If you’ve ever felt as if housework takes a significant bite out of your schedule every week, it’s probably not your imagination. Although the average amount of cleaning time will vary significantly from home to home, most Americans spend a minimum of 6-8 hours a week cleaning their homes. Many worry whether they’re cleaning correctly or doing the right tasks often enough, especially if they already keep a busy schedule.

That’s when it can be helpful to have a good cleaning service in your corner. Professional cleaning services can give you back all those hours you’d otherwise spend on housework so you can make room in your life for more meaningful things. It can give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing each task is done thoroughly and properly, as well. Here’s a look at how to make a decision you’ll be happy with.

Investigate each company’s reputation

Nothing prepares you for your future experience with a particular company quite like other customers’ experiences before you. If you have friends or family who use cleaning services, ask them how they like it. Are they happy with the company’s thoroughness, pricing, and overall customer service?

You can also get a reasonably accurate read on local house cleaning services by doing your research online. Read up on your options via sites like Yelp and the Better Business Bureau. Prioritize choices that seem to place a high premium on qualities like professionalism, punctuality, trustworthiness, availability, and work ethic.

Look for service options that fit your unique needs

Everyone’s different regarding their cleaning needs, so there’s no one right approach to hiring a service. Look for companies that offer a wide variety of different options. The best ones understand how important flexibility is for their customers and are willing to work with them to get things just right.

Are you looking for someone to help you with general home maintenance every week or even just a couple of times a month? Do you need help with a specific one-time task, like a thorough seasonal deep-cleaning or a pre-move cleaning? Great cleaning businesses will not only offer you all of that and more, but they’ll make it easy to change up your routine to suit your changing needs in the future.

Make sure the company is fully insured

Looking into a company’s reputation before hiring is perhaps the most effective way to ensure an experience you’ll be happy with, but you don’t want to stop there. You also want to make sure you’re covered in case something goes wrong during a cleaning. What if someone is injured or an item of yours is accidentally damaged?

Make sure the company you’re considering is fully bonded and insured to cover all your bases. It’s the only way to be sure you’re protected legally if things don’t go as planned. Don’t be afraid to ask for proof, either, as any reputable company will be happy to supply it upon request to put a client’s mind at ease.

Look into the company’s stance on health

Everyday cleaning products, especially the strong ones professional cleaning companies may use, may get the job done, but they can be hard on your family’s health. However, products don’t have to be harsh or dangerous to work well, and the right companies will understand this.

Look for a company that uses only organic, health-conscious cleaning solutions that won’t jeopardize your health. You don’t have to sacrifice your peace of mind and dedication to a healthy lifestyle to get top-tier help with your household chores. You just need to hire people who care about your family’s health as much as you do. Explore the possibilities today!