NEWS & INSIGHTS

Housekeepers vs House Cleaners: Are They One and the Same?

July 11, 2019

Picture of Claire Hebert

Claire Hebert

During the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries, it was standard practice for wealthy families to hire live-in help. These employees lived with the family and performed tasks such as cooking, cleaning, taking care of children, and so on.

In those days, a housekeeper in Lafayette LA was responsible for the supervision of a house’s cleaning staff. Today, few people can afford to employ full-time help, and the difference between top-notch housekeepers and house cleaners is no longer clear-cut.

Read on to learn more about housekeepers and house cleaners. We’ll also explain why hiring a housekeeper is the easiest way to keep your home clean, especially if you have to clean your place while working full-time.

What’s the difference between a house cleaner and a housekeeper?

Historically, a housekeeper was an employee who lived at their employer’s house and attended to various tasks. On the other hand, a house cleaner was a professional cleaner who showed up at a specified time, rendered a service, and left immediately afterward. Finally, the word “maid” used to signify a young unmarried woman.

Today, only extremely wealthy families employ live-in help, to the point where traditional housekeeping has become a niche service. Language has evolved accordingly, and over the years the terms “housekeeping” and “house cleaning” have become somewhat interchangeable.

Nowadays, it’s normal to hear people refer to their daily chores as housekeeping, or for house cleaners to be called housekeepers. If a distinction must be made, it would be that housekeepers live with their employers, while house cleaners work on a per-job basis.

Do I need a housekeeper?

Do I need a housekeeper This depends on whether you have the historical idea of a housekeeper in mind, or you’re thinking about a modern maid service. If it’s the former, and you’re rich enough to afford paying someone a full-time wage to work at your house, then doing so is a great idea as it’ll free up a lot of your time and energy that you’d otherwise spend on domestic chores.

If it’s the latter, it’s still highly advisable to do so, especially if you have trouble getting your kids to help with cleaning. Having an expert clean your place using quality cleaning products will not only get you a squeaky clean home, it’ll also give you the gift of extra leisure time.

You could use this time to get some much needed rest, or to enjoy yourself by visiting the Paul and Lulu Hillard University Art Museum with your friends and family. When you have free time, the options are truly limitless.

What should you look for in a house cleaner or housekeeper?

No matter which definition of housekeepers and house cleaners you prefer, the reality is that you’re still inviting a stranger into your home. Taking the time to make sure the person whose services you’re enlisting can be trusted is crucial.

Traits you should look for in a housekeeping service include:

  • They should be bonded, insured, and licensed.
  • Their pricing should be fair and transparent.
  • The cleaners need to be thoroughly screened.
  • They should bring their own supplies at no added cost.
  • You should be able to pay via card, and to easily book a cleaning online.

Where can you hire a first-rate housekeeper in Lafayette LA?

Geaux Maids of Lafayette provides premier cleaning services in Lafayette and other Louisiana locales. All cleaners we work with have been extensively vetted to make sure they’re outstanding professionals with excellent track records.

Use our state-of-the-art online scheduling form to book the cleaning of your dreams today. We can’t wait to give you the sparkling clean home you deserve. 

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