Policies
Now that you have invited Minit Maids into your home to provide a cleaning service, there are some reasonable policies we ask you to be aware of in order to provide a safe and secure atmosphere for both you and our employees. We have found these guidelines will create a better experience for both parties involved.
Lifting and Reaching:
Our employees are restricted to reaching areas no higher than a two-step ladder and not moving heavy furniture (can damage wood floor). These limitations are to reduce the risk of falling and injuries. The equipment we provide the teams does enable us to clean under, over and around most areas but not all can be reached. We do not lift over 25 lbs, so no over sized trash bags please.
Bed Making:
We are happy to freshen unmade beds and for a small fee, change your bed linens. However, cumbersome beds such as; sleigh beds, bunk beds, trundle beds, and beds pushed tightly against the wall are examples of tasks that we cannot fulfill in order to minimize the risk of back injuries. Mattresses cannot be flipped per our lifting guidelines.
Bleach and Unsafe Cleaners:
We provide our teams with Eco-friendly, neutral pH and Green Seal cleaning products that have proven effectiveness to clean and sanitize without the health risks of harsh chemicals. If we do use a product of yours it must be in the original container and comply with the above guidelines please. We follow OSHA safety standards and our insurance carrier’s compliance requirements for these known risk factors. Bleach, ammoniated and petroleum based products are especially risky with long-term repetitive use. As technology advances it is easier than ever to refrain from using these toxic irritants. Call us for some great alternatives!
Bleach products are not allowed to be used due to the health hazards of repetitive exposure. If you choose to use a bleach product (i.e Tilex) for mold issues as in showers, we ask that you spray AND rinse after the team leaves the home.
Keys and Alarms:
Many of our customers entrust us with their key for reliable entry. Minit Maids uses a unique Key Management System that uses a tamper resistant key seal that is numbered only (no address) and cross-referenced on your service order.
We can use your alarm system if you like. Just give the office staff the instructions for arming and re-arming. Many alarm companies will provide homeowners with a secondary “service” alarm code!
Shoe Requirements:
Shoes are required to be worn in the house to avoid the risk of injury. Booties are slippery and can be a risk factor for falling. We do make sure the teams clean their shoes before entering a home.
Indoor Climate:
When the temperature of your home is in a comfortable range, the teams are able to work more efficiently and safely. We ask that you keep the temperature at these settings:
- Warmer months: 68° – 73° but no higher
- Cooler months no lower than 67°
Please adjust your programmable thermostats on your day of service to meet with these guidelines.
Cancellation Notice/Fee:
We know for our clients, service and reliability are extremely important! We will often turn down business rather than disrupt a regularly scheduled customer. In exchange, we must request that you provide us with a minimum of 48 business hours advanced notice
(Monday clients calling before noon on the previous Friday) if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment for any reason.
Emergencies will always be taken into consideration prior to charging cancellation fees. These fees will be discussed when you set up service.
Arrival Window:
Whether you are there to let us in or you give us a flexible entry arrangement, our arrival window is usually two hours with a first appointment around 8:30. Many factors come into play that can alter your arrival time that are beyond our control such as others cancellations or schedule conflicts and because of this we ask your forbearance so we can clean your home in the most economical manner. You are welcome to call the morning of service for an updated arrival time.
Payment:
- Check/Cash
- Credit Card – Visa/ Master Card (Fully encrypted)
- Online Bill Pay: scheduled to arrive before the day of cleaning
Payment is required on the day of service. This can be left in a pre-arranged area such as in the kitchen, on the refrigerator or in the foyer area table. In the event you forget to leave payment we will ask to place your credit card on file and use it as a back-up form of payment.
*Returned checks: There is a $35 fee for all returned checks for non-payment.
Tipping:
Tipping, while greatly appreciated by your cleaning crew, is not required. If you do choose to tip your team, you may include it in your payment or leave cash separately. When using a credit card to pay please call the office so we can apply it correctly.