Cleaning supplies including spray bottles, paper towels, and a decorative floral accent with the title 'Head Housekeeper' on the left and EMS logo in the corner.

Housekeeper

Although housekeeping duties will vary between households, a housekeeper's central role is to handle all cleaning and organization in the home. Housekeepers are commonly asked to prep meals, run errands, and accompany vendors to their work areas.   A great Housekeeper cannot only see the space from their perspective but also knows to stop and look at it from the Principal’s perspective.  Hiring a housekeeper not only provides peace of mind but also ensures your home stays clean and organized beyond your expectations.

A professional Housekeeper is NOT a maid.  They are the backbone of a luxury home, keeping everything clean and tidy and instrumental in creating the luxury our Principals pay us to cultivate. Housekeeping is a profession, NOT A JOB.

A professional Housekeeper doesn’t just clean floors and toilets; they bring order and comfort to the homes they serve. A good Housekeeper will bring positive energy into the home and be able to see the home through the Housekeeper’s eye and the Homeowner’s eye.

~ A good Housekeeper knows how to create luxury in any environment. ~

 

Housekeeper Responsibilities Can Include

      • General cleaning of all rooms, including dusting, vacuuming, mopping, and sanitizing surfaces
      • Laundry duties, including washing, drying, ironing, steaming, and folding clothes
      • Changing and making beds with fresh linens
      • Organizing closets, pantries, and storage spaces
      • Deep cleaning tasks such as baseboards, windows, and high-touch areas
      • Care and maintenance of specialty surfaces like marble, wood, glass, and fine furnishings
      • Managing and replenishing household cleaning supplies and inventory
      • Bathroom sanitation, including scrubbing showers, sinks, toilets, and mirrors
      • Kitchen cleaning, including wiping down appliances, countertops, and cabinets
      • Washing and putting away dishes or loading/unloading the dishwasher
      • Pet care, including feeding, grooming, and cleaning pet areas if required
      • Running household errands such as grocery shopping and picking up dry cleaning
      • Trash removal and recycling management
      • Seasonal cleaning projects, such as preparing guest rooms or outdoor furniture maintenance
      • Assisting with meal preparation or simple food prep if requested
      • Handling delicate items like antiques, artwork, and luxury fabrics with care
      • Supervising and coordinating with household vendors, such as maintenance workers or deliveries
      • Following household rules and preferences for cleaning products and methods
      • Maintaining security and ensuring doors, windows, and alarms are properly secured
      • Providing assistance for household events, such as setup, service, or post-event cleanup

Requirements

      • Advanced cleaning techniques: Expertise in deep cleaning, spot cleaning, and sanitization to maintain immaculate environments.
      • Floor care proficiency: Ability to clean, polish, and maintain various flooring types, including hardwood, marble, and specialty surfaces.
      • Laundry and fabric care: Knowledge of proper laundering techniques, including washing, ironing, steaming, and stain removal for delicate fabrics.
      • Wardrobe management: Organizing and maintaining wardrobes, including seasonal rotation and care of luxury garments.
      • Use of cleaning equipment: Proficiency with tools such as industrial vacuum cleaners, floor buffers, and steam cleaners.
      • Knowledge of cleaning agents: Understanding the appropriate use of various cleaning chemicals and agents for different surfaces.
      • Bathroom sanitation: Expertise in cleaning and disinfecting bathrooms to the highest hygiene standards.
      • Kitchen cleaning and organization: Maintaining cleanliness and order in the kitchen, including appliance care and surface sanitization.
      • Silver and specialty item care: Polishing and maintaining silverware and other high-end household items.
      • Inventory management: Keeping track of cleaning supplies and household items to ensure timely replenishment.
      • Time management: Efficiently planning and executing tasks to maintain the household's schedule.
      • Safety and hazard awareness: Knowledge of safety protocols to prevent accidents and handle emergencies.
      • Pet care: Experience in managing household pets, including feeding, grooming, and cleaning.
      • Simple meal preparation: Ability to prepare basic meals, accommodating dietary restrictions and preferences.
      • Running errands: Capability to perform tasks such as grocery shopping, dry cleaning drop-offs, and other household errands.
      • Maintenance oversight: Identifying and coordinating necessary repairs and maintenance tasks within the household.
      • Confidentiality and discretion: Upholding privacy standards and handling sensitive information with the utmost discretion.
      • Organizational skills: Ability to systematically arrange household items, manage closets, and maintain order.
      • Communication skills: Effectively communicating with homeowners and other staff to ensure smooth household operations.
      • Adaptability and flexibility: Adjusting to varying tasks and household routines as needed.

Top 10 Soft Skills

      • Attention to detail: Ensuring thoroughness in cleaning, organization, and household upkeep.
      • Time management: Prioritizing and efficiently completing tasks within scheduled timeframes.
      • Reliability and trustworthiness: Being dependable, punctual, and maintaining household confidentiality.
      • Adaptability and flexibility: Adjusting to changing routines, schedules, and household needs.
      • Strong communication skills: Effectively communicating with homeowners, staff, and vendors.
      • Discretion and professionalism: Respecting privacy and handling sensitive information appropriately.
      • Initiative and self-motivation: Anticipating needs and taking proactive steps without constant supervision.
      • Patience and stress management: Maintaining composure in fast-paced or demanding household environments.
      • Problem-solving skills: Quickly addressing challenges and finding effective solutions.
      • Interpersonal skills: Creating positive relationships with household members and colleagues.
      • Work ethic and diligence: Demonstrating dedication and a strong sense of responsibility.
      • Organizational skills: Keeping household spaces neat, structured, and easy to navigate.
      • Customer service mindset: Ensuring homeowners and guests feel comfortable and well cared for.
      • Task Prioritization: Managing various responsibilities simultaneously while maintaining quality.
      • Teamwork and collaboration: Coordinating effectively with other household staff to ensure smooth operations.
** While a Private Service Professional can handle most if not all of the above tasks, it is important to remember that every task takes time, and Employers should listen to their staff when they express how much time something takes to accomplish their duties. Your staff is dedicated to you, and "No" is not a part of their dictionary.  If they ask if something should take priority over another task or ask to delegate the task to maintain efficiency, they are really saying that their plate is full and additional tasks might prevent them from doing other duties.

Next Steps

Principals: If you are in need of a Private Service Professional and want a company that genuinely cares about its clients and candidates, please select one of the options to the right.

Candidates: If you are looking for a position, please check out our EMS Domestics for a complete list of our open positions and discover how to submit your resume.

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