Posted on January 23rd, 2019
Unless you’re a neat freak with a lot of free time, you’ve probably occasionally wished that someone would step in and help you clean your home. However, if you’re like most Americans, the thought of hiring a professional cleaning service probably didn’t even cross your mind. After all, aren’t maids only for the wealthy?
Far from it. Like most industries, domestic cleaning has been changed profoundly by the digital revolution. Today, the majority of cleaning businesses are small, flexible, and surprisingly accessible, no matter what kind of budget you’re working with. Below, we’ll debunk some of the most common myths that prevent homeowners from getting the cleaning help they nee
1. Professional cleaning services are costly.
As alluded to above, the idea that cleaning services are out of the average person’s price range is as prevalent as it is wrong. Cleaners (like most professionals) usually charge by the hour, and their hourly rates start as low as $20. Generally, you can expect to pay more if you live in a large metropolitan area where the costs of living are higher, and less if you live in a small town.
Keep in mind that professionals clean a lot more quickly than laymen—after all, it’s their job—so they can get a lot done in an hour.
If you’re having a hard time justifying the cost of a cleaner, remember that using a cleaning service can actually save you money in other areas. By giving you more time to rest or catch up on work-related projects, hiring a cleaner can make you more productive. Professional cleaning can also extend the life of your carpets, furniture, glass, and floors by removing grit. Otherwise, these fine, sharp particles gradually dull shiny services and weaken carpet fibers, making your home look old before its time.
2. You’ll have to sign a contract.
Over time, our financial situations can change. As such, many people avoid hiring a cleaning service because they don’t want to get locked into an ongoing, contracted expense. They worry that if they lose their source or income or face a large unexpected bill, the cost of cleaning might put too much strain on their budget.
Fortunately, housecleaning contracts are largely a thing of the past. Most cleaning businesses (particularly smaller businesses) are willing to work on an as-needed basis. Whether you want cleaning help once per week, once per month, or just twice per year, they’ll probably be happy to accommodate you.
3. You might face a risk of property damage or theft.
There are a lot of urban myths about housecleaners stealthily removing valuables from homes or breaking precious items. In reality, however, this is a very rare occurrence. Think about it: Any cleaner that did either of those things wouldn’t get a lot of repeat business, right?
With that in mind, there are a few steps you can take to ensure you hire a reputable service. Make sure the cleaning company you hire is certified and has verifiable positive reviews. They should also provide you with insurance and a money-back guarantee, so you’ll be covered in the unlikely event that something goes wrong.
4. Professional cleaners rush through their work.
Because professional cleaners work so quickly, it’s easy to assume that they must be cutting corners somewhere. What you’re usually seeing, however, is just practice and training in action. Professional cleaners are actually less likely to miss areas that are commonly overlooked when cleaning because they’re so used to cleaning homes from top to bottom.
To assess what kind of job your housecleaner is doing, use your five senses: If your home looks, smells, and feels clean after he or she visits, it probably is. You can also check your cleaner’s attention to detail by examining your baseboards, the corners where walls join, and other hard-to-reach places. If they’re free of grime, your cleaner is probably being thorough in his or her work.
5. There will be hidden costs.
No reputable cleaning company will ever charge their clients extra or hidden fees. All duties and costs should be discussed upfront, without exception. Most cleaners will work with their clients to create a “cleaning checklist” that outlines the client’s expectations and provides a realistic time-frame in which to get the job done. This helps to prevent miscommunications and pricing errors.
6. Professional cleaners use especially toxic cleaning products.
Professional cleaners have access to a higher grade of cleaning equipment and supplies than the average consumer, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they use toxic products. In fact, more and more cleaning companies are making the transition to using completely eco-friendly “green” cleaning methods. If you’re sensitive to chemicals or concerned about your impact on the environment, google green cleaners in your area—you’ll probably be pleasantly surprised.
7. You can’t hire a cleaning company if you work unusual hours.
Most businesses know that we’re living in a 24-hour society and therefore offer flexible hours; cleaning services are no exception. Depending on the service you hire, you can elect to have your cleaner come in during the early morning or late in the evening, for example. Some cleaning services actually operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week (this is more common in urban areas).
8. Your cleaner will judge your house for being messy.
So, what are you waiting for? Put your feet up, take some much-needed time to relax, and give us a call. Our affordable, reliable cleaners are standing by, ready to work on your schedule.
Life, as they say, happens. Those of us in the cleaning industry understand that major events, like an illness the family or the birth of a new baby, can make it literally impossible to keep up with cleaning. We’re here to help, not judge! There’s never any reason to be ashamed of the way your home looks.