Maid to Clean House Cleaning Service - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to provide any supplies?
Do you use HEPA filters on your vacuum cleaners?
What if something breaks?
Are you licensed, bonded and insured?
What if I'm not satisfied with a cleaning?
Do you wash laundry or dishes?
Do you steam clean carpets?
Do you wash windows?
Should I do anything to prepare for cleaning service?
What should I do with my pet while you are cleaning?
What time will you arrive?
Do I need to be home when you come?
Who will clean my home or commercial space?
Will the same team clean my house or commercial space every time?
Can I request team members to remove their shoes when they clean?
How do I pay for service?
How do you determine your rates?
What if I need to reschedule or cancel an appointment?
What if my routine cleaning falls on a holiday?
Should I tip the cleaning team?
Do team members speak English?
How can I keep my house looking clean between service appointments?
Do you have tips for cleaning delicate surfaces?
Do you have tips for removing tough stains?

Do I need to provide any supplies?

We provide our own equipment and supplies. You will be pleased to know that Maid to Clean^® practices "green" cleaning. The products that we use are environmentally friendly, non-toxic, non-abrasive and non-allergenic products. We use no waxes, polishes, ammonia, scented or alcohol-based products, nor bleach or mildew remover.

We generally clean only items that are within reach and do not climb ladders. Please provide a step stool if you would like us to clean in high areas.

Do you use HEPA filters on your vacuum cleaners?

Yes, our vacuum cleaners do contain HEPA filters.

What if something breaks?

We treat your home or office with as much care as if it were our own. In the event of a mishap, our cleaning team will leave you a note and our office manager will promptly contact you to discuss the incident. We pay the cost of replacement or repair, and we carry insurance for valuable items.

To prevent mishaps, team members avoid cleaning valuables such as crystal and collections with obvious sentimental value, as well as curio cabinet interiors. We may also avoid cleaning sensitive items such as plasma television screens, computers, other electronic devices, and associated wires or plugs.

Are you licensed, bonded and insured?

Yes, we are fully licensed, bonded, and insured in Washington, DC, Virginia and Maryland.

What if I'm not satisfied with a cleaning?

We guarantee 100% satisfaction. If you are not satisfied with our cleaning for any reason, contact us within 24 hours of service, and we will return the next day at our expense to correct the problem.

Do you wash laundry or dishes?

We do not provide laundry or dishwashing service at this time.

Do you steam clean carpets?

We do not offer steam cleaning service at this time. Below are links to companies in the metro DC area that do provide this service:

www.hewscarpetcare.com/carpet-steam-cleaning

www.maplecarpetcleaning.com

Do you wash windows?

We do not offer window washing service at this time. Below is a link to companies in the metro DC area that do provide this service:

www.nationalwindowcleaningdirectory.com/directory

Should I do anything to prepare for cleaning service?

You can help us to provide you with exceptional cleaning service by following these steps:

Discuss your wants and needs with the office to make sure your home specifics are well documented and clear. It is fine to leave the cleaning team a note, or contact us. Current customers can fill out the Special Cleaning Instructions form current customers page of our website.
Pick up and straighten before we arrive so that we can focus on cleaning. This is the most effective use of your money and our time, and it also eliminates your not being able to find stray objects that we would put away in the wrong place, such as a remote control.
Place fresh linens on the beds if you would like us to strip the sheets and remake the bed with clean linens.
Hang picture frames and mirrors on sturdy wall hooks appropriate for the weight of the hanging item. Also inspect the hanging wire and replace if deteriorated. Place bumper guards on the backside corners of wall hangings to keep the wall paint from getting scratched.
Place felt padding on the feet of furniture that rests on hardwood floors to avoid scratching the floor when moving furniture around.
Check and repair loose or broken items such as towel racks, toilet paper holders, microwave and refrigerator handles, glass shelves, etc.

What should I do with my pet while you are cleaning?

Nothing. Our cleaning teams work safely around house pets.

What time will you arrive?

We clean from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. While we cannot tell you the exact time of arrival, we can give you an estimated time (generally a 3 to 4 hour window). You may certainly request a service time and we will do our best to schedule service near that time.

Do I need to be home when you come?

You do not need to be home when we clean. Many customers provide us with a key. All keys are coded and secured when not in use. Customers who use a security alarm frequently assign us a user security code. For apartment and condominium complexes, we typically register at the front desk and sign out a key.

Who will clean my home or commercial space?

A team of three, or possibly four, professionally trained members will clean your home or office. One of the team members will be a team leader, who, in addition to assisting with the cleaning, will guide the team and perform an inspection at the end of the visit.

Will the same team clean my house or commercial space every time?

The same three or four-person team will clean for you only if you schedule weekly or bi-weekly cleaning service.

Can I request team members to remove their shoes when they clean?

