It is not easy to work a 9 to 5 and then take care of your house after you return home tired. While most people still do house cleaning, others outsource the chores to a house cleaner. Especially if you have toddlers or elderly people at home, it is essential to get your house thoroughly cleaned by professionals who know how to get into the nooks and crannies.

However, when it comes to etiquette for hiring a cleaning service company, most people forget something tiny but essential – tips for house cleaners! If you have resorted to hiring a house cleaner in the past, you must relate to feeling confused and unsure of what to do. How much should I tip my house cleaner? Or should I tip my house cleaner at all?

The question arises, how much should I tip my house cleaner? In this article, we will explore some general guidelines and factors to consider when deciding whether or not to and how much you should tip your house cleaner.

To Tip or Not to Tip your House Cleaner?

Do you tip someone cleaning your house? Well, yes, but it is more of a personal choice. It is always good to list your house cleaner to appreciate their work. While it is good etiquette to tip your house cleaner, you do not always have to. We understand that it always gets confusing to know whether you are supposed to tip someone or not. Do not worry because we have made tipping much easier for you! 

Start by keeping a checklist in your head. If your house cleaner checks all the boxes, you have your confusion addressed!

Are You Paying a Low Rate for the Services You Avail?

If you are availing of house cleaning services at a low or discounted rate, it only makes sense to tip your house cleaner an extra 10-20% of what was initially agreed upon.

On the other hand, some people may choose not to tip their house cleaners if they already pay a high service rate. Sometimes, cleaning companies may even add a tip to their cleaners standard rates. If you need clarification, ask the company directly about their tipping policy so you know whether and how much you should tip your house cleaner.

The State of Your Home before Cleaning

Whether you have hired cleaners from a big or small company, the state of your house before cleaning is an excellent factor when considering whether you tip someone cleaning your home. Suppose you have a complex task for the cleaners – a filthy and greasy kitchen or a guest room covered in dust and cobwebs. In these cases, you may want to tip your house cleaners for the lengthy and thorough cleaning.

Are you satisfied with their Work?

If you are happy with how your house cleaners have handled the chores, tipping them is the best way to show them your appreciation for their efforts. It is only natural to feel more inclined to tip your house cleaners if you believe they have gone above and beyond your expectations. This way, if you get the same house cleaner again, they will be more inclined to do their job thoroughly!

Building a Good Rapport with Your House Cleaner

Building a good rapport with your house cleaner serves multiple benefits. How you rate the cleaners, is the same way many cleaners place their clients after their service. If you tip your house cleaner, they will rate you well. This ensures that you get the best and most experienced of their cleaners in the near future.

In other cases, you might also get other incentives, such as getting the same house cleaner(s) every time you book a cleaning service. Would it not be wonderful to have someone who knows their chores around your house, so you do not have to explain everything to a new house cleaner every time!

Ultimately, whether or not you tip someone cleaning your house is a personal decision. However, suppose you intend to tip them. In that case, it is essential to consider factors such as the quality of their cleaning service, the frequency of visits, and your overall satisfaction with the service before making a decision.

How much should I Tip my House Cleaner?

Now that you have decided to tip the staff, you must be wondering exactly how much you should tip a house cleaner. You can determine this by the type of service you requested:

The type of Service you requested

When tipping your house cleaner, consider the type of service you have asked for.

• One-time Cleaning

For instance, you may order a one-time cleaning and don’t want regular cleaning services. If the cleaner has done an extraordinary job, you can choose to be generous with their one-time tip. A helpful tip is 5-10 % if you live in a small house but may increase to 10-20% of the regular rate if your home is huge and requires a lot of work. However, you might not want to tip if the service is substandard. It is all up to you!

• Regular Cleaning

At times you may hire professional staff for regular cleaning. With a standard cleaning service, it gets easier to tip the staff since you can space out the tipping amount throughout the times they provide the service. If you plan on tipping your regular cleaners, you can tip them a small amount after every service. Or you may tip them after the first cleaning and before the last one – the choice is yours.

However, many clients prefer the latter. This way, your house cleaner is likely to receive a bigger tip after their first session, which makes them inclined to continue to be good at the service they provide. A tip right before the last session encourages your house cleaner to end their service at your house in the best possible manner.

Either way, you appreciate the efforts put into their service and encourage them to continue to do an excellent job at maintaining the cleanliness around your house. The way we see it, it is a win for both you and your service provider!

Conclusion

Showing appreciation for a job well done is essential, and tipping is a great way to do so. While there is no set rule for how much you should tip your house cleaner, most clients generally tip them somewhere between 10% to 20% of the initial rates. All the factors mentioned above will assist you in your ‘how much should I tip my house cleaner’ dilemma.

However, it is important to remember that tipping is optional and a personal choice. You should never feel obligated to tip if you are unsatisfied with the service or are already running low on your budget.

If you are in a pickle and need to get your house deep cleaned or if you are too busy to take care of your house and need regular cleaning services, My Cleaning Angel has got you covered! We offer a wide variety of cleaning services so you can book one that meets your requirements. Head on to our blog posts to read more on cleaning your house!

