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Terms & Conditions

Introduction

Welcome to Dustermaid! These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern the professional cleaning services provided by Dustermaid (referred to as "we," "us," or "our") to you, the client ("you" or "Client"). Dustermaid is a cleaning company based in Charles City, Iowa, offering eco-friendly residential, commercial, and short-term rental cleaning services. By scheduling or using any Dustermaid services (including booking cleanings online), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use our services.

These Terms, together with any service confirmations or agreements we provide (such as booking confirmations or subscription details), constitute the entire agreement between you and Dustermaid regarding our services. No other oral or written statements or representations (apart from duly signed written amendments) are considered part of this agreement. If any portion of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, that portion shall be severed, and the remainder of the Terms will remain in full effect. Nothing in these Terms is intended to limit any rights you have under applicable law. If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us using the information in the Contact Information section below.

Service Eligibility

Age and Capacity: Our services are only available to individuals who are 18 years of age or older and capable of entering into legally binding contracts. By booking our services, you represent that you meet this eligibility requirement.
Service Area: Dustermaid currently provides cleaning services in Charles City, Iowa (and any surrounding service areas as advertised). You must have a service location within our operating area. We reserve the right to decline service requests outside our geographic range.
Accurate Information: You agree to provide truthful, current, and complete information when requesting a booking (including your name, address of the property to be cleaned, contact information, and any special instructions). This ensures we can properly schedule and perform the cleaning.
Authority to Book: If you are booking on behalf of another person, a business, or a property you do not personally own, you affirm that you have the authority to make the booking and to agree to these Terms on behalf of the property owner or your employer. For example, if you are a property manager or a short-term rental host, you confirm that you are authorized to arrange cleaning services at the location and bind the owner/organization to these Terms.
Lawful Use of Services: You may only use Dustermaid’s services for lawful purposes. Our services are intended for standard cleaning of homes and businesses; you agree not to use our services for any fraudulent or illegal activity.

Booking & Cancellations

Scheduling Appointments: You can request cleaning appointments through our online booking system, by phone, or via email (as available). Once your booking is received, we will confirm the date and an arrival time or time window for our cleaning team. We strive to be punctual, but please allow some flexibility for factors like traffic or weather. We will notify you of any significant delays (over 30 minutes) in our arrival.
Appointment Confirmation: After scheduling, you will receive a confirmation (via email or other method) detailing your service date, expected arrival time frame, and the scope of work or cleaning package selected. Please review this confirmation and notify us promptly of any discrepancies or special requests.
Client Cancellations and Rescheduling: If you need to cancel or reschedule a cleaning appointment, please provide at least 48 hours’ notice before your scheduled service time. This advance notice allows us to adjust our schedules and offer that slot to other clients.
- Late Cancellation Fee: Cancellations or reschedule requests made with less than 48 hours’ notice may incur a cancellation fee. In general, if you cancel within 24 hours of the appointment (or fail to notify us at all), we reserve the right to charge a fee up to a fixed amount (for example, a $50 cancellation charge) or a percentage of the service price to cover the lost time slot. We will inform you of the fee at the time of late cancellation.
- No-Show / Lock-Out: If our cleaning team arrives at the scheduled time but cannot gain entry to your property (due to no one home at an expected meet time, inability to access through provided keys/codes, or other client-controlled access issues) and you have not properly canceled in advance, this will be treated as a late cancellation. In this event, the full service fee or a cancellation fee may be charged as if you had canceled without notice. To avoid this, please ensure we have a reliable method of entry (see Client Responsibilities below).
- Rescheduling: If you wish to reschedule rather than cancel, similar notice requirements apply. We will do our best to accommodate changes in your schedule. A reschedule with short notice (less than 48 hours prior) may be treated as a cancellation if we are unable to fill your original slot.
Company Cancellations: Dustermaid reserves the right to cancel or reschedule an appointment at our discretion in cases of emergency, severe weather, unavailability of staff, or other circumstances beyond our control. In such cases, we will give you as much advance notice as possible. We will work with you to reschedule the service to a new time, or if rescheduling is not possible, any payment already made for the canceled appointment will be refunded or credited to you.
Weather and Unforeseen Events: In the event of severe weather or other unforeseen events (e.g., power outages, road closures, or natural disasters) that make it unsafe or impossible for us to perform the scheduled cleaning, we will notify you as soon as we can. The appointment will be rescheduled to a mutually agreeable time without any cancellation fee.
Cancellation of On-Going or Recurring Services: If you wish to suspend or terminate a recurring service plan (e.g., cancel all future cleanings in a subscription), please refer to the Recurring Plans & Payments section for additional terms. Generally, we ask for advance notice to discontinue a series of scheduled cleanings.

