As true professionals, maids are trained to handle a vast array of housekeeping tasks, ranging from standard day-to-day upkeep to highly specialized deep cleaning. However, knowledgeable and experienced as they may be, they are not superhuman.

Some tasks are simply beyond their realm of expertise or they may be explicitly forbidden from undertaking them, most commonly due to the risks involved. Today, we’ll explore this other side of the medal to help you better understand what you can expect from your maid service in Happy Valley, OR.

What do housekeepers not clean?

While housekeepers are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness and organization of a home, there are certain areas, items, or tasks that they may not typically clean or may require special permission to clean. However, there’s one important thing to note before we dive further.

The specifics of what is included or excluded from housekeeping services can vary greatly depending on the service provider, the type of property (residential, commercial, otherwise), and any customized agreements made with the client.

Therefore, always check with your housekeeping service for their specific policies and to request any additional services you might need. With that said, here’s a (non-exhaustive) list of what housekeepers might not clean:

Personal and Private Areas

Unless you explicitly request or permit them to do so, your housekeepers will not clean the inside of personal drawers, closets, cabinetry, and similar. In addition, you can expect them never to touch your private documents or sensitive personal items.

This is why you should always move these types of belongings to a safe place before your cleaners arrive, so they don’t have to work around them, as this can bring their efficiency down (albeit not by much).

Specialized or Delicate Items:

Due to them being delicate or requiring specialized training to handle, cleaners will typically steer clear of the following items:

Fine art or antiques require specialized training to avoid damage.
Electrical appliances with complex interfaces, like computers, intricate sound systems, or high-end kitchen appliances, unless specified.
Musical instruments, due to their delicate nature and the potential for damage.
Jewelry, especially valuable or sentimental pieces.

Outdoor Spaces

Gardening or yard work are not in the cleaners’ job description. Therefore, you shouldn’t expect them to handle tasks such as mowing the lawn, pruning, or planting. On the flip side, while they might wipe down some surfaces (if instructed), deep cleaning of outdoor furniture or home features typically isn’t included in standard cleaning services.

Standard-Service Cleaning of Certain Areas

Unless it’s part of a specialized cleaning package, such as deep cleaning or window washing, housekeepers typically won’t address the following:

Refrigerator/freezer interior (including throwing away expired food), unless you requested deep cleaning.
Oven cleaning is often considered a deep cleaning task that might incur extra charges or require a specialist.
Window cleaning (exterior) can be dangerous and may require specialized equipment, especially for multi-story homes.

Biohazards and Heavy-Duty Cleaning

Housekeeping services, commonly hired by home or business owners in areas surrounding Scouters Mountain NP, are typically not equipped to handle the following tasks:

Cleanup of biohazardous materials: Blood, bodily fluids, or anything considered a health risk.
Mold Remediation: Requires specialized training and equipment.
Pest Infestations and left-behind residues: Including but not limited to cockroaches, rodent or bird droppings, and similar.

Post-Construction or -Renovation Cleanup

Regular cleaning services are not typically equipped to handle the cleanup of debris left by either professional or DIY construction, remodeling, or renovation work. However, a lot of companies today offer the so-called Post-Construction Cleaning Services, specifically designed to handle these types of work.

How do I find an ideal maid service near me in Happy Valley, OR?

NW Maids offers you a quick, easy, and hassle-free way to find your perfect housekeeping partner. Whether you’re looking for a team to help you tidy up a messy home on a regular basis or that will get your house in top-notch condition in a single day, rest assured that the companies we match you with will match your criteria to the letter. Get in touch with us today and find your ideal cleaners in minutes!