Do you tip house cleaners? The short answer is “yes,” but the intricacies of tipping etiquette make the answer a little more complicated. If, when, and how much you tip is really up to you. As Maid Brigade general manager Sarah Bettey explains, “Tipping isn’t expected like it is in the restaurant industry, but if you feel that the team has done a fantastic job, you are more than welcome to reward them for that.” We estimate that about 20% of our regular customers give cash tips, while others request that their tip be included in the price of their cleaning.
If you’re preparing to hire professional cleaners for the first time, this sort of information may help you determine whether to tip, but we have even more advice for you on tipping etiquette. Consider this your comprehensive guide for tipping options and standards. Maid Brigade strives to give you a cleaning experience that inspires you and rejuvenates the spirit of your home, and if tipping is part of that experience, we want you to feel comfortable and confident doing so.
When to Tip
Do you tip house cleaners when they’re extra friendly? When they remember your dog’s name and give careful attention to those drapes that get extra dusty? This is where our assertion that tipping is “really up to you” comes in. Our cleaning teams seek to provide expert cleaning services that meet and beat your expectations every time, but the reality is that a “tip-worthy” cleaning experience is highly subjective. Here are a couple things to be mindful of:
Regular Cleaning Services
Whether your cleaning team comes once a week or once a month, a regular tip can communicate the appreciation and connection you feel to the wonderful individuals who clean your home. Regular clients typically receive visits from the same cleaning team each time, so you’re bound to see some friendly faces.
We also encourage you to hand tips directly to your cleaning team as they’re leaving, rather than leaving money in an envelope or on a random surface.This eliminates potential confusion and mix ups. “We want to make sure that [tips] land in the right hands,” Maid Brigade franchise owner Alan Walstad explains.
Handling the Holidays
Tipping etiquette often goes hand in hand with giving your cleaners a holiday bonus. Alan shares that “many of our regular clients prefer to just tip once a year and that might be near Christmas,” showing generosity and appreciation in a larger amount of cash that’s representative of 12 months of hard work and exceptional cleanings. The holiday season is typically full of good cheer and the giving spirit, so if it makes the most sense to tip during this time, go for it!
Tips vs. Additional Services
Some services that professional cleaners provide, such as changing bedsheets or cleaning the refrigerator, will need to be discussed with the person who schedules your service. Offering your cleaning team tips or any form of additional payment to perform tasks that aren’t included in your initial cleaning agreement is not the right way to upgrade your service. Our advice? Just call and ask! We want you to be satisfied with the look and feel of your home, and we’re happy to adjust how we’re tackling your cleaning.
How to Tip — And How Much
Sarah says that $10 per maid or 10% of the total cleaning bill are standard tipping amounts. This may vary depending on where you live or the overall cost of your cleaning, but it’s definitely worth considering if you’re sitting down to calculate how much to tip. You should aim to be generous but not over generous, keeping in mind that you are one of many houses your cleaning team visits on any given day.
Remember those holiday tips we mentioned? Our franchisees and general managers see tips that range from $200 to $500 towards the end of the year, but there is no required standard. Holiday tips and bonuses will exceed the usual amount you would tip, but the precise total is completely up to you.
Other Ways to Show Your Appreciation
Cash is a simple, straightforward way to say “thank you,” but if a tip isn’t in your personal budget right now, there are creative ways to tell your professional cleaners that they’ve done an excellent job.
Google Reviews and Phone Calls
Write a review! Five shining stars, positive words, and beautiful pictures are appreciated by cleaning teams and business owners alike. A quick phone call to your local Maid Brigade office is yet another way to drop a heartfelt “thank you” for a fabulous cleaning. As Alan points out, these phone calls often get relayed directly to the cleaning teams, spreading positivity and encouragement to keep up their incredible work.
Recommend Your House Cleaners
Word of mouth reviews are great, too. When you tell your friends, family, and neighbors about your stellar cleaning team — or your stellar cleaning company — you’re spreading the message about Maid Brigade’s reliable, exceptional service. Even if your cleaning team doesn’t hear it from you directly, you’re still doing something great for your local business.
Notes, Affirmations, and Tokens of Gratitude
Want your words of appreciation to reach your actual cleaners? A verbal pat on the back can go a long way in stoking your cleaning team’s confidence and letting them know that you see and appreciate the incredible work they’re doing to keep your home in tip-top shape.
You can also leave a thank you card or note on your refrigerator, counter, or end table to express how thankful you’re feeling. Hand-written messages like “thanks for making my home look so beautiful!” or “amazing work!” can be a cherished personal touch. Store-bought thank you cards are just as sweet for our professional cleaners to receive as they’re leaving your home. Gift cards are yet another thoughtful way to share and show your gratitude.
Please note that Maid Brigade advises our cleaning teams not to accept food from our clients, so it would be best to avoid baked goods, snacks, candy, gum, etc.
Maid Brigade’s Professional Cleaners Go Above and Beyond
A thorough, detailed cleaning is Maid Brigade’s standard, and all our cleaning teams take that standard seriously. As much as a clean home is a source of pride for you, it’s also a source of pride for our cleaners. A sparkling bathroom, a fully refreshed kitchen, and spotless, dirt-free floors are satisfying signs of a successful cleaning and a job well done.
Don’t forget to ask how we can customize your cleaning to address problem areas or help you handle tasks like folding laundry or deep-cleaning your oven. We offer a full array of consistent cleaning service options like weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly, and we can also provide specialty cleanings when you’re hosting for the holidays or turning over a new leaf.
Contact your local Maid Brigade today to schedule your first cleaning service.
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