Frequently Asked Questions
About Us
- Please inform us via phone and email prior to your service if you (or someone in your household) has been experiencing any flu or cold like symptoms. If you or your household member are sick and if more than 24hrs notice is given, no cancel fee will be charged. Less than 24hrs notice, a $100 fee will be charged. Otherwise our regular cancel fees will apply (see our FAQ below on billing and fees).
- Our company does not require neither our staff nor our clients to be vaccinated.
- Please understand, we have shrunk in size as a result of COVID. As such: we no longer offer a specific Cleaner or Cleaners. The way we schedule has changed and we do not accommodate special requests for specific Cleaners any longer. Thank you for your understanding.
- Our Green Cleaners wear disposable gloves throughout the duration of the service.
- Our Green Cleaners are provided with hand-sanitizer and wash their hands regularly.
- Our Green Cleaners use clean cleaning cloths and mop heads for every home.
- Our equipment is sanitized after each use.
- We do not offer a reschedule discount if we need to cancel a service because of a Cleaner sickness. The current pandemic and safety requirements are outside of our control – and for the safety of our staff, clients and communities, we must err on the side of caution.
We do offer eco-safe house cleaning, maid services, and office cleaning services. This includes maintenance cleaning, deep cleaning, move-out/in cleaning, and post-construction fully finished/light-dust new construction/remodel cleaning.
We do not clean anything exterior, nor do we go above a one-step step-stool (no cleaning anything over 7ft). We do not offer bio-hazard/death/toxic clean clean up services (we do not clean human/pet waste) nor do we offer post-construction/remodel new construction clean up services while your contractors are still working in the home (IE make sure they are done before you schedule our final cleaning). These services require specific training and operate under specific regulations. If you are not sure if the service you are looking for falls into the services we provide, give us a call.
We services ALL of Seattle and the following additional areas: Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond (we service some of Redmond but not all), Bothell, Shoreline Kenmore, Edmonds, Lynnwood, Burien, Seatac.
There are a lot of other “green cleaners” out there these days (but none are like us!), so it can be easy to get confused; be sure to look for our trademarked vacuum logo and tagline “Health Begins in the Home™” & “Greener Than Just the Products we Use™” to know you’ve found US.
- are legally employed with our company (which means that your dollars stay local and go back into our local economy) and all State & Federal taxes are paid on them;
- accrue sick pay and are eligible for family paid leave, per Seattle and Washington State law;
- are covered in case of an on-the-job injury;
- are licensed, bonded and insured by our company;
- (before hire) have been interviewed twice;
- (before hire) have passed a background check through HireRight & a Driving Record Release from the DOL;
- (after hire) have been trained and are regularly re-trained and evaluated
Service Questions
If you have signed up for the Move-out/Move-in cleaning service (and you would like the interior of your freezer cleaned), please be sure that your freezer has been in de-frost mode for at least 24 hours before your scheduled service. Also, if you have signed up for the Move-out/Move-in cleaning service (and you would like the interior of your oven cleaned), please note that there is currently not a natural oven cleaning product on the market. You will need to turn on the self-clean feature at least 24 hours before your scheduled service. If your oven is self cleaning, we can utilize this feature for you, however, and wipe the interior out. Please let us know if you would like for us to wipe out your oven.
Keys are accepted for commercial clients; if you are not a commercial client, you may:
- Leave a key for us in a specific location (and update our office on the location)
- Attach a lock box to your door knob (and update our office on the combo)
- Provide our office with the combination for your garage door
- Arrange for your building manager or concierge to let our Green Cleaner inside (let your building manager or concierge know we are “Green Cleaning Seattle – Otium-Maid Services™”)
The BEST (we really do believe!) way to go is keyless. We HIGHLY recommend a keyless digital lock. It will be one of the best investments you can make, and you’ll never lock yourself out. If you do have a keyless digital lock, you can create a code just for us as well. We recommend the brand Schlage. If you want to do a lockbox, the lockbox that we suggest is the Master Lock 5400D Select Access Key Storage Box. Please be sure to update our office with the location & the code at least 24hrs (excluding weekends/holidays) prior to your next service date.
If your Green Cleaner cannot enter the home/office upon arrival, a cancellation fee will be billed. Please see below for our cancellation policy.
Please note, also, for insurance and liability reasons, our Green Cleaners cannot clean anything above 7 ft and cannot climb higher than a one-step step-stool. If you would like your Green Cleaner to use a one-step step-stool, you will need to provide this item.
