Everything you need to know to start a job and set yourself up for success
Having a quality and effective appointment starts before you arrive at your client’s door
Getting Ready
Before leaving your house, do a quick check of your equipment.
Clean Towels
Vacuum clean and ready to go
Used towels removed
Make note of worn out equipment and cleaner levels
Make sure you look sharp! Your shirt and pants should be clean and wrinkle-free. Your must always wear your name tag and apron while at a client’s home.
Loading Your Equipment
You are now ready to load up and Go! You will use these same techniques to transport your equipment each time you load and unload.
Put your duffle bag cross-wise over your shoulder
Pick up your tote and mop in one hand
Pick up your vacuum with the other hand.
ALWAY pick up your vacuum by the handle on the canister. NEVER carry it by the tall handle.
ALWAYS carry your vacuum when outside. NEVER roll your vacuum across a driveway or walkway. The wheels could pick up small rocks & result in damage to the client's floor
Every car/trunk is different. Use this as guide to best organize your equipment, but once you have established what works for you, do it the same EVERY time. This will prevent you from forgetting things, and will make loading and unloading all day quick and easy.
CAREFULLY set down the vacuum cleaner
Place your tote in the back portion of your trunk
Put your mop in the trunk
Put your duffle bag in the back portion of your trunk
Carefully lay the vacuum cleaner in the front portion of your trunk
Un-Loading Your Equipment
Unload the vacuum first, gently setting down outside your vehicle
Put your duffle bag cross-wise over your shoulder
Pick up your tote and mop in one hand
Now pick up your vacuum with the other hand
Storing Your Supplies
Do NOT leave your cleaning product or equipment in your car overnight. Excess heat or cold can deteriorate effectiveness of the cleaning products and you risk theft leaving high quality items in your car overnight.
Entering the Client's Home
Carefully set down the vacuum cleaner to unlock the door/enter the garage code.
When you enter the client’s home, announce your arrival “HOUSEKEEPING!”
If the client is home, be sure to greet them with a smile and ask if there is anything specific they would like you to focus on or an area they would prefer you start.
Carefully set down all your equipment in the entry way.
Remove your outside shoes and put on your indoor shoes.
Pre-Flight
Before getting started you will take a trip through the house to prepare the rooms and yourself for the job ahead. Ideally this is done throughout the entire house before getting started, however, due to lots of families working from home, you may need to do this level by level or sometimes even room to room.
Getting Ready
Obtain a kitchen garbage bag from the client’s supply
Apply the disinfectant to a clean towel and place over your shoulder.
You are set and ready to start your Pre-Flight
Go through each room and complete the following:
Empty garbage cans into your large bag
Set garbage can in bathroom(s) outside the door
Note: If the client uses disposable toilet brushes, clean the inside of the toilet and dispose of the brush head in your large garbage bag.
Turn on lights in dark rooms
Use your clean towel to disinfect common surfaces, light switches, door knobs, etc.
Pick up large pieces of trash, toys or small items from the floor.
Note: The client should tidy for us, but sometimes a few things get overlooked. It's important to especially pick up items that could damage or clog your vacuum.
Tuck curtains up that are floor length or longer and pull cords up
Evaluate the job. Text/Call the manager with any issues
Order of Cleaning
Consistency is the cornerstone to the Perfect Maintenance Cleaning (PMC) process. Each time you enter a house, you should know exactly where you will start and end. Below is the list of the main home types you will encounter and the order in which to clean them. Having a systematic approach to each house will ensure consistency in your cleaning and efficiency for you. Clean the levels as indicated below. When you are cleaning your last level, you are cleaning out the door, which means you may need to adapt the order below based on the client’s floorplan.
Note: You may need to adapt your order if the client is home, and has requested you work around them.
Three Level home
Top level
Dust entire level starting at master bathroom
Master Bath
Master Bedroom
Other Bath(s)
Other Bedrooms
Hallway
Stairs
Lower level (basement)
Dust entire level
Family room
Office/Bedrooms
Bath(s)
Stairs
Main level
Dust entire level
Living room/Den
Hallway
Bath(s)
Kitchen
Two-Level
Top level
Dust entire level
Master Bath
Master Bedroom
Other Bath(s)
Other Bedrooms
Hallway
Stairs
Main Level
Dust entire level
Living room/Den
Hallway
Bath(s)
Kitchen
Entryway
Split Level
Lower Level
Dust entire level
Family room
Office/Bedrooms
Bath(s)
Hallway
Stairs
Main level
Dust entire level
Master Bath
Master Bedroom
Bath(s)
Other Bedrooms
Hallway
Living room
Kitchen
Stairs
Entryway
One Level
Back of the house
Dust the Entire Level
Master Bath
Master Bedroom
Bath(s)
Other Bedrooms
Hallway
Front of the house
Living room/Den
Kitchen
Entryway
Test Your Knowledge
Click the button below to test your knowledge of the PMC system, cleaning tools and cleaners. If you score at least 80% move onto Dusting. If you score less than 80%, go back and review the content again, working with your trainer to answer any questions you may have. Good luck!
