| Maids perform typical domestic chores such as | | | | track down. |
| cooking, ironing, washing, cleaning the house, | | | | There are several large maid service franchises in |
| grocery shopping, walking the family dog, and | | | | the United States, such as MaidPro, Molly Maid and |
| taking care of children. In some countries, maids | | | | Merry Maids. There are also thousands of |
| take on the role of a nurse in taking care of the | | | | independent perators around the country. They |
| elderly and people with disabilities. Maids are often | | | | are also becoming more prevalent in England, |
| expected to work at least fifteen hours per day. | | | | Australia, South Africa and elsewhere. There are |
| Many maids are required by their employers to | | | | also numerous companies supplying useful |
| wear a uniform. Today the maid may be the only | | | | services to maid service companies, like training, |
| domestic worker that upper and even | | | | marketing help and supplying management |
| middle-income households can afford. In the | | | | software. |
| Western world, comparatively few households | | | | There are now thousands of residential cleaning |
| can afford live-in domestic help, usually | | | | businesses throughout the United States and |
| compromising on periodic cleaners. In less | | | | Canada. More spring up every year. Maid services |
| developed nations, fewer educated women and | | | | are becoming more popular in other countries, too |
| limited opportunities for working women ensures | | | | - perhaps a sign of a relatively well-off population, |
| a labour source for domestic work. | | | | or perhaps these businesses have sprung up just |
| Young girls working as scullery maids fell to the | | | | as the two-earner household has become the |
| bottom of the servant hierarchy which meant | | | | norm. |
| they were mocked and ridiculed by upper | | | | Way back, it was traditionally a woman's role to |
| servants and completely ignored by members of | | | | clean the home, but as more and more women |
| the household despite the fact that they slaved | | | | have joined the work force, the time pressure on |
| away each day at their work. The scullery maid | | | | families with children has grown immeasurably, so |
| reported (through the kitchen maid) to the cook | | | | paying someone to do the cleaning makes sense |
| or chef. | | | | to time-pressured couples where both work, and |
| A between maid (also called hall girl, particularly in | | | | are making a reasonable income. |
| the United States) is a female junior servant in a | | | | A maid service is a relatively easy sort of |
| large household with many staff. The position is | | | | business to start, because one needs little more |
| largely defunct in the 21st century, as few | | | | than a phone and one or two workers to get |
| households can afford great retinues of servants | | | | started. However, to make the business really |
| with the elaborate hierarchy of the past. | | | | successful, one must plan appropriately and have |
| The term hall girl came from her chief duty, which | | | | sufficient capital for start-up costs and marketing, |
| was waitressing in the Servants' Hall. She was | | | | and be prepared to go through some relatively |
| required to set the table and remove the dishes, | | | | lean times at first, while you build up a clientele. |
| as well as waiting at table. She may also have | | | | Men working in the cleaning profession are usually |
| carried meals up to the head housekeeper, if, for | | | | called janitors. A janitor is a person who takes |
| example, that head of staff had breakfast or | | | | care of a building, such as a school, office building, |
| afternoon tea in her room(s). | | | | or apartment block. They are responsible primarily |
| The term between maid came from the fact | | | | for cleaning, and often (though not always) some |
| that her duties came under the area of | | | | maintenance and security. A female janitor is |
| responsibilites of the housekeeper, butler and | | | | called a janitrix, although this term is rarely used. |
| cook; if these individuals did not like one another | | | | The title custodian is sometimes given to janitors |
| the job of the between maid was a very difficult | | | | as a term of higher respect. In some settings |
| one. | | | | janitors are called housekeepers or housekeeping |
| In developed countries most families can no | | | | staff. Janitors have also come up with a number |
| longer afford live-in help. In nations where there is | | | | of alternative job titles. |
| still a ready supply of inexpensive labour the | | | | Domestic workers perform typical domestic |
| middle classes may still be able to afford servants. | | | | chores such as cooking, ironing, washing, cleaning |
| For these households, the remnant of the once | | | | the house, buying foods and drinks, accompanying |
| grand position of head housekeeper is often a | | | | the female head of the household for grocery |
| cook-housekeeper. The modern | | | | shopping, taking the family dog for a walk, and |
| cook-housekeeper performs cooking and cleaning | | | | taking care of the children. In some countries, |
| duties. | | | | maids replace the role of a nurse in taking care of |
| A maid service, also known as a residential | | | | the elderly and people with disabilities. |
| cleaning service or home cleaning service is a | | | | Domestic service, or the employment of people |
| business which provides cleaning services as a | | | | for wages in their employer's residence, is also |
| convenience to homeowners who do not have | | | | sometimes simply called "service." It evolved into |
| (or do not wish to spend) the time to clean their | | | | a hierarchical system in various countries at |
| own homes. Maid services have become more | | | | various times. |
| common over the last 20 years or so, partly | | | | Prior to the labour reforms of the 20th Century, |
| because of the rise in two-income families. | | | | servants had no protection in law. The only real |
| Although a maid service may be more expensive | | | | advantage that service provided was the |
| than simply hiring a part-time maid, it offers a | | | | provision of meals and accommodation in addition |
| number of advantages. First, a service will provide | | | | to the modest wage. Also, service was an |
| not only someone to do the cleaning, but also all | | | | apprentice system; there was room for |
| of the necessary supplies. Second, in the United | | | | advancement through the ranks. However, it was |
| States, if you hire a maid directly, you are | | | | also perilous, particularly for females, as there was |
| responsible for withholding social security taxes. | | | | no protection from unscrupulous employers or |
| Third, a maid service is, or should be, insured, and | | | | members of the family. Many employers require |
| can be held accountable if something is stolen, | | | | their domestic workers to be in a uniform. |
| whereas a private individual may be difficult to | | | | |