Things Your Housekeeper Wish You Knew

Hate cleaning?  We don't blame you.  There are a million things we'd rather be doing instead of scrubbing toilets and wiping down greasy counter tops.  Those floor to ceiling curtains in the living room that need dusting?  No, thank you.  The window screens that need washing?  Not today. The entry way that needs sweeping?  Well, okay maybe we can hang with that.Thankfully, there are people who can take care of all those things and more.  Enter the humble housekeeper.  Willing to do all the things you hate that keep your home looking the way you love.  If you're hiring a housekeeper, it's important to realize they do tough work- and you don't want to make it harder than it is.  We have put together a list of things straight from cleaning experts themselves, to help make sure your housekeepers know you're a decent human being, and likely save you from extra fees.  Keep reading to find out the things your housekeeper wish you knew before they step foot inside your home!  Click this link to read the entire article full of tips.

1. Precleaning will save you money

If you're anything like us, you probably do a little precleaning for your housecleaner. And then, if you're like us, you wonder how much of that is truly necessary—after all, that's what the housecleaner is there for, right?Here's the deal: You should do whatever you can to help them help you. No, you don't need to bust out the Clorox, the Shark vacuum, and the Miracle Mop, but you should tackle those dirty dishes, throw out the takeout containers, and pick up that pile of clothes. If you don't, you may find that your wallet's been cleaned out, too."Picking up clutter does make our job a lot easier," says Megan Sentner, the manager at Greenapple Cleaning in Ottawa, Ontario. "That being said, we have no problem picking up clutter as long as the clients understand that it takes more time and costs more."Think it all comes out in the wash? Let us do the math for you: If your housecleaner charges you $30 per hour (the average rate) to clean, then a half-hour spent decluttering will cost you an extra $15—or $390 for a year's worth of twice-a-month cleanings. Instead, straighten up the night before and save that cash for something else.

2. Give specific directions

Unless you're ordering a top-to-bottom scrubbing every week, your cleaners need direction. Is the bathroom looking a little grungy? Ask them to spend extra time on the shower. Request extra attention to your baseboards. Sic them on your son's room, now that he's finally off to college."If they don't leave full instructions, there's a chance they'll be disappointed," Sentner says.If you're new to the world of professional housecleaning, you might not know exactly what your home needs most. Most maid services will happily stop by for a consultation so you can learn exactly how dirty you are.