What Does a Housekeeper Do?

Firstly, what is a housekeeper?

Randstad explains: “A housekeeper is in charge of making sure that a home or institution maintains a high standard of cleanliness. In a private home or small business, this means being responsible for tasks such as cleaning, laundry, and dealing with tradesmen like plumbers or electricians. In a larger institution, a housekeeper supervises a team of cleaners or other housekeeping staff. In this type of environment, your responsibilities include setting team schedules, inspecting work, ordering supplies and similar management tasks.“

I know some people are unsure about the difference between a housekeeper and a cleaner – you can read more about the differences and which one is right for you here: Do I Need A Housekeeper Or A Cleaner?

Housekeepers often work in private homes and can be employed in a variety of settings, ranging from large estates to more modest households. They may work for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), including successful businesspeople, professionals, or celebrities. In these environments, housekeepers are often entrusted with maintaining high standards of cleanliness and organisation, while also respecting the privacy and security of the household.

Working for HNW families or celebrities typically involves managing large homes or multiple properties, requiring housekeepers to handle a wide range of tasks such as cleaning, laundry, wardrobe management, and sometimes even cooking or assisting with events. Given the high expectations in these roles, housekeepers may be responsible for maintaining luxury furnishings, antiques, or expensive art pieces.

Discretion and professionalism are key, as they often handle sensitive information and interact with high-profile guests. Many housekeepers employed by HNW families are expected to maintain a high level of confidentiality and adapt to the unique demands of these households, such as busy social schedules or frequent travel.

Working in these environments can be demanding but also rewarding, providing opportunities for housekeepers to work in prestigious settings and sometimes travel with the family, experiencing luxurious lifestyles firsthand.

If you’d like us to help you find a housekeeper you can contact us here.

So, what does a housekeeper do?

Let’s go over a few of the tasks that a housekeeper might do, on top of the daily cleaning:

1. Home Organisation

Housekeepers will probably go beyond the usual cleaning and actually help to organise your home. This won’t usually be done by a cleaner, so if you are looking for someone to clean and organise then a housekeeper may suit your needs better. Organisation tasks might include:

2. Maintaining Cleanliness Standards

Housekeepers are responsible for maintaining impeccable cleanliness standards within a household, ensuring that every area of the home is consistently kept in pristine condition. They work to a high standard, often tailored to the preferences of the homeowners, and aim to keep the property in a condition that reflects order, luxury, and comfort.

Typically, housekeepers follow a structured cleaning routine that encompasses daily, weekly, and seasonal tasks. Daily maintenance might include dusting, vacuuming, mopping, making beds, and ensuring that all living areas are tidy and presentable. On a weekly basis, housekeepers may undertake more detailed tasks such as deep cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, polishing silverware, or organising cupboards and storage areas.

High net worth households often require additional attention to detail, including the care of luxury fabrics, antiques, or rare artworks, ensuring that these items are properly cleaned and maintained without damage. For example, housekeepers may need to use specialised cleaning products or techniques to care for marble surfaces, expensive wood finishes, or delicate textiles.

In many cases, housekeepers also take responsibility for managing supplies—they will track cleaning products, laundry detergents, and household goods to ensure nothing runs out. They may even establish routines for the maintenance of appliances like washing machines, dishwashers, and vacuum cleaners to keep the household running smoothly.

For high-profile families or those with frequent visitors, maintaining a certain level of readiness is crucial. Housekeepers often have the foresight to ensure the home is always in a presentable state, so it’s ready for last-minute guests, events, or unexpected returns from travel.

3. Wardrobe Management and Clothing Care

Housekeepers can be experts in wardrobe management and the care of fine clothing, particularly in households where luxury garments, designer brands, and delicate fabrics are commonplace. This expertise extends beyond simply doing laundry – it involves a deep understanding of how to properly clean, store, and maintain different types of clothing to ensure longevity and presentation.

When it comes to wardrobe management, housekeepers may be responsible for organising clothing by season, occasion, or colour, ensuring that everything is easy to find and properly maintained. They may also handle wardrobe rotation, storing out-of-season garments and bringing them out when needed, while ensuring the items remain fresh and protected during storage.

The care of fine clothing demands specialised knowledge, as luxury fabrics like silk, cashmere, wool, and linen require delicate handling. Housekeepers often know which items need to be dry-cleaned, hand-washed, or cleaned with specific products. In some households, they may even work closely with personal shoppers or stylists to ensure that the wardrobe remains current and well-maintained.

Additionally, housekeepers can be tasked with steaming and ironing garments to keep them looking pristine, removing stains carefully, and carrying out minor repairs like sewing on buttons or mending small tears. Some may also handle footwear care, ensuring that shoes are cleaned, polished, and properly stored to prevent wear and tear.

For families with formal or high-profile events, housekeepers can play a crucial role in ensuring that garments are ready for special occasions, whether that involves preparing a tuxedo, evening gown, or coordinating travel wardrobes. Their attention to detail ensures that clothing is not only clean and well-kept but also styled and presented to match the household’s standards.

4. Event Coordination and Hospitality

Housekeepers can help with event coordination and hospitality. Your housekeeper might be responsible for laying the table and organising the decor for a dinner party. They may also help with meeting and greeting guests and showing them round. Events often happen outside of usual work hours so it is important that you let your housekeeper know before hand that you will need their help. Lots of my clients add to the contract of employment that there may be occasional overtime at evenings and weekends.

5. Art and Antique Care

If you have a home filled with art and antiques, it’s important to consider hiring a housekeeper who has specialised training and expertise in the care of these valuable items. Art and antiques require delicate handling and maintenance, as improper care can lead to damage or devaluation. A housekeeper with knowledge in this area can help preserve your collection, ensuring that each piece remains in excellent condition over time.

There are a variety of training courses available for housekeepers to obtain expert knowledge in art and antique care. These courses often cover a range of topics, including the correct cleaning techniques for different materials, how to handle fragile items, and how to create a safe environment for displaying and storing valuable pieces. Training might also focus on maintaining the right temperature and humidity levels in rooms with sensitive materials like paintings, sculptures, or antique furniture.

In many cases, this specialised knowledge is also gained through years of experience working in homes that feature art collections or antiques. Housekeepers who have spent time in these environments often develop a keen understanding of how to protect these items from everyday wear and tear, such as dust, sunlight, and accidental damage.

6. Confidentiality and Trustworthiness

In the UK, housekeepers are entrusted with the utmost confidentiality, especially when working in households where privacy is of the highest importance. Whether managing day-to-day tasks or overseeing the care of valuable possessions, housekeepers are often privy to personal and sensitive information. As such, trustworthiness and discretion are essential qualities that are highly valued by employers, particularly in high-net-worth households.

When you’re in the process of hiring a housekeeper, you can rest assured that ensuring confidentiality is a top priority. Reputable agencies and employers place a strong emphasis on vetting candidates for their ability to uphold privacy and maintain discretion at all times. Housekeepers in these roles understand the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of their employer’s lifestyle, financial information, and personal affairs.

This is particularly critical in high-profile households, where housekeepers may interact with notable figures or manage sensitive situations. In such environments, a housekeeper’s ability to blend into the background while keeping the household running smoothly is essential. They are trained to handle everything with the highest level of professionalism, whether it’s safeguarding private documents, managing secure spaces, or simply respecting the personal boundaries of the family.