Your cleaner is unavailable – due to illness, holidays or because they have quit at short notice. The flat still needs to stay clean. Here you will find out how to quickly organise a replacement in Zürich and what to prepare so that the stand-in knows what to do from the very first visit.
Quick enquiry: Send your location, preferred date and 2–3 photos via WhatsApp to +41 78 747 15 14. Short-notice jobs depending on availability.
1. First decide: one-off or for a longer period?
Before you look for a replacement cleaner in Zürich, it is worth a moment’s thought. The answer determines which solution fits.
| Situation | Suitable solution |
|---|---|
| Cleaner is ill or on holiday for a week | One-off visit to bridge the gap |
| Absence of several weeks (e.g. maternity leave, accident) | Ongoing cover at your usual frequency |
| Cleaner has quit | Try a one-off visit first, then arrange regular cleaning |
| Visitors or an event coming up | One-off, more thorough cleaning |
At HouseHelper.ch you can book home cleaning as a one-off, with no subscription. If it suits you, it can become regular cleaning afterwards – that is your decision.
2. Arrange access and keys
Many households give their regular cleaner a key. For a stand-in, access has to be organised afresh. Options:
- You are at home for the first visit and give a quick tour of the flat – the easiest option.
- Key handover in advance at an agreed time.
- Neighbours or the caretaker (Hauswart) open the door – only by arrangement with everyone involved.
- Key safe or code, if available.
Make a note of who receives the key when and when it will be returned. Also think about alarm systems, pets and whether windows or doors must be closed when leaving.
3. Cleaning products and equipment
Your previous cleaner may have used your products. HouseHelper.ch brings its own cleaning products and equipment. Please still let us know about:
- Delicate surfaces such as natural stone, oiled wood, high-gloss fronts or an induction hob
- Whether certain products should or should not be used
- Where the vacuum cleaner, mop and bin bags are kept, if you would rather we used your own equipment
4. Task list for the stand-in
The most common reason for disappointment with a stand-in: the new person does not know what your previous cleaner used to do. A short list saves time and avoids misunderstandings. You can adapt this template:
Checklist for your replacement cleaner
- Kitchen: worktop, sink, outside of the cooker, wipe cupboard fronts, floor
- Bathroom/WC: toilet, washbasin, shower/bath, mirror, descale taps, floor
- Living areas: dust freely accessible surfaces, vacuum, mop floors
- Bedrooms: dusting, floors, change the bed linen (if requested and fresh linen is laid out)
- General: empty the bins, wipe door handles and light switches
- Do not touch: desk, paperwork, certain rooms or items
- Priorities: what matters most if time runs short?
Ironing, laundry or shopping are not automatically part of a cleaning. Please clarify such requests beforehand.
What is included – and what is not
Included is the scope we agree with you in advance – typically the regular cleaning of the kitchen, bathroom, living areas and bedrooms, including cleaning products and equipment.
Not automatically included are extras such as the inside of the oven, the inside of the fridge or windows. You can book these as add-ons. If the flat has not been cleaned for a while, a deep cleaning (Tiefenreinigung) is often the better choice for the first visit. Heavily cluttered flats (hoarder cases) or jobs involving biological hazards are handled by specialised companies.
What determines the price
- Size of the flat: rooms, floor area, number of bathrooms
- Condition: when was it last cleaned?
- Requested extras
- One-off or regular
- Date and lead time
With 2–3 photos and your details, we can assess the workload and give you a concrete quote.
How it works with HouseHelper.ch
- You send your location, preferred date, flat size and 2–3 photos via WhatsApp.
- We check availability and suggest an appointment.
- You arrange access and send your task list.
- We clean – as a one-off or at your usual frequency until your cleaner is back.
We work throughout the canton of Zürich, with a focus on the city of Zürich and the left bank of Lake Zürich (Wollishofen, Enge, Kilchberg, Rüschlikon, Thalwil, Oberrieden, Horgen, Adliswil). You can reach us Monday to Friday 08:00–20:00 and Saturday 09:00–20:00; closed on Sundays. Find out more about urgent jobs on our page Short-notice cleaning in Zürich.
Frequently asked questions
Can I book just a single cleaning?
Yes. A one-off cleaning is possible without a subscription. Whether you continue afterwards is up to you.
How quickly can the replacement come?
Short-notice appointments are possible depending on availability. The more complete your enquiry with photos, the faster we can confirm.
Do I have to be present for the first visit?
It helps, but it is not essential. What matters is arranged access and a clear task list.
What happens when my cleaner comes back?
Then you simply end the cover. One-off jobs come with no commitment.
Request a replacement for your cleaner now
Send us your location, preferred date and 2–3 photos – we will get back to you with an assessment.