Q: Do you do free estimates?
A: Yes.
Q: Why does the initial cleaning cost more?
A: If you have had regular professional housecleaning, it may not cost more. It all depends on how much build-up has occurred. It may take fifteen minutes to clean a shower with clear glass doors that has been regularly maintained/ cleaned. It could actually take hours to clean the same thing if it has been left for years. In fact, it may not be possible to get the doors back to clear again since the soap scum etches glass over time. Most homes on an initial cleaning are somewhere between these two extremes. We don't want to just get it "sort of" clean because then the next time we come it will still need extra work to sparkle and be truly clean. It would not be very impressive to have paid money and it is still not sparkling! The same goes for all the surfaces- cabinet doors with embedded grease and grime, walls with handprints and soil, gunk along edges of floors, nooks and crannies of appliances with mold and dirt and goo... My philosophy is do it right or don't do it at all.
Q: Is there any way around that?
A: We can compromise to ease into regular maintenance cleanings to do the initial cleaning over more than one visit. This "budget helper" works like this: Certain areas are cleaned to sparkle and other areas are left for the next visit. This can be done in up to four regular visits. The already initial-cleaned areas are recleaned each subsequent visit to stay kept up. By the fifth regular visit, the whole house sparkles, and from that point it is just about maintenance cleaning.
Q: Do you do laundry?
A: While not opposed to doing laundry per se, it takes time and we may not be there long enough to accomplish that much. We will gladly launder bedding and towels if you want us to, time permitting. If this is not prearranged as part of your cleaning plan, you need to leave a note. Clients furnish laundry products.
Q: Do you change bedding?
A: Yes. We can reuse the same sheets after laundering or if you lay out some clean ones on the bed, we will put them on and make the bed. If this is occasional, leave a note so we do not miss it. Please keep in mind that not everyone makes a bed the same way. Our staff is trained to make beds by facing the patterned side of the top sheet toward the bottom sheet so when the bed is opened, the patterned sides are both visible. This is the standard way, even though most people face the pattern up, toward the blankets. We may not arrange the pillows the same way you do if we have not seen the bed prior made, so please excuse our liberties!
Q: Do you do windows?
A: It will be noted on your cleaning plan which windows we will wash. Inside and outside of patio doors, entry door windows, and windows over sinks are often included on cleaning plans. For safety reasons, generally we do not clean tall windows that require climbing a tall ladder to reach. We have a step stool. We do not regularly equip ourselves with long poles like professional window washers do. We can add doing a few windows to a regular cleaning as a occasional add-on.We like to have notice so we can plan enough time. A good idea: sometimes when a customer is out of town for an extended time we can do projects such as cleaning other windows and blinds instead of their regular cleaning if no one has been home to get the house dirty.
Q: Can I leave my dog and cat at home?
A: In general, yes, but we need to know this so we don't scare each other or they get lost outside because a door was left opened while we cleaned some window or brought in our supplies. We adore pets! If you are unsure of how your pet will react to a stranger/cleaner coming inside, it may be best to confine them in an area we do not clean. We discuss pets during the initial cleaning consultation.
Q: Can children be left at home during a cleaning?
A: Yes, if they are old enough to be left home alone. The cleaning specialists are not babysitters. Children and pets need to stay out of the way for safety and so we can work efficiently. If there is concern, it will be addressed before the next visit.
Q: What kind of messes do you clean?
A: The Original Dust Bunny does what is considered regular maintenance cleaning. This is the kind of cleaning people generally do on a weekly basis versus a daily basis. For example people clean their toilets once a week, they clean their dishes daily, people vacuum the living room rug weekly, if the dog makes a mess, that is cleaned daily. Washing the kitchen floor is a weekly chore, cleaning up the mess from cooking is a daily chore. We do the weekly cleaning chores, you do the daily cleaning chores. If you think of it in those terms, most of the answers are easy to figure out. You can review the 60-point checklist to see the list of things we clean each visit. Folding clothes, dirty dishes, pet messes, organizing shoes or papers or toys or other objects are daily cleaning chores. We will clean around them, however, you will get the most benefit from your cleaning visit if you have areas we clean tidied up so we can clean all over, not just around things. We do not load or unload dishwashers since we do not know where the items are stored and it takes a lot of time to go thru cupboards to determine where things go. Also, we do not want you frustrated wondering where we put something.
