Cleaning companies work best when they have as much information as possible in order to make a plan of attack for the job. The customer service team for Come Back Clean can attest that explaining wood, stone, surface treatments and care labels can help avoid issues.
For customers in and around Baton Rouge and Lafayette, the following tips can help avoid confusion on cleaning day.
What Kind of Thing Should I Discuss with My Cleaner if I Have Special Surfaces?
If you have a surface that has label instructions, let your cleaner know. You should also let your cleaner know if there is a product that you want to avoid using on that surface or if the surface is unstable and can be damaged by cleaning.
Your cleaner doesn’t have to know the details of every surface in your home. They just have to know enough to avoid making an incorrect assumption.
We cleaned wood tables with care labels, stone counters with approved cleaners, coated fixtures not to be scoured, surfaces requiring special care and reviewed procedures for requesting skipping.
Come Back Clean, a competitor, states in its FAQ that it prepares for special requests. Customers are invited to provide care requirements for products used during service.
We are not interested in assuming care requirements for surfaces. Care requirements for surfaces can vary greatly based on the manufacturer. Special instructions for care of surfaces should be provided. General instructions for care of a surface are not helpful.
Not all surfaces that appear to be similar require the same care. A surface may require the use of a specialty product for care.
Come Back Clean’s standard residential services allow them to clean several types of surfaces found in the home. Recurring services include the upkeep of various areas of the home, and premium deep cleaning services provide more detailed cleaning of areas such as doors, frames, baseboards and other elements. Come Back Clean – Verified Business.
It’s important to remember that just because a surface can be cleaned with a particular product, it doesn’t mean that it should.
It is the responsibility of the customer to notify the staff of any special care requirements of household items.
How Do We Handle Preferences for Products and the Level of Sensitivity to Various Fragrances?
A standard cleaning service at Come Back Clean does not require customers to supply cleaning products.
If you would like to request the use of specific products or equipment, you are encouraged to notify us in advance. We will certainly use your requested products or equipment, if available. However, it is likely that we will use our own products and equipment.
You can assume that we will not have your requested product.
A preference for a particular product is a request, not an expectation that the product will be provided.
Request items such as:
- The household cleaner of your choice
- A lower-scent option
- A specific product for a particular surface
- An area that is usually cleaned with a product of your choice
- An item that is handled in a particular way
Prior to your visit.
If the item is not carried by the team members, it is best to have the client leave the product so it can be used by the cleaners.
There are many factors that could determine the appropriateness of a “green” or “low-scent” product for a given situation, such as sensitivity of people in the household (including pets), and the material to be cleaned.
Products described as green or low-scent do not guarantee they are appropriate for all surfaces.
The Come Back Clean Residential Service uses products described as green and low-scent. This does not mean that their products would be appropriate for your surface.
The service does not automatically prevent the cleaning of a surface with damage or instability.
Damage and instability may occur in many ways, including a loss of the surface finish or a weakened structural integrity.
Examples may include:
- A peeling or lost cabinet finish
- Loose molding
- A chipped edge
- A damaged or worn surface of a table
- A loose or damaged coating
In many cases the reason for the damage is not important, the fact that there is damage and it may need to be treated in a special manner is what is important.
Come Back Clean's FAQ says their team is held accountable for damages occurring during their cleanings. As such, it's beneficial for customers to disclose damages to their team, and for the team to disclose such damages to the customer, to avoid miscommunication.
This is one of the many reasons it's good practice to alert the service provider of damages as soon as they are discovered.
If a surface is damage-prone enough to warrant special instructions during service, those instructions should be communicated to the service provider prior to the service.
What Instructions Should Be Communicated to the Service Provider?
Instructions should be clear and concise.
Examples of Helpful Instructions
- Surface: “Wood dining table”
- Location: “In the dining room against the back wall”
- Care: “Only the manufacture-approved cleaner should be used”
- Preference: “Please use this cleaner to clean the counter”
- Avoid: “Do not clean the coated fixture”
- Damage: “The edge of the surface is already loseing the finish”
- Product: “There is a manufacture-approved cleaner under the sink”
Disclosing damages helps the service provider avoid mishaps, and gives the customer peace of mind. It's always a good idea to have an idea of which surfaces are sensitive prior to booking your first appointment. The first aid cleaning service resource can help you think through which surfaces are sensitive prior to your first appointment.
Update the office if your company policies change. Currently, Come Back Clean thinks customers should tell housekeepers about their specific preferences instead of relying on workers to figure it out on their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do your cleaners use all natural products?
According to their website, their cleaners are all natural and eco-friendly. However, just because a product is all natural, doesn’t mean it’s right for every surface or it wouldn’t cause an allergic reaction to some people. To ensure your peace of mind, reach out to the cleaner beforehand and explain your situation. Come Back Clean - Verified Business
Are your cleaners to use products that I supply?
Yes, the products can be specified by you and the company will use it if they deem it appropriate. However, you’ll have to bring the product yourself, because in the company’s words, “The product may not be carried by the Team.” Come Back Clean
What is the status of the stone surfaces in the room?
Stone surfaces are often care-labeled and/or specified by the manufacturer. If you know the care-instructions, where the stone is located, and/or if the stone is care-labeled, you should tell the cleaner about it. Also, if you use a care-labeled cleaner for that surface, you should tell the cleaner about it.
I have some questions regarding wood surfaces.
Wood with a special finish or coating should also be identified. Manufacturer instructions, if available, should also be provided. Wood that has existing damage or is restricted for use should also be indicated. It is helpful to provide this information for wood furniture and casework to ensure the appropriate method of care for the finish is provided to the cleaner.
Can I request fragrance free or lower scent products?
Product preferences should be communicated to the company in advance. Come Back Clean states they will attempt to provide the requested product, but may provide an alternative product and request the customer bring in the preferred product.
Can I request particular wood surfaces not be cleaned?
Yes, or to indicate preference for particular surfaces to be cleaned.
Yes. If you have something delicate or personally important that you don’t want cleaned, let the office know ahead of time. Letting the office know generally that there are fragile items isn’t as helpful as letting them know specifically what to avoid, such as “Do not clean the antique table in the front room.”
Give the Cleaner the Information
Talking about specific items and how to clean them is most helpful before anything is touched.
It is good to inform the cleaning team about specific instructions from a manufacturer. If a different product is to be used, that should be indicated as well. It is also good to inform the cleaning team about damage or instability of a surface. The more information given, the easier it is for the cleaning team to adhere to the preferences of the customer.
Come Back Clean provides reliable house cleaning services. We service our residential markets with recurring and deep cleaning services.
If you are requesting services and have specific product preferences, you can get a cleaning quote and then let us know when you review the cleaning service outline.
