What tasks does a home help do?
A domestic help probably has the most comprehensive range of tasks. The name already indicates what needs to be done: Your domestic help will help you around the house. This means that they take on all the everyday tasks that arise in a household. This can include dusting and cleaning the windows - in other words, general cleaning work. But it can also be doing the shopping, tidying up the children's rooms, putting away the dishwasher, taking laundry to the dry cleaners, watering the flowers, changing the bed linen, ironing the laundry or preparing meals. Basically, you could say that a domestic help does everything that a housewife would do. So if you hire a domestic help, you no longer have to worry about anything in the household yourself. All the tasks are done for you. It is important that you agree with your domestic help in advance which tasks you want them to take on. Should the domestic help also put the rubbish bins out for collection and air the rooms every morning? The more explicitly the area of responsibility is defined in advance, the fewer disagreements there will be later about what needs to be done. This is because if tasks are taken on that were not previously discussed, these can be invoiced additionally. However, a domestic help who is committed to their work will work very independently and will not wait for their employer to point out everything that needs to be done. A good domestic help will pay attention to even the smallest details. For example, making sure that towels are folded neatly or that cleaning products are used that leave a pleasant scent. This kind of domestic help makes sure that the client feels really comfortable when they come home. So if you want the all-round package in terms of Support in the household should employ a domestic help. A domestic help can also be referred to as a housekeeper.
It is often housekeepers who work as domestic helpers. However, the term "housekeeper" is actually much broader than that. A housekeeper is a 3-year, state-recognised training occupation. Housekeepers learn to adapt to the needs of employers to a particular degree. For example, by dealing with suitable ingredients for allergy sufferers, helping senior citizens or disabled people with personal hygiene, organising celebrations or looking after children and pets. Commercial tasks are also part of the job profile of a housekeeper, for example drawing up budget plans or managing money for food. A trained and professional housekeeper can therefore fully cover your back. Housekeepers not only work for private families or single people, but also in health resorts and hospitals, hotels or residential homes.
What is the cleaning lady job?
The situation is different for cleaning ladies. Here too, the name already indicates which tasks are included in their area of activity, namely cleaning. A cleaning lady therefore only takes care of the cleaning. In other words, she takes care of the living space. This can include dusting, vacuuming, cleaning the toilet, polishing, removing cobwebs or cleaning the windows. The tasks of a cleaning lady should also be clearly allocated. However, the rest of the housework does not fall within the remit of a cleaning lady. This means that she does not usually prepare meals or carry out personal errands. Many cleaning ladies also only take on the basic cleaning of the home. If additional, time-consuming tasks are required, such as cleaning the oven and fridge or doing the laundry, this can of course be negotiated. Just as with a domestic help, it should be agreed with the cleaning lady exactly which tasks she should take on. If additional work is required, this can be paid for separately. You should also make it clear whether you only want some cleaning help - i.e. whether you will also be doing the cleaning yourself - or leave all the cleaning work to the cleaning lady are to be realised.
Is the term "cleaning lady" derogatory?
The cleaning lady job is often seen as inferior. Cleaning someone else's home is perceived by some people as an inferior job. However, this completely overlooks the service that a cleaning lady in Switzerland actually provides. Whether due to a lack of time, a lack of desire or physical limitations - there are many different reasons why people are no longer able or willing to do their own household chores. Dirty toilets, dirty windows and dusty floors can quickly make you feel uncomfortable in your own home. Without the valuable help of a cleaning lady, you would literally drown in your own filth and also suffer a lot psychologically from the stressful situation. Anyone who is ashamed of a dirty home will no longer want to receive guests. This can quickly lead to social isolation. A cleaning lady therefore makes a significant contribution to ensuring that everyone feels comfortable in their own home - a real cleaning fairy who does good. A cleaner provides an important service for other people. What's more, cleaning is a physically strenuous and demanding job that requires a lot of effort and regularly involves bending down, stretching or kneeling down. The cleaning lady job therefore deserves more respect. A cleaning lady should not be ashamed of her important job. And the term "cleaning lady" should not be understood in a derogatory context. Rather, it is a very precise description of the work that is carried out here. The term "cleaning lady" has now become established and is part of common parlance. However, it is also possible to use the actual technical term for this profession, which is cleaner. A cleaning lady who is appreciated by her employer is also often referred to as a "cleaning fairy" or "pearl". Terms that express the respect and recognition of the profession. Alternatively, the terms "cleaner", "cleaning assistant", "cleaning lady" or "cleaning staff" can also be used. These also refer to the actual core activity of a cleaner, namely cleaning. The term "cleaning lady" has also become established and is used for the Cleaning lady job used.
