Cleaning the house is no one’s idea of a party. You keep up with your daily chores just fine, but it’s not like you look forward to them. So why not give yourself back the gift of time as you plan for spring cleaning? If you want flawless floors and clean-as-a-whistle countertops, a professional house cleaner is just the thing to free up your time and make your home shine. As experts in the trade, they know the ins and outs of housecleaning and all the tricks to work more efficiently.

Most cleaning services set a regular schedule, such as weekly, biweekly or monthly visits. The timing will depend on your cleaning needs and preferences, but pros say biweekly cleanings are the most common. The size of your home, number of people living in the home and pets will affect your timing decision as well.

House cleanings follow a set pattern. Your pro will perform a thorough cleaning that usually includes wiping down and disinfecting surfaces, cleaning fixtures, kitchen and bathroom cleaning, dusting, and mopping. The exact services will be determined between you and your pro.

Because cleaning pros do this all the time, they’ll have insights and experience others lack. A good pro will clear out nooks and crannies and corners you barely even knew existed.

You’ll need to decide if you want to hire a solo cleaner or a cleaning service company. Each brings its own pros and cons. With a solo cleaner, their rates tend to be lower, and you work with the same person every time. If something goes wrong, you can bring any concerns to them, and they tend to be quite flexible. With a cleaning company, they may or may not send the same crew every time, so you might not build a rapport with the workers. However, the institutional backing gives you a means for redress if there’s a problem, and they’ll have an easier time filling in and meeting your appointments if one of their workers is sick.

The cost of your cleaning job depends on home size, cleaning frequency and whatever specific additional services you request. On average, you’ll pay between $75 and $250 per housecleaner visit. More frequent visits tend to cost less.

You can save time and make your housecleaner’s job easier by tidying up before they arrive. If you pick up clutter, clean dishes and put away your pets, you give them an easier baseline to make all your surfaces shine like they’re brand new. When they arrive, do a walk-through to point out specific areas that need extra attention. If you have specific cleaning products you’d like them to use, or fragile items that require special attention, tell them in advance as well.

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Tweet your home care questions with #AskingAngi and we’ll try to answer them in a future column.