Having a dependable maid service is one of those little luxuries that you’d likely feel so lost without. If you’re debating whether or not to tip your maid service, you should definitely at least leave them a little something. But what is proper tipping etiquette for your dependable maid service? Here’s what you should know.
Standard Etiquette For Agency or Traditional Cleaners
When you go to a restaurant you’re probably used to leaving some extra money for the server. While you don’t have to take the same approach with an agency maid service, many house cleaners actually live off of those tips. Some agencies only pay their employees minimum wage, which is why leaving them a little extra can be a lifesaver. There are 894,920 maids working in the U.S., which is why it may be hard for a company to pay more than a standard rate. As a rule of thumb, you should leave them around $10 to $20 for each service.
Standard Etiquette For Private Cleaners
If you’re hiring same-day maid services that only clean once, you should definitely consider leaving them a tip. Just like you would for an agency or traditional cleaner, $10 to $20 is a good tip range. If the home cleaner comes in every week or so, don’t feel the need to tip them every time. In the case of the frequent cleaner, you can give them a gift or some money a few times a year.
Alternatives to Money
You don’t have to give the maids from your custom cleaning services money as a “thank you.” If you’re trying to think of something other than the standard $20 bill, you could choose a gift card or a bottle of wine instead. You can even get creative and cook them a batch of cookies or knit them a scarf. If you’ve known your maid for years, you can give them a gift that appeals to their personal taste. For example, if they love roller coasters, give them tickets to a theme park. You may also opt for a handwritten note expressing your gratitude.
Your dependable maid service does a lot for you, so it’s nice to do something for them in return. Tip them a few dollars here and there, or get really creative and bake them cookies to show your appreciation.