Recurring Plans & Payments

We offer convenient recurring cleaning plans for clients who desire routine cleanings (for example, weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly services). The following terms apply to clients on a recurring service plan or subscription:

Auto-Scheduling: When you sign up for a recurring plan, we will reserve a regular time slot for you at the agreed frequency (e.g., every Monday morning or the first Friday of each month). The schedule will be outlined in your confirmation. Our team will show up on those recurring dates unless the service is paused or canceled in accordance with these Terms.
Subscription Billing: By enrolling in a recurring plan, you authorize Dustermaid to charge your saved payment method on a recurring basis for the services provided. Typically, your card will be charged on the day of each cleaning or on a set billing date (such as monthly for all visits in that period, depending on our arrangement). We will inform you of the billing schedule when you sign up. All recurring payments will be processed automatically unless you cancel the service in advance (see below).
Recurring Service Rates: Recurring services may be offered at a discounted rate compared to one-time or "as-needed" cleanings. This loyalty discount is based on the expectation of ongoing service. If a recurring service is booked at a discounted recurring rate and then cancelled after only one instance (for example, you sign up for bi-weekly cleaning but cancel after the first cleaning), Dustermaid reserves the right to charge the difference between the recurring rate and the regular one-time service rate for that initial visit. In other words, if you received a first-time cleaning at a lower price under a recurring plan but did not continue the plan beyond that, you will be responsible for paying the standard one-time price for that cleaning. This policy prevents misuse of the discounted recurring pricing.
Plan Changes: You may request changes to your recurring plan (such as adjusting the frequency of visits, skipping a particular appointment, or adding additional services). Please provide at least 48 hours notice for any skip or change to a scheduled service in a recurring plan, so we can adjust our staff scheduling. Skipping a scheduled cleaning without notice may incur a fee as described in Booking & Cancellations above. If you change the frequency (e.g., from weekly to monthly), your pricing may be adjusted to reflect the new service frequency (we will inform you of any price change and seek your approval).
Cancellation of Recurring Plans: You can cancel your recurring cleaning plan at any time. However, to avoid being charged for the next scheduled service, you must notify us of your intent to cancel at least 48 hours before your next cleaning date (preferably sooner). If you cancel a recurring plan with shorter notice, the immediately upcoming cleaning may still be charged or incur a late cancellation fee (since our team has reserved that time for you). Once your cancellation is effective, no further recurring charges will be made.
No Long-Term Commitment: Our recurring plans do not lock you into a contract for a specific duration; you are free to cancel after any paid service cycle, provided you give proper notice. We value your continued business and thus operate on a basis of earned trust rather than long-term contracts. (The only exception is as noted above: cancelling immediately after a first-time service may remove any recurring discount applied to that service.)
Payment Method Updates: It is your responsibility to ensure your payment information on file is current and valid for recurring billing. If we are unable to process a payment (card expired, etc.), we will contact you to update your information. Failure to promptly update payment details may result in suspension of service until payment issues are resolved.
Transparency: We will provide receipts or invoices for each cleaning (or each billing cycle) in your recurring plan, detailing the charges. Should you have any questions about charges or services, please contact us for clarification.

