You have a wonderful relationship with your housekeeper. After all, you’re opening up your home to her, letting her clean all your nooks and crannies and trusting her presence there while you’re out. But what you may not realize is that she may not always be inclined to share everything with you when it comes to her job.
To give you some insight, we asked real housekeepers what truths are often omitted. Some of their answers may surprise you!
-
I Don’t Have a Pristine Home
Ever heard the phrase the shoemaker’s children go barefoot? By the time your housekeeper gets home after cleaning other people’s houses all day, the last thing she wants to do is pick up another mop. Think about it. After a long day at work, wouldn’t you rather spend quality time with your family than having to get your clean on? -
I’m Not Always Honest About Your Home
“If a home is filthy, we won’t tell the homeowner it’s filthy,” says Benja Lane, who owns Extreme Gleam in Florida. “We’ll just let them know that some areas may need extra attention.” -
I’m Sometimes More About Speed Than Thoroughness
Many housekeepers will whiz through a property if they feel pressured to get through multiple homes in one day. That speed can sometimes lead workers to miss spots, break things or just do a subpar job. This is why it’s important to set realistic expectations and goals for your housekeeper and let her know if something isn’t the way you want it. -
I Prefer to Clean an Empty House
Typically, housekeepers do a better job when you’re not at home. You may be slowing your cleaner down every time you strike up a conversation. Think about how distracted you’d be at work if someone kept getting in the way or looking over your shoulder. If you don’t want to leave your home while she’s there, at least stay in a different room. -
Your Neighbor Pays Me More
Some people have a hard time talking about money. Your housekeeper probably doesn’t know how to bring up the fact that you’re paying less than she earns on other jobs. And if she feels underpaid, she might not do as thorough a job as you like or just quit altogether. If you don’t want to lose her services, make sure you’re giving her annual raises and a little extra when she goes above and beyond. And make sure you’re paying at least the minimum wage. -
I Sometimes Get Overwhelmed
A homeowner’s unrealistic expectations put a lot of pressure on the housekeeper. In such instances, she may need to bring in other cleaning professionals for assistance.“Housekeepers working for themselves may not be able to clean a home or apartment in one day depending on size and conditions,” says Victoria Amador, who owns Tremendous Maid in Boston. “Homeowners should be careful to specify to their individual housecleaner that they do not want anyone besides her in the house.”
Do everyone a favor: Learn more about the 7 Tasks Housekeepers Should NOT Do.
-
I’m Not There to Sort Your Laundry
Housekeepers can’t stand when the place is a disaster — heaps of laundry on the floor and dirty dishes piled up on the counter. Yes, she’s there to clean your home. But having things all over the place makes it harder for her to do her job in a timely manner. A word to the wise: tidy up before she comes. -
I Sometimes Snoop
But it’s not in an intrusive way. She’s most likely checking out what books you have on your shelves or the photo album on the coffee table. If you’re uncomfortable with this, be sure to discuss boundaries and keep things you don’t want shared in private places.
Remember, as your housekeeper’s employer, it’s important to open up the lines of communication. She should feel comfortable enough to approach you about an array of job-related topics. And always discuss any concerns you have instead of letting them build up or rushing to fire.
Kayla Mossien is a writer for prominent blogs and websites and is the former editor-in-chief of PARENTGUIDE News. Learn more about her work here.