Managing Client Expectations & Keeping It Real

If you're a homeowner who hires a domestic cleaner, you might be wondering how much margin of error is reasonable to expect. While machines have built-in tolerances, cleaners are tasked with maintaining a high level of cleanliness despite limited time and resources. For example, a deep clean of a two bedroom house could take up to 8 hours, but cleaners are often given only 2 hours every two weeks to achieve and maintain the same standard. During these short visits, cleaners are expected to handle tasks like wiping down door handles, removing visible dirt, dusting skirting boards and vacuuming floors, among many others. When you hire a cleaner, you typically pay for a set amount of time, with most cleaners charging by the hour. This means they can only tackle a certain number of tasks within the time available. As much as we might seem like Superwoman, there's only so much that can be done in the given time frame.

It's important to recognise that achieving perfect results every time can be challenging, even for skilled and experienced cleaners. Despite their best efforts, they may occasionally miss a small amount of dust in hard to reach spots. While it's reasonable to expect a certain standard of cleanliness, it's also essential to set realistic expectations and understand the limitations of the cleaning process. For example, skirting boards may only receive a quick dusting rather than a thorough damp wipe during regular visits. Likewise, while vacuuming can cover most of the floor, using the crevice tools to reach every edge might not always be possible without spending a lot of extra time. Additionally, lifting and dusting every ornament in a room can be very time consuming and might not be practical during standard cleaning sessions.

At the end of the day, open and honest communication with your cleaner is key to setting clear expectations and understanding their limitations. While it's fair to expect a certain level of cleanliness, it's important to recognise that achieving perfection every time might not always be realistic. By understanding the challenges involved in the cleaning process and setting achievable expectations, you can foster a positive, productive working relationship that benefits both parties. Sometimes, if you choose to pay for less time, perfection may not be possible, which is why I ask for your cleaning preferences upfront. After all, perfection takes time! My goal is to ensure everyone is happy, with expectations that are both clear and realistic from the start.

You might have seen before and after photos on my page, and I want to clarify that while I always strive to achieve similar results for all my clients, it's not always possible. This is because each client's cleaning package is tailored to their specific needs. For instance, what I accomplish during one client's clean might differ from another's, depending on their individual preferences and what they want me to focus on. A deep clean of a single room can take as much time as a basic clean of an entire house, but the flexibility of my service allows you to choose what works best for you and your home.

I really like this photograph because it highlights what I can and can't do as a cleaner. I often receive enquiries that range from polite to downright rude, with some clients having expectations that are simply unrealistic. For example, when I clean your bathroom, I'll make it look the best it possibly can. However, I can't undo years of mould build-up, severely stained grout, limescale-etched glass or restore the shine to metal fixtures that have been dulled by chemical reactions. It's just not feasible. Like with hangovers, the best solution for these issues is prevention. This is why I only use professional, hand picked products and absolutely avoid bleach in my client's homes. The last thing I want to do is leave your home more vulnerable to grime and bacteria build-up by causing damage to the very surfaces I'm cleaning.

Starting with a longer initial clean is standard practice for most cleaners. Our job is to make sure your home is spotless, and while it's perfectly fine to share your budget, it's important to also listen to our expert advice. Most cleaners genuinely want to provide the best service, and when we give a quote, it's not to overcharge you - it's to ensure you get what you've asked for and the time needed to do it properly. Will I be able to clean your entire house on the first visit? That depends on several factors. For some homes, yes, but for most, it's unlikely. It takes time to do a thorough, top to bottom clean of each room. During the initial visit, I always try to estimate how long it will take based on your specific needs. However, this estimate doesn't always align with the amount of time a client has requested, which can affect what gets done.

Other factors that can impact the cleaning process include whether the client has had a cleaner before, how the home is lived in and if there are children or pets. My social media is full of my client's beautifully clean, sparkling homes, which I am incredibly proud of. However, there was a time when those homes didn't shine quite as much. Unfortunately, I don't have a magic wand. For your home to reach my high standards, it takes time and effort - something I'm always happy to put in. However, due to time constraints, it's sometimes not possible to achieve that on the first clean, which is understandable.

As a professional cleaner, I take pride in doing the job properly. I don't believe in leaving things half done or not up to standard. If a task is worth doing, it's worth doing right. Based on my years of experience, I've found that the best way to achieve this is by thoroughly cleaning each room as I go. Because of this, during the first few cleans, I may not get to every area right away. However, as we both settle into our new working relationship, you'll start to see, and most importantly, feel the difference regular cleaning makes to your home. Consistency is key. With weekly or fortnightly visits, your home will always look its best.