Hiring a professional cleaner can be a great way to for busy mums to save time, but how do you find the right cleaner for your home?

There are many cleaning companies out there nowadays, but not all of them offer the same quality of service.

To make sure you find a trusted and reliable cleaner (and avoid the dodgy operators) we’ve put together the top 10 questions to ask before making your decision:

What kinds of cleaning services do you offer?

This is a pretty standard question you should ask any company that deals with your home. Do they clean carpets, dust, clean grout and tile, vacuum, sweep, mop, etc? Do they only work on a home’s interior, or can they provide outdoor cleaning services too? Find out your options before you choose which company to work with.

Can you work around my schedule?

If you want to be home when they clean, make sure they can accommodate that. Conversely, you may also want to see if they can come in when you are at work, depending on what your hours are.

Do you use harsh chemicals that could harm my pets or children?

Companies should use cleaning products that are safe for infants and pets. You need to make sure of this though if you have a cat, dog, newborn baby, or other living being in your home who might be susceptible to harsh chemicals in the air.

How do you screen your cleaners before hiring them?

Do they run police checks? Do they put them through a training program? What goes into determining who gets to be in your home? Their hiring process will have a major impact on your safety and satisfaction.

How long have you worked in the cleaning industry?

Don’t focus on how long the company has been established. That is not as important as how much experience the people running the company have in this industry. Even if the company itself is relatively new, the owners and operators may have lots of experience in the field.

Are you affiliated with any professional organisations?

This will show you how committed and experienced a cleaning company really is. Professional associations require their members to keep their training updated and maintain high standards.

Are you licensed and insured to clean my home?

There aren’t a lot of regulations in regards to who can run a cleaning company, but some cleaners are certified to work with specific products and equipment. Your main concern with this question should be whether or not your property will be covered if one of the cleaners accidentally damages it.

Do you have any references I could contact?

You might get a response along the lines of “our client information is kept confidential,” but most quality cleaning companies will have a few references you can check into. Follow through with this to hear real reviews from real customers.

What price packages do you offer?

Some cleaners will offer discounted rates for clients who use their services once or twice a week. Just about any company you work with will likely have a pricing structure that you can look over before picking your plan. If you can save money by getting your house cleaned more than once a month, it may be in your best interest to do so.

Can I get a free quote for my cleaning services?

Most reputable cleaners will offer free ‘in home’ quotes for cleaning services because they want to earn your business. This is essentially a bid that they submit alongside other cleaners you might be assessing. If a cleaning company refuses to come out to your home for a quote, they might end up charging you more money when they get there. You need to know what you will be paying upfront.

Think about your specific needs, and make sure that your cleaning company can address them successfully. If so, you will soon be on your way to having a sparkling clean home.

Image thanks to Shutterstock.