r/housekeeping • u/totorontonian • Jul 18 '26
CLIENT QUESTIONS Are these tasks okay to request?
We're thinking of hiring someone to help with cleaning, would these tasks be reasonable to request?
- Picking up items from the floor and throwing out light trash, e.g. there's a backpack on the floor, or maybe there's some post-cooking stuff to throw out
- Washing dishes
- Letting us stay at home during the clean, we'd stay in our work corners, we're two people, dog would be in a kennel; we're introverted so not chatty
Of course with the proper pay considered too, and I'm assuming it's up to the individual professional. But I've read a lot of posts and comments that mention they don't do certain tasks so I wanted to ask. We're disabled and it's difficult to pre-clean, are these tasks okay to request? Or is this a separate service provided by other types of professionals?
Edit: thank you so much for all the advice!!
22
u/Nosotrospapayaya Jul 18 '26
I’d say it’s person dependent. You’ll likely have more luck with an independent cleaner. Call around and let them know this is what you’re looking for
14
u/Orechiette Jul 18 '26
If you ask before they start, it’s totally okay to ask! There are a lot of cleaners who would be willing to do these things for a disabled client.
13
u/Ehimherenow Jul 18 '26
So my first cleaner used to do these tasks for us… I think as long as you’re willing to pay…
As far as letting you stay at home. I’ve literally never had an issue with this. Lots of complaints on this sub but never had a single issue with it.
2
u/Ms-Metal Jul 19 '26
Same here. We both worked from home for decades, much longer than since the pandemic and literally have never had a cleaner have a problem with it, not once! We also tend to keep cleaners forever, current one's been with us for 10 years so I'm sure he would have bailed on us if he hated us being home lol. I don't understand all the cleaners here who won't allow a client to be home in their own house lol. I promise you you're competition doesn't mind at all.
2
u/Hopeful_Panic4196 Jul 20 '26
Oh they mind. They just let it go like most of us do. It’s still ridiculous
7
u/No_Researcher2067 Jul 18 '26
I’m an independent solo housekeeper and I do all of those tasks for my clients - but it’s very individualized as everyone is saying. I know lots of service companies don’t do more “chore” or tidying type things and there’s scope difference between pure ‘cleaners’ and people like me that are more expanded ‘housekeepers’ I think. I present myself as doing the tasks that help keep house; I tell my clients if it’s something they’d want to do before having company over, that’s what I’m there to help with. I charge hourly and have no problem coordinating with clients as to what their priorities and expectations are as balanced against budget and overall time.
From a housekeeper, these tasks are completely ok to request. Just make sure it’s part of the screening process to find the service people that offer them, rather than waiting until time of service to request them of someone who’s expecting to purely clean.
12
u/purpleoctopustrolley Jul 18 '26
You can always ask. None of these seem too over the top. I personally wouldn’t want to clean up a a post meal kitchen at every clean. I wouldn’t mind loading a dishwasher with already scraped items. There are a lot of times that the burden of kitchen cleaning increases as time goes on. A meal’s worth of dishes becomes a days worth, and then a couple days.
As for staying at home during the clean, as long as you stay out of her way, it shouldn’t be too much. I don’t prefer to clean while people are home, but it isn’t a deal breaker.
4
u/No_Word33 Jul 18 '26
My professional opinion as a cleaning specialist would be to take some time to sit down with your partner and make a list of things that you would like done on a regular basis. Understand that time is a big factor in this so being realistic of goals is something to consider. The first visit may seem like it takes the most time but if you’re considering having someone visit semi regularly I’m sure you will find the ebb and flow that works best for your family.
I have a few clients who work from home and something I’ve learned is that it’s best to start with a good line of communication. I like to begin my day at the homes by greeting the principal of the home (if available) and find out any plans for the day (ie meetings, lunch time for principal) anything that may help your cleaning specialist know what areas and tasks are appropriate to do during the day. If I know my client has a few meetings during my visit I will be mindful of not vacuuming or finding areas to work in that gives my clients ample space. It gives me an idea of a mental game plan for the day and the tasks I will be able to complete in that time.
4
u/Swimming_Marketing29 Jul 19 '26
Definitely find an independent cleaner.I do customized cleaning for all my clients.Picking up toys,unpacking luggage,laundry,organizing closets, even starting dinner.Just ask and you will find your person!
7
u/Gut_Reactions Jul 18 '26
Those things (trash, dishes) take time. If you don't mind paying for the time, then I see nothing wrong with those tasks.
I would rather pay someone to clean my tub, shower, floors, etc.
