Have questions about how our services work, what to expect, or how to prepare for your cleaning? You’re in the right place. Below you’ll find clear answers to the most frequently asked questions about North Shore House Cleaning. If you still need help, feel free to reach out — we’re always happy to assist.
The easiest way to book our top-rated house cleaning services is through our instant booking portal. Prefer a more personal touch? Our courteous staff is happy to assist you over the phone at 224-225-5965.
Preparing your home for cleaning is simple. Here are a few tips to ensure everything runs smoothly:
Tidy Up – Clear clutter from surfaces so our team can clean effectively.
Secure Pets – Keep pets in a safe area away from the cleaning zone.
Provide Access – Leave a key, garage code, or instructions so we can enter your home without any issues.
These steps help us deliver the most efficient and thorough service possible.
That depends on your needs and lifestyle. We offer recurring cleaning on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis, as well as one-time deep cleans and post-construction cleaning for special occasions or major cleanups.
There are no long-term contracts, so you’re free to adjust your schedule as needed. Whether you want ongoing upkeep or just a single detailed cleaning, we’re here to help.
Not unless you prefer to be. Many of our clients provide us with a key or entry code so they can go about their day stress-free.
Just make sure we have access when we arrive—if not, our cancellation policy may apply.
We also recommend doing a walkthrough with our cleaners after the service to ensure everything meets your expectations.
Yes. We bring all the necessary supplies and equipment to get the job done right.
If you have specific products you’d like us to use, just let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate your preferences.
We prioritize safe, eco-friendly products that are effective without harsh chemicals. Our cleaners use a mix of natural ingredients—like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, essential oils, baking soda, and gentle store-bought options.
The only exception is a fume-free oven cleaner, which we use due to time constraints. If you’d prefer we skip it, let us know—though this may affect the final result. Our goal is always to deliver a safe, high-quality clean you can feel good about.
The duration of our cleaning service varies based on your home’s size, condition, and any additional services requested. On average, a standard clean with our two-person team takes approximately 1-3 hours. However, this can vary depending on specific factors, so your home may require more or less time accordingly. We prioritize efficiency without compromising on quality, ensuring every detail is meticulously addressed. Our goal is to leave your home gleaming, no matter the time it takes!
Standard cleaning covers the essential tasks needed to maintain a clean and tidy home, such as dusting, vacuuming, mopping, wiping surfaces, and cleaning bathrooms and kitchens. Deep cleaning includes all of the above, plus detailed attention to areas that are often overlooked—like baseboards, vents, light fixtures, inside appliances, and heavy build-up.
We typically require a deep cleaning for first-time clients unless the home was professionally cleaned within the past 30 days. This ensures we start with a clean baseline for future maintenance.
More information on the deep cleaning service can be found on our deep cleaning service page.
To ensure the safety of our team and maintain high-quality standards, there are certain tasks we’re unable to perform. These include:
Cleaning chemical or biological waste (including human or pet waste)
Lifting items over 30 lbs or moving heavy furniture
Cleaning in non-air-conditioned spaces
Reaching high areas that require a ladder
Removing paint, construction debris, or excessive pet hair
Cleaning inside dishwashers, washing machines, or light fixtures
Pest removal, or handling mold, smoke, or odor remediation
Performing specialized floor or carpet treatments beyond vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping
These limitations are in place for safety, liability, and insurance reasons, or because they require specialized equipment or expertise.
If you’re unsure whether something falls within our scope, feel free to ask — we’re happy to clarify and help find a solution that works for your needs.
We actually only offer hourly cleans under special circumstances, and we have a 3-hour minimum if we do. That said, most of our clients choose our flat-rate service. It gives them peace of mind—no ticking clock, no hidden charges—and it allows our team to clean thoroughly without rushing. We only adjust the quote if the home is in very different condition than what was described, and we’ll always check with you first.
After you fill out our instant booking form or free estimate request, we will contact you within 24 hours with a detailed estimate and to clarify any details. Upon booking, you’ll receive a confirmation email and our client guidelines. Once signed, we will schedule your cleaning.
We accept various forms of payment, including debit cards and all major credit cards. Payment is only due once the service is completed, but we do verify funds 24 hours prior to your cleaning appointment to ensure a smooth process.
