Cleaners put sparkle in homes

December 31, 2005

Getting ready to move is hard enough, so most homebuyers would rather avoid the hassle of cleaning their new homes. Calling a housekeeper is one way to remedy the problem.

“It's a big job to move out of a home,” said Mary Simpson of Simpson's Cleaning Service in Yuba City. “The last thing anyone (moving into a new home) wants is to have to clean that home.”

Many people have busy lifestyles, which makes it more difficult to keep a house clean, said K.C. Derryberry of K.C.'s Complete Cleaning in Yuba City.

“In families with Mom and Dad both working, it's hard to find the time to make a house presentable,” she said.

Simpson said she is frequently called by Realtors and others in the real estate business to make sure a house is clean before the new owners move in.

“It makes a home look nice,” she said.

Derryberry said she was a “detail specialist. We detail the home and make sure it's spotless.”

A clean home is also much more presentable should the owner be looking to sell the home, she said. The right housekeeper can also do a deeper clean than most homeowners.

“We can help prevent the spread of germs and bacteria that form in a dirty home,” Derryberry said.

Many housekeepers won't limit themselves to just residential spaces, either. Housekeepers can also be called upon to do clean commercial and industrial spaces.

Senior citizens are the bigger customers of housekeeping services, according to Derryberry.

“Some are elderly and can't get around,” she said. “Others have had surgeries and hire us to keep their home clean while they recuperate.”

Simpson said she also had many senior clients.

“Some simply cannot work anymore, so there's no way they could clean their home,” she said. “Some women have actually told me that we have saved their life by cleaning their house.”

Hiring a housekeeper over simply cleaning your home by yourself is a luxury, but also a necessity, according to Simpson.

“For those that only have it done once in a while, (housekeeping) is a luxury, but to those that are too busy to clean, it's a necessity,” she said.

With some of her clients, she cleans only once every two weeks or more. For others - namely couples who both work - she cleans once a week.

Cost for housekeeping services can vary, depending on the frequency the client wishes the house to be cleaned, and depending on how large the home is. A good housekeeper will be licensed and insured against damage and theft.

Appeal-Democrat reporter Josh Kendrix can be reached at 749-4707. You may e-mail him at jkendrix@appealdemocrat.com.