7 signs you need to hire a cleaner to tackle your dirty home – and how it can seriously reduce stress

There's a common misconception that the only people who hire house cleaners are those with more rooms than they know what to do with. However, professionals say more people can benefit from some hired help. So, what are the signs you need to hire a cleaner?

From tackling cleaning when feeling overwhelmed, to not being sure where to start, hiring a professional cleaner can help relieve the pressure, leaving more time and energy to enjoy your weekends and evenings.

We spoke to professional cleaners for the top seven signs you and your home benefit would benefit from an expert cleaner, and how hiring help can make a positive difference to your life.

Signs you need to hire a cleaner

Cleaning a house on top of a job, tackling family duties, balancing hobbies, and finding some space in between to relax can be overwhelming no matter how many smart cleaning tips you stack into your chores.

1. You regularly feel overwhelmed

If you regularly feel overwhelmed it seems impossible to make a dent in your cleaning chores, it might be time to consult a professional cleaner service.

Ken Doty, cleaning expert and chief operating officer at The Maids says, ‘If there are three kids, a dog, and a cat in your household, then getting everyone out the door in the morning is hard enough, let alone cleaning up their messes. You can feel like you're running in circles when you have pet hair, toys, unmade beds, and dirty dishes everywhere. You can take a break by hiring a recurring cleaning service or even a same-day cleaning service.’

Hiring a professional in the long term can help to take the pressure off of you and give you more time to relax, or they can help reset your space as a one-off so you can create a more achievable cleaning routine to maintain your newly deep-cleaned home.

2. You are not too sure how to clean

Cleaning is not always intuitive, and so much of what we learn comes from what we observed in our family homes when growing up. It is not as easy for everyone to work out the best ways to clean a kitchen or a bathroom and there is no shame in that.

If you are not sure how or where to start cleaning, it might be a good idea to hire help, suggests Kathy Cohoon, operations manager at Two Maids .

‘You may not know the best way to clean your home, or you don’t have the right tools to get the job done – which can leave you frustrated and with compounding dirt and odors. This is an ideal time to call in a professional team that’s trained on the proper techniques and can be thorough and efficient, customizing the cleaning to your specific needs.'

3. You don’t have time to clean

Trying to clean your house when you’re too busy is possible, but can be exhausting. If there simply aren't enough hours in your week to dedicate to cleaning, hiring a professional cleaner that really take the strain away.

Stacy Peterson, cleaning expert and owner at MaidPro Tucson , says, ‘Most people have work long hours and have minimal free time at home. Sometimes we get short notice that a company is on the way. In those times, you may just need a pair of extra helping hands.

‘The last thing you want to put on your "to do" list is to clean your home. Between full-time jobs, children, pets, or hobbies, your free time is valuable. Hiring a professional house cleaner can help lighten the load and shrink your "to-do" list. The last thing my children want to do on the weekend is chores and I don't blame them. Getting an extra set of helping hands allows my family to make core memories doing things we love with each other.’

4. Physical or mental health conditions

Sometimes our health gets in the way of maintaining a home. No matter if you are temporarily ill, manage a long-term condition, or are trying to create an ADHD-friendly home , hiring a professional can have a significant impact.

Ken Doty, cleaning expert, explains, ‘The job of cleaning requires physical exertion. For dust, dirt, and grime to be removed, you need to bend, reach, and even use a step stool. A cleaning service can relieve the stress of moving around if you're recovering from an injury or managing an illness. Your home will be safely cleaned up to your high standards, guaranteed.’

Punteha van Terheyden , Head of Solved at Homes & Gardens manages multiple chronic illnesses. She says, 'I deal with intense chronic pain, daily dislocating joints, insomnia and severe fatigue. Whilst my husband and I try to manage things between us, there have been long stretches when my health has been particularly bad and we've hired professional cleaners to come in weekly and lend a hand.

'The relief of knocking big cleaning tasks off our list during those difficult stretches of life helped us cope when things had otherwise become really hard. We'd do it again in a heartbeat. If you're feeling internal pressure to do everything yourself whilst you or your partner are ill: just don't. Be as kind and compassionate to yourselves as you would be your loved ones and move past the sense of obligation you feel about cleaning your home yourselves, and call in pros so you can dedicate your time and energy to taking care of each other.'

Punteha also hired cleaners for the first six months after her daughter was born, and after every surgery she had. 'It was a brilliant investment,' she adds.

5. Your home is showing signs of damage

Homes that have not been properly cleaned for a while can begin to show signs of deeper damage as a result. From pest infestations such as ants in the kitchen , to stains and mold problems, some bigger challenges such as cleaning mold from a carpet might need an expert's touch.

Eliana Coca, professional cleaner and owner of E.C House Cleaning says, ‘A spotless environment helps prevents pest infestations, water damage, and high energy bills. Regular service gives you peace of mind that your most valuable asset is well-maintained.’

Remember to inform whichever cleaning service you are working with about any large-scale issues before they arrive so that they can bring the correct equipment, or refer you to a more specialized service if needed.

Cleaners will usually bring their own supplies, but it never hurts to have your own on hand to clean up messes between their visits and prevent household damage. We love this all-purpose spray to quickly maintain counters. You can also ask your cleans to use the products you prefer if you have sensitivities to particular chemicals and smells.

A good disinfectant spray can help ward off illnesses in your home by quickly sanitizing surfaces. Keep this anti-bacterial spray on hand to use between cleaning visits or if a member of your household is ill.

Cleaning with vinegar is one of the best all-natural ways to kill bacteria, but it is even better at getting rid of mold . Keep a bottle to hand to quickly tackle mold in any room of the house before it gets worse. You can also use vinegar to deodorize laundry and wipe ants' chemical trails.

6. You’re looking to sell or move

If you are hoping to sell a house quickly , getting a professional cleaner to help spruce it up can make as big a difference as staging your home .

Ken Doty, a cleaning expert, explains, ‘Putting your for-sale house through a deep clean is a great way to make a home look new again. Similarly, you might want to consider getting your new home deep cleaned by an expert to help truly make it your own. Plus, moving can take a toll on an interior, floors can get scuffed and walls can be marked heavily.'

7. Your home has special cleaning requirements

Some homes might have special fittings and expensive materials that need specialized care to maintain and keep looking their best. Rocky Vuong, professional cleaner and owner of Neatbrite, Dallas , suggests that this is a good sign you might want a professional cleaner.

‘Certain situations call for specialized cleaning knowledge or equipment. Whether it's deep cleaning after a move, tackling pet odors, or dealing with allergies, professional cleaners have the experience and tools to get the job done right.'

Much like the signs you need to hire a professional organizer , spotting the signs you need a cleaner early can improve your quality of life while making your new cleaners job easier too.

Remember that you do not need to hire a professional over a long period. Sometimes, just a few sessions can help to restore order and make maintaining the cleanliness of your home moving forward simpler.