If you want to make sure your clothes are always fresh and clean, then you need to take the time to clean your washing machine. Not only will it help your clothes come out cleaner, but it will also help extend the life of your machine.

This blog post will provide you with step-by-step laundry cleaning instructions that will make your life easier with house cleaning. You’ll learn about the different cleaning methods, the best products to use. And the precautions you should take before and after cleaning your washing machine. So let’s get started and make your life easier by keeping your washing machine clean!

How Often Should You Clean Your Washing Machine?

Taking the first step is easy: Get familiar with the handbook that came with your device. If your washing machine has a self-clean cycle, the manufacturer will likely specify how often you should run it. If not, you can use whatever rule of thumb is specified by the manufacturer.

Don’t worry if your owner’s handbook isn’t very helpful; we’re here to fill up the gaps. As a first step, schedule a monthly washing machine cleaning. If you often run loads with a lot of dirt, it might be a good idea to clean it more often. Especially if you notice less clean clothes or less efficient washing. (Some warning signs include stain resistance, foul smells, unusually long cycle duration, and residue on the drum after a load.) 

Always remember to leave your washing machine door open for at least 12 hours after each wash. To allow the drum area and gasket to dry naturally, preventing mold growth inside the gasket lining.

What Supplies Do You Need To Clean Your Laundry?

There are a lot of items on the market that claim to clean your washing machines. Such as wipes and detergents, and although they may be helpful, the compounds they use are unpleasant for the environment.

Since bleach is considered a pesticide under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, it is strongly advised that you do not use it to disinfect your washing machine. It’s a carcinogen, an asthma gene, and a skin and lung irritant. Worse, it’s responsible for more accidental poisonings in the home than any other substance. Eventually, what should you use to disinfect your washer? As it turns out, all you need is some white distilled vinegar to get everything clean without harming the environment.

If you live in a region with hard water, vinegar can help descale your washing machine. Also decrease mineral deposits from harsh water, protecting your garments and extending their lifespan.

Keep in mind that whatever you put into your washing machine eventually ends up in the water supply. So try to use as few chemicals as possible per load. Starting with an all-natural detergent is a good first step, and then you may consider making the jump to a product with fewer chemicals and additives.

How to Clean Your Laundry

If your washing machine has a self-clean cycle, use it and follow the instructions to clean the inside. If not, you can use this simple guide to laundry cleaning step-by-step to get rid of buildup in the hoses and pipes of your washing machine and keep your clothes fresh and clean.

Use Vinegar in a High Heat Cycle

If you don’t have any other laundry detergent, you can substitute two cups of white vinegar for the detergent and run the load through the usual hot cycle. Put the vinegar in the laundry detergent bottle. (You need not fear for the safety of your washing machine; white vinegar does not harm clothing.) When combined, hot water and vinegar kill bacteria and limit their growth. Vinegar can also be used as a deodorizer, effectively neutralizing musty or moldy scents.

Do a Second Wash and Spin

You should run an additional rinse and spin after the wash cycle is finished to remove any remaining bleach or particles.

Clean the Washer Inside Out 

Combine a quarter cup of vinegar with one quart of warm water in a bucket or adjacent sink. To clean the inner workings of the machine, combine the ingredients and use a sponge and a special toothbrush. Check the inside of the door and the area around the door frame. As well as any fabric softener or soap dispensers. Soak the soap dispenser in vinegar water before cleaning it if it is detachable. Additionally, you should clean the machine’s exterior.

Wipe the Washer Door

Take out any items or clothes from the washer. Get a moist towel and clean the inside of the washer’s glass or metal housing by opening the door or lid. Clean the rubber seal on the outside of front-loading washing machines by wiping it down. Once you’ve finished wiping the exterior, lift the rim and repeat the process inside.

Conduct a Second Hot Cycle

Keep going with the standard hot cycle, but this time leave out the detergent and vinegar. You can add half a cup of baking soda to the drum after the first cycle if you’d want to get rid of any stubborn residue that becomes loose. The drum should be cleaned with a microfiber cloth when the cycle is finished. This will eliminate any residue that may have been left behind.

Steps to Clean a Top-Load Washer

Follow this guide to clean the inaccessible areas of a top-load laundry cleaning step-by-step.

Let it Soak 

We recommend pausing the top-loading washer during the first hot-water cycle described above to clean the machine thoroughly. First, let the tub fill and agitate for a minute, and then stop the cycle for an hour to soak the vinegar.

Spot-Cleaning for Unreachable Areas

Scrub the inside of the lid and the area under the tub’s rim with a toothbrush.

Brush Away the Dust and Spruce up the Exterior

Furthermore, top-loading washers are notorious for amassing more dust than their front-loaning counterparts. White vinegar on a microfiber cloth can be used to clean the machine’s top and control dust and detergent residue.

Steps to Clean a Front-Load Washer

Front-loading washers typically include a gasket or rubber seal around the door that has to be cleaned if your clothes have a musty odor after washing. Mold and mildew can flourish in an environment with standing water and detergent, so keeping this area clean is essential.

