I'm looking for recommendations and/or suggestions for a cleaning lady services in Zurich. I need a real recommendation (which is the reason why I do not want to jump into some of the ads here - cannot give my key to someone who says is good or babysit a cleaning lady).

So far, I found Putzfrauen Vermittung (charge 43fr/hr) and Pebra (charge 33fr/hr). Do you have any experience? or experience with someone else? any recommendations and suggestions are welcome.

I'm resurrecting this thread because we started having Pebra come about six weeks ago and we've been sorely disappointed with their cleaning and communication.

The cleaning is like a cursory wipe down, not a cleaning. I asked that after vacuuming, a mopping liquid be used to mop the floors. The stuff I have smells great and whenever we mop with it we can smell it for several days when we come in after being out. Last week, when we arrived home 3 hours after our cleaner has been here we could not smell anything. Last week, after walking barefoot across the floor, I am certain they didn't even mop, but only vacuumed. The bottom of the kitchen sink is left dirty and they haven't been de-kalking completely. In addition, they don't get into the corners when cleaning, leaving unsightly dust and dirt building up. What exactly am I paying them for??

2.5 hours for a 50 square meter 2.5 room apartment once a week should leave the place sparkling and flawless - especially given that we're in Switzerland where standards of cleanliness are sky high! That is not what we've experienced with Pebra at all. Ten days ago I sent Pebra an email stating my complaints and received no response. I am highly disappointed with Pebra and do not recommend them to anyone.

Please come back when you've found someone good, and share! Thanks for the info!

I just started with Pebra as well after a colleague said they are happy with them... we shall see... the other company is somewhat unfriendly and apparently charges new clients 13% more than current ones and staff like this so if needed will change. but it is difficult to find a recommendation.

I use Putzfrauenvermittlung and whilst they are pricey, they guarantee the keys, they charge by the minute (the cleaner dials in via telephone on arrival and departure, so if they finish early then I get a discount)....and their staff do seem very serious about having a high standard.

I used them in Zurich, and now in Adliswil, and we had quite a few issues when we moved because they couldn't find someone to do the job...but they were always excellent at emailing me at least 48 hours in advance if there is a problem, and I'm happy to reschedule provided the job gets done when they say it will be done.

I always give email feedback (in English, to the account manager) and she passes the messages on and the relevant staff member usually sends me an acknowledgement (in German, which I can handle)...

I can't handle cleaning chemicals (very allergic) but the cleaner always uses all the relevant products, then airs the entire apartment out for about 20 minutes, so when she is gone there is a little residual 'clean' smell, but nothing overpowering.

At the moment we have two ladies who alternate - one is our 'main' cleaner and the other one fills in when necessary. The 'main' lady will get down on her hands and knees to wipe the corners of the floor, and she deals with scrappy marks on the carpet and furniture (we have three small children), and cupboard doors, floors, kitchen, bathroom, windows, and a bit of ironing, 3.5 hours a fortnight for a 5.5 room apartment...

What's the hourly rate? Cheers

Has anyone used Putzfrau.ch? They hourly rate is CHF 39.- which includes all insurance and employer contribution. Their website is in English and based on what's there, it seems like a good company. However, before we make any decision, I thought I would check on EF first. You know, it's always a good idea to check on EF

As posted before, I use Putzfrauenvermittlung and am happy with them.
Every month I look at my budget and consider whether it's worth the price...and decide that it really is...it's amazing what they can get done in 3 hours without anyone else around (with three kids who mess at least as fast as I can clean)...

Thanks! I've contacted them for a quote as well, but am also looking for feedbacks related to putzfrau.ch which is a different company.

I was stood up second time by Putzfrauen Vermittlung today they were supposed to come for the first check and the contract. The first time they said they couldnt find the address. I wonder what this time No call for excusing themselves either. Second time we leave work early for sitting at home betting if they will show up

I guess I am gonna pass them..

Would like to share some of the difficulties we've been having with cleaning companies and their 'Damage Insurance'.

We were with Putzfrauen Vermittlung in my previous apartment. I found that whilst they were expensive, but I was generally happy with their standard of cleaning.

Unfortunately their 'Insurance' is not worth much - They require their cleaner to admit to making the damage before paying out. Our cleaner used an abrasive cleaning pad on our ceramic cooker top, and inner glass on the oven door, which created irreparable scratches. I took this up with them, and quite reasonably, they came out to take a look, and discuss. But the cleaner didn't confess to it, so they refused to pay. It cost me CHF900 to repair the damage!

