Hiring a Cleaner in Korea: What Foreign Residents Should Agree on Before the Visit

Hiring a cleaner in Korea can be useful before moving into a new home, after moving out, during a busy work period, or when an apartment needs a deeper cleaning than ordinary weekly maintenance.

The difficulty is that “cleaning service” can describe very different levels of work. One service may provide basic vacuuming and bathroom cleaning, while another may include windows, built-in cabinets, appliances, balcony areas, and construction dust.

Before booking, define the space, condition, included tasks, supplies, price, and access arrangements in writing.

Common types of cleaning service

Cleaning services may be offered for:

• Regular home cleaning
• One-time deep cleaning
• Move-in cleaning
• Move-out cleaning
• Newly constructed home cleaning
• Office cleaning
• Appliance cleaning
• Air-conditioner cleaning
• Bathroom or kitchen cleaning
• Post-renovation cleaning

Do not assume a regular home-cleaning appointment includes moving heavy furniture, removing mold, washing external windows, or cleaning inside appliances. The service type should match the real condition of the home.

Describe the property accurately

The company may quote based on:

• Floor area
• Number of rooms
• Number of bathrooms
• Balcony
• Occupied or empty
• Furniture
• Pets
• Stairs
• Parking
• Elevator
• Level of dirt
• Required equipment

Send recent photographs or a video when requesting a quote. Show problem areas such as:

• Grease
• Mold
• Pet hair
• Adhesive residue
• Construction dust
• Balcony dirt
• Stained grout
• Heavy furniture
• Large windows

A low estimate can increase on arrival when the actual condition differs significantly from the description.

Move-in cleaning

A move-in cleaning usually takes place before furniture and personal belongings arrive. It may include:

• Floors
• Bathrooms
• Kitchen surfaces
• Built-in cabinets
• Closets
• Window frames
• Interior windows
• Doors
• Baseboards
• Balcony
• Dust removal

Ask whether the service cleans inside cabinets and drawers. New-looking apartments can still contain construction dust, adhesive, and debris.

Do not schedule the cleaners while movers, internet installers, and furniture delivery teams are working in the same space. The final result will be worse and the workers may obstruct one another.

Move-out cleaning

Move-out cleaning can help prepare a rental for inspection, but it does not guarantee the landlord will return every deposit deduction. Confirm what the landlord expects. Common areas include:

• Kitchen grease
• Bathroom scale
• Floors
• Dust
• Trash removal
• Stickers
• Personal belongings
• Appliance surfaces
• Drain cleaning

Damage, wallpaper discoloration, broken fixtures, and ordinary cleaning are different issues. Photograph the home after cleaning and before returning the keys. Do not assume the cleaning company will remove large waste or abandoned furniture unless it is included.

Cleaning supplies

Ask whether the cleaner brings:

• Vacuum
• Mop
• Cloths
• Cleaning products
• Gloves
• Ladder
• Steam equipment
• Trash bags
• Protective covers

Some regular cleaners expect to use the resident’s vacuum and supplies. Tell the company about material restrictions, allergies, pets, children, or sensitivity to strong chemicals. Do not mix cleaning chemicals yourself before the cleaner arrives. Certain combinations can create dangerous fumes.

Mold requires realistic expectations

Bathroom and window-frame mold are common concerns in humid or poorly ventilated homes. Surface cleaning may improve appearance, but recurring mold can be caused by:

• Condensation
• Leaks
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Hidden moisture
• Damaged sealant
• Structural problems

A cleaner cannot permanently solve a building defect. Ask whether the service treats only visible surface mold or also replaces silicone and sealant. For severe or widespread mold, a specialist assessment may be more appropriate.

Windows and exterior access

Window cleaning can be limited by safety and building design. Ask whether the price includes:

• Interior glass
• Exterior glass
• Frames
• Screens
• High windows
• Balcony windows
• Safety equipment

Workers should not be pressured to lean outside or perform unsafe access. High-rise exterior cleaning may require specialized services and building permission. The phrase “window cleaning” should be clarified before booking.

Appliances

Cleaning inside a refrigerator, oven, washing machine, air conditioner, or range hood may be a separate service. Ask whether the appliance needs:

• Disassembly
• Drying
• Power disconnection
• Water connection
• Professional equipment
• Filter replacement

Air-conditioner cleaning is usually more specialized than wiping the exterior. Do not ask a general cleaner to dismantle electrical or gas equipment without appropriate experience.

Valuables and privacy

Before the visit, secure:

• Cash
• Jewelry
• Passport
• Residence card
• Bank documents
• Medication
• Sensitive work files
• Spare keys
• Personal photographs

This protects both the resident and the cleaner from misunderstandings. If the resident will not be home, agree on access through a key, door code, building desk, or smart lock. Change temporary codes after the service when appropriate.

Do not send a permanent security code through an insecure public message.

Pets

Tell the service about pets before booking. Confirm whether the animal should be:

• In another room
• Taken outside
• Kept in a carrier
• Supervised by the resident

Cleaning equipment, open doors, unfamiliar workers, and chemicals can create risk. Mention allergies, shedding, litter areas, and any aggressive behavior. Do not assume every cleaner accepts homes with pets.

Pricing and additional charges

Ask for a written estimate showing:

• Base price
• Tax
• Supplies
• Parking
• Travel
• Additional worker
• Heavy dirt
• Mold
• Appliance cleaning
• Window cleaning
• Trash disposal
• Cancellation
• Overtime

A price described as “starting from” may not be the final amount. Confirm the payment method and when payment is due. Avoid transferring a large amount to an unknown individual without confirming the company or provider.

Check the result before completion

When possible, inspect the home before the cleaner leaves. Check:

1. Agreed rooms
2. Cabinets
3. Bathroom
4. Kitchen
5. Window frames
6. Floors
7. Balcony
8. Trash
9. Appliances
10. Damage

Discuss missed areas calmly and refer to the written task list. Cleaning quality can be subjective, so photographs and a clear scope are more useful than vague expectations.

Regular cleaning

For recurring visits, create a priority list. A typical rotation can include:

• Weekly floors and bathrooms
• Kitchen surfaces
• Dusting
• Laundry
• Bedding
• Balcony
• Refrigerator
• Windows
• Deep-clean tasks

Agree on the visit length and what happens when the requested tasks exceed the available time. A reliable recurring arrangement depends on consistency, access, supplies, and respectful communication.

Quick Summary

• “Cleaning service” can mean regular cleaning, deep cleaning, move-in, move-out, or specialized work.
• Send accurate photographs and agree on included tasks before booking.
• Appliance interiors, mold treatment, high windows, and waste removal may cost extra.
• Secure valuables, explain pet arrangements, and inspect the agreed areas before completion.