Q: What do I have to do to get ready for the cleaning?
A: General picking up. Surfaces such as counters and floors should be cleared so they can be cleaned. It is nice in a sense that it forces you to put things away that might otherwise lay around as clutter. If your have all the dirty dishes clean beforehand, you will enjoy coming home to see a sparkling kitchen. Put away tempting valuables, we have never had a problem, but best to be on the safe side. If there are dirty dishes, we will just neatly stack them. If there is an area of high clutter, such as a table full of papers, a kids room with clothes or toys or books all over, we will just clean around it. Pets that may be upset should be put somewhere they feel secure. We generally have a key so we do not have entry issues. Usually people leave the security system off, but if you forget, that will definitely come up! It can be handy to have some baskets to put the clutter into so it is a quick job for you to get ready for the cleaning.
Q: Why can't I get a price over the phone? I know my square feet and rooms.
A: As handy as that would be, in all fairness, every home is different; even the same model in the same subdivision. A bathroom with glass doors takes longer than one with curtains. A home with a lot of furnishings and/or glass takes longer than one without much. A house with a lot of knick knacks takes longer than one with minimal objects displayed. The number of people, how much time they are home, and whether or not a lot of cooking occurs makes a difference. Pets and children add time to the cleaning. Washing tile takes longer than vacuuming carpeting. Glossy tile or wood floors takes longer than dull wood floors or tile.
Q: Do you prefer to be alone to clean or is it all right if the occupants are there?
A: Cleaning goes best with no interruptions, however it is your home and you have the right to be there. Just try to stay in other areas than where the cleaning specialists are. Cleaning efficienty has steps and an interruption can cause a cleaner to have to go from step four in the kitchen to step one in the foyer to allow someone to make a sandwich in the kitchen. When they go back to the kitchen, they may have to repeat a step or even forgot what step they were on and end up forgetting to do something. Also, if floors are wet, an unsuspecting homeowner could slip and fall. If you arrive home unannounced, make some form of notice so the cleaning specialists knows you're there. It is a little frightening to be thinking you are alone and all of a sudden someone is behind you!
Q: Do you pay for breakage?
A: We try to be very careful, but occasionally something can break. It will be brought to your attention and we will work it out. Most people are very understanding since it isn't a common occurance. Please inform us of booby traps, like the lampshade that is resting on the lamp held by a prayer, the picture on the wall held up by a tailor's pin, the knick knack that appears to be one piece but is multiparted, an item that is already broken but pieced together, the table leg that is just propped up and not actually fastened. We feel terrible when a mishap occurs. If something is of high value, let us know so we can avoid touching it.
Q: Do we have to give you a key? How secure is that?
A: It is best if we have a key so we can avoid a lockout. There is a $30.00 lockout fee if we cannot get into your home to clean it on our appointed day. You will also miss your cleaning since we cannot wait very long to stay on schedule for other appointments. The keys are NOT identified by address so if they were to become lost, no one would know which house it unlocked. At the end of the day the keys are locked away. They are coded and the code is in a separate locked location. 90% of people provide a key, others have a keypad code for their garage door opener that we use, or they are home and let us in.
Q: Do you set a time range when you will come?
A: No. We set only a day and will arrive and finish sometime during that day. As much as we'd like to set a time, sometimes a prior job takes longer, traffic is bad, or something unforseen occurs. If desired, we can place a courtesy call or text to announce our arrival time.
Q: Do you call the day ahead to remind us of the cleaning visit?
A: Yes, I will text your cell phone or if you prefer, leave a message on your voicemail. I call the late afternoon or evening before so you can remember to leave the check and have time to get ready if anything needs to be picked up and leave the security alarm off. If you prefer email, that can be done too.
Q: Do you furnish the equipment and supplies?
A: See the "Our Services" page
Q: How often shall I need a cleaning?
A: See the "Our Services" page
