08/19/2025
I shouldn't have to be making this post, yet here I am. Today I was made to feel so inadequate. Made to question myself and my abilities. And unfortunately it hasn't even been the first time.
I started this cleaning journey about 2 1/2 years ago. It hasn't been easy, and navigating it all has been a struggle. Between family and friends telling me I should charge more, or do this and that differently, Im always rethinking everything.
This is what I do, do though. I provide a service. I started out by charging $25 an hour. But soon learned I wouldn't make enough for the work I did do. I wake up cleaning and go to bed cleaning. Literally. Ask my family. Therefore I am quicker than most. Most of my houses I charge a flat rate of $100 based on their sizes. I find this fair. And comfortable for me. I do provide my own cleaners for most of the homes I clean. Maybe Im ripping myself off, I dont know.
My rates include your BASIC household cleaning. Kitchen, surfaces, bathrooms, dusting, sweeping, vacuuming, mopping.
But I also do more. I organize as I clean. I pick up toys, Organize book shelves, put things in their respectable places, Ive picked up clothing, have hung clothing. I have picked up after pets, taken them out to go potty. Ive done dishes, put them away, folded laundry. I scrub walls and door frames and baseboards when I notice them. Ive washed windows and cleaned blinds. I fluff pillows and make beds and change sheets. I clean ceiling fans. I fix your child's beds and make their stuffies all able to be seen. Ive done fireplaces, cleaned inside couches, washed cabinets when I see they are dirty. I fold your hand towels so they look nice. Toothbrush base, clean. Ive done ALL THESE THINGS and Im sure plenty more that I cant think of, at no extra charge. In every single house I go to. Why? Because not only am I getting paid money for a service, but I like the feeling of making my clients day, just that much better. I like making others happy. I like making their life's a little less stressful.
Some of these services, I do charge more on. if thats where my focus is at, that day. If Its a deep clean and they need more attention and thats what I'm specifically hired for. But most of these services I do, because I want to. Because of kindness.
So to go into a home, and be told, every single time, that I don't do a good enough job, that I always miss something. To be given a list of what they expect to be done.
Things that arent in a typical house cleaning. To believe I'm already paid to much for my services, because I'm quicker than a previous cleaner.
If you want extra services done, fine! I am HAPPY to do them! But dont take advantage of me. Dont belittle me. Dont add things to my list because you feel I haven't earned my pay. Dont EXPECT me to do all these extras and not compensate me for my time. My time is just as valuable as yours. I am a housecleaner, not a maid.
If my services are to much or they aren't what you want or what you expected, respectfully, find a new cleaner. There are so many of them. But I can almost promise you, they will charge more, and alot of those extras will cost you extra too. If they will even do them.
I dont pretend to be perfect. I know I'm not. I check in with my clients regularly. Their happiness IS MY HAPPINESS. And I put that above all else.
I take my job very seriously. And will continue to do so.
