Estate Housekeeping
Home Study Certificate Program

Last Updated July 29, 2004

You will be given the tools to provide the highest level of home care and organization, while maintaining the professional presence appreciated by wealthy families.

Professional Dynamics: This course will provide you with a better understanding of professional household service and how to succeed in it. Included in this course are the ideals of appearance, conduct, and principles. The course covers the following topics:

Employee/Employer Relationships

More so than in most other career fields, the employer/employee relationship may be the most important key to success in any given situation. Learn about the principles and knowledge necessary for a good relationship between homeowner and household staff.

Pampering Skills For Your Employer

By “pampering,” we are referring to exceeding your employers’ expectations and anticipating needs before your employers realize they have them in such ways as to make them feel as though they are truly in the lap of luxury! We offer a launching point for you to multiply your own pampering skills.

Day in the Life of…

How might you expect to spend a day as an Estate Housekeeper? We show you the average day in the life of an EH, along with other household staff, here.

Defining “World Class Service”

The ability to provide “World Class Service” to distinguished homeowners is what will separate you from the average, untrained housecleaner. Learn what “World Class Service” is and how to achieve the ability to provide it.

Creating a Proper Presence

What is a “Proper Presence”? It is the ultimate image of professionalism for household staff. It comprises appearance, including dress and grooming habits; attitude; and household protocol, including principles of behavior. Learn how you can create a proper presence in your professional life.

Boundaries and Work Ethics

The principles of maintaining professional boundaries between employer and employee and how to maintain good work ethics are perhaps more important (and more easily confused or lost!) in the household service profession than in any other. Learn about these important principles.

General Studies: This course provides information on many topics that Estate Housekeepers will find essential to their careers. Included are the following:

Household Responsibilities

For what, exactly, is a Housekeeper responsible? What’s the difference between a Housekeeper and a Household Manager, or a Housekeeper and an Estate Housekeeper? What exactly do Gentlemen’s Gentlemen and Lady’s Maids do? Learn about the responsibilities of household staff.

Personal Dynamics

The long hours and hard work of a Housekeeper can be stressful. This valuable section provides many tools and pointers for keeping one’s personal life on an even keel.

Environmental Issues & the Home

Do you know about radon? Carbon monoxide? The newest in energy conservation? How to rid the house of pests or mold? Make your employer’s house a safe and ecologically sound home with this information.

Pets & Their Care

If you love animals, you will learn much about caring for your employer’s pets here: grooming, discipline, safe outdoors play, emergency care etc. It will also help you to understand why you shouldn’t accept a position with someone who owns pets if you don’t like animals.

Home Care: To broaden and enhance your experience as much as possible, this course provides the backbone of the Estate Housekeeping Program. It offers information on a multitude of topics relating to the cleaning and care of a wealthy home. These include:

The Ultimate Care in Maintaining a Home of Quality

The expectations of home care of a wealthy individual or family are far higher than the average person’s. The way you will clean your employer’s home will necessarily be different from the way you clean your own. You will learn about raising your standards, using all your senses, and taking the ever-important “first look” to determine daily priorities. You will be provided with the ultimate knowledge in caring for a home of wealth.

PDI System of Household Cleaning

The PDI System has been developed and proven effective by years of experience in housecleaning and household management. It will give you the ultimate prioritizing and time management tool for success in caring for a home.

Selecting & Using Proper Cleaning Tools and Products

Throughout this course, you will receive instruction about testing cleaning supplies, tools, and products for maximum effectiveness. You will also learn what tools and products will actually damage certain items.

Proper Care of Marble, Granite & Other Natural Materials

Many natural materials are quite hardy, but they can also disintegrate or otherwise become damaged if they are used or cleaned improperly. Receive instruction on what can products can etch into marble and granite, whether wood should be oiled, waxed, polished, or none of the above, and more.

American & European Luxury Bed Making

The way most of our mothers taught us how to make a bed is probably not the way most wealthy individuals enjoy having their beds made! In addition, Americans and Europeans appreciate different styles of bed making. Receive instruction on all the intricacies of making a luxury bed and selecting quality linens.

Laundry, Ironing, and Storage of Clothing & Linens

Do you know when and how you can forego dry cleaning? Or how to organize or design a laundry room? Can you use a rotary iron? Are you aware of how to remove a variety of stains from a multitude of fabrics? Do you know how to hand-iron sheets? Maintain a wealthy wardrobe? You will know all this and more after completing the program.

Valet Services and Packing for Travel

Valets are individuals who ensure that their employers always look their best. Learn all about their duties, including pressing, brushing, and storing clothing, as well as packing employers’ clothing for travel and providing personal services.