Today's families are busier than ever. When both parents work outside the house and the kids need to get to after school activities and sports events, housework never seems to get done. More and more families are considering using a maid service to keep their homes clean and comfortable. However, is it really safe to use a maid service? How do you hire the right service for your family?



If you use a bit of caution, hiring a maid service is extremely safe. Before you give anyone a key to your home, always insist on meeting him or her in person. However, even if you feel like this person is nice and very trustworthy, you should also be sure that the service is bonded. Many cleaning services also have insurance to cover accidents or re-keying services. This helps you make sure that if the maid accidentally leaves a faucet running or loses your key, you will be covered financially. After all, even the best cleaning service can have an off day and accidents do happen.

Once you are sure the cleaning service you are considering is adequately prepared for any liability issues and hires trustworthy employees, it is time to sign a contract, right? Well, actually, it is a bit too soon for that. Ask for a few references and give them a call. Be sure the cleaning service shows up on time and ask each reference how he or she feels about the skill of the cleaner. A good cleaning service will elicit responses such as “I didn't know my house could get this clean” or “Even my trash cans smell good now” from an enthusiastic reference.

Now that you know the cleaning service does a good job for other people, it is time to give the maid you will be using a try. Ask for a trial cleaning to be sure you are satisfied. Some cleaning services object to doing this because homeowners who don't have their homes cleaned regularly ask a company for a trial cleaning without planning to actually have their homes cleaned on a weekly basis. If this is the case, ask if they can suggest a way for you to be sure that the cleaning service meets your needs without signing a contract. Perhaps the company will write a clause in the contract offering a two week trial basis during which either party can end the contract without a penalty.

Finally, when you use a maid service, be sure that you respect your cleaning person. After all, this is the person who sees your home at its worst each week and helps it regain its sparkle and polish so that you can be proud of the way it looks.