Pricing and Payments

Pricing Estimates: Our cleaning service rates may be provided as a flat fee, hourly rate, or based on the size and condition of the property. Any price quote given (whether online or via a walkthrough) is an estimate based on the information available to us. We expect that the condition of the property will match what was described during booking. If upon arrival the scope of work is significantly different (for example, the space is much larger than stated, or there are conditions requiring substantially more time or effort than typical), we will communicate any need to revise the pricing before we proceed. We will only continue with your approval of any adjusted cost. In the absence of special circumstances, the price confirmed at booking is what you can expect to pay.
Inclusive of Standard Supplies: Our pricing includes the use of our standard eco-friendly cleaning products and equipment. We will bring our own supplies such as non-toxic cleaners, vacuums, mops, and cloths. If you have specific product requests (e.g., you want us to use a particular floor cleaner or equipment you provide), please let us know in advance. We may accommodate reasonable requests, but we are not responsible for any damage or suboptimal results if using products you insisted on that are not part of our usual toolkit. If a job requires any special equipment or additional supplies beyond our normal kit (for example, a lift for high windows or industrial cleaning agents for unusual stains), those may incur extra charges or arrangements which we will discuss with you beforehand.
Taxes: All fees for services are stated in US dollars. Any applicable taxes (such as sales tax if required by Iowa law for cleaning services) will be added to the charges unless the stated price explicitly notes that tax is included. We will clearly present the total amount due including any taxes on your invoice or receipt.
Payment Timing: Payment is due at the time of service. For one-time cleanings, this typically means payment must be rendered upon completion of the cleaning appointment. For online bookings, we may pre-authorize your credit card before the service and then charge the balance once the service is completed. In some cases, especially for first-time clients or very large jobs, we might require an upfront deposit or payment in advance – if so, this will be communicated to you during booking.
Payment Methods: We accept major credit and debit cards for payment. Our online booking system will securely process card payments. In certain cases, we may accept other forms of payment such as cash or check (for example, for in-person transactions), but a valid credit card may still be required to hold a booking. By providing a payment card, you represent that you are authorized to use that card and you authorize Dustermaid (or our payment processor) to charge the card for the agreed services and any applicable fees.
Secure Payments: For online transactions, we use trusted third-party payment processors to handle your card information. Dustermaid itself does not store your full credit card numbers on our own systems; instead, we rely on the secure payment gateway. All payment processing is done over encrypted connections. While we implement security measures, you understand that no system is perfectly secure and you provide payment details at your own risk.
Late Payments and Declined Transactions: If your payment method is declined or a check is returned (bounces), we will notify you and request an alternate payment promptly. We reserve the right to charge a reasonable fee for any returned payment or insufficient funds. For example, if a bank returns your check or a credit card chargeback occurs without valid reason, a fee (such as $25 or $30) may be added to cover bank fees and administrative costs, as allowed by law. Additionally, any overdue payments (more than 15 days past due) may incur a late fee or interest charge at the maximum rate permitted by law until paid.
Suspension of Service: If invoices are not paid on time, Dustermaid may suspend upcoming cleanings until the account is brought current. For recurring services, if a payment is missed, we will attempt to contact you to resolve the issue, but we may skip or pause your next service if payment is still outstanding on the day of the scheduled cleaning. You are responsible for any unpaid amounts for services already rendered.
No Refunds for Completed Services: Because cleaning is a labor service, once a service has been completed and the cleaners have left the premises, payments are generally non-refundable. However, your satisfaction is important to us – see Satisfaction Guarantee below for how we address any service issues. In the event that you prepaid for a series of services and wish to cancel future services, we will refund any unused portion of prepayments for services that haven’t been performed, minus any applicable discounts or fees as described in these Terms.
Satisfaction Guarantee: We want you to be happy with our work. If you are dissatisfied with any aspect of our cleaning, please contact us within 24 hours of the service and describe the issue. We will make it right by either re-cleaning the specific areas of concern at no additional cost or finding another appropriate solution. We do not offer full cash refunds for a completed service, but we will re-clean or correct the problem areas promptly. This guarantee is null and void if we are not notified of the issue within 24 hours of the service, as we must be able to verify and address problems in a timely manner. (Note: In cases of unreasonable or repeated refund demands without justification, Dustermaid reserves the right to decline service to such individuals in the future.)
Tipping: Gratuities for our cleaning staff are never required but always appreciated as a way to acknowledge excellent service. Any tips given (cash left for cleaners, or added to payment) are passed entirely to the cleaning team. Whether or not you choose to tip will not affect the quality of service you receive.
Price Changes: Dustermaid may update its standard rates or fees from time to time (for example, due to increased operational costs or expanded service offerings). If you are a recurring customer, we will notify you in advance (typically via email or in-app notification) of any changes to the pricing of your plan. New pricing will apply to services scheduled after the effective date of the change. If you do not agree to a price increase, you may cancel the service before the new prices take effect (no cancellation fee will apply if done in response to a notified price change). By continuing to use the services after the effective date, you agree to the new pricing. One-time clients will always be quoted the current price at time of booking, so this mostly concerns recurring or frequent customers.

User Accounts

(This section pertains to the use of our online platform. If Dustermaid implements user accounts or an online portal for booking and managing services, the following terms will apply. If bookings are done solely via a one-time form or guest checkout, some of these may not be relevant until accounts are enabled.)

Account Creation: We may provide the option to create a user account on our website or mobile application in order to manage your bookings, view past and upcoming services, and save your preferences. When this feature is available, creating an account is optional but can enhance your experience (for example, easier booking management or loyalty rewards in the future).
Account Information: If you choose to create an account, you agree to provide accurate and up-to-date information during registration (such as your name, email, phone number, and address). You also agree to update this information promptly if it changes, so we can contact you and perform services without issue.
Security of Credentials: You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account login credentials (username and password). Do not share your password with anyone. You agree to notify Dustermaid immediately if you suspect any unauthorized access to or use of your account.
Responsibility for Account Activity: All activity that occurs under your account is your responsibility. If you give others access to your account (or fail to safeguard your login information), you are accountable for any orders or actions they take. Dustermaid is not liable for any loss or damage arising from unauthorized use of your account if we were not informed of a breach.
One Account Per User: To keep our system efficient, we ask that you maintain only one account per individual or household. Duplicate accounts may cause confusion with bookings. We reserve the right to merge or deactivate duplicate accounts if detected.
Prohibited Uses: You agree not to use any Dustermaid online account or our website for any fraudulent or abusive activity. This includes but is not limited to: attempting to book services under false pretenses, using the platform to harass or make false reviews, or engaging in any hacking, data mining, or other inappropriate conduct. Any such misuse can result in termination of your account and potential legal action.
Account Termination: We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your user account at any time for any reason, including violation of these Terms, providing false information, or inactivity. If we terminate your account and you have active bookings, we will endeavor to notify you and may, at our discretion, continue with scheduled services or cancel them depending on the circumstances. You may also request deletion of your account by contacting us, though we may retain certain information as required by law or for legitimate business purposes (see Privacy and Data Collection).
Future Features: As our business grows, we may introduce new features for account holders (such as reward programs, referral credits, etc.). Such features will be subject to these Terms and any additional terms we post at that time.

