Pause and think for a minute about the actual work your house cleaner does. There are the dirty toilets scrubbed, the soap scum – and other gross leftovers – they remove from your bathtubs and showers, the crumb-covered countertops, and let’s not even get started on your microwave and oven. Being a house cleaner can often be gross work – but here at Summit Maids, we refuse to let it be thankless work.
One of our most popular resources is about tipping your house cleaner: how to do it, how much to give, and more etiquette. While cash is always appreciated, there are some other fun and creative tips you can give your housecleaner too; maybe you keep these ideas in your back pocket for the holiday season or just as a surprise when you want to really show your appreciation. Something more personal – like the ideas below – can make your cleaner feel how grateful you’re for the great job they’ve done.
No matter when, where, or how much you tip your house cleaner, it’s an important part of this service industry we’re all part of. If you want to be a bit more imaginative, here are nine creative ways to tip your housecleaner you can try the next time you want to show your cleaner some appreciation.
A Monthly Bonus
A monthly bonus is a great way to tip your house cleaner. You get to recognize your cleaner for a hard month’s work and give them an extra boost. Also, a great advantage is that it allows them to treat themselves however they like. A bonus can be any amount you want, but make sure it’s reasonable depending on the work they’ve done and how much they earn.
Baked Cookies
Friend’s character, Monica Geller, was a great advocate of tipping homemade cookies. According to her “cookies say someone really cares”. And she was right! Taking the time to look for a recipe and baking the cookies is a lot more personal than money. Plus, it’s delicious!
A Gift Card
If you happen to talk with a house cleaner and know about their interests and likes, a great way to tip them is with a gift card. In a similar way to cash, gift cards give your cleaner more freedom as it enables them to buy whatever they like from the particular store. Here are a few stores you can give your house cleaner gift cards for:
- For their favorite restaurant
- For their favorite shops
- For a beauty salon
Tickets to a Sports Game
If your cleaner is a sports enthusiast, gifting them a pair of tickets to cheer for their favorite team is a meaningful and notable touch. You can try to make it even more special by buying tickets for games where their team plays against their historic rival.
If you call Cleveland home as we do, here’s where you can get tickets for the Guardians, the Cavs, and the Browns.
A Nice Bottle of Wine
Wine lovers out there will agree that wine is a highly personal and individual beverage. And choosing a good wine to give someone isn’t as simple as choosing a bottle with a pretty label or hefty price tag. If you don’t know your house cleaner’s preferences, you can try to learn about their favorite dish and give them something to go with it. Or, worst case scenario, a bottle of sparkling wine never fails.
It is worth noting that you should never assume your house cleaner drinks; this gift works better if you already know that your housecleaner has an appreciation for wine.
A Gourmet Goodies Gift Basket
Following the culinary theme, you can tip your house cleaner a gourmet goodies basket. Gourmet gift baskets usually come with a delicious mix of premium artisanal foods, high-end cheese, and wine. Some even include exotic fruits.
A Spa Voucher
You know how hard it is for people in this day and age to find some time to just relax. That’s why a spa voucher is a fantastic way to tip your house cleaner; because it’s something they would rarely get for themselves. Some spas offer a great range of luxurious packages and beauty gift vouchers, so you can find the alternative that fits your house cleaner best.
Massage Envy is a great option for this kind of creative housecleaner gift; they have five locations in the Cleveland area.
A Yoga Class
If your house cleaner is already a yogi, then a voucher for a special yoga class to take their practice to the next level is a great tip. But then again, sometimes people have a hard time picking up healthy habits. Gifting a yoga class voucher can be a good way to introduce your house cleaner to a new hobby.
Movie Tickets
Last but not least in our list of creative housekeeper tips we have movie tickets. This gift is a good alternative if your house cleaner is a movie lover or if they have kids. Most movie theaters have great gift cards which include popcorn and other treats to have the whole experience.
Have any other questions about tipping your house cleaner, how much to tip, or something else?