Clean the Gasket

Door dirt can be removed by spraying the area with distilled white vinegar. And letting it soak for at least a minute with the door propped open.

Avoid Mildew and Mold Growth

A diluted bleach solution can be used as an additional step for cleaning your laundry. Keep the door open for a while after each wash to let the dampness dry out and stop the growth of mold and mildew.

How to Prevent a Smelly Washing Machine

In addition to deep cleaning your laundry once a month, you should also make it a habit to leave the machine door open or the lid up after each usage. This allows air to flow and dry out any lingering moisture that can contribute to musty aromas. If your system has a child lock, use it to prevent curious kids and dogs from playing with the controls.

Remove Clean Laundry Immediately

It’s important to unload the washing machine after each cycle ends to avoid the development of a musty smell.

Get rid of the dust and the pet hair

After numerous washes, your washing machine will be full of pet hair if you have a pet that sheds inside the house. Leave the door open until the pet hair and drum are dry. The next step is to vacuum the fur using the gentle brush attachment.

Dry the gasket

To prevent mold growth, wipe out the gasket of your front-loading washing machine with a towel after each use and examine it for little things like baby socks.

Clean the controls and dispenser

If you observe any detergent or softener dripping from the machine’s front, sides, or dispenser, use a moist cloth. Wipe down these areas as well as the controls and door handle. Get rid of them as soon as you see them since they are easier to get rid of when they are still moist. This will prevent the growth of mold and germs in your washer and keep it looking great for a long time.

Gasket and Detergent Drawer Cleaning for Front-Load Washing Machines

If they aren’t kept clean and maintained, these two places can quickly become a breeding ground for germs, mold, and other unpleasantness. Both are simple to maintain and will significantly increase your machine’s longevity if cared for regularly. We recommend the following actions be taken if you discover accumulation or mold growth:

Cleaning the Front Load Gasket

1. Get the gasket back and pull it back.
2. Use a plant-based cleaner.
3. Don’t touch it for a few minutes.
4. Scrub the sprayed area under the gasket with hot water and a microfiber cloth or scouring brush.
5. The final cleaning should be done with a damp or dry microfiber cloth.
6. After spraying distilled white vinegar over the drum and seal, waiting 5 minutes, scrubbing, and wiping with a damp microfiber cloth, you should be good to go. The same steps should be taken with 3% hydrogen peroxide. All of this should be done again until the mold problem has been resolved.

Cleaning the Front Load Drawer 

1. You need to take out the entire drawer of soap.
2. Remove any debris from the gap with a microfiber cloth sprayed with an All Purpose Cleaner (or another plant-based cleaner).
3. To clean the drawer, use your preferred plant-based cleanser and spray it inside.
4. Get rid of the grime with a used toothbrush or scrub brush.
5. Use lukewarm water to wash and rinse.
6. Leave no moisture in the gap or the drawer.
7. Put the drawer back into the dryer.

Can The Use Of Vinegar In A Washing Machine Cause Any Harm?

Vinegar can be used in the washer without risk, but only if used sparingly. If you use vinegar frequently, you risk ruining your rubber washer hoses, gaskets, and seals, especially if you have a front-loading model. That being said, you shouldn’t use vinegar on your machine too often (or use vinegar in your laundry cycle). 

Use only distilled white vinegar (as opposed to normal white vinegar) due to its lower acetic acid content if you decide to go this route.

Why Does My Washing Machine Have A Bad Odor?

Bad odors can develop in either a top- or front-loading machine if dirt, soap scum, and other debris are allowed to accumulate in the seals, nooks, and crannies of the appliance. It is especially important to replace the door gasket on front-loading machines, which often serves as a breeding ground for unpleasant odors. 

Make sure you’re using the right kind of detergent for your washing machine, and don’t use more than the suggested amount to get rid of the odor. Soap scum is a breeding ground for bacteria and can encourage the accumulation of further grime after washing. 

Laundry Cleaning DON’TS

Unfortunately, we’ve all made the mistake of trying to run an empty, hot cycle with an excessive amount of detergent. If the detergent foams up too much inside the drum, water will begin to leak out of the machine through the tray section, flooding your kitchen. What’s the fix?

When operating a service wash, you shouldn’t use liquid detergent or even the best washing pods, and if you must use powder detergent, use very little. Using a washing machine cleanser or even just a small quantity of bleach is preferable to using conventional detergent.

Leave it to the Pros!

Overall, these step-by-step laundry cleaning instructions are simple and won’t take up too much of your time, but they will make a huge difference in the durability and performance of your washing machine. Washing machines are an expensive investment that can be easily protected by keeping them clean. 

But let’s face it, it’s difficult to find the time to fit an elaborate laundry cleaning process into your annual spring cleaning schedule. My Cleaning Angel can help take this stressful chore away from you and provide exceptional laundry cleaning services at your doorstep!

Schedule cleaning services online has never been easier. You can get an instant quote and book a house cleaning online.