How to make your regular cleaner happy

Your comprehensive guide to delivering excellent regular cleaning services in today’s hectic world

Life’s hard enough already – how can we help each other to be happy?

A faithful and reliable regular cleaner can be a game-changer for your home and life. Not only does it save you time, but it also ensures that your living space remains pristine and, in the case of our amazing regular cleaning services, dust-free, too.

But how do you find excellent regular cleaners and keep them happy in the long run? That question is actually the answer. Make your regular cleaner happy and the rest flows easily. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about hiring and maintaining a fruitful relationship with your regular cleaner.

Understanding the role of a regular cleaner

A regular cleaner is not just someone who comes in to fluff around and do a little dusting and vacuuming. Your trusted regular cleaner is a partner in maintaining the cleanliness and comfort of your home. When you find the right cleaner, they learn your preferences and routines, making your life easier and your space more enjoyable.

Why a positive relationship matters

Some customers may wish to keep “menial workers” at arm’s distance, but we know creating a respectful and positive relationship with your cleaner is essential. An equal relationship in which power is shared, not battled for. Happy cleaners tend to provide better service and stay longer. Indeed, if there’s any aggro in this relationship, a divorce will likely be on the horizon. And is it magical thinking that our next partner will be better if we have failed to do the inner work?

Here are some key points to consider when engaging a regular cleaning service:

1. Understand their needs:

Cleaners, like all professionals, have financial expectations and real-life financial pressures. In cities like Sydney, living wages hover around $1,500+ per week. If you want a committed cleaner, consider how their pay aligns with your expectations. Offering fair compensation can lead to a more motivated worker. The old paradigm that the customer is king has shifted to “the cleaner is Queen”. Professional labour in the Western world is not cheap. And you can’t look at the hourly rate anymore. There’s much else to consider regarding how much a cleaner makes daily. If they’re not happy, you can’t be either. If you’re feeling yourself wanting to skip away from this article at this point, then there’s possibly immense value here for you, so please read on.

2. Regular and consistent hours

Try to provide your cleaner with consistent work. Aim for full-day bookings whenever possible. Half-day jobs can lead to frustration as they often result in lost income. If you can’t provide steady hours, consider paying them for marketing efforts, such as distributing flyers. Again, it’s not all about the customer. There are two people in this relationship. You may demand they come and clean for an hour at precisely 10.45 am, but what does that make the rest of their day look like?

3. Hourly rates.

Some customers want to commoditise the cleaner’s wage into a nice little hourly rate. But have you considered their time and monetary costs of getting out to you, tolls, petrol, parking, maintaining their car and then the time costs of parking and getting their equipment in and out, washing, drying, folding cloths, replacing and maintaining equipment, replenishing products and the like and then the proximity of the next client and the time delay (lost money between jobs)
etc., and so on? Those customers who do are blessed with a loving and valuable cleaning relationship that spans not only years but sometimes decades. And the problem with hourly rates is you’ll never see someone motivated to work hard and fast if they’re on the clock – it’s just human nature.

3. Respectful communication:

Clear and respectful communication is vital. Provide detailed instructions about your cleaning preferences and remain open to their professional input. This will foster a cooperative atmosphere, minimising misunderstandings and creating a sense of teamwork.

4. Be kind:

Small gestures of appreciation go a long way. A simple “thank you,” occasional treats, making two coffees instead of just one, or flexibility with scheduling changes can make your cleaner feel valued. Happy cleaners are more likely to go the extra mile for you.

5. Regular feedback:

Always start with a compliment, not a complaint. Positive reinforcement is best; praise all the things you love before gently presenting those things that they could improve easily. Establish an open line of communication for feedback. Encourage your cleaner to express any concerns or suggestions they may have as well. Ask them if there is anything you can do to improve their experience.

6. Write it down

Do you have your expectations chronicled in writing? Is your regular cleaner aware of these expectations and in agreeance with them as to the time and cost agreed to? Cleaners can’t be mind readers, so work from a job sheet, and here’s a great and comprehensive one to use to get you started.

This dialogue improves the quality of service and strengthens the relationship. It takes 30 customers to maintain one good regular cleaner, so they are the rare bird in this regular cleaning service dance. And if some other new customer does these things and you don’t, then that explains why they seem to disappear. Or what some customers may term “reliability issues”.

What to Avoid

While establishing a relationship with your cleaner, be aware of practices that can damage your rapport.

Frequent Cancellations:
Consistently cancelling appointments can lead to frustration and feelings of disrespect. Aim to be as consistent as possible in your scheduling. –

Last-Minute Changes:
Sudden demands can add unnecessary pressure. Communicate any changes or needs well in advance when possible. –

Disrespectful Behavior:
Treat your cleaner as you would like to be treated. Avoid manipulative practices or employing tactics that make them feel like less than a professional.

Maintaining a positive relationship with your regular cleaner is essential for both parties. By understanding their needs, offering fair compensation, and communicating respectfully, you’ll create an environment where your cleaner feels valued and motivated to do their best work. If you’re committed to finding a long-term cleaner, remember that the relationship you foster can directly impact the quality of service you receive. And ultimately, the quality of your life.

And we can’t walk into the Ferrari dealership with our budget for a Kia and demand the latest version. Economic reality applies to services as well as goods.

Now that you understand the importance of a happy cleaner, are you ready to enhance your home with the help of a dedicated and professional regular cleaning service based upon what you can give equal to what you seek to get? Embrace these tips and enjoy the benefits of a cleaner, more organised living space. And let cleaning worries recede into the past as you embrace life fully with one less major worry in your life and come home to a consistently clean house.