Domestic Cleaner Brief and House Instructions

Who this is for

A written brief for whoever cleans your home. It lists the jobs in each room, done every visit or in turn, the products to use and where they are kept, the surfaces that need care and anything to leave alone. Pay and terms are agreed separately.

Households taking on a cleaner for the first time, those changing cleaner or agency, and anyone whose cleaner works while they are out and cannot ask questions on the day.

What this helps you track

• The jobs in each room and whether they are done every visit or in turn
• Keys, alarm, pets, parking and who to call on the day
• Products and equipment provided, and where they are kept
• Surfaces that need special care and what never to use on them
• Things in the house that are not to be cleaned, moved or touched

How to use it

1. Fill in the basics at the top: the usual day and time, how to get in and set the alarm, pets, parking and a contact for the day.
2. Go room by room, write the jobs you want done and tick Always or In turn for each line.
3. List the products and equipment you provide and where they are kept, and mark anything the cleaner brings.
4. Add the surfaces that need care with what to use and never use on them, and tick Leave alone for anything not to be touched.
5. Walk round the house together before the first visit with the checklist, then hand over a printed copy or a completed PDF from the browser version, which saves in your own browser.
6. Agree pay, hours and other terms separately, and update the brief when the jobs change.

Formats

• Printable PDF (A4 and US Letter)
• Fillable PDF with form fields
• Fill in online, saved in your browser

The printable is laid out inside a box that fits both A4 and US Letter, so the two files are identical and neither one is scaled. The fillable PDF has real form fields. The online version keeps what you enter in your own browser and builds the completed PDF on your device.

How to print

Download the A4 or US Letter file to match the paper in your printer, open it in a PDF reader and print at 100% — not "fit to page", which shrinks the writing space. Both files leave a 14 mm margin, which clears the unprintable edge on home printers. To print the online version with your entries in it, use the Print this sheet button, which prints only the sheet and none of the page around it. More on printing.

Questions

Does the brief cover pay and hours?

No. Pay, hours, holidays and other terms are agreed separately, directly with the cleaner or through their agency. This sheet is only about the work: what to clean, with what, and what to leave alone.

Do I have to put the duties in writing?

Writing them down helps both sides, and where someone is employed in your home some countries have rules or codes of practice about written duties and terms. Check the rules where you live; this sheet is a practical brief, not a contract.

What is the difference between Always and In turn?

Always is for jobs done on every visit, such as worktops and the toilet. In turn is for jobs taken in rotation, such as the inside of the oven or the skirting boards, so each gets done every so often. Agree the order with your cleaner.

How is it different from a house sitter sheet?

A house sitter sheet covers the whole home while you are away: heating, bins, pets, plants and emergencies. This brief is narrower and applies every visit: the cleaning jobs, products, surfaces and things to leave alone.

What if I want extra jobs done one week?

Ask in advance rather than leaving a note on the day, so the cleaner can say whether there is time. If the extra job becomes regular, add it to the room table and hand over an updated copy.