Client Responsibilities

To ensure a successful cleaning experience, we need your cooperation in preparing for and providing a suitable environment for our team. By booking with Dustermaid, you agree to the following client responsibilities:

Home Access: You are responsible for providing us access to the property at the scheduled appointment time. This may mean being present to let our cleaners in, providing a working key, door code, security gate code, or any necessary instructions for entry. If you live in an apartment or gated community, ensure we are added to the guest list or provided the correct access information. If our team cannot enter at the agreed time due to issues on your end (and you are unreachable), it will be treated as a no-show cancellation (see Booking & Cancellations regarding fees). Please double-check that keys or codes you provide work correctly and inform us of any special locks or alarm systems.
Disarming Alarm Systems: If your home or office has a security alarm, please disarm it before the cleaning appointment or provide us with temporary codes/instructions to avoid triggering it. If an alarm is triggered due to lack of notice or incorrect information, you will be responsible for any associated costs (for example, a false alarm fee from local authorities). We will, of course, do our best to quickly resolve any alarm issues if they arise.
Utilities and Environment: Make sure that your property has running water and electricity on the day of the cleaning, as our staff will need these to effectively perform their duties. Adequate lighting, heating/cooling (as appropriate), and ventilation should be available for the cleaners to work safely and comfortably. If utilities are turned off or conditions are extremely uncomfortable or hazardous (e.g., no heat in winter, extreme hoarding situation, pest infestations, etc.), our team may not be able to complete the job and that appointment may be cancelled (with potential charges if it falls under a last-minute cancellation). It's the client's responsibility to ensure the basic working environment is provided.
Pet Safety and Handling: We love pets, but for everyone’s safety and comfort, please secure any pets that might impede our work or become frightened/defensive during the cleaning. If you have aggressive or anxious animals, keep them in a separate area during our visit or let us know not to enter a particular room. We are not responsible for pets that slip out or become disturbed if not properly secured. Likewise, our staff will not handle pet waste (other than typical litter box maintenance if that is part of the agreed service) or extensive pet-related messes without prior arrangement. If a pet has accidents or there are biohazards (e.g., rodent droppings, insect infestations), please inform us beforehand – additional charges or specialized services might be required, or we may decline to clean those specific areas.
General Preparation (Clutter): In order to clean efficiently, we kindly request that you do a basic pick-up of items on surfaces or floors that you'd like cleaned. You don't need to clean before we arrive, but putting away toys, clothing, or important documents will allow us to focus on the actual cleaning tasks. Excessive clutter may prevent us from thoroughly cleaning certain areas. Our team will not know where your personal items belong, so they may have to work around clutter rather than organize it. If a room is extremely cluttered or inaccessible, we will clean only open and reachable areas. We do not offer organizing services by default (those would need to be arranged separately if desired).
Fragile and Valuable Items: Please safeguard any heirlooms, fragile decorations, collectibles, or valuables prior to our arrival. While we are very careful, accidents can happen. We recommend that items of extreme monetary or sentimental value be handled by you personally. If there are particular fragile items or surfaces (e.g., a delicate figurine collection, a special type of countertop that needs a specific cleaner) that you want us to be aware of, inform us in advance and, if needed, provide specific cleaning instructions. Dustermaid is not liable for damage to items that were fragile, improperly secured (for example, a picture loosely hung with a thumbtack), or already showing signs of wear or damage. See Limitation of Liability for more details.
Special Instructions: If there are any areas you want us to skip or avoid, or any special instructions for certain rooms or items, please communicate that either during booking or with a note to the cleaning team. For example, if a particular bedroom should not be entered, or you don't want us to use any water on a certain piece of furniture, letting us know helps us tailor our service to your needs. We aim to accommodate reasonable requests, but they should be discussed ahead of time to ensure the cleaners are aware.
Hazardous Conditions: You must notify us of any potential hazards at your property. This includes known issues like exposed electrical wires, broken glass, structural instability (e.g., weak floorboards), presence of black mold, etc. Our cleaners have the right to refuse or halt cleaning if they encounter conditions that pose a safety risk to them or could risk damage to your home (for instance, if a ceiling looks like it might collapse, or a surface is too fragile to clean). If a job is stopped or canceled due to undisclosed dangerous conditions, you may still be charged for the appointment.
Occupant Behavior: We require a respectful and safe environment for our staff. You (and any other occupants at the location) should refrain from any form of harassment, inappropriate behavior, or interference with the cleaning process. If our staff feel threatened or unsafe for any reason, they may leave the premises immediately. If such situation arises due to client or occupant behavior, you will be responsible for the full cost of the scheduled service, even if not completed, and we may terminate our service relationship going forward.
No Solicitation of Employees: By using our services, you agree not to solicit, hire, or employ any Dustermaid cleaning staff for separate cleaning work or any related services outside of your agreement with Dustermaid, during the time they are employed by Dustermaid and for a period of 6 months thereafter. Our cleaners have signed agreements prohibiting direct work for clients outside the company. This non-solicitation provision helps us maintain our team and business. If you really love your cleaner and wish to offer them separate work, please coordinate through Dustermaid. In certain cases, we may offer a referral arrangement (a fee may apply to compensate for recruitment/training costs). Unauthorized hiring of our staff may result in legal action or a referral fee being charged to you.
Health and Safety Notifications: If you or anyone at the service location is ill with a contagious condition or has tested positive for a serious communicable disease (for example, COVID-19, flu, etc.) around the time of the scheduled cleaning, please inform us as soon as possible. We will discuss whether it’s best to reschedule the service to protect both our staff and your household. We take health precautions seriously and appreciate your transparency. Likewise, our team will not come to work if they are sick with something contagious; we might need to reschedule on short notice in such cases for safety.
Damage or Issues During Service: If you notice any problem or accident during the cleaning (such as a broken item or a missed area), let our team or management know immediately if possible. Prompt communication allows us to address it on the spot. If you discover an issue after the team has left, you must report it to us within 24 hours (per the Satisfaction Guarantee and Liability terms). We will investigate and take appropriate action. Your cooperation in reporting timely helps differentiate between something our staff may have caused versus something that might have occurred later.
After-Service Security: If we entered your home using a client-provided key or code and you are not present when we finish, our team will secure the premises to the best of our ability (locking doors, arming alarm if instructed, etc.). It is your responsibility to ensure that our access (key, codes) continue to work for future appointments or are updated if you change locks or passcodes. We will keep any client keys or access information secure (see Privacy and Data Collection regarding protection of such info).