Products
The power consumption of the Green Cleaning Seattle – Otium-Maid Services™ office is net-zero on an annual basis and our solar panels were installed by another local green business, SolTerra. Our office is also furnished with Energy Star approved appliances, eco-friendly flooring, and low VOC paint. Stone Soup Gardens installed our raingarden and 1320 gallon cistern in the summer of 2014. And we’re also stoked to say that in the Spring of 2018 we invested in our electric-assist cargo bikes! We’re the only cleaning company in the Pacific NW that is making the move to a carbon-free transit fleet.
The Green Cleaning Seattle – Otium-Maid Services™ office supports the Washington Toxics Coalition and the Organic Consumers Association, Seattle Tilth, Casa Latina, The Fremont Chamber of Commerce, The Seattle Good Business Network, and other organizations that are working to create awareness about green practices.
All of these things together mean that our business not only uses “eco-friendly” cleaning products – but also (and very importantly!) strives to keep our local economy and community dollars circulating locally and within our community.
Please note, our Green Cleaners can ONLY use our company approved products. We do have the following exceptions, whereby you can provide the below noted products, if you desire (note: our Green Cleaners cannot use products that you provide unless they are listed below):
Stainless Steel Polish: we use SafeChoice and a soft towel, drying well, for steel; however, 100% natural Lemon essential oil (we will only use and approve our Cleaners to use the brand, Aura Cacia) works well for this purpose. If you would like for us to use 100% natural Lemon essential oil, you can purchase it HERE. We also suggest Earth Friendly Stainless Steel Polish, which you can purchase HERE. Just let our office know where it will be stored in your home & that you would like for us to use it.
Furniture Polish: we use Biokleen and a soft towel normally. However, we can also use Earth Friendly Furniture Polish, which you can purchase HERE. Just let our office know where it will be stored in your home & that you would like for us to use it.
Marmoleum Floor Cleaner: if you have Marmoleum and would rather that we use the Forbo Floor Cleaner, rather than Ecover Floor Cleaner, you can purchase Forbo Marmoleum Floor Cleaner and let our office know where it will be stored in your home & that you would like for us to use it.
Bona OR BioShield Floor Cleaner: we do not personally recommend Bona products; however, we can use your Bona Floor Cleaner if you desire. WE CANNOT USE THE BONA FLOOR POLISH, HOWEVER. Please note: the Bona Floor CLEANER is different than the Bona Floor POLISH, although both bottles look very similar. We suggest BioShield Floor Cleaner instead of Bona Floor Cleaner. You can purchase this product HERE. It is great for wood, bamboo, cork, linoleum, ceramic, porcelain, and stone tiles! If you would like for us to use this product, please let our office know where it will be stored in your home.
Murphy’s Oil Soap: our Ecover Floor Soap is recommended over Murphy’s Oil Soap, however, our Green Cleaners are allowed to use Murphy’s Oil Soap. If you would like for us to use this product, please let our office know where it will be stored in your home.
Dr Bronners: we approve all products from the Dr Bronners line.
Paperstone Brand Cleaner and Rejuvenator: we approve all products from the Paperstone Brand Line.
You may also instruct our Green Cleaners to use your cotton or microfiber towels, non-scratch all-purpose sponges, regular brooms, and basic twist mops. However, we cannot use tools such as a steam cleaner or other equipment that our Green Cleaners have not been previously professionally trained on. Also, we cannot use the cleaning solutions/powders/liquids (other than those noted above) that you provide. We kindly ask that you do not ask our Green Cleaners to use products other than the ones we provide, or the ones listed above.
Scheduling
Services canceled within a 24-72hr time-frame will be billed a $50 cancellation fee. Upon-arrival cancellations and cancellations of within 24hrs will be billed at the full cost of service. We do understand that natural disasters do sometimes occur and we can honor emergency situations with prompt documentation.
Keep in mind: we still pay our Green Cleaners (and we cannot re-book the slot) when they arrive to your home and we get locked out or you sent us home and/or when you cancel within 24hrs. Therefore, under 24hrs cancel is billed at full cost.
Late payments incur a $25 fee per 10 days past due and will be turned over to collections after 45 days. At 90 days past due, you will be reported to credit reporting agencies and this will impact your credit score. Please note: once a bill is past due, and is turned over to collections, we are unable to reverse this action. Please communicate with us if you are having problems getting your bill up to date. Pay your bill at the time of service/service completion to avoid additional charges (and check your spam folder if you don’t see an invoice).
IF YOU NEED TO RESCHEDULE OR CANCEL, our office requires at least 72hrs notice (from the start of your arrival window) for set schedule clients, or 48hrs of notice (from the start of your arrival window) for one time service clients, to avoid a cancellation fee (see below).
