If you’re hiring a maid for the first time, you’re probably wondering who will be in charge of providing cleaning supplies and equipment: You or your house cleaner? The short answer is: It depends. Some cleaning services have their own commercial-grade tools and supplies, while others expect their clients to provide the necessary equipment. In some cases, a cleaner may offer to bring his or her own supplies but also give the client the option of substituting with his or her favorite products. Knowing which of these approaches you prefer is an important part of choosing the right cleaning service because it affects your total cleaning budget and how much you’ll need to prepare for appointments.
Below, we’ll examine some of the factors you should consider when deciding whether to provide your own supplies or hire a cleaner who will take care of this detail for you. Alternatively, if you already know you want to work with a “full service” cleaner, you can go ahead and contact our Louisville maids to arrange an appointment. We’re happy to provide all of our own cleaning supplies, so you don’t have to.
Should I Hire a Cleaner Who Brings Their Own Supplies? 4 Points to Review
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The cost of the cleaning service vs. the cost of cleaning supplies.
Today, the average American spends $40-50 per month on cleaning supplies, and that cost is rising each year. As such, it’s critical to weigh the cost of supplies against the cost of a cleaner’s hourly rate. For example, a cleaner who charges $80 per hour, but expects the client to provide her own supplies and equipment, will cost more over the long term than a fully supplied cleaner who charges $100 per hour. If affordability is one of your top concerns, make sure you verify who will be providing the cleaning supplies and equipment and factor it into your calculations before hiring a maid.
As a general rule, having your cleaner provide her own supplies will almost always be more cost-effective than purchasing supplies for her to use. This is the case because most cleaning services purchase their supplies in bulk at a discount, then they pass those savings on to their clients. Consumers, on the other hand, have to pay retail markup on cleaning products, which can increase their price by 10-20%.
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The quality of the supplies being used.
Another advantage of having your maid bring her own supplies is that they will probably be of higher quality than the products you use at home. As cleaning industry insiders, maids typically know which cleaning solutions are ideal for which jobs and which products should be avoided altogether. This saves you, the client, the effort of researching the best cleaning products or verifying that a product is safe to use on the surfaces in your home.
Maids employed by cleaning services also have access to top-quality commercial cleaning equipment that cleans to an exceptionally high standard. (This, along with stricter employee vetting practices, is one of the main reasons why hiring a cleaning service often yields better results than hiring an independent cleaner.) Cleaning services typically invest in very high-powered vacuums with genuine HEPA filters, for example, which remove significantly more allergens from the air than the average vacuum.
For carpet and upholstery cleaning, many cleaning services use sophisticated hot water extraction systems instead of the steam cleaners available in stores. Unlike steam cleaners, which use water vapor to kill bacteria and remove superficial blemishes, hot water extraction cleaners saturate carpet and upholstery fibers with hot water and a detergent solution, which is then extracted via powerful suction. This process breaks down deep-set dirt, grime, and stains more effectively than steam, and it’s safer for use on natural fibers.
When you’re interviewing cleaning companies, take a moment to ask about what kind of equipment they use. In most cases, using their supplies and equipment will result in a better finish, in addition to saving you time and money. If the supplies you have on hand are superior, however, there’s no harm in asking your maid to use them instead.
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Your family’s health needs.
Most modern cleaning companies eschew the use of harsh chemical cleaners in favor of non-toxic, green products. At Super Cleaning Service Louisville, for instance, we only use cleaning supplies that are gentle on the environment and safe for homes with children and pets.
With that being said, it’s still a good idea to talk to your maid about which supplies she’ll be using to confirm that they’re as safe as possible. You should also let your maid know if you’re especially sensitive to certain chemicals so she can plan accordingly. Some chemical use is unavoidable during cleaning (due to the need to disinfect kitchen and bathroom surfaces), but you can work with your house cleaner to minimize any risk to your family. This may involve supplying your own cleaning products, asking your maid to thoroughly air out your residence during and after cleaning, or making sure you home while your maid cleans.
- Your preferences.
As a final note, it’s important to discuss your cleaning product preferences with your maid before deciding whose supplies to use. If you love the scent of lemon but loathe the scent of lavender, for example, your maid might be willing to bring cleaning supplies that fit your tastes, or use some of your favorite products instead.
Looking For a Cleaner With Their Own Supplies? Contact Super Cleaning Service Louisville
If – like most people – you’re hiring a maid because you don’t have time to clean your home, you probably don’t want to worry about finding, buying, and organizing a lot of cleaning supplies, either. That’s why our Louisville maids always arrive with a full range of top-quality, environmentally-friendly cleaning products: It’s part of our commitment to providing convenient, comprehensive cleaning services to families in Kentucky. To experience the difference a professional maid can make in your life, contact us to arrange your first appointment today – We’ll take care of the rest!