HouseKepeer

What is a housekeeper?

A housekeeper is a domestic service professional who has general responsibilty for the maintenance and cleaning of a private household. A housekeeper's primary job responsibility is to maintain the employer's home in a clean and presentable manner at all times. A housekeeper may live in or live out, and may be employed on either a full time or a part time basis.
A housekeeper is 'hands on' in the performance of his/her job responsibilities. A housekeeper may supervise other household staff, but this is not the norm. A housekeeper may be assisted in the performance of his/her duties by a maid.
A housekeeper's duties may include any of the following:

• Cleaning the interior of the home and the immediate areas outside (patios, porches, decks, walks)
• Kitchen maintenance - dishes, cupboards, pantry, counters and floors.
• Laundry (Clothing & household linens)
• Bed making, routine bedding & linen changes
• Meal Preparation & Service
• Assisting with the cooking and serving for special events
• Grocery shopping and other household errands
• Keeping the household supplies fully stocked
• Receive & serve guests
• Pet care
• Plant care (household)
• Silver Polishing
• Secure/supervise tradesmen/contracors
• Organization: may rotate seasonal clothing in closets, maintain pantry and routinely clear out of date and spoiled items.
• House-sitting while the employer is out of town
• Occasional childcare
• Household bookkeeping and/or accounting tasks

The position of housekeeper does not require special education. Skills required include self starter, time management, organization, tact, honesty, and basic money handling and accounting. May be a uniformed staff position. May require dietary training if meal planning is required. Housekeeper is supervised by the homeowner in smaller households, and by the Household Manage