Billing
What’s more for your money? All of our staff are employees (not independent contractors). This means that they are all insured, bonded, and that our company pays State and Federal taxes on all of them. Everyone that works for Green Cleaning Seattle – Otium-Maid Services™ has passed a background check, a driving record check, a detailed reference check, and has been trained (and is regularly re-trained).
Our staff are also paid for drive time and our company provides regular staff events such as massage, spa night, camping trips, and weekly yoga classes & monthly acupuncture treatments – as well as Sick Pay & Health Insurance. Our company also provides all of the eco-friendly cleaning supplies needed to clean your home.
So, when you hire our company, you can be assured that your dollars are not only staying local and that your Green Cleaner is being paid over the table, but also that everyone that works for Green Cleaning Seattle – Otium-Maid Services™ is a reliable and safe individual that is paid (and treated) well and fair.
Full payment for service must be received immediately upon completion of service and before your Green Cleaner leaves. If payment is not given to your Green Cleaner at the end of service, you will be invoiced via email, a $5 billing fee will be applied, and payment will be due on receipt of invoice. Repetitive non-payments will be billed a $10 billing fee. Overpayments of $50 or less are applied as a tip to your Green Cleaner, so if you are unsure of your service cost, please contact our office. If your service estimate for your initial service is $700 or more, you will be required to pay a $500 deposit at the time of booking.
If you have a coupon, read the fine print. We do not combine coupons or discounts. The coupon expiration date is the date by which your service must be completed by. If you have a physical coupon, you must include it with deducted payment. If you have a digital coupon, you must email us a screenshot of the coupon having been redeemed.
Invoiced bills/payment not left at time of service incur a $25 late fee per 10 day period past your service date and a $5 billing fee ($10 billing fee on repetitive non-payments). You are responsible for paying your bill on time. Accounts go to collections after 45 days past due. We are a small business, and we depend on timely payments.
You must be pre-approved by our billing department to NOT leave payment at the time of service/to be billed. Payment is due immediately upon the invoice being issued. Please note, we may sometimes offer billing for our set schedule commercial clients and our set schedule WEEKLY residential clients. However, do not assume that this is an option without prior office approval. Also, if you have been given a quote “range” (IE you’re not yet sure of your exact service charge) AND you will NOT be home at the end of the service, we may be able to bill you for your initial Deep Clean, or Move-in/out Clean, and/or your first & second set schedule Standard Cleans. These are the only exceptions for which we may be able to bill you, however, the above fees will still apply.
When you book service with us, we will give you a quote “range” for the time that it will take to clean your home or office (for example, your service may be between 4-6hrs). Once we finish the service, we will know the exact time and you will be able to submit payment. Also, if you’re signed up for set schedule services, after the end of your second set schedule service, we will “lock in” your service length so you will know your service cost going forward.
Please note: our quotes are 90% accurate; however, there are cases – usually when the actual condition of the home/location doesn’t match what was indicated when requesting the quote and/or when more services are requested from our Green Cleaners – when the quote “range” we give you will need to be increased. In such cases, we will call you and email you to let you know.
Our Primary Service Area is Seattle, Shoreline, and LFP, and we have a 3 hour minimum (for initial) and 2.5 hour minimum (for set schedule) to service these areas. If you are located within our Extended Service Area, which is Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Redmond, Bothell, Kenmore, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Burien, Seatac, a $15 per- Green Cleaner drive fee will be added to your bill and a 3 hour minimum applies to these areas.
If our Green Cleaner needs to wait to enter the home/office, wait time is charged time (please see above for instructions on how to enter).
More Info on time added for Urban Parking, Concierge, and Paid Parking costs:
Looking for Urban Parking: If you have a residence in an urban/zoned/limited/garage/paid parking area, we charge (and we pay your Cleaner) for an additional 15 minutes per person per service for time spent looking for a parking spot.
Concierge: We charge (and we pay your Cleaner) for 15 minutes per service for coordinating with concierges/leasing offices.
Paid Parking costs: We will add the cost for parking to your final service total (and your Cleaner is reimbursed for this cost). All parking costs collected go directly to reimburse our staff. If we can’t find free parking on our first circle of the block, we will pay for parking. Sometimes parking lots can cost up to $30. If you live downtown, you probably already realize this 🙂
Parking in certain areas of town has become increasingly challenging to find. Current statistics show that approximately 4000 people per week are moving to Seattle.
Here’s an example: a massage therapist or hairdresser is generally tipped between 15-20% of the service charge; whereas, a maid or mover is tipped a flat rate of $10 to $50+ per service. The range depends on the length and quality of work.
