Housekeeping checklist: How to guarantee a clean home
Housekeeping checklist: How to guarantee a clean home
Key takeaways
Know exactly what you want cleaned, and how you want it cleaned
Setting and communicating expectations with the housekeeper is essential to a sparkling home
Make time for feedback with the housekeeper on a regular basis
Hiring a house-cleaning service can be a headache—whether you’re working with someone new or aiming for better results from your current cleaning service. If your crew is missing those dust bunnies under the couch or crumbs on the kitchen counter, it’s time to train them with a housekeeping checklist.
Things that are obvious to you—cabinets splashed with spaghetti sauce, baseboards dotted with dog food remnants, or windowsills gathering soot—may be skipped over, depending on who you hire, what’s been discussed, and whether you’ve requested basic or deep cleaning.
While it might be tempting to assume the pros will spot those problem areas, most cleaning companies need clear instructions to best meet your needs. Frustration and disappointment can happen, especially if you haven’t made time to train a new housekeeper.
Follow this expert advice from Ashley Brown, CEO of the Domestic Bliss Agency, to create a personalized printable house-cleaning checklist that communicates expectations and removes the hassle from hiring a reliable housekeeper or cleaning service.
Set performance expectations
Communication starts with a comprehensive list of cleaning tasks that you can share with your housekeeper or cleaning service.
“People assume that because they’re hiring a seasoned cleaner, they’re going to clean exactly how I want. That doesn’t happen,” says Brown, who has dispatched many cleaning pros to clients’ homes over the years. Her best cleaning tip? “You need to make time to have that communication.”
Create a room-by-room checklist
Going room by room, make a general list of what needs to be done in each of these areas. This will form the basis of your personalized housekeeping checklist.
Typical cleaning tasks include:
Mopping floors
Vacuuming carpets and rugs
Using glass cleaner to clean mirrors and glass surfaces
Wiping down counters with all-purpose cleaner
Scouring stoves and ovens
Scrubbing toilets, showers, and bathtubs
Sanitizing door knobs and bathroom and kitchen surfaces
Wiping down door frames, light switches, and switch plates
Dusting light fixtures, blinds, windowsills, and other surfaces
Removing cobwebs (may pay extra to clean hard-to-reach areas)
Emptying wastebaskets
“Know what you want cleaned and prioritize those expectations,” Brown suggests. “What are the most important things to you?”
Pro tip: If necessary, you can translate your cleaning checklist into other languages using Google Translate.
Then, get more specific. Create a separate section for each room that includes:
Items you want cleaned
How you want them cleaned (vacuuming, mopping, or dusting)
What cleaning products should be used on which surfaces to avoid damage
If they should move knick-knacks and furniture, or simply clean around them
Pro tip: Include photos in your printable house-cleaning checklist for better communication.
Specify cleaning supplies
If you prefer specific products (e.g. fragrance free or eco friendly), ask the housekeeper if they have those in stock before you buy new cleaning supplies.
Find out if the service will bring their own supplies—dusters, mop, vacuum, and microfiber cloths—or tell them if you’d rather they use yours.
If you’re providing cleaning supplies, notate in your checklist where they can find these items and how they should wash and store them when finished.
Discuss how they’ll let you know when cleaning products are running low—for example, write it on a sticky note or leave the empty packaging on the kitchen counter.
Highlight off-limits items
If there are rooms, items, or surfaces that you don’t want touched, put it in your checklist and let them know on the day of the cleaning. For example, pricey collectibles may be off-limits, or rooms that contain pets or someone who is immune compromised.
Make a cleaning schedule
Communicate how often you want to book your cleaning service. Most people opt for weekly cleanings or two visits per month. The latter may necessitate a deep cleaning each time.
Consider add-ons and special handling
Some house-cleaning services charge extra for washing laundry and dishes—or even shampooing carpets and upholstery. If you’d like to add these services, discuss it with the housekeeper in advance.