By fulfilling these responsibilities, you help us maintain a high quality of service and ensure both your property and our staff remain safe and respected. We truly appreciate your cooperation.

Privacy and Data Collection

Your privacy is important to us. In the course of doing business, Dustermaid will collect and handle certain personal information. This section summarizes our practices for personal data collection, use, and protection.

Information We Collect: When you use our services or website, we may collect personal information such as your name, contact details (phone number, email address, physical address of service location), and scheduling preferences. If you use our online booking, you will also provide payment information (credit card number, billing address, etc.), which is processed securely by our payment provider. We may keep a record of your bookings, the services provided, and any feedback or communications we have with you. If you communicate with us via email, contact form, or phone, we may keep those communications on record for reference.
How We Use Your Information: We use your personal information primarily to provide and manage our cleaning services. This includes using your contact info to confirm appointments, send reminders and invoices/receipts, and communicate with you about your services (including any issues or updates). Your address is obviously used to send our team to the correct location. We might also use your email to send occasional updates about our services, new offerings, or promotions, but you can opt out of marketing emails if you prefer. We will not bombard you with marketing; our communications will mostly be service-related.
Third-Party Sharing: Dustermaid does not sell or rent your personal information to third-party marketers. We value your trust. We will share your information only in limited scenarios:
- Service Delivery: We share relevant details with the cleaning staff assigned to your location (for example, they will have your name, address, and any instructions needed to perform the job). Our staff are obligated to keep client information confidential.
- Payment Processing: Your payment details are handled by a third-party payment processor (e.g., a credit card processing company or bank) which will process the transaction. These processors are PCI-DSS compliant and specialize in secure handling of payment data. We share the necessary billing information with them to charge your card.
- Technology Providers: We use standard business software and tools (for instance, scheduling software, email service providers) that might process your data on our behalf as part of their function. For example, if we use an online booking platform or a CRM (customer relationship management) system, your data will pass through those systems. We choose reputable providers and they are only allowed to use your data to provide services to us, not for their own purposes.
- Legal Requirements: If we are required by law to disclose information (for example, a court subpoena or a legal investigation), or if disclosure is necessary to protect our rights or comply with a judicial proceeding, we will do so. We would only share the information that is legally required.
Data Security: We take reasonable measures to protect the personal information we hold from unauthorized access or disclosure. This includes using encryption, secure databases, and other industry-standard security practices. For instance, our website is protected via HTTPS encryption to secure the data you input. Internally, only authorized personnel and contractors who need your information to perform their duties have access to it. However, please understand that no method of data transmission or storage is 100% secure. While we strive to protect your data, we cannot guarantee absolute security. You acknowledge that you provide your personal information at your own risk.
Retention: We will retain your personal information for as long as needed to provide services to you and for legitimate business purposes (such as maintaining records for accounting, legal compliance, or resolving disputes). If you cease to be a client, we may archive your information securely and eventually delete it in accordance with our data retention policies. If you want us to remove certain contact information from our active systems, you can request it, though we might need to keep some records (e.g. invoices) for legal reasons.
Cookies and Online Identifiers: If our website uses cookies or similar technologies, it would be primarily to facilitate site functionality (like keeping your session active during booking) or to analyze website traffic anonymously. We do not use invasive tracking for advertising. You can set your browser to refuse cookies, but that might affect the functionality of our online booking forms.
Privacy of Children: Our services are not directed to minors. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under the age of 13. Since one must be 18 or older to book our services, this situation is unlikely. If a minor (such as a teenager) interacts with our website, we expect a parent or guardian to be supervising any service arrangement. If we somehow collect personal data from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will delete it upon being informed.
Consent: By providing your personal information to Dustermaid and using our services, you consent to the collection and use of information as outlined in this section. If we make any significant changes to how we handle privacy, we will inform you or update these Terms/our Privacy Policy accordingly.
Separate Privacy Policy: For more detailed information on our data practices, we may maintain a separate Privacy Policy document. If and when a formal Privacy Policy is available on our website, the terms of that policy are incorporated into these Terms by reference. In case of a conflict between these Terms and the Privacy Policy regarding privacy matters, the Privacy Policy will take precedence.

