House Cleaning: Keeping the Sparkle Intact

Submitted to ITF 9/12 cbennett/aarthur

House cleaning is a major chore but is something that requires attention, given the health implications of a cluttered or unhygienic environment at home. While a thorough clean-up can be a time consuming endeavor, the value of a well-kept home is undeniable. Relying on the services of a professional cleaner at regular intervals can be key to keeping a clean home that is an inviting and appealing abode for all.

Why Opt for a House Cleaning Service

While hiring a maid directly may seem less of a hassle, in most cases going through a maid agency or company offers key benefits that individual providers may not bring. To begin with, safety is of the essence when hiring a new cleaner and most housekeeping services perform thorough background checks on staff prior to hiring. This means added peace of mind for you as the client, but that's not all. Cleaners hired via a specialized service agency are also competent and better trained to offer higher service standards. Given the ease of access to a trained team of professionals who are always on call, there is little doubt that a house cleaning service is your best bet. 

Picking the Right Service

From franchised full-fledged enterprises to local providers in your neighborhood, there are a range of options when it comes to quality cleaners. To begin with ask for personal recommendations from friends and neighbors or peruse websites that offer housekeeping services. A good maid agency is reliable and efficient, and ensures that the cleaners are insured so that any liability on your part is minimized. This is paramount to help reduce accountability in the event of any property damage or injury to the cleaners.

Cleaners Checklist

Most professional cleaners offer their own checklists in terms of services offered as well as pricing either by the hour or by service. A good house cleaning service should ideally offer a range of service packages and affordable deals to help you pick services that take precedence. For instance, an all-inclusive package may cover everything from dusting and vacuuming to clean-up of furniture and fans, but may not include chores outside the home such as yard work. If you have pets around, then a deep-clean of all upholstery or a thorough carpet wash may be worth opting for.

Whether it is a thorough deep clean effort you are looking for or just a basic cleanup, a skilled cleaner should be able to take cues to help improve the service to fit your needs. Be sure to enquire with your provider on add-on services and rates so that you can customize the package into a basic home clean-up with some additional chores thrown in, such as the dishes or even just some backyard grooming. 

The convenience of a dedicated housekeeper is no more apparent than when one feels the ambience at home gratifying enough to warrant the effort. There is no denying that an efficient house cleaning service can virtually transform your interiors and help add that extra sparkle and shine.