Are You Supposed to Tip House Cleaners? And Other House Cleaner Etiquette Questions You’re Too Scared to Ask | CottageCare

Over the years here on the CottageCare blog, we’ve provided you with all sorts of actionable home cleaning tips so you can DIY. From spring cleaning to going green to cleaning up after the holidays, we’ve got you covered with the best advice available. But, believe it or not, writing helpful articles is not all we do! 

CottageCare is a distinguished house cleaning company, and we’ve been doing it the right way since the 1970s. With eco-friendly products, dozens of locations across North America, and bonded and insured employees, you can rely on us to get the job done right.

When the time comes to hire a house cleaner, you’ll probably have several questions about etiquette and protocol, especially if you’ve never done it before. We’re here to help answer those frequently asked questions about hiring and working with house cleaners! 

Are you supposed to tip house cleaners? 

Yes! While it’s not strictly mandatory, you should tip house cleaners around 15% to 20% of the cost of the cleaning service in cash. 

Much like restaurant servers, hotel bellhops, valet parking drivers, and delivery drivers, it’s a part of American culture to show appreciation to our service workers with a tip. Tipping house cleaners isn’t mandatory (whereas it very much is with restaurant servers), but the team that takes care of your home will very much appreciate it.

Should I stay home during a house cleaning or should I leave?

You don’t need to leave when your house cleaners come, and you don’t need to stay home for them. You are welcome to do whatever is most convenient for you. If you’re usually out of the house at work or running errands during the day, your house cleaners can come in and make your home sparkle while you’re gone. If your typical day is spent at home, we can work around you – literally!

At CottageCare, we’re all about making your life easier. We’ll work with your schedule to make your home cleaning as convenient as possible, whether or not you’re there when we are.

What day of the week is best for house cleaning?

Getting your home cleaned professionally on Thursday or Friday is a great idea if you’re planning on having a Saturday-night gathering or hosting guests for the weekend. Another perspective is that Monday is the best day of the week to clean your house so that it stays nice and clean all week long.

The truth of the matter is that it depends on you, your schedule, and your lifestyle! Most of our 40+ locations are open Monday through Friday, and some are even available to come clean your home on Saturday as well. Contact us for a free quote, and we can be there to provide house cleaning services when you need them.

Do I need to provide/leave out cleaning products for my house cleaners?

No need! House cleaners bring their own products to get the job done. In fact, many house cleaning companies (us included) have specific eco-friendly products that may not be available to the average consumer on store shelves.

Do I need to “pre-clean” before my cleaners arrive?

Some homeowners may feel the desire to make the house cleaner before the cleaners arrive, but that kind of defeats the purpose of hiring someone in the first place! The only thing that you might want to do is tidy up any clutter (mail on the counters, children’s/pet’s toys on the floors, etc.) so your team can more easily get to the deep cleaning they’re there to do.

CottageCare is ready to help!

Now that you feel a bit more comfortable with the etiquette of hiring and working with a home cleaning company, why not hire one of the best companies in the biz? CottageCare has offices all over North America and we’re always accepting new clients. Contact us online or give us a call to get started!