Question 1

What Seattle neighborhoods do you service?

Accepted Answer

At this time we are servicing the following neighborhoods: Queen Anne, Magnolia, Downtown, Belltown, Denny Grade, Ballard, Phinney Ridge, North Beach, Crown Hill, Wallingford, Fremont, Portage Bay, Madison Park, Madison Valley, Madrona, Capital Hill, SLU, Eastlake, Montlake, Laurelhurst, Windemere

Question 2

How do I schedule an appointment?

Accepted Answer

If you would like to schedule a consultation you can click the "Schedule Consultation Now" button that is on the top of any of the pages. Then you can view and select from the list of days/times that are available for your consultation.

Question 3

How do I cancel my appointment?

Accepted Answer

We of course would like as much notice as possible, and will only apply a minimum $60 cancellation fee (max fee of $250 or 25% of scheduled job amount) if you cancel less than 24 hours of your scheduled service or if we cannot gain access to your home

Question 4

What is a routine cleaning?

Accepted Answer

A routine cleaning is a regularly scheduled visit, usually every week, bi-weekly, or monthly (every 4 weeks). We do offer other frequency options, just ask us at your consultation.

Question 5

What is performed at a routine cleaning?

Accepted Answer

LIVING AREAS: Vacuum floors & carpets, then mop tile/hardwood. Wipe/dust all surfaces. Dust for cobwebs. Change linens if provided. Empty waste baskets and recycling. Dust window sills, spot clean glass. Dust boards as needed. BATHROOMS: Scrub & sanitize toilet, shower, basin, and tub. Sweep & mop floor. Clean surfaces and countertops. Clean mirrors. Empty waste baskets. KITCHENS: Vacuum & mop floor. Clean & wipe down tables, chairs and countertops. Clean appliance exteriors including stainless. Clean the sink and fixtures. Clean inside microwave. Clean the coffee maker/espresso machine. Empty waste baskets.

Question 6

I want to give you a key, how is it kept safe?

Accepted Answer

Once we have your key we number it with a Key code and place it in our locked key safe. That safe is locked in a separate room in our locked and monitored office. If ever your key is misplaced or lost the code on it has no association with your home or name.

Question 7

Should I be home, can my kids be home during the cleaning?

Accepted Answer

We are guests in your home, so of course we can clean around you and your family. We prefer to have an empty home as we are more effective, but we know sometimes that is not possible. We cannot though be responsible for watching any children under 18, so do be sure there is always an adult present.

Question 8

What time are you arriving?

Accepted Answer

We will send you an email 48 hours prior with an approximate arrival time, but this is an estimate. If you have specific timing restrictions or appointments, please let our office know so that we can properly address your request.

Question 9

How long does a visit take?

Accepted Answer

Most visits last 2 hours. We staff our teams to be able to complete 70% of our clients in this time duration. Smaller homes or apartments/condos might take less time, and some homes or estates may take longer.

Question 10

Can I request the same worker?

Accepted Answer

If you enjoyed the quality of work from one of our staff we will do our best to try and schedule that worker to visit your home again, but due to their personal schedules we cannot guarantee the same worker each visit.

Question 11

What "extras" do you offer?

Accepted Answer

Clean oven interior ($60 each), Clean fridge or freezer interior ($60 each), Clean interior windows (bid required), Laundry folding (hourly), Party pre/post (hourly), Vapor clean bathroom (hourly), Vapor clean kitchen, Vapor clean mattress, Vapor clean couch or sofa, Vapor clean floors.

Question 12

What products are used in my house?

Accepted Answer

ECC carries EPA-registered and Green Seal-certified products. As an ISSA CIMS-certified cleaner, we use green products for everything from degreasing to stainless steel polishing and glass cleaning. Bleach is reserved for toilets where sanitation requires it.

Question 13

Do you clean pet accidents, blood, or other BioHazard items?

Accepted Answer

We do not as a policy clean up any animal or human waste, excrement, blood, or other bodily fluids. We will clean around the area and will notify you of the location of the waste so you can attend to it yourself.

Question 14

Our right to refuse service

Accepted Answer

We do reserve the right to refuse service at anytime. Items like late payments, no payment, disrespecting our staff, unreasonable requests, or last minute changes to your scope of work are examples where we may consider refusing service.

Question 15

Do I need to be home to let you in?

Accepted Answer

Our teams are trained to operate numerous entry systems, just provide us with entry instructions and a key or code and we can take care of everything.

Question 16

What items will your staff not perform?

