Keeping your home clean is a chore for most busy professionals, and let’s be honest – we have better things to do over the weekend anyway. At the same time, hiring a live-in helper may be too costly.
Hiring part-time help is the answer. It lets you enjoy the luxury of a professionally-cleaned home without having to commit to a full-time helper, and there are many cleaning services out there who will send a professional to your home at your convenience. If you’re engaging one for the first time, here’s what you should know beforehand – and why we’d recommend one particular company.
For general cleaning, most cleaning services will ask you to provide cleaning equipment such as a vacuum cleaner, broom and dustpan, mop, pail, and cleaning cloth. (It’s more hygienic to use your own equipment anyway.) You should also have cleaning solutions on standby for each area of your home, such as floor mopping solution and toilet cleaning chemicals.
For deep cleaning such as steaming, the cleaning professional should provide their own specialised equipment. It’s always best to check with them beforehand what they need.
Cleaning companies usually select their staff carefully and train them thoroughly in providing cleaning services. Since they represent the company, the cleaning professionals are also vetted for their work ethic and attitude.
Most cleaning services will recommend a professional that suits your needs and available time when you first engage them. You’ll be able to re-book the same cleaning professional if you like their service.
Not necessarily, but you should be present during the first session so you can show the cleaning professional specific areas to be cleaned and how you’d like them to perform the task. Subsequently, it’s up to you whether you’d prefer to be present.
To maximise cleaning time, clear the house of clutter beforehand if possible. Prepare equipment that your cleaning professional might need, including a ladder or step stool if they are cleaning high-up areas. If you have a pet, keep them away from the areas that are being cleaned.
You can orientate your cleaning professional on the first visit and direct them on how you’d like certain areas to be cleaned. While they may not get it exactly right on the first try – everyone has different cleaning preferences, after all – what’s more important is their receptiveness to learning.
It’s best to check with the cleaning professional, as cleaning hard-to-reach areas like windows may be dangerous and not covered under basic cleaning services. While most cleaning services insure their staff, you’ll want to avoid a situation where they are placed in unnecessary danger.
If you’ve booked a general cleaning service, your cleaning professional may not be able to tackle stubborn stains as the time required will be much longer. Other things like moving heavy objects, cleaning pet equipment, and hand-washing laundry are also not within the job scope of general cleaning.
Established in 2014, Urban Company is Asia’s largest online home services platform. The company brings all the services you’ll need to the comfort of your home, including massages, manicures and pedicures, haircuts, home cleaning, and more.
Their algorithm matches skilled professionals with your needs and available time, and you’re assured of quality service each time.
We love Urban Company’s home cleaning services for their flexibility. While they offer a conventional time-based package, they also have a modular room-based package. Need just your bathrooms and kitchen cleaned? Select these areas on the website, and your total will automatically be calculated. Need your ceiling fans and cooker hood wiped down? Those services are available as add-ons.
This modular package lets you get the best value for your money, particularly if you’re generally good at keeping the house tidy but hate to clean certain areas.
Urban Company’s cleaning professionals are punctual and thorough with their work, with many homeowners commending them for their attention to detail in the reviews. Their cleaners also bring their own professional-grade cleaning solutions and disposable equipment, so you won’t have to provide your own – just sit back and relax.
Find out more about Urban Company’s home cleaning services here.
