Cleaning 101: Sometimes Hiring Help Is Just The Ticket

No matter how much you do dishes, they keep coming back to haunt the sink and counters when you have kids. Even as you are putting them in the cabinet, someone invariably comes up behind you and steals about 16 ounces of ice cold water from the tap. Maybe the wood furniture has gone from it's normal brown to a mottled white coating of dust. Or the floors just need more than a quick mop to get around those corners better. It can be frustrating when you're trying to keep get ahead on cleaning, but can't. Maybe it's time to pull out that postcard you got in the mail last week and check out that new maid service everyone's talking about.

What Can You Expect From A Home Cleaning Service?

Every maid service company is different. Some are franchises. Some are entrepreneurs who are building their business up from scratch. The common thread is that the company should be bonded. This protects both you and the cleaning service and builds trust. Here's a few things to expect when cleaning personnel come into your home:

• promptness, in uniform (if required), showing up on time with needed supplies
• courteous behavior
• cleaning in accordance with your contract
• leaving your home on time with their supplies

Most home cleaning services utilize a crew that cleans in a specified amount of time. The amount of people in the crew often depends on the number of rooms that they are cleaning in your home. As a rule, it takes about 2.5 hours to clean a one-bedroom, one-bath home. Larger homes may take half a day or a full day to clean.

Should The House Be Cleaned Before The Cleaning Service Shows Up?

It depends on your preference. You are the one paying for the cleaning service. For many, it is a matter of pride. The "can't let others see that the house looks like a mess" mind-set sets many to get as much cleaning done before the crew shows up. Others may feel that you are paying for a cleaning service to come in and clean, so let them clean. Just keep in mind that the cleaner (and more picked up) your home is, the less time that the cleaning service will need to be in your house. This may also be easier on your budget.

Getting Past The Guilt

Most moms (and dads) feel like they should be the ones responsible for getting their home clean. Sometimes, though, life gets busy and the cleaning chores fall by the wayside. It's okay. It happens. Look at it this way--when you come home and see freshly mopped floors, vacuumed carpeting and last month's dust gone, you will feel better about getting extra help like English Maids. Who knows? You may just think that hiring out was just the ticket to relaxation and make it a monthly or weekly treat!

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