Accepted Answer

Dust and vacuum surfaces outside of normal reach, Lift items over 25 lbs, Clean the outside of windows, Clean window coverings or metal blinds, Clean pet messes, Clean mold or bio-hazardous material, Remove deep stains, Clean garages and patios, Exterminate.

Question 17

What is the best way to communicate with my cleaner?

Accepted Answer

All of our teams speak and read English. You can leave them a note or communicate personally. You can also email us at info@emeraldcitycleaning.com and we can upload your notes to their tablets in real time.

Question 18

What if an item was missed?

Accepted Answer

Call or email us at 206-529-4700 or info@emeraldcitycleaning.com within 24 hours of the visit and we will take the appropriate measure to resolve the item.

Question 19

What if I cannot find an item or it is misplaced after a cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Please immediately give us a call at 206-529-4700 or email info@emeraldcitycleaning.com.

Question 20

What if I need to leave and my cleaners have not arrived yet?

Accepted Answer

Please call our office at 206-529-4700 or email us and we will work with you to gain access to your home or reschedule your appointment.

Question 21

Do I need to clean up prior to my visit?

Accepted Answer

We do ask that home owners straighten up their home prior to our arrival. We will do some dishes and collect/organize items, but we prefer to focus on cleaning.

Question 22

What are your cleaning days & hours?

Accepted Answer

We have teams leaving our office starting at 8:30AM M-Sat, first appointment at 9:00AM and staff clean until 5:00PM. We are closed Sundays as a rule, and only service commercial accounts in the evenings. Established clients with limited scheduling options may arrange Sunday service on an exception basis at a premium rate.

Question 23

How do I pick the day & time of my cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Let us know at your consultation or at the time of your initial call/email. We will try to find you a match. Due to scheduling and staffing restrictions we cannot guarantee your day/time every visit.

Question 24

How do we certify our workers, can they be trusted?

Accepted Answer

All staff have undergone state and federal background checks and national sex offender registry checks. They have been drug tested and routinely undergo random testing. We have 0% tolerance for any drug use and only hire staff with clean background checks. All staff are bonded and insured.

Question 25

What makes Emerald City Cleaning different?

Accepted Answer

Unlike other firms, our staff are employees not independent contractors. They are uniformed, background checked, drug tested and drive our fleet of branded vehicles. We hold multiple industry certifications. We are a locally owned firm at 1408 Elliott Ave West.

Question 26

Why do I need an initial or deep cleaning before I start service?

Accepted Answer

90% of homes we service are routine clients, and 90% required an initial cleaning prior to starting. Initial cleanings ensure we can keep up with the regular rate quoted for routine cleanings.

Question 27

How do I pay?

Accepted Answer

Invoices are emailed after your visit and you can pay online with credit card or bank check. You can also leave a check the day of service. All invoices are Due Upon Receipt.

Question 28

How do I leave a gratuity?

Accepted Answer

You can leave a tip the day of service — hand it to them or leave it in an envelope on your kitchen counter with "EMERALD CITY CLEANING" written on it. You can also add a gratuity to your invoice afterwards. All gratuities are paid to workers on their bi-weekly paycheck.

Question 29

I have a question about my bill.

Accepted Answer

Contact us at info@emeraldcitycleaning.com for any billing questions or to inquire about monthly billing for routine visits.

Question 30

What should I do with my pet?

Accepted Answer

If possible, put your pet away. All staff are pet friendly, but they can sometimes get in the way. If special care needs to be made for your pet please let us know prior.

Question 31

Is there a surcharge for pets?

Accepted Answer

Depending on breed, quantity, and size, a surcharge may be applied. Items like excessive shedding, drooling, or soiling add to tasks. We do not clean up pet feces or clean litter boxes.

Question 32

Do you clean up pet "accidents"?

Accepted Answer

As a company wide policy we do not clean up any pet accidents including feces, urine, or vomit. We will clean around the area, photograph it, and notify you of the location.

Question 33

Who do I call if I was not happy with my service?

Accepted Answer

Call or email us at 206-529-4700 or info@emeraldcitycleaning.com. We will send out a worker or team to address areas in as little as 24 hours.

Question 34

What is your guarantee policy?

Accepted Answer

All of our work is 100% guaranteed. If within 24 hours you notice something, email or call us at 206-529-4700. We will send out a team to correct the item or refund/credit your account.

Question 35

What if something is broken after a cleaning?

Accepted Answer

Please call us immediately at 206-529-4700. All damage must be reported within 48 hours of our visit.

