6 Things Even Professional Cleaners Refuse to Clean—and How to Handle Them

What do a collection of priceless figurines, a crystal chandelier, and the remnants of a stomach bug all have in common? They’re all situations a professional house cleaner won’t touch.

Chances are, you can find these (and perhaps others) in the contract you signed when you set up the service, but to clear up any confusion, our experts detail the common things even professional cleaners refuse to clean—plus, how to tackle them instead.

Items or Areas With Visible Mold

Normal mildew or mold growth on bathroom grout or tile—that is easily removable and part of the job that cleaning professional Elena Navarro deals with on a regular basis. “However, if there is visible mold growth on walls, baseboards, ceilings or inside HVAC systems, we cannot perform the cleaning task,” she says. “Mold remediation requires specific containment, respiratory protection and specialized training to perform safely.” 

Most cleaning companies do not have this training, nor the required equipment to properly remediate a mold problem. “Disturbing a mold colony without the proper equipment may spread spores throughout the house,” adds Navarro, “making the mold problem much worse for all residents.” 

What to Do

Navarro suggests contacting a certified mold remediation company. “They will be able to identify the source of the moisture that caused the mold to grow, contain the affected area, and safely remove the mold before it grows and spreads,” she says.

Human Waste

Removing everyday stains is part of cleaning. But blood, sewage backup, vomit, and any other situation involving human waste (beyond a small bathroom mess) are not within the typical scope of work. “Human bodily fluids such as blood can harbor blood-borne pathogens, including hepatitis B and C,” Navarro explains. “Proper cleanup requires biohazard-rated PPE, hospital-grade disinfectants, and disposal methods compliant with local health codes.” 

What to Do

If you have a biohazard remediation issue, contact a company that specializes in biohazard cleanup, as these companies are trained, equipped, and insured to perform this type of work safely and effectively.

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Out-of-Reach Areas

Most cleaning services set boundaries regarding the use of ladders above a two-step stool. “High chandeliers in vaulted entryways, second-story exterior windows, and ceiling beams all require climbing and are therefore outside of our scope of work,” Navarro says. “Liability insurance for residential cleaning companies usually excludes claims resulting from falls on ladders, which, even as short as six feet, can result in serious, potentially life-altering, injuries.”

What to Do

For these types of tasks, Navarro recommends hiring a window-washing company to wash exterior glass or a handyman who specializes in lighting installation to install or repair high fixtures or chandeliers.

Pest Infestations

If Navarro’s cleaning team walked into a home and detected evidence of an ongoing pest infestation—such as cockroaches, fleas, bedbugs, or rodents—they would be unable to provide cleaning services. 

“The risk of transporting pests from one client's home to another, via the equipment and clothing used by my team, is very real and could create an infestation in another home that we service on the same day,” Navarro explains. “Specifically, mouse droppings are something I will not allow my team to come into contact with. When mouse droppings become airborne, they can harbor hantavirus and pose serious risks to people who breathe in the virus-laden particles.” 

What to Do

To minimize the risk of creating a hazardous condition in their own home, Navarro advises homeowners to first contact a licensed pest control professional to eliminate the infestation. You can call back a cleaner after the infestation has been eliminated.

Antiques

While Sparkly Maid Austin dusts and cleans many types of artwork, its employees do not dust or clean original works of art, antique furniture with delicate finishes, rare books, or family heirlooms that are prominently displayed. “Standard cleaning products or microfiber cloths may inadvertently damage an item that is either priceless or extremely difficult to replace,” Navarro says. “The potential liability associated with damaging an expensive item is significant.” 

What to Do

Navarro encourages homeowners to seek out the advice of a fine art conservator or antique restorer for highly valued items, or take steps to personally care for items of value and only use materials that are suitable for the item's surface.

Hoarding Situations

There is a big difference between a home that needs routine cleaning and one affected by hoarding disorder—professional home cleaners are typically not equipped to address the latter.

Homes impacted by hoarding can pose safety risks, such as blocked exits, unstable piles of belongings, hidden mold, or pest activity in hard-to-reach areas, Navarro explains. “Additionally, hoarding situations often require a psychological and emotional response that includes a referral to a mental health professional and/or social worker to address underlying issues that contribute to the hoarding behavior.” 

What to Do

Hoarding disorder is a recognized mental health condition, and support often involves both practical cleanup and emotional care. Navarro suggests that families consider reaching out to a licensed therapist, a structured support program, or organizations that specialize in hoarding cleanup and recovery.