17 Dec 2025 What to Do If You’re Not Happy With a Cleaning

Even the best cleaning services occasionally miss the mark. Maybe a mirror was streaky, a corner was overlooked, or a room didn’t feel as fresh as usual. It happens.

But knowing what to do if you’re not happy with a cleaning can make all the difference in how the issue gets handled — and how supported you feel as a customer.

What you do next, and how your cleaning company responds, reveals a lot about the kind of relationship you have. If you’ve ever come home after a cleaning and felt disappointed, here’s how to handle it so you get the results and respect you deserve.

• Contact your cleaning company promptly and kindly.
• Check their satisfaction guarantee so you know what support is available.
• Tell them clearly what is “off” and what you’d like to happen — a re-clean, a note for next time, or something else.
• Pay attention to how the company responds; this tells you a lot about their values.
• A professional company won’t take your feedback personally. They will take it seriously — and make it right.

1. Take a Breath and Look Objectively

It’s normal to feel frustrated when something you paid for falls short. Before reaching out, take a moment and do a quick walkthrough of your home. Notice what specifically feels off. Is it one area? A single room? Or does the entire cleaning feel below your usual standard?

Clear, specific observations help the company understand the issue and fix it quickly.

2. Reach Out Promptly and Kindly

Most reputable cleaning companies truly want to know when something doesn’t meet expectations. They can’t fix a problem they don’t know about.

Reach out as soon as you notice the issue. A short message is enough. Include a few details about what you saw and, if helpful, add photos. The goal isn’t to complain — it’s to communicate clearly.

Professional companies appreciate constructive feedback because it helps them coach their teams and improve their service.

3. Check the Company’s Guarantee

Every cleaning company should have a policy that explains what happens if a customer isn’t satisfied.

Some companies limit their guarantee to 24 hours. While that can work on paper, it rarely reflects real life. You may not use every bathroom right away or open every drawer the same day. Sometimes you don’t notice a missed detail until the weekend.

At Maid Brigade, our Happiness Guarantee focuses on flexibility and trust. Whenever you notice something that doesn’t feel right, we’ll work with you to make it right — whether that means returning to fix it, noting it for the next visit, or finding another solution.

A true guarantee shouldn’t feel like a countdown. It should feel like support.

4. Be Honest About What You Want

If you’d like a specific area re-cleaned, go ahead and ask. If you’d prefer a note added for the next visit, that’s perfectly fine too. There is no wrong answer.

A good cleaning company listens carefully, takes notes, and turns your feedback into action. The clearer you are, the better the results will be.

5. Notice How They Respond.

A company’s response tells you a lot about its values. Notice whether they reply quickly and communicate clearly. Pay attention to the tone of their message — a professional team will offer solutions, apologize when needed, and stay kind and helpful rather than defensive or dismissive.

A great cleaning company doesn’t just fix the issue. It takes ownership and makes sure it doesn’t happen again. Consistency, communication, and care are what separate true professionals from everyone else.

6. Communicate Your Preferences

If certain details matter most to you, share that with the service. A quick checklist or a couple of notes on your account can make a big difference.

Professional cleaners appreciate clarity. Over time, these preferences help your team deliver a cleaning that truly feels like your clean.

7. Remember: It’s a Partnership

Housecleaning is a service built on trust and communication. When both sides work together — you sharing honest feedback and the company following through — the results get better every time.

Mistakes happen in every service business. What matters is how quickly and thoughtfully they’re handled.

The Bottom Line

If you’re not happy with a cleaning, speak up. A good cleaning company won’t take your feedback personally. They’ll take it professionally — and they’ll fix it.

That’s exactly why our Happiness Guarantee exists. Your home should feel clean, calm, and cared for. And if it doesn’t, we’ll make it right.

Sample Message You Can Send

Hi [Company Name],

Here’s a simple, kind, and effective way to communicate what you noticed:

Hi [Company Name],

I wanted to share a quick note about my last cleaning. Everything looked great overall, but I noticed [describe issue briefly, such as “the hallway floors still felt dusty”].

Could you please let the team know or add a note for next time?

Thank you so much — I really appreciate your help.

FAQs

Q: What should I do first if I’m not happy with a cleaning?

A: Start with a quick walkthrough. Identify what specifically feels off so you can clearly communicate the issue.

Q: How soon should I contact the cleaning company?

A: As soon as you notice the issue. Prompt communication helps the company respond faster and more effectively.

Q: What’s the best way to share concerns?

A: A short, kind message works great. Include the rooms involved and photos if they help explain what you saw.

Q: Am I being difficult by speaking up?

A: Not at all. Professional companies value constructive feedback because it helps them coach their teams and improve their service.

Q: Should I expect a perfect cleaning every time?

A: Perfection isn’t realistic, but great cleaning companies handle mistakes with speed, ownership, and care.

Q: What kind of guarantee should a cleaning company offer?

A: Look for a guarantee that focuses on support rather than a strict time limit. Maid Brigade’s Happiness Guarantee helps whenever you notice something that doesn’t feel right.

Q: How do I explain what I want fixed?

A: Be honest and specific. Tell them whether you’d like a re-clean, a note for next time, or a different solution.

Q: What does a professional response look like?

A: They respond promptly, apologize if needed, offer a clear solution, and take steps to prevent the issue from happening again.

Q: How can I prevent repeat issues?

A: Keep a short list of preferences on your account. It helps your team understand what matters most to you.

Q: What if my cleaning company gets defensive?

A: That’s a sign they may not be the right fit. A trustworthy company values communication and treats your home — and your feedback — with respect.