Question 36

What should I expect after the workers leave?

Accepted Answer

You should notice our team's attention to detail throughout your home. If areas still need attention, bring them to our notice or leave a note at your next visit. Getting to know you and your home takes time.

Question 37

Do you provide commercial and office cleaning, or just residential?

Accepted Answer

Both — commercial cleaning is our core business. We serve offices and retail, medical and dental practices, law firms, restaurants and commercial kitchens, tech headquarters, co-working spaces, property-management portfolios, and post-construction sites, alongside premier residential cleaning.

Question 38

Are you licensed, insured, and bonded? Can you provide a Certificate of Insurance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Emerald City Cleaning is fully licensed, insured, and bonded, and carries commercial general liability coverage. We are glad to provide a Certificate of Insurance and add your property or company as an additional insured when your contract requires it.

Question 39

How does commercial pricing and quoting work?

Accepted Answer

Every facility is different, so we quote after a walkthrough — in person or virtual. Pricing depends on the size of the space, the scope of work, and your service frequency. The quote is free and there is no obligation.

Question 40

How often can you clean a commercial space?

Accepted Answer

We work around your operation — nightly or scheduled janitorial, recurring weekly or monthly service, one-time deep cleans, and overnight crews for spaces that cannot pause during business hours.

Question 41

Are you an OMWBE-certified or diversity vendor?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are an OMWBE-certified, woman-owned business, which makes us a qualifying diversity-tier vendor for organizations with supplier-diversity requirements.

Question 42

Can you use eco-friendly or fragrance-free products?

Accepted Answer

Yes. On request we use eco-friendly, fragrance-free, and bleach-free products — common for medical offices, food-service spaces, and scent-sensitive environments.

Question 43

Are you green-cleaning certified?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Emerald City Cleaning is ISSA CIMS-GB (Cleaning Industry Management Standard – Green Building) certified, and we use Green Seal certified products in our green-cleaning programs. It is a credential held by only a small share of cleaning companies.

Question 44

What is CIMS certification?

Accepted Answer

CIMS (Cleaning Industry Management Standard) is an independent certification from ISSA, the global cleaning-industry association, verifying that a cleaning company is well-managed and quality-focused. The Green Building version we hold, CIMS-GB, additionally certifies green-cleaning capability aligned with LEED.

Question 45

What does green cleaning mean, and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Green cleaning uses certified low-toxicity products and procedures that reduce health and environmental impact — protecting occupant health and indoor air quality while still delivering a thorough, professional clean.

Question 46

We are a LEED building — how can you help us?

Accepted Answer

As a CIMS-GB certified provider, our green-cleaning program is aligned with the LEED for Existing Buildings (Operations and Maintenance) green-cleaning criteria. We use Green Seal certified products and green procedures designed to protect indoor air quality and support your building's sustainability goals.

Question 47

Do we have to use green-certified products, or can you use conventional ones?

Accepted Answer

It is your choice. We can run a fully green-certified program using Green Seal certified products — ideal for LEED buildings and health-sensitive spaces — use conventional products where you prefer, or a blend. Tell us your requirements and we will match them.

Question 48

Can you clean after we close, overnight, or before we open?

Accepted Answer

Yes. For commercial accounts we schedule around your operation — evenings and overnight — so cleaning never disrupts your business or customers. We clean Monday through Saturday and are closed Sundays as a rule; established clients with limited options may arrange Sunday service by exception at a premium rate.

Question 49

How do you handle building access — keys, badges, fobs, and alarm codes?

Accepted Answer

We are equipped to handle secure building access: badges, key fobs, keys, and alarm or entry codes. Access details are documented, restricted to your assigned crew, and we follow your building's sign-in and security procedures.

Question 50

Do you offer payment terms, or is a card required?

Accepted Answer

Established commercial accounts can apply for Net 30 terms. Otherwise we keep a credit card on file — which we waive for accounts over $1,500 per month.

Question 51

Is a deposit required to start service?

Accepted Answer

A deposit is required on any job that includes a proposal — such as deep cleans, post-construction, and project work.

Question 52

Is there a contract for commercial service?

Accepted Answer

Commercial accounts are set up on a 30-day contract, so you are never locked into a long commitment — and we offer a discount for annual agreements.

Question 53

Can you handle last-minute or urgent cleaning requests?

Accepted Answer

We will always try to accommodate last-minute requests, though we cannot guarantee availability — the more notice you can give, the better.

Most questions, answered.

Commercial cleaning services in Seattle

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