What does a Housekeeper do?

One of the most consistent requests Discretion Staffing hears when speaking with our multi-national clients is a need for skilled trustworthy Housekeepers.

A Housekeeper should not be confused with a House Manager. The Housekeeper's skills are very different to the House Managers.

For the discerning client, a Housekeeper is a person who makes the home a sanctuary away from the stresses of their day-to-day life. The Housekeeper makes the home a place of peace where the client can relax without any worry about laundry, cleaning or other menial duties.

There are many things to consider when hiring a housekeeper, having an insight into their working day can help clients understand what to expect when they employ housekeepers to their household staff.

A day in the life of a Housekeeper can be difficult. Delivering a service for Ultra High Net Worth Individuals is often driven by an attention to detail elevated beyond most people's experience.

Stefanie is currently working as a housekeeper with a client she was introduced to by Discretion Staffing.

She kindly agreed to share some insights into what a typical day looks like for a high-end housekeeper.

DS: Hi Stefanie, perhaps we can start with you describing the setting you work within so other people can get a feel for your typical client base.

S: Sure, I am currently working with a family of five. The property I am based at is a twelve-bedroom, seventeen-bathroom property in California.

DS: How did you start as a housekeeper and is being a housekeeper a career?

S: I'm not sure how to answer that. When I was younger I was lucky enough to get a training placement for a family who had a substantial house in Knightsbridge and a large country estate. I worked under the Head housekeeper back then. I learned a lot, especially about not compromising on standards.

Yes, being a housekeeper for high-net-worth individuals can be a career, but you have to own it, it won't just happen.

DS: For the readers, can you describe a day in the life of a housekeeper?

S: I am currently living on-site. They let me use their gym which is gracious of them. So I wake up at 6.00 a.m. have a workout and after showering and getting into uniform. I begin my duties. Typically I check the kitchen first especially if they have had guests, and make sure everything is pristine before they come down for breakfast.

I try to keep out of view whenever I can. I was taught early on that the client's sense of privacy is everything. So I try to keep my presence in their space to a minimum. It doesn't take long to learn the family's typical routine so I try to always be a room or two ahead of them. My goal is that whenever they enter a room my work as Housekeeper has already been done.

Once I have cleaned the kitchen I get straight onto any laundry duties. The home I am currently working in has a great chute system that drops the laundry straight into bins that I can just wheel into the utility room where the washers and driers are.

When I am happy all the laundry is on a cycle I start a deep clean. I will start in the kitchen again if the family have eaten breakfast and work my way around. The Madam of the house will message me with any specific requests she may have and I tend to do those first if possible.

As I go around the house I make sure nothing is missed, every edge every item dusted and checked. Each room receives a deep clean and as I vacuum each area I also tidy. I take each room as if it is being prepared for a photo shoot. I want the family's expectations to be met every time they open a door or turn a corner.

After lunch, I will usually do my admin. This can be anything from informing the family of a broken item that needs replacing, food shopping, or restocking of sundries.

The family I currently work for has a private chef, but I can, and have, cooked for them on occasion.

The rest of my day is pretty routine, check the laundry, iron it, and put it back into the dressing rooms and wardrobes ready to wear. I continue keeping an eye on the rooms, keeping to a rotation that works for the family. Once the day is winding down I will have a catch-up with Madam and cover any needs for the day ahead.

Normally, around six I end my duties and relax.

DS: Sounds like a busy day, what would be the best advice you could give to someone wanting to become a housekeeper?

S: Experience matters. You can't expect to go from cleaning your own home to being able to deliver on the needs an ultra-high-net-worth individual might have. Start with a hotel, learn the trade and discipline there, if you can, work in more exclusive or prestigious places and then build your resume.

Once you have the experience and the prestige behind you then an agency like Discretion Staffing might be able to help. I found my two placements with Discretion Staffing they have both been long-term housekeeping assignments and the families I have been privileged to work for were great.

If you are an experienced housekeeper or you are a person looking to hire a housekeeper then contact Discretion Staffing, we are the experts in providing trustworthy effective staff internationally.