What is the difference between housekeepers and maids? Many people use different terms for the same position, so we’ll explain what each role entails in this article. This article will focus on housekeepers, still room maids, and Lady’s maids. There are also regional variations. For example, in Wisconsin, maids are referred to as “bubblers,” while in the south, they are commonly referred to as “housekeepers.”
Housekeepers
While there are some similarities between housekeepers and maids, the careers are distinctly different. Both jobs require a high level of cleanliness and customer service and may require employees to perform duties such as laundry. Maids typically clean rooms and bed linens, and sometimes may be required to replenish towels and toiletries. Housekeepers also vacuum floors and clean furniture. Listed below are some of the most common tasks performed by housekeepers.
Full-time housekeepers often become part of a family, and can stay for years or decades. While full-time housekeepers are more expensive than traditional house cleaning services, their work can be more varied and can help with laundry and dusting. Not all housekeepers are suited to live-in situations. The two-person arrangement requires that both parties get along. The time commitment of a housekeeper is also a big part of their pay.
In Victorian times, the role of a maid was considered an initiatory step in a woman’s upward life trajectory. The housekeeper, most likely, was the upper servant who provided oversight and supervision. Successful young lady’s maids usually grew up with their mistresses and developed close friendships with them. In fact, maids often knew their mistresses better than their families did.
The pay scale for housekeepers and maids differ, however. A housekeeper will generally offer more services and charge more for their time and efforts, so they may earn more than a maid. The rates for housekeepers and maids depend on several factors, including availability, travel, supplies, tips, and the type of work involved. These factors cannot be changed. Availability can lead to overbooking, which could result in high paying jobs not being fulfilled.
Housekeepers and maids are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of specific areas in a home. Housekeepers also perform tasks like emptying wastebaskets, washing and ironing dishes, and restocking supplies. In addition to their routine duties, housekeepers may be required to do heavy cleaning and order repairs for damaged items. Housekeepers also often supervise the work of other workers. This requires an individual to be physically fit and capable.
A housekeeper can be hired as a full time employee or as a part-time employee. Maids may work under the direction of an experienced housekeeper. The job is physically demanding and requires flexibility in order to complete tasks. Housekeepers bend over and stretch to reach hard-to-reach areas. Those with strong muscles may also be hired as housekeepers to work with clients’ homes. Housekeepers must also be dependable and detail-oriented.
Housekeepers may require a high school diploma or work experience. Experience in customer service and good references are important for this job. While there is no standard training program for housekeepers, applicants who possess prior experience are more likely to be hired. Moreover, those who are quick to learn and possess excellent customer service skills will also be more marketable. Lastly, new hires will typically receive on-the-job training from experienced housekeepers.
Still room maids
In medieval times, the stillroom was an important part of a household. The lady of the house had to supervise this room and teach her wards practical home-management skills. The stillroom was an ideal place to learn about marriage and family, but as the social class changed and women began to live in luxury and aristocratic homes, the role of a still room maid diminished. Today, these workers are considered part of the workforce.
Historically, still room maids were the female servants who prepared jams and drinks for a manor house. This was a traditional job for a female servant, and she reported directly to the housekeeper and cook. While still room maids were common in great staff houses, they are a thing of the past, largely because only the rich and powerful can afford them. A modest household might have just one maid.
During Tudor times, there were two main roles for housemaids. The Under Housemaid was in charge of the bedroom, and she was responsible for keeping the room tidy. She usually served afternoon tea, cleaned the library, and emptied chamber pots. She also carried water upstairs. When the Under Housemaid was absent, she would also take care of the bedrooms of the occupants. This ensured that the bedrooms were kept clean and fresh.
Lady’s maids
Lady’s maids are female personal attendants, or “waiters,” who wait on the female employer. They serve a similar role as a gentleman’s valet. Their primary duty is to assist the employer with daily tasks. Lady’s maids may be in uniform or non-uniform, but their role varies greatly depending on the position. For example, a maid might assist the female employer in the kitchen or the bedroom, or may be a single, working mother.
A lady’s maid must be charming, discreet, and obedient. She should have excellent reading and writing skills. She should be able to do minor alterations to clothing, as well as clean and iron dirty clothes. She should have a strong sense of style and must have a taste for fashion. Some maids even do hair! Lady’s maids were also responsible for making the mistress’s false hair and makeup look presentable.
The job of a lady’s maid is a lot like a housekeeper – she helps the mistress dress. She has discretion to donate her mistress’s unwanted clothes to worthy charities. In days gone by, the poor were constantly in need of clothes and linen. If a lady’s maid has an extra minute, she could donate a few pieces to the poor. If she does not have the time to assist the mistress, she can delegate the duties to the First Housemaid.
A lady’s maid had to prepare and dress the mistress multiple times throughout the day. She would lay out the clothes for the mistress in the morning, and then tidy the room. She would also be expected to iron and sew. She was also expected to accompany her mistress to the grocery store or to a family outing. She would also be expected to make her hair look pretty and tidy. The role of a lady’s maid was a demanding and prestigious one, and was often a position reserved only for women.
In the Regency period, lady’s maids were typically the most educated female staff members. The job required a more refined manner, an understanding of fashion, and the ability to speak a foreign language. The compensation for a good lady’s maid was anywhere from $30 to $60 per month. In some cases, compensation may be double or triple that. Lady’s maids were considered essential, as they served the wealthy and the aristocratic class.
A lady’s maid’s schedule is more flexible than the average domestic. The lady’s maid has a lot of freedom, such as the opportunity to read a book or sew. Unlike most domestics, lady’s maids are granted many privileges, including having access to the mistress’s ear. However, because of this position, these maids are often the target of jealousy from their peers.