If you have any questions or concerns about how we collect or use your information, please contact us (see Contact Information below). We take privacy seriously and will gladly address your inquiries.

Limitation of Liability

While we commit to providing professional and careful cleaning services, there are limitations to what we can be held liable for. By using Dustermaid’s services, you agree to the following limitations on our liability:

Service "As-Is": Except for the specific service commitments we expressly make (such as our 24-hour satisfaction re-clean guarantee), all services are provided "as is" and "as available". We make no other warranties or guarantees, express or implied, about the outcome of our services. This includes any implied warranties of quality, performance, or fitness for a particular purpose, which are hereby disclaimed. We will do our best to complete the tasks to a high standard, but we cannot guarantee that every single spot or stain will be cleaned to perfection or that you will achieve any particular results beyond a generally cleaner space.
No Indirect Damages: To the maximum extent permitted by law, Dustermaid and its owners, employees, or agents will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages that may arise in connection with our services or these Terms. This means we are not responsible for losses that are not directly caused by our breach or negligence. For example, we are not liable for any financial or opportunity losses if a cleaning does not occur (say, you had to delay a tenant move-in due to a reschedule), or any harm to third parties, or any damage to your reputation, etc. Our liability is limited strictly to tangible damages as described in these Terms.
Cap on Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, if Dustermaid is found liable to you for any reason, our total aggregate liability will be limited to the amount you paid for the specific cleaning service in question. For instance, if you paid $150 for a cleaning where a liability arose, our maximum liability shall not exceed $150 for that incident. If the law provides for a minimum liability that cannot be waived or capped, then that minimum will apply. This limitation applies no matter what the theory of liability is (contract, tort, strict liability, etc.), and even if we have been advised of the possibility of such damages exceeding that amount.
Property Damage or Loss: Dustermaid carries general liability insurance to cover certain unforeseen events. In the rare case that our staff is clearly responsible for damage to your property (for example, a cleaner accidentally knocks over and breaks a vase), we will work with you to repair or replace the item or compensate you in line with our insurance policies. However, our liability for any such damage is subject to the following conditions:
- You must report the damage to us as soon as you notice it, and no later than 24 hours after the service, so that we can investigate and take appropriate action.
- If the item was already damaged, had a pre-existing flaw, or was in fragile condition, or if the damage is due to normal wear and tear or aging of the item (e.g., a blind falls apart during cleaning due to dry rot), we will not be held liable. We assume your home and belongings are in sound condition for routine cleaning.
- If an item of value is broken or damaged due to our actions, and it was something you did not secure or warn us about (such as a valuable figurine on a shaky shelf), we may consider offering a reimbursement, but it may not exceed the current depreciated value of the item or the coverage limit of our insurance, whichever is applicable. Sentimental value or other intangibles cannot be compensated.
- In any case, our policy may be to either repair the item to your satisfaction, replace it with a similar item if available, or reimburse you the value (taking into account depreciation and age of the item). We reserve the right to choose the appropriate remedy. We may also choose to file an insurance claim if the value is significant. You may be asked to provide proof of the item’s value or purchase.
No Liability for Certain Items: We do not accept liability for the following categories of items or situations:
- Cash, Jewelry, and Small Valuables: Please secure cash, jewelry, and small high-value items. We require our staff to report and set aside any obviously valuable items found in the open, but ultimately we are not responsible for any alleged missing cash or jewelry unless there is clear evidence of theft by our staff (which, to date, has never happened—our team is trustworthy and vetted). For clarity, Dustermaid has no responsibility for loss of cash, jewelry, or similar valuables that were not secured.
- Weapons or Firearms: You are expected to store any firearms or weapons safely and out of sight. Our cleaners will not handle or clean firearms. We assume no liability for any accidents or issues involving firearms on the property; that responsibility is entirely the gun owner’s. If a firearm is left unsecured and visible, our staff may choose not to clean that area and will inform the office.
- Sensitive Documents or Data: If you have sensitive documents (financial papers, personal files) or electronics containing sensitive data, please put them away. We are not responsible for any privacy breach or loss of data if you leave such items out and accessible. Our staff is instructed not to read personal papers, but accidents like mixing up papers while dusting can happen if they are strewn about.
- Pre-Existing Conditions: We are not liable for any damages that result from pre-existing conditions in your home. For example, if your plumbing is faulty and a pipe starts leaking while we are cleaning your sink, or an appliance we are cleaning malfunctions due to prior issues, that is not considered our fault. Similarly, if a surface (floor, countertop) is already worn or improperly sealed, standard cleaning might reveal or worsen the issue – we can’t take responsibility for that underlying condition.
- Use of Client’s Equipment or Supplies: If you request that we use any of your own equipment or cleaning solutions, we are not liable for any damage that may result from the use of those items (e.g., your vacuum malfunctions or your cleaning product damages a surface). We normally use our professional-grade supplies for a reason – they are tested and known to be safe when used correctly.
Health Liability: Our team will do their best to reduce germs and clean thoroughly, but we are not responsible for any illness or allergic reactions that a client believes might be related to our cleaning. For instance, if you have a specific allergy to a cleaning agent, you must inform us in advance so we can use an alternative. If you do not inform us, we cannot be liable for any allergic reaction. Additionally, while we sanitize surfaces, we do not guarantee complete disinfection or removal of all allergens or pathogens. Our cleaning is not a substitute for professional remediation of serious mold or pest infestations, for example.
Indemnification: You agree that if a third party (anyone other than you) brings a claim against Dustermaid or its employees for something that arises from your services or your breach of these Terms, you will indemnify (defend and protect) Dustermaid from that claim. In simpler terms, if your actions or negligence cause someone else to sue us or make a claim against us (for example, a neighbor claims our cleaner damaged their property because you asked the cleaner to do something outside our normal scope), you will cover our costs and any losses. We will promptly notify you of any such claim and cooperate with you, but this is a rare scenario. This indemnification obligation is common in service agreements to ensure the client does not put the company in a legally vulnerable position unknowingly.
Force Majeure: Dustermaid is not liable for failure to perform any obligation under these Terms if prevented or delayed by an event that is outside our reasonable control. This includes, but isn’t limited to, natural disasters (fires, floods, hurricanes), acts of government, war, civil unrest, terrorist acts, epidemics or pandemics, quarantine restrictions, labor strikes, or any other extreme events. If such an event occurs, we will notify you and resume or reschedule services as soon as practicable.
No Warranty for Third-Party Services: Occasionally, we might recommend or arrange additional services through third-party providers (for instance, carpet steaming or window washing beyond our normal scope, performed by a partner contractor). If any third-party services are arranged through us as a convenience, those are provided by the third party and not by Dustermaid. We will not be liable for the acts or omissions of any third-party service providers, even if we helped coordinate the scheduling. The third party’s own terms and liability rules will apply in such cases. We only warrant the services we directly provide.
Statutory Rights: Some jurisdictions may not allow certain exclusions or limitations of liability. If you are in such a jurisdiction (though we primarily operate in Iowa, where standard contract law applies), some of the above limitations may not fully apply to you. In such a case, our liability is limited to the greatest extent permitted by applicable law. These Terms do not exclude any liability that cannot be excluded by law (for example, certain consumer protection rights).