Kitchen musts + extras
Wiping down countertops, stovetops, and the outside of appliances is typically included in a regular house cleaning. You may pay more for the following tasks:
Cleaning inside the oven or fridge. Specify that ahead of time, as that’s typically only included at an upcharge or in a deep cleaning.
Washing dishes. If the service has agreed to include this, tell them which products to use and where items should be placed once clean.
Laundry dos and don’ts
Don’t assume that the cleaning service knows how you like items laundered. There are many methods, and laundry can be highly personal.
Washing. Include these instructions in your checklist—for example, wash on delicate, permanent press, or regular cycles, and use the dryer or hang to dry.
Appliance use. Include directions for using all appliances, including your washer and dryer.
Preferred cleaning products. Make sure your checklist includes products to be used for laundry.
Dry-clean-only. Separate these items from the rest of your laundry. It helps to have a separate laundry bag or hamper for those pieces.
Folding. Explain how you prefer clothes and linens folded and where they should be put away.
Ironing. If pressing clothes or linens is required, make sure they know how you prefer items to be ironed, how much starch to use (if any).
Bedding changes. If you’d like the bedding changed, show them where linens are stored. Most cleaning services will include making the bed in regular cleaning, but won’t necessarily change the sheets and wash them, unless you specify.
Upholstery and carpeting details
Vacuuming floors is included in standard and deep cleanings, while cleaning upholstery might not be.
Pet hair. Your furry family members can leave behind a lot of dander and hair, so make sure to set expectations about vacuuming upholstery and carpeting if your pet has left a mess.
Deep cleans. Create a plan for upholstery and carpeting shampooing, if the company provides this service, including what cleaners and machines they’ll use for which pieces.
Deal with day-of tasks
Now that you’ve created (and hopefully printed) a cleaning checklist for your housekeeping service, you’re ready for their arrival. Here’s what you should do on the day of.
Arrival and entry. If you won’t be home to let them in, send over detailed instructions on how they can access your home and neighborhood (if gated), with any necessary codes or keys. Also, let them know where to park, and provide permits, if needed.
Walkthrough. Do a walkthrough of your home with the housekeeper while reviewing the checklist together. Ask if they have any questions or concerns. Now’s a good time to clarify anything that wasn’t obvious from your checklist.
Downtime. If your housekeeper will be working more than 5 hours, discuss when they’ll be taking breaks throughout the day. Most cleaning services are finished in less time and breaks shouldn’t be an issue.
Cleaning hard-to-reach places. Show them any ladders or step stools they may need to reach high surfaces or ceiling fans. They can’t clean what they can’t reach.
Manage the relationship
Even the best checklist and training won’t guarantee a sparkling clean home. That’s why it’s important to follow up with your housekeeper or cleaning service about any performance issues.
Keep management in the loop. If you’re using a cleaning service, you might not always get the same housekeeping crew. Share your house-cleaning checklist and expectations with the company upfront, to ensure a consistently clean home.
Discuss issues as they happen. Communication doesn’t end after you’ve established a cleaning protocol and schedule with your cleaning service. It’s important to keep lines of communication open, and address problems as they arise rather than letting them fester.
Allow for adjustments. There’s always an adjustment period in any new job. The housekeeper or cleaning company may make some missteps the first few times they clean your home. If communication is clear, open, and ongoing, you should be able to correct and move past any mistakes.
Escalate ongoing issues. If the housekeeper or cleaning service still isn’t meeting expectations, let them know. Management should troubleshoot any issues before losing your business. An independent housekeeper who’s not following instructions may not be right for you.
It helps to hire a housekeeper or cleaning service that has good reviews on Yelp. Start by asking friends and family for recommendations and search Yelp for highly rated businesses. If this is your first time using a housekeeper, familiarize yourself with these questions to ask before hiring a house-cleaning service. Request quotes from a handful of cleaning companies before making a final decision.
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