We have three levels of security in place. First, our booking page is protected by extended validation SSL. Secondly, our booking form has its own layer of 256-bit security. Third, credit card transactions are processed by Stripe and are layered on their own 256-bit security protocol. In addition, no credit card numbers are stored in our system—only a token that allows us to charge the card. Rest assured, we take security very seriously.
Yes. All of our team members are carefully vetted, background-checked, and trained to follow our high standards. You can trust that your home is in safe, reliable hands. We prioritize the safety and protection of our clients and employees. Our service providers carry comprehensive insurance coverage to provide peace of mind and ensure that both parties are safeguarded in the unlikely event of any incidents or accidents during cleaning services. We take every precaution to deliver exceptional service while maintaining a high level of professionalism and security.
We know that urgent cleaning needs can arise unexpectedly. While same-day availability depends on our current schedule, we’ll make every effort to accommodate your request. Please contact us at 224-225-5965 as early as possible, and we’ll do our best to fit you in.
*Please note, there is an additional $49 charge for all same-day cleaning services.
Absolutely! We strive to tailor your cleaning experience to your exact preferences. During booking, you can easily add extra services from our list of options. Additionally, feel free to specify any special instructions or areas you’d like our crew to focus on. We’ll ensure our team follows your instructions meticulously. Any additional services requested will be included on your final invoice. Your satisfaction is our utmost priority!
Yes, the initial cleaning typically takes longer as we bring your home up to a maintenance standard. The duration depends on factors such as the number of residents and pets, the level of buildup, and the size of your home. Regular cleanings, whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, help us maintain your home efficiently and keep costs down. For sporadic cleanings, expect each visit to take longer due to increased buildup over time. Consistent scheduling ensures a cleaner home and a more efficient cleaning process.
We’re always open to special requests! Just let us know at least 48 hours in advance, and we’ll allocate the necessary time and resources to accommodate your needs. Flexibility and accommodation are central to our commitment to service excellence. Whether it’s a specific task or preference, feel free to discuss it with us. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we strive to deliver a personalized cleaning experience tailored to your requirements.
We’ll make your beds using the provided linens and can change them if fresh sets are left out. If needed, we can also launder the linens. Additional laundry services are available upon request, but please provide prior notice to ensure we allocate sufficient time for completion.
We adore pets and are happy to work around them. If your pet is comfortable with new people and cleaning activities, they’re welcome to be at home during our service. For the safety and comfort of both our team and your pet, we suggest crating them or keeping them in a separate room. If your pet shows signs of distress or discomfort, our cleaners are trained to leave immediately and contact you to determine the best way forward.
Tips are always appreciated, but not expected. Many clients prefer to tip after each cleaning or provide a larger tip at the end of the year. We also value positive reviews on our website or on social media, as they directly impact our company and cleaners.
If you need to cancel or reschedule your cleaning appointment, please respond to our reminders and notify us at least 24 hours in advance. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before your scheduled cleaning will incur a $50 cancellation fee, compensating our cleaners for the loss of work that day.
When you book with us, we reserve your spot in our cleaners’ calendar, which prevents us from accepting other bookings at that time. Therefore, cancellations can significantly impact our schedule. If you cancel after our cleaners have already arrived, the cancellation fee is $100.
We strive to ensure all customers are 100% satisfied with their cleaning service. That’s why we request all customers to do an initial and final walkthrough with your cleaners to personally make sure you are satisfied before the cleaners leave. If there are any issues, you can point them out, and the cleaners will be happy to address them right away.
In the rare event that you are not satisfied, we offer a free reclean for any missed areas. We must be contacted within 24 hours of the cleaning for any complaints.
If an item is accidentally broken or damaged during our cleaning, our team will promptly report it to you. We’re committed to resolving the issue and will discuss options for repair or replacement. Rest assured, our cleaners are fully insured, and claims can be filed as needed. To safeguard irreplaceable items, we recommend securing them before our visit.
We provide upfront pricing based on the details you give us. If your home’s condition is significantly different than described (e.g., heavy buildup, excessive clutter), we’ll inform you before starting and offer solutions—such as converting to a deep cleaning rate—so there are no surprises.
Never. We offer flexible scheduling with no contracts or obligations. You can pause, cancel, or reschedule at any time with advance notice.
