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!
I’ve always been reluctant to hire house cleaners because I’m so meticulous. The service provided to me by two gentlemen today was absolutely incredible. I will 100% be referring my close friends and family to this company and to pan on using them in the future. Thank you so much for the punctuation, detail of work and professionalism.
Great read! Your breakdown on tipping house cleaners is super practical. One thing I’ve noticed in the industry is that many clients also consider the frequency of service when tipping. For example, for weekly cleanings, a smaller tip each time can make more sense, while a larger tip might be reserved for those less frequent deep cleans that transform a space. Also, it’s worth considering the personal touch—like a handwritten thank you note with the tip for that extra appreciation. It’s these little things that can turn a standard service into a lasting professional relationship. Keep the insights coming!