For personal safety reasons, team members are required to wear shoes at all times when cleaning.

How do I pay for service?

Payment is due at the time of service. We accept cash, personal check, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.

How do you determine your rates?

The cost to clean your home is based on a rate of $29.00/hour per team member for recurring cleaning service and $31.50/hour per team member for all other services (initial cleaning, one-time cleaning, move-in/move out and construction clean-up). A cleaning team is generally three members. After the initial cleaning, 2 to 3 cleanings are generally needed to establish the recurring service cleaning rate. Minimum rate is $87 for recurring cleaning services and $189 for all other services (initial cleaning, one-time cleaning, move-in/move-out, construction clean-up). For properties less than 600 sq ft., minimum rate for all other services is $141.

What if I need to reschedule or cancel an appointment?

We reserve time for your cleaning, therefore we require a 24-hour cancellation notice. You can reschedule or cancel an appointment on our website, or contact us. If you have recurring service, a $30 fee may apply if you reschedule a visit for a non-service day. There is no charge for cancellations made with 24-hour notice on business days (M-F, 7am-3pm). However, we charge a $75 fee for cancellations made with less than 24-hour notice. Please note, Monday clients are required to cancel by close of business on the preceding Thursday.

What if my routine cleaning falls on a holiday?

The only days that we do not provide service are New Year�s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. If a routine cleaning happens to fall on one of these holidays, we will call you in advance to arrange a make-up date. We work on many federal holidays. Unless you cancel service, you can expect us if your cleaning date falls on any holiday except those stated above.

Should I tip the cleaning team?

Team members do not expect tips. However, team members are permitted to accept tips should you choose to leave a tip as recognition for exceptional cleaning service.

Do team members speak English?

We are a non-discriminating employer, and have a diverse, multi-cultural staff. Good communication is important to us. Thus, we ask our clients to call the office and relay any notes or requests, and we will disseminate the information to the teams.

How can I keep my house looking clean between service appointments?

Reduce or eliminate things that need cleaning:

Place a mat in front of entrance doors
Use a basket for mail, newspaper, and car keys to reduce clutter
Instruct household members to pick up personal belongings

When cleaning, try these time-savers:

Dust from top to bottom. Also dust before vacuuming or mopping
When sweeping, spray a broom or dust mop with furniture polish for easy removal of dust and dirt
Vaccuum regularly

Do you have tips for cleaning delicate surfaces?

Follow these suggestions to avoid damaging glass, marble, and other delicate surfaces.

Glass: To clean, rub with lemon juice, dry with paper towels and polish with newspaper. Use toothpaste to remove small scratches from glass.
Marble: To remove stains, sprinkle salt onto a freshly-cut lemon. Rub lightly over stain. Wash off with soap and water.
Wood Furniture: To clean carved furniture, dip an old toothbrush into furniture polish and brush lightly. To remove polish build-up, mix one cup water with one cup vinegar. Dip soft cloth in the mixture. Wring out before wiping furniture. Dry immediately with a soft, dry cloth.
Wallpaper: To dust, tie a dust cloth over a broom and dust from top to bottom. To remove pencil marks and other non-greasy spots from non-washable wallpaper, use an art-gum eraser. To remove greasy spots, crayon marks, fingerprints and food stains, apply Fuller's Earth Clay (available at pharmacies). Let dry and brush off. Repeat until spot is removed.
Wicker: To remove dust from wicker, vacuum using dust brush attachment. To remove grime, wash with a solution of 2 tablespoons ammonia per gallon of water. Rinse well. Let air dry.
Miniblinds: To clean, fit an old sock around each hand (like a mitten). Dip one hand into a bucket of warm, soapy water. Use the wet sock to clean the blind while holding the blind with the other hand. Use the dry sock to dry off the blind.

Do you have tips for removing tough stains?

Use these suggestions to tackle tough stains:

Blood Stains: To remove fresh stains, apply a paste of water and cornstarch. Let dry and brush off. Cover fresh or dried stains with meat tenderizer and add cool water. Wait 30 minutes then sponge off with cool water.
Crayon Marks: To remove marks from painted walls, scrub with toothpaste or an ammonia-soaked cloth. Rinse and dry.
Heel Marks: Use a pencil eraser.
Candle Wax: To remove from carpets and upholstery, place a paper bag over the dried wax and run a hot iron across it. For dried wax on wood floors, soften the wax with a hair dryer, then remove with paper towels. Wash spot down with a solution of vinegar and water.
Water Stains: To remove hard-water stains from glasses and bottles, rub with steel wool dipped in vinegar. Remove hard-water stains from bathroom fixtures by applying a paste of baking soda and vinegar. Cover with a towel and let stand for one hour. Wipe off, rinse and dry.
Urine: Treat with commercial pet stain and odor remover.