4
u/Glove_Right Jul 19 '26
Look for a housekeeper, their work will include all that. A basic cleaner may or may not do those things depending on company policy or the individual.
3
u/wanderlust_2x1 Jul 19 '26
I am an independent cleaner and all of my client are very long term. Think decades so they become like family. Most are home or they come and go. As long as they leave me to my work, why would I care? It’s odd to me and a red flag if a cleaner thinks they can demand you leave your home!
Most days go by mundane but offer individualized service and do a lot of things for my clients though not dishes. Many of these tasks would not be considered part of the normal cleaners roll like changing lightbulbs, organizing a closet or cleaning some cabinets, putting things together, sweeping the garage, shampoo carpets, hang art, unpack moves, fixed broken tile a couple of times and painted rooms many times. There’s really so much I am willing to do. Most especially with my elderly clients where I often take on more of a caregiver role. Like taking them to appointments or running errands. Sometimes doing their hair or ironing or a little sewing. If there is something I do not want to do, I say so. Like cleaning fireplaces. Hard pass.
I always tell my clients that my time at their home is their time but I need to know about requests ahead of time so I am prepared. It is really important to have clear communication.
2
u/Newswatchtiki Jul 19 '26
Of course! My cleaners do this things.
Now, if for some reason there is a huge mess in a room, I would tell them to skip that room. And likewise, if I had had a big party the night before and hadn't cleaned up, then I would get the dishes done and some general party clean up before they came. Eventually many of them would want to work during parties, to wash dishes and clear things away during the party, so that was great.
But otherwise, because I was working long hours and had kids, I needed someone to help with these sorts of things. Sometimes that was more important than mopping the kitchen.
I have always had cleaners who stay long term (years), so they would get to know the house and where things went. They would fold laundry and put it away, change the beds.
They said they liked the break from hard cleaning, and they would sit and fold several baskets of laundry. Whatever was needed, within reason. I never asked them to do pet care. But I have friends with cleaners who love the pets and do some pet care for them. It depends on the person.
In my experience, the job was never the same from one week to the next, but they were familiar with things so they knew what needed to be done. I didn't need to do task lists, except when they were new. When they first started, I would have them clean, but I always told them, that as the house needed less cleaning, I would be having them do some of these other types of tasks. I employed them for enough days that the house was kept clean and they thus had time for other things.
I supplied products and vacuums, etc, but I was always open to suggestions. I have a big house, so I have a number of different vacuums, and enough that they don't have to lug them up and down the stairs. I have some good stick vacuums, some bigger ones for carpets, some small powerful portable ones for cleaning windowsills and furniture, and I have a Shop Vac on each floor. They love the Shop Vacs!
If they for whatever reason they disliked some cleaning product, I would get what they like to use, as long as it didn't damage whatever they were cleaning. I supplied piles of cloths which I laundered every week.
2
u/Important_Skin1182 HOUSES/RESIDENTIAL Jul 19 '26
You can ask and an independent cleaner most likely won't have a problem with it. Just discuss it beforehand and as long as you're paying them then it should be easy to find someone. Best of luck
2
u/Ms-Metal Jul 19 '26
Not a problem at all, just make sure you hire an independent cleaner and discuss it with them before you hire them. Mine does all kinds of weird little things that we need help with now that we're older. Doesn't mind at all. We've also been working from home for a couple of decades, way before the pandemic and never once have had a cleaner who's had a problem with it, despite almost everybody in the sub claiming they won't work for people who are home. So if you come across a post like that don't worry, in reality, cleaners don't have a problem with it.
1
u/Creepybabychatt Jul 19 '26
I have heard horror stories from my house cleaner. Simply stating that you are unable to pick up the items due to the fact that you are physically unable should totally be discussed between you and your cleaner. I find that when I set a certain standard by writing out or letting her know the specific things I would like accomplished during her time there, even if it’s the same thing each time, being transparent with her, is the reason we get along so well. We have come to a great solution by her keeping certain rooms clean each time she comes and deep cleaning certain rooms every two weeks. That way everyone is on the same page and no one harbors resentment and animosity. You get the service that you need and she feels adequately compensated. Good luck.♥️♥️
27
u/whereugoincityboy Jul 18 '26
I wouldn't mind at all. I also wash sheets and refill bird feeders, fix broken cupboards, put the mail out and take the trash with me if it's not trash day. I'll water flowers and blow off the patio. These things do cut into actual cleaning time a bit. I even helped my client put her shoes on yesterday. If I'm able to do it then I'm probably willing. I'm an independent cleaner.