Getting cleaning work right? Cleaning tips - Part 3
Hours worked
When choosing the hours you require your cleaner, consider having them less frequently for longer hours, say three hours twice a week, rather than two hours three times a week. (To increase efficiency, the minimum recommended time per visit is two and a half hours.) On each visit a certain amount of time is taken up in gathering cleaning equipment and tidying away afterwards. Therefore they will do more work if they are there for longer on each visit. It also reduces travel time and costs for your cleaner and encourages them to stay with you.
If your cleaner cannot gain access to your home through no fault of their own (perhaps you have forgotten they were coming or someone has double-locked the door), pay them for their time even if the work has not been done.
Work routine
Use a Task Sheet to write a list of the work that you want your cleaner to do. Make it quite clear not only what you want done, but also how. When filling in the task sheet, the following procedure might help - look around in each room and divide it into 3 levels:
- Ceiling Level: corners where cobwebs might form, curtain rails, tops of doors, ceiling lights.
- Eye Level: pictures, window edges, switches, surfaces, lamps, etc.
- Floor Level: skirting boards, carpets, under beds, etc.
It is recommended that you check the work done against the task sheet, either regularly or from time to time. If it is not as you specified, gently point out any deficiencies to your cleaner before the next visit, at the same time complimenting her on the task she has done well. If you find the tasks have not been completed to your satisfaction, discuss the problem with your cleaner using all the diplomatic skills at your disposal. Otherwise, the odds are you’ll never see her again!
Changes to a schedule
Your cleaner relies on the regular income that your work provides, therefore if you cancel a cleaning session at less than 24h notice, a cancellation fee should be paid to her. She’ll like you for that and like you even more if you give her the full amount previously promised. This is not necessary if you give longer notice.
If you wish to alter arrangements temporarily, at short notice, contact your cleaner direct and make them feel wanted and respected, otherwise they are quite likely to find another employer pretty quickly!
Look out for our next article: ALL you need to know about cleaning products. House cleaning tips
Tags: Cleaning Tips