What's on a regular house cleaning list
In the kitchen: benches and surfaces, wiped down and left clear. In the bathrooms and toilets: the basin, shower, toilet and mirror. Through the rest of the home: dusting the surfaces within reach, vacuuming and mopping the floors, and emptying the bins.
That's the usual list, not a fixed one. You and the business agree exactly what's on it, how often they come and which day. Anything that matters to you, like the stovetop or the dog's corner of the lounge, belongs on the list from the start.
Weekly or fortnightly house cleaning: which suits you?
It comes down to how quickly your place builds up. Dogs, young kids, a shared bathroom or a busy kitchen usually lean towards weekly. A couple in a small unit may find fortnightly keeps things under control.
If you're unsure, start fortnightly and ask the business what they notice after a couple of visits. You can change the rhythm with them later.
What house cleaners look at when they quote
A business quotes on the home in front of it: the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, pets, how much is out on the benches, and how long it's been since the last proper clean. That's why the form asks for bedrooms, bathrooms and any extras.
A home that hasn't been cleaned in a while often needs a catch-up first. Many people book a deep clean before regular visits begin, so the first fortnightly clean isn't fighting months of grime.
Extras you can add to a regular house clean
An oven clean, inside windows, carpet steam cleaning and wall marks can be added in the form, so the quote fits the home. They suit an occasional visit better than every visit: an oven rarely needs doing each fortnight.
Questions for house cleaners before the first visit
- What's on the list, and what counts as an extra?
- Will the same person come each time, or could it change?
- Who brings the vacuum, the mop and the products?
- How do you get in if nobody's home, and who keeps the key?
- How much notice do you need to skip or move a visit?
- Can I see your ABN and a current public liability certificate?
Before a house clean: your part and the cleaner's
Worth doing yourself
- Pick up toys, shoes and paper before the visit, so the time goes on cleaning.
- Clear the benches and the bathroom vanity.
- Put pets somewhere calm, and mention anything nervous or bitey.
- Point out stone benches, timber floors or anything that needs its own product.
Where a cleaning business earns its keep
- Bathrooms and toilets, each visit.
- Floors throughout, vacuumed and mopped.
- Grease on the kitchen surfaces before it sets.
- Dust on the surfaces you stop noticing.
Storing cleaning products safely between visits
Keep cleaning products in their original containers, never in cups or drink bottles, and never mix bleach with ammonia, acids or other cleaners. Open a window or run the exhaust fan while anything strong is in use. For a poisoning, the Poisons Information Centre is on 13 11 26, and in an emergency call 000.
Warning signs when hiring house cleaners
- No ABN, or a name on the quote that doesn't match ABN Lookup.
- A request for keys or alarm codes before anything is agreed.
- Vague answers about what's included each visit.
- Pressure to pay for a long run of visits up front.
The written list we'd agree with a house cleaner
Walk the business through the home on the first visit and agree a short written list: what happens every time, what happens now and then, and how you'll flag a change. If the place needs a catch-up, do a deep clean first and let the regular visits hold the line from there.
