Professional cleaners don't circle a room more than once. Taking their place before the bathroom sink, they'll spray and wipe the mirror, scrub the sink, wipe down counters and polish fixtures before they move one inch to the right or left. Don't get physical with your cleaning sessions—make every movement count.

In large private homes, the housekeeper usually supervises maids and other cleaning personnel. A cleaning lady is someone who comes in at scheduled intervals to do cleaning such as mopping, vacuuming, and dusting. The less sexist term is "cleaner."