Hiring a Housekeeper in 2024: What to look for

If you’re crazy about maintaining a clean home, you’re not alone. According to Zippia, the projected Housekeeper job growth rate is 4% from 2018-2028.

Housekeeper Responsibilities

Before starting your housekeeper search, it’s important to first outline exactly what you’re looking for from a housekeeper. This will ensure that you’re hiring for the correct position. Once you do, ensure that what you’re looking for aligns with a housekeepers responsibilities. The most common responsibilities of a housekeeper are:

• To maintain a clean house. Most housekeepers are responsible for heavy cleaning as well as the daily or weekly tasks required to  keep a home presentable. This includes upkeep of the interior of the home, polishing furniture, vacuuming floors, cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, laundering clothings and household items, changing sheets and linens, polishing silver or metals, and patio upkeep.
• To support with one-off tasks that keep an employer organized. These tasks include ironing, stocking household items, caring for household pets, running errands, and preparing simple meals.
• To support with childcare. While this isn’t common, some housekeepers are willing to support with occasional childcare.

What to look for when vetting a Housekeeper

It’s crucial to consider the following factors when searching for a housekeeper near you:

• Housekeeper skills and qualifications: When vetting Housekeepers on your own, always look for candidates who have ample experience as personal or corporate housekeepers. You’ll also want to look out for qualifications and skills related to attention to detail, knowledge of cleaning appliances and agents, and their physical strength and stamina. Additionally, communication skills go a long way. You’ll need to consistently set proper expectations around the desired state of your home, and it’s important to have someone who understands and asks the right questions to meet all your needs. While some Housekeepers have degrees in hospitality, it is not always necessary.
• References and background checks: Given that a Housekeeper will be looking at every detail of your home, we highly recommend performing a background check. If you utilize a service like Town + Country Resources, we’ll take care of that for you.
• Knowledge and commitment to safe cleaning supplies: All housekeepers have a different belief on the best type of cleaning supplies. If you want them to utilize earth friendly supplies, it’s important to align with a housekeeper on their level of commitment to green cleaning supplies. If you’re vetting a candidate on your own, always ask questions about what types of products they use, if they are safe for everyone in the home, and if they are willing to commit to green products. If you are utilizing a service like Town + Country Resources, we’ll be able to support you with this vetting process. Many of our Housekeeper candidates are extremely knowledgeable about environmentally safe and green cleaning techniques. Here are a few of their safe and easy ways to make alternatives to common household cleaning products that work just as well as the chemical-filled cleaners. If you would like to find out more information about our Housekeeper candidates, click here.
• Willingness and desire to support with additional / optional responsibilities: Given that Housekeeper responsibilities can vary significantly, it’s important to align expectations around job responsibilities. Be sure that each candidate you vet is willing to take on all the additional or one-off responsibilities that are important to you.

How to find a housekeeper near you

If you’re looking for a housekeeper near you, there are several avenues to explore:

• Referrals: Always ask family, friends and acquaintances for recommendations on great Housekeepers.
• Social Media / Local Town Pages: Often times, people around you know about great housekeepers who are seeking new positions. If you don’t hear of anyone through your own network, turn to social channels or local groups for recommendations.
• Housekeeping placement services: If you’re unable to find a housekeeper on your own, or if you just don’t have time/capacity to do so, housekeeping placement agencies, like Town + Country Resources, are a great option. These companies specialize in screening Housekeepers and recommending them to suitable families. Often times, they will also support with logistics such as background checks, contract negotiations, and payroll services. This can save you a lot of time and effort when searching for a housekeeper near you. 

If you do choose to move forward with a housekeeping placement service, we’d love to support you.  Inquire about a housekeeper today.