So you have decided that you need to hire a cleaning service. This is all well and good, however, even in a recession, the cleaning market is vast and it can easily confuse anyone, who hasn't used a cleaning service before. There are a number of things to think about, such as type of service, price level, reliability, company reputation and so on and so forth. On one hand, this variety means that you will almost certainly be able to find a cleaning company which will tailor their services to your needs. On the other hand, this diversity can make your search quite complicated and confusing. So, to save yourself a lot of stress, you can follow these simple steps and even make a checklist to find the service which fits you like a glove.

1.    The very first thing you will need to do is figure out exactly what it is that you will need in terms of services. Do you need a weekly cleaner to handle certain chores like laundry, vacuuming, ironing, etc.? Do you need a more thorough clean, or a more frequent service maybe? Or do you need less regular help, more like the occasional help with spring cleaning or a moving out clean? All of these services are available on the cleaning market, with any frequency and various types of packages. It is up to you to decide what you need and, perhaps more importantly, what you are willing to pay for.

2.    The second thing you will need to do is research the various companies on the market. Begin narrowing your search by first selecting a list of companies which provide exactly the type of service you've decided on. Then look up testimonials. Look beyond the ones on the companies' websites and ask real people - around your network of friends and acquaintances or even on online forums and message boards. When asking, do not forget to pay special attention to the price ranges of the different companies and different services.

3.    Look up some self employed maids as well. Often times self-employed cleaners will be more flexible, both with the services they offer and with the prices. Additionally, it is much easier to build a good working relationship with a freelancer, rather than a representative of a company. On the other hand, the maids, employed by a cleaning company will be bound by said company's code of contact. This choice should be based on your own list of priorities. If you're not sure which is the best alternative, you may want to test out a few services - hire one company for a week, and if you're not satisfied, switch to a new one the next. Just be aware that a one-time cleaning service will cost you more than the weekly fee for a weekly maid service.

4.    Lastly, once you're set on the company or maid that you like best, you will need to build a good working relationship. You may want to give specific instructions about how you want everything done. The first one or two times, it may be a good idea to supervise. However, if you've opted for a regular maid service and the same cleaner every week, do try to build a good working relationship and trust. Additionally, do not forget to give a good tip, if you're satisfied with the service and always treat the cleaner with respect and courtesy.