In Search of Cleaning Service and Don't Use White Glove!

I'm in the Fox Valley area and I used Merry Maids last year (they were a little pricy - $95 for a cleaning every three weeks). Now I use Euromaids ($86 every two weeks) and I'm very satisfied with them. I have a friend who uses the Cleaning Authority, but they have a different system of cleaning which I didn't like. All of these companies are licensed & bonded. I haven't had any issues with either of the two I've used. Every cleaning service I know of requires you to "clear the clutter" prior to cleaning. If you don't, I think they charge you more or just put stuff where you don't want it to be. All these companies will come out and give you a free estimate and some will work with you to customize your cleaning (for example, mine don't clean the basement; in the past I didn't want them to do the dusting--so they took off $ for that). Ask a lot of questions and go with one that you feel comfortable with (they're all individually owned--so the service out by me may be different from the one by you). As for the ring, I don't know what you can do. But that's probably a good question to ask the new company you pick: "If something goes missing in my home and I suspect your employee, what is your policy?" Good luck!

I agree...DON'T USE WHITE GLOVE!!!!! I never had anything stolen by them, but the service is horrible. I was constantly cleaning after them. I came home once to find them using my cleaning supplies even though I was paying them extra to bring their own. They are reasonable compatred to other companies, but not worth it! Sorry that this happened to you!

Dear F.,

I am so sorry that this happened to you. Unfortunately, the ring most likely was stolen, and also unfortunately, there really isn't anything you can do about it. You can contact your local police department right away and file a report, but there won't be much that they can do, and it will be very time consuming on your part. However, if you want to file an insurance claim, you will need to file a police report first. I am constantly afraid that this will happen. My personal policy is that I almost never leave a cleaning person alone in my home, and I never use a service that sends a "team" of multiple people. It is too easy for one member of the team to sneak something when no one else is around and then it makes it too hard to figure out what happened since there were so many people in the house. My mother had her diamond engagement ring stolen this way and she discovered it before the team had even left the home. THe police and the company owner all came, and searched all the garbage, vacuum cleaner bags, etc, and had the employees all turn their pockets inside out. However, that's as far as it went on the searching front, and surprise, surprise, the ring wasn't found. It would be too easy to put it in an inside pocket, underwear, swallow it, etc. Anyway, at least it was insured. If you can't be home that much, you could either only have the house cleaned every other week, or split it up (half one week, half the other) to minimize your time stuck at home. Good luck!

Unfortunately this is one topic I have more experience with than I wish to. I have used Merry Maids & The Maids - both were over priced. I thought the Maids was great and eventually their service grew stale- not as much attention to detail. So I came on here and found Natalia and Stella that are listed under the cleaning services. They have been very good and affordable. I am not sure where you are but they are in Aurora. I once had a credit card stolen by a cleaning person(assumed) and used for $500 at Walmart. I didn't accuse anyone but it is the worst feeling to think someone came into your home and violated you. Keep looking for the ring. AND never leave them in the home with another cleaning person. I can't tell you how many times I am calling my babysitter to ask her to get my rings out of my house. I am not saying they will steal them- but the position it puts you in is horrible. I hope that you find it!!!