Here are a few questions we’ve received over the years. Please let us know if you have additional questions!
Is it ok if my dog is here?
Yes, absolutely. We love dogs! Usually dogs are pretty excited when we first come. If you think they’ll calm down pretty quickly, we are more than happy to have them wander free around the house. We will not let them outside unless you give us specific instructions and permission to do so.
Is it ok if I am home working out of the way?
Yes, most definitely. You can stay home and work. If you'd like us to clean your work space, just let us know when it’s a good time, and the team will completely clean the whole room before moving back to other areas of the cleaning.
Should I wear a mask when they are here?
You are more than welcome to, but we do not require that. Especially if you're not in the same room, please don't feel like you have to.
How are they social distancing and protecting against Covid-19?
The team will strive to be at least 6 feet apart at all times. The lead cleaner will ask you in their reminder text the day prior to your cleaning if you would like them to wear masks. Our cleaning supplies are sanitized regularly. And we have protocols in place for employees to report any sickness and to get tested for Covid-19. We are not requiring vaccinations or for employees to disclose their vaccination status.
For monthly services, is it once a month, or every 4 weeks?
Your cleaning will repeat every 1, 2, 4 or 8 weeks. It is not necessarily based on the calendar months. If you're on every 2 weeks, you’d have 26 cleanings per year. If you're once a month you'd have 13 cleanings per year.
Will it always be the same team?
We strive to keep the lead cleaner at your home the same as much as possible. This allows them to get to know you more, and you them. They can be most efficient in your home the more they get to know it and your expectations. Cleaning is an art, not a science, so familiarity is important. However, a couple of times a year, we may switch things up so that a new set of eyes can be watching for things in your home that need our TLC. This variety keeps the cleaners engaged and focused and helps us not to miss anything.
How much do I have to pick up?
The more you can pick up, the more we can focus on the actual cleaning. We don't know where your things go, and moving them can really cut into the cleaning time. So yes, some pick up is very helpful. However, please do not feel like you need to have things perfectly spotless! We will not just vacuum around a few things on the floor.
Will they make beds?
Yes, we would love to help make beds! Please have the sheets stripped from the bed and new sheets set out.
Could they wash laundry?
We do not provide any laundry services.
Could I ask them to do a few extra projects?
Yes, absolutely. We'll provide you with a copy of our “Priorities" (Standard vs Thorough vs On Request). As long as your project is on that list, please feel free to request it. Please be aware that adding several requests without subtracting some other area of cleaning will likely require an increased time frame and we ask that you let us know at least one week in advance. If you just need a quick substitute though, i.e. skip the guest bedroom, but clean the fridge, that is ok to simply communicate directly from the lead cleaner.
Is a tip expected? How do I leave a tip?
Tips are always appreciated, but never expected. Cash would be ideal. Otherwise you can increase the payment amount when you receive the invoice (it auto fills, but you CAN indeed click on the amount and change it). Or if you have a payment method on file, you can contact Catherine Brunn and ask her to add a tip either before or after your cleaning is completed.
How do I pay?
After we see the time sheets, we will email you an invoice, or charge your card/account if you have a payment method on file.
Will they clean under furniture?
Yes, if you have authorized enough time for us, they will clean under all furniture that is either easily reachable, or light enough to be moved by one person.
Do any of them smoke? I don't want my house to smell like smoke.
I think that a few employees might smoke, but it is rare. If they do, they'll do so far away from your house, and not directly before coming into your home. We are very conscious about lingering smoke smell and know that our clients feel similarly. Please let us know if it is an issue at all.
Have you ever had any problems with theft?
No, in the 10.5 years of Sparklean's history we have never had any instances of theft. Cleaning in teams of 2 people helps to provide this accountability. We background check and reference check each of our team members before they start their training. They are an incredible team of people who have a proven track record of serving our clients and providing a high level of value.
Additional Info You Might Need:
We can provide a lockbox if you will not be home and do not have a garage code. You would choose the 4 digit code. Please remember to keep the lockbox out of the rain and snow so it doesn't freeze shut.
For their safety, the cleaners will wear shoes while they clean. However, they are designated indoor shoes that they use only for cleaning. They will bring these shoes and change into them upon entering your home.
They will not open closet doors unless asked or a note is left. If you do want closet floors vacuumed, we can put it in your notes
If you bump one of your scheduled cleanings out a week, then the following cleaning will be only 3 weeks later (if you are on a 4 week rotation)
You'll receive an email one week before each cleaning at 7pm. Please let us know via email as soon as possible if that date and time will not work.
Billing happens after the cleaning and is taken care of by the managers, not by the cleaners. If you do not have a payment method on file, then you'll receive an email invoice and may make a payment up to 7 days later without penalty
All of our employees are covered under our general liability insurance policy, as well as worker's compensation insurance, so that your home owners insurance would never be called into the picture in the slim possibility that a cleaner is injured on your property.
Please know that the team may arrive up to 15 minutes early or late depending on the variability of the previous house(s) and uncontrollable traffic delays
Areas on the outskirts of our geographic area may have limited schedule availability
Oofta! That’s a lot! Kudos to you for getting through all of that! 😊