How to Manage a Cleaning Lady

You did a great job of screening applicants and found yourself a cleaning lady who is reliable and efficient. She comes to your house every week and does her work without any fuss or bother. Your job, however, is not over. If you expect her to continue cleaning to your exacting standards, you'll have to employ some management techniques.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Maintain communication. Greet the cleaning lady at the door each time she comes. If you're not home when the cleaning lady comes to work, always leave her a note. Update her on any changes in the house, like a new piece of furniture or room arrangement; let her know if you require any deviations from her normal routine, like cleaning the base boards instead of the windows in one room; and exchange pleasantries. This will take no more than 5 minutes out of your day, and it will let the cleaning lady know that she's important to you.
2. Address problems quickly. When you notice a problem in the house, call the cleaning lady right away to discuss it. The cleaning lady is more likely to maintain your high standards if she knows you check her work and will point out any oversights.
3. Remember her on holidays. Adjust your cleaning schedule around the holidays to accommodate your cleaning lady's family plans. You may not celebrate Thanksgiving or Christmas, but don't expect your cleaning lady to work on those days. Discuss the schedule with her around major holidays so that your house is clean when you plan to entertain and the cleaning lady has a reasonable amount of time off around the holidays to attend to her personal life.
4. Give small gifts. Remember the cleaning lady probably doesn't have some of the things you take for granted. Leaving her small gifts from time to time, like an extra jar of preserves, a box of the tea she likes, or hand-me-down clothes for her kids, can brighten her day and make her feel appreciated.

Who Can Help:

• Find Local Cleaning Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.
• Find Contractors Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.
• Find Landscaping Design and Installation Services Here. Compare Up to 4 Quotes, Free Service & No Obligation.