What Does a Domestic Helper Do?

Domestic helpers are responsible for performing a wide range of tasks in the homes of their clients. They commonly clean, do laundry, and perform other household chores, but they may also be asked to take care of pets or plants, move furniture, or perform any number of other duties as requested by their employer.

Domestic helpers work independently and generally have a great deal of freedom when it comes to how they complete their assigned tasks. However, they must still adhere to the rules set forth by their employer—they may not steal from their client’s home, damage property, etc.

Domestic Helper Job Duties

A domestic helper typically has a wide range of responsibilities, which can include:

• Cleaning and maintaining houses, including bedrooms, kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms, and other common areas
• Maintaining the household inventory and restocking supplies as needed
• Providing basic child care services while parents are at work or on errands, such as bathing children or babysitting
• Preparing meals and snacks for children, cleaning up after meals, and supervising children during meals to ensure that they are eating properly
• Cleaning furniture, walls, windows, carpets, floors, doors, ceilings, and other surfaces in homes
• Providing companionship and emotional support to senior citizens who are unable to live independently in their own homes
• Ironing, folding laundry, and doing other household chores to help keep a home clean and tidy
• Making beds, vacuuming floors, dusting furniture, and performing other basic cleaning tasks
• Maintaining inventories of household items and preparing lists of needed items for purchase or delivery
• Cleaning bathrooms, including cleaning tubs, toilets, sinks, and other surfaces in bathrooms
• Cleaning floors, walls, windows, and other surfaces of a home, apartment building, or business office building

Domestic Helper Salary & Outlook

The salary of a domestic helper can vary depending on a number of factors, including their level of experience, the type of work they are doing, and the size of the family or household they are working for. Some domestic helpers may also receive benefits in the form of health insurance or paid vacation days.

• Median Annual Salary: $43,028 ($20.69/hour)
• Top 10% Annual Salary: $69,000 ($33.17/hour)

The employment of domestic helpers is expected to grow at an average rate over the next decade.

The need for domestic help will continue to increase as more households include two working parents. In addition, the large aging population is expected to require more caregiving services.

Related: Domestic Helper Interview Questions and Answers

Domestic Helper Job Requirements

A domestic helper typically needs to have the following qualifications:

Education: A high school diploma is often a minimum requirement for domestic helpers. However, some employers prefer to hire candidates who have completed a formal education program in housekeeping or another related field.

Training & Experience: Domestic helpers are often trained on the job. They may learn how to clean and maintain a home, how to prepare meals and how to care for children. They may also learn how to use cleaning and laundry equipment.

Certifications & Licenses: Certifications are not usually a requirement to become a domestic helper, but they can make you a more competitive applicant. Depending on the country and city you are applying to be a domestic helper in, certifications in the local language and culture may make you a more competitive applicant.

Domestic Helper Skills

Domestic helpers need the following skills in order to be successful:

Organization: Keeping your work area organized can help you complete your tasks on time and make your employer happy. You can use your organizational skills to keep your work area clean, put away supplies and complete your work on time.

Cleaning: Cleaning is the primary responsibility of a domestic helper. They are responsible for keeping their employer’s home clean and tidy. This includes vacuuming, dusting, mopping, cleaning bathrooms and kitchens, washing dishes and laundry and more. Employers often have specific cleaning routines and standards that their domestic helper must follow.

Communication: Communication is the ability to convey information to others. This is an important skill for domestic helpers because they often work with other people, such as the family they work for. They also need to communicate with their supervisors to receive instructions and to let them know about any issues they may be having.

Time management: Time management is a necessary skill for domestic helpers, as they often have many duties to complete in a day. This includes cleaning, cooking and caring for children or pets. It’s important to prioritize your tasks and manage your time wisely so you can complete everything on your to-do list.

Flexibility: Flexibility is the ability to adapt to changing circumstances. As a domestic helper, you may work for several different families throughout the week. Each family may have different preferences and needs. Being flexible can help you adapt to these changes and provide the best service to your employer.

Domestic Helper Work Environment

Domestic helpers typically work in the homes of their employers, performing a wide range of duties such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, and childcare. They may also be responsible for running errands, such as grocery shopping or taking the children to and from school. In some cases, domestic helpers may live in their employer’s home, while in others they may have their own housing arrangements. The work hours for domestic helpers can be long and irregular, and they may be on call 24 hours a day. The work can be physically demanding, as well as emotionally and mentally challenging, particularly when caring for young children or elderly or disabled family members. Domestic helpers typically have little opportunity for career advancement or for earning additional income.