By agreeing to these Terms, you acknowledge these limitations of liability and understand that our pricing reflects these risks allocations. We do not build in the cost of unlimited liability into our service price, and we appreciate your understanding of these reasonable limitations.

Intellectual Property

Ownership of Website and Materials: The content, design, logos, trademarks, text, graphics, images, and all other material on the Dustermaid website or provided through our services (such as checklists, guides, or other documentation) are the intellectual property of Dustermaid or our licensors. All such materials are protected by copyright, trademark, and other applicable intellectual property laws.
Use of Content: You are welcome to view, print, or download materials from our website for your personal and non-commercial use only (for example, printing a copy of these Terms for your records or using a cleaning checklist we provide for your own use). However, you may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, publicly display, or commercially exploit any of our content without our prior written permission. Using our materials for any unauthorized purpose may violate intellectual property laws.
Trademarks: "Dustermaid" and our associated logos, slogans, or product names are trademarks or service marks of our company. You are not granted any license or right to use these trademarks in any way. All other trademarks that may appear on our website or communications (for example, the name of a third-party booking software or a product brand we mention) are the property of their respective owners and are used only to identify them.
Client Feedback: If you choose to provide us with feedback, suggestions, testimonials, or ideas regarding Dustermaid’s services or website, you agree that we may use this feedback (for example, by implementing your suggestions or posting your testimonial on our site) without restriction and without any compensation to you. Feedback is entirely voluntary, and we appreciate it as it helps us improve, but we are free to use it as we see fit and you do not retain any intellectual property claim over that feedback. If we do decide to post a testimonial or review you gave us, we will avoid disclosing your personal information without permission, or we may anonymize it (e.g., using your first name and last initial or just referring to your city).
Third-Party Intellectual Property: We respect the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe that any content on our website infringes your copyright or other IP rights, please notify us with specifics, and we will investigate and address the issue (for example, by removing the infringing material if confirmed). We follow the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) process for copyright claims where applicable.
License for Usage: When you use our website or materials, we grant you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and make personal use of our content for the purposes of learning about our services or conducting business with us. This license does not include any resale or commercial use of our content, any collection and use of listings or descriptions, or any derivative use of our site or materials. You may not use any meta tags or any other "hidden text" utilizing our name or trademarks without our express written consent. Any unauthorized use terminates the permission or license granted by us.