Needless to say I stopped using them. We've just moved to a new apartment, and started with Pebra last month. They are a lot less friendly, and still not cheap, but again they have insurance.

A couple of weeks ago their cleaner moved a lamp next to my computer / audio gear. She caught the audio cable coming out the back of the computer sound card, 'yanking' the cable and breaking the soundcard! I specifically warned them not to move or touch any of my AV gear .

They came around this Monday to take a look. Same scenario: Cleaner denied it. So I guess I'm out of pocket for a €130 sound card now.

So my leaning from this is that their insurance is flawed: A cleaner has no reason to admit to any damages they make to their employer – it does not benefit them in any way. No admittance, means no coverage.
It then doesn’t make a whole bunch of sense to pay a premium hourly price when the service is no different to a cheaper uninsured cleaner. Perhaps I'll look for a cleaner who is cheaper, and just cover any damage they do myself…


Anyone else suffer similar problems?

I was with Putzfrauenvermittlung for a while. The administration was top class with them but it cost CHF38,- and I received a confirmation letter when I handed over my key. Good so far.

I had 3 different ladies in all that time and all I can say is "one worse than the next"

One broke a bottle of red wine and used my Dyson to suck it up. Please note my Dyson is not a wet and dry. That was fun....
The wine then seeped into a new sandel which was 2 weeks old. while I got the money, the whole deal was the pits.

They didn't get much done in 3 hrs. The cleaned the bathroom and omitted to clean the surface where all the shampoo/shower gel etc is so I ended up doing that myself.

They cleaned the floor, using a fluid which they found at the back of the cupboard - for outdoor stone. Used it neat and splashed it around, so I paid CHF38,- to get down on my knees and spend an hour scrubbing the layer of stuff off my tiles.

I expect more for CHF38,- I really do and therefore I am back doing it myself.

Wouldn't hire them again.

That is incredible - surprised they didn't electrocute themselves. Happy to hear you got your money back at least.

Hi Jamie, if this was aimed at me, I only got the money for the sandals, not my Dyson! I was told it's very easy to clean... me cleaning it of course..... oh no, that wouldn't damage it at all.......

Seems cleaning companies in Zurich are getting away with murder, you should move to Basel, we do it better here

Really? Thats bad! - At least they should offer to clean it - you know, as its what they do...


Yeah, really seems that most are lacking caring about their customers - Is that Just a Zurich thing? Maybe i should move to Basel for the cleaners???

Has anybody ever asked their cleaner how much she is paid by the cleaning agency? If not, I suggest to do it. You'll be surprised.

For gross wages between CHF 18.- and CHF 20.- per hour, it is understandable that these cleaners are not highly motivated.

The following link is in German unfortunately. In the comments of this article, many customers of such agencies confirm these low salaries.

If you care about your cleaner, employ her yourself and give her a proper salary (CHF 30.- per hour gross wage). You'll see that you still pay less than at a cleaning agency, but in this case the cleaner is much more motivated to do a good job.

And in reverse, it's pretty hard to care about a cleaning lady if she does a poor job.

I had a great one in Zurich (nope, she's not looking for more work, PMs to that effect will be ignored!), but when I tried a company in Zug, I found that I did not care at all if she was well paid, since the job was so crap!

Well, I can understand. I guess finding a reliable cleaner is not too easy. I heard stories from friends where they did not show up, sent someone else, triggered the burglar alarm, etc...

I got my cleaner here in Zurich recommended by a friend and I am very happy with her. She not only cleans well, but she's also well organized and flexible. Therefore she well deserves the CHF 30.-/hour gross wage. And I still pay less in total than at an agency.

I have been using Putzfrauen Vermittung since February. My opinion is> it depends completely on the putzfrau; the agency can but guide and control. For example, the putzfrau I had initially did an ok job with the cleaning but her ironing was bad. Then she fell ill and I was given a replacement. The replacement lady is better and I am trying to make her my permanent putzfrau. In the interim I had a second replacement for a few instances. She was not good, plus she lost the keys to my apt.

What also helps is if you can stay at home the first two times and guide the cleaning lady on your needs and style of working. Otherwise, they are as lost aabout you as you are about them!