Domestic Helper Trends

Here are three trends influencing how domestic helpers work. Domestic helpers will need to stay up-to-date on these developments to keep their skills relevant and maintain a competitive advantage in the workplace.

More Women Are Becoming Domestic Helpers

The domestic helper industry is growing rapidly, as more and more women are becoming domestic helpers. This trend is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing demand for home services and the desire for more flexibility in work schedules.

As the domestic helper industry grows, domestic helpers will need to be prepared to handle a wide range of tasks. They will also need to be able to communicate effectively with their clients and understand their needs.

More Technology Will Be Used in the Home

As technology advances, it is increasingly being used in the home to make life easier. This includes using devices such as smart TVs, which allow users to access content from a variety of sources, and smart appliances, which can be controlled remotely.

Domestic helpers who are familiar with these technologies will be better equipped to help their employers utilize them to improve their lives. They may also be able to provide training on how to use these devices safely and efficiently.

More Focus on Wellness

The domestic helper industry is shifting towards a focus on wellness. This means that domestic helpers will need to be knowledgeable about a variety of health-related topics, such as nutrition, exercise, and mental health.

As the domestic helper industry becomes more focused on wellness, domestic helpers will need to be prepared to provide assistance with these topics. This could include helping to create healthy meal plans, providing guidance on how to stay active, or helping to manage stress.

How to Become a Domestic Helper

A domestic helper career is a great way to start your working life. It’s a chance to learn new skills, meet new people, and see different parts of the country. You’ll also get experience in many different areas of housework, which will be useful if you want to move on to other jobs in the cleaning industry.

The best way to find a job as a domestic helper is to contact local agencies that specialize in hiring workers for this type of work. They’ll have plenty of jobs available, so there’s no need to worry about finding employment.

You should also make sure that you have all the necessary qualifications before applying for a job. Most agencies require their employees to have a valid driver’s license, a clean criminal record, and at least high school diploma.

Advancement Prospects

The most common way for domestic helpers to advance is to move to a position with more responsibility. For example, a domestic helper who starts out as a housekeeper might eventually become a butler or a lady’s maid. A domestic helper who starts out as a nanny might eventually become a governess. A domestic helper who starts out as a cook might eventually become a chef.

Another way for domestic helpers to advance is to move to a position in a different type of household. For example, a domestic helper who starts out working in a private home might eventually move to a position in a hotel, a hospital, or a government office.

Finally, some domestic helpers advance by becoming self-employed. For example, a domestic helper who starts out working for a cleaning service might eventually start her own cleaning business.

Domestic Helper Job Description Example

We are a professional couple with two young children (ages 4 and 6) and a small dog. We are looking for a live-in domestic helper to join our family and help us with the day-to-day running of our household.

The ideal candidate will be a kind, patient, and organized individual who is able to work independently and take initiative. They will be responsible for all aspects of child care, including pick-ups/drop-offs, homework help, and after-school activities. They will also be responsible for light housekeeping, laundry, and meal preparation.

We are looking for someone who can start as soon as possible and who is willing to commit to a long-term position.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Maintain a clean, safe, and comfortable home environment for the family
• Perform all housekeeping duties including vacuuming, dusting, mopping, laundry, ironing, grocery shopping, and meal preparation
• Care for children by providing age-appropriate activities, supervision, and transportation as needed
• Assist with homework and school projects as needed
• Provide pet care as needed, including feeding, walking, and grooming
• May run errands such as picking up dry cleaning or groceries
• Keep an inventory of household supplies and place orders as necessary
• Handle basic maintenance and repairs around the house
• May provide occasional childcare on weekends or evenings
• May be responsible for paying bills and managing the household budget
• May need to coordinate schedules and appointments for the family
• May need to provide emotional support to the family during difficult times

Required Skills and Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Proven experience as a domestic helper
• Excellent housekeeping skills
• Ability to follow instructions and take initiative when needed
• Good time management and organizational skills
• Flexible schedule and ability to work overtime when needed
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in home economics or related field
• First aid certification
• CPR certification
• Childcare experience
• Elder care experience