All rights not expressly granted in these Terms are reserved by Dustermaid. If you are unsure about whether you can use certain content or materials from us, please contact us for clarification.

Modifications to Terms

Dustermaid may revise or update these Terms and Conditions from time to time. Because laws change and our business may evolve, we reserve the right to modify the Terms as needed. Here’s how that process works:

Notice of Changes: When we make material changes to the Terms, we will notify our clients by updating the Terms on our website and revising the "Last Updated" date (typically found at the top or bottom of the Terms page). For significant changes that affect your rights or obligations, we may also send a notice via email to the address we have on file for you or include an alert in your booking confirmation/portal.
Acceptance of Changes: Continued use of our services after an update to the Terms constitutes your acceptance of the modified Terms. If you do not agree with any updated Terms, you should inform us and discontinue using our services going forward. We recommend reviewing the Terms periodically to stay informed of any changes, especially if we haven’t serviced you in a while.
Scope of Changes: Changes to these Terms will not apply retroactively. For example, if you booked services under an old version of the Terms, and those services have already been rendered, the old Terms (or whatever was in effect at the time of booking) would generally govern that transaction. The new Terms would apply to future bookings or ongoing services from their effective date onward.
Your Feedback: If you have questions or concerns about any change in the Terms, please reach out to us. Sometimes we update Terms to clarify policies or improve readability, and we welcome customer input. However, once new Terms are in effect, they govern all subsequent interactions.
Posting of Terms: The latest version of the Terms and Conditions will always be available on the Dustermaid website (likely on a dedicated Terms & Conditions page). It is your responsibility to review the latest Terms when booking new services.

By keeping up to date with our Terms, you help ensure there are no surprises in our mutual obligations. Thank you for reading and understanding our policies.

Governing Law

These Terms and Conditions and any dispute arising out of or relating to our services or this agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Iowa, USA, without regard to its conflict of law principles. This means that the laws of Iowa will apply to any issues or lawsuits related to these Terms or the services we provide.

Jurisdiction: You agree that any legal action or proceeding concerning this agreement or the services must be brought in the state courts of Iowa located in our service region (for example, the courts of Floyd County, Iowa, which is where Charles City is located) or in the United States District Court that covers the Charles City area. You hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts. In other words, if disputes go to court, we agree to resolve them in Iowa courts.
Venue: You agree that the proper venue for any disputes is the state of Iowa (and specifically, a court located in or nearest to Charles City, Iowa). If you reside outside of Iowa, you still agree that Iowa is not an inconvenient forum and you waive any argument to the contrary. We provide services in Iowa, so it is logical to resolve disputes under Iowa’s jurisdiction.
Legal Fees: In the event of a dispute that leads to legal action, each party will bear its own attorneys’ fees and costs, unless a law or contract provision specifically provides otherwise. (For example, if a court finds that one party acted in bad faith, it may order that party to pay the other’s legal fees, but absent such a finding, we each pay our own.)
Equitable Relief: Notwithstanding the above, we retain the right to seek injunctive or equitable relief in any jurisdiction if necessary to protect our intellectual property rights or confidential information (for instance, if someone were violating those rights, we wouldn’t be limited to Iowa courts to make it stop, since such issues might cross state lines). However, that’s a very unlikely scenario for a cleaning service context and more of a standard legal reservation.
Severability: We already stated this, but to reinforce: if any provision of these Terms is found to be illegal or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that provision will be deemed severed from the agreement, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect. The intention of the parties is that the Terms be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and any invalid clause does not invalidate the entire agreement.
No Waiver: If Dustermaid does not enforce a particular provision of these Terms in some instance (for example, if we choose not to charge a cancellation fee one time as a courtesy), that decision does not waive our right to enforce that provision in the future. No waiver of any term shall be deemed a further or continuing waiver of that term or any other term. To be legally binding, any waiver or modification of these Terms by Dustermaid must be in writing and signed by our authorized representative.
Assignment: You may not transfer or assign your rights or obligations under these Terms to anyone else without our consent. For example, if you move and someone else takes over your house, they’ll need to agree to these Terms separately for continued service. Dustermaid, on the other hand, may assign this agreement to a successor or purchaser of our company or assets, or to an affiliate, as part of a business reorganization, and in such case the Terms would continue