This is one of the most commonly asked questions we have heard here at Maid App, during the past few months – and it has a really simple answer.

Yes.

Look, we know there have been many grey areas over the past few months – especially over the lockdown rules during the coronavirus pandemic. One of the main questions that crops up time and time again concerns whether it is safe to employ a cleaner during this time or not. It has been an interesting time for the cleaners contacted through our app – some have been cleaning their regular clients homes as normal, whereas others have had their contracts paused – and some cleaners have chosen to not work as they had to protect themselves and their families (which is fair enough).

If we look to the official government guidance about employing a cleaner during the lockdown period then we can see quite clearly that they state that it is safe to have people coming into your home to work – as long as both they and you abide by the guidelines to safeguard both parties. The Government advice states that “You (the cleaner) can continue work, providing you are well and have no symptoms. No work should be carried out by a tradesperson, cleaner or nanny who has coronavirus symptoms, however mild, or when someone in their own house has coronavirus symptoms.” And this applies to the householders home as well. “No work should be carried out in any household which is isolating or where a person is shielding.”

So, yes, just like any other tradespeople – such as gas safety experts, plumbers or utility repairers – you can invite your cleaner back into your home to help get your house clean and tidy again. As long as both parties are healthy then it is more than ok to employ a cleaner- their job is to remove dirt and grime after all!

It is essential that both you and your chosen cleaner follow these steps though:

• Have a conversation between you before the cleaner visits, to ensure you are both aware of the social distancing guidelines (2m, or 1m with risk mitigation where 2m is not viable)
• Ensure all internal doors within the house are left open, to minimise the cleaners contact with door handles
• Identify the busy areas within your home, such as stairs and corridors which people use to travel to and from rooms – and make sure these are as clear as possible when the cleaner is in your home
• Allow the cleaner to bring their own food and drink with them, and take breaks outside where possible
• Limit the number of people within the home while the cleaner is there – perhaps you could take the opportunity to take a walk or sit in an alternative room to where they are cleaning and keep the door closed
• Keep the same cleaner on a regular basis, so that the same person is coming in and out of your household

Both the householder and the cleaner should also practice good hygiene throughout the day – including:

• Washing hands at frequent periods for more than 20 seconds using soap and hot water – especially important after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose
• Covering your mouth with a tissue or your sleeve when you cough or sneeze, to reduce the spread of germs. Throw your used tissue in the bin immediately, and then go and wash your hands
• Making sure all regularly touched objects and surfaces are cleaned regularly to make sure the risk of passing the infection on to other people
• Have hand sanitiser with you, in case hand washing facilities are not available

So, now we know it is safe to have you home cleaned during coronavirus lets help the cleaners get back to work.  Download Maid App today and find good local rated cleaners in your area.