure you provide her with a payment method. This differs from a job that all housekeepers are willing to do, so include it on your list and discuss it during your interview.
Prepare meals for your family. Please specify in your job description if this is something that you would like your housekeeper to perform. Some housekeepers might offer something other than this service. During your interview, ask them about their comfort level in the kitchen and what meals they cook.
Tracking cleaning supplies and alerting you when they need to be changed.
Housekeepers should not be expected to perform specific duties
You should not expect your housekeeper to perform any duties that put them in danger or are not within their expertise. You can expect your housekeeper not to do the following responsibilities:
Window washing or deep cleaning. You’ll need to outsource this task to a cleaning service. You should not expect your housekeepers to go higher than a stepping stool. You may have to pay extra if you want them to do a deep cleaning job during the season.
Child care. You can hire a nanny to help you with your housework and care for the children.
Clean up human waste. Human waste exposure can be hazardous, so it is best to call a professional waste removal service.
Moving furniture or lifting heavy objects. Housekeepers generally will only move things at most 35 pounds. Hiring someone with the physical strength required for such jobs is essential.
What can you expect to pay for a maid?
No formula will tell you what home care costs. The cost of housekeeping services can vary widely depending on the experience level of the housekeeper, the location (big cities will be more expensive, while rural areas will be less), and the size and number (and type) of pets in your home. A housekeeper generally charges less than a cleaner.
A housekeeper will cost between $15 and $40 per hour. However, a cleaner can charge anywhere from $25 to $65. You can set a weekly flat rate for your housekeeper, but it will depend on how long the job takes.
Calculate the cost of house cleaning in your area using the housecleaning rates calculator.
Be sure to discuss payment options with candidates during the process. The majority of housekeepers work for themselves and do not accept credit cards. Some prefer to pay with cash rather than checks. Know their preferred method and ensure you feel comfortable with it.
It can be a simple process if you know the essential duties of a housekeeper. Be as specific as you can in your job description, and be sure to include anything that is out of the norm or important to you. It is essential to communicate your requirements with applicants to find the right housekeeper for you and your family.