If you forgot to tip, you can send one electronically from the GRATUITY link at the bottom of our website.
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Privacy Policy
Your privacy is very important to us. Green Cleaning Seattle – Otium-Maid Services™ does not rent, sell, or give out client information to third parties for their marketing purposes. However, we do have a sister company and we do share information between each other in a closed-network system. The privacy practices of this statement apply to our services available under the domain and subdomains of this website (the “Site”) and with our sister company who shares our privacy policy disclosures. By visiting this website you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of this Privacy Policy and our policies. By accepting the Privacy Policy and any other agreement presented to you on the Site, you expressly consent to our use and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with this Privacy Policy.
Information Collection
If you send us personal correspondence, such as emails or letters, or if other users or third parties send us correspondence about you, we may add this information to your file.
Communications from the Site
On rare occasions it is necessary to send out service and policy related announcements. If you are a client, you may not opt out of these emails if they relate directly to your service with us by clicking “unsubscribe”. Alternately, we occasionally (about 12 times a year) send out coupon emails or general non-urgent information. You may opt-out of these communications. We communicate with our clients on an as-needed basis to provide requested services and in regards to issues relating your account and service file. We communicate via email and phone.
Sharing Information
Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, we may need to disclose personal information when required by law wherein we have a good-faith belief that such action is necessary to comply with a current judicial proceeding, a court order or legal process served on our Web site.
Links
The Green Cleaning Seattle – Otium-Maid Services™ site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every Web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Web site.
Security
This Web site takes every precaution to protect our users’ information. When users submit sensitive information via the Web site, their information is protected both online and off-line.
We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at any time.
“Lara called me within hours of my initial call. She was prompt, professional and process-oriented. Clearly they have put thought into their systems. Cleaning was done 2 days later – everything met or exceeded my standards. Also, they are slightly less expensive than the other maid service that I was forced to replace due to poor customer service. I am looking forward to using GCS for my regular service.”
“Green Cleaning Seattle was highly recommended by my Concierge. I called on a Thursday was given a quote right away and had a cleaner scheduled for that following Monday. It was quick, easy and efficient. My cleaner showed up when scheduled, asked if I had any special requirements, and was great with my dogs. I came back a few hours later to a sparkling and clean smelling apartment. They are fantastic!”
“Jessi was on time, friendly, extremely detailed. Now my home is clean like a hospital. Amazing what she did with her time – brand-new look of the bathrooms, gleaming floors. It feels so clean, and because of the eco safe products, so safe for my granddaughter. Thank you!”
“I have a exotic pets, so I’m concerned about using pet-friendly products. Green Cleaning Seattle is very conscious and respectful my requirements and caters to all of my concerns.”
“On the first service, Jen was at my home for 7 hours cleaning my one bedroom apartment top to bottom. When she was done, it was all I could do to not cry. I was so grateful for what she gave me – my life back. I hugged her. Yep, I really did. I’ve had many friends over since and it’s been great. Jen now comes once a month so it doesn’t get out of hand again.”
“They did such a good job cleaning. They were polite and completely professional. When I set up the service, the woman in their office was very concise and thorough. I appreciated the clarity and it is apparent that they have thought through their processes and procedures. There was no haste or confusion. The prices was very fair as well.”
“I have two old and easily-scared cats. The Green Cleaning ladies were very conscious of them and were happy to work around them. Their vacuum was much more quiet than my own, which I think the cats appreciated.”
“Gea, Jeremy cleaned this house better than I have ever had a professional clean. I actually called my sister to come and see. She was blown away. And- he was so sweet with the pug. You run a great company – literally you have no competition – no one is close. Thank you. It was so peaceful waking up in my house this morning.”
“Worth every cent. Prompt, clear communication, answered all my questions, answered via email, easy to schedule, convenient time slot. Cleaner arrived promptly, was friendly, mellow, nice to my pets. And now my home is sparkling clean, with no gross chemical smell.”
“I don’t know how I lived without this service for so long and immediately signed up for a bi-monthly cleaning. There are a lot of cleaning services out there (including some less expensive, un-bonded, under-the-table arrangements), but Green Cleaning Seattle is hard to beat. Their prices are competitive with other bonded cleaners, they do a fantastic job and they don’t ruin the planet in the process.”
“I’ve hesitated writing a review as I’ve worked with cleaning services who started out great….and then the quality gradually declined. I’ve been using Green Cleaning Seattle for over 6 months. I’ve had 2 different cleaners and both have been excellent! Before they arrive, I often notice little things like mirror spots or a smudge on the window…wondering if they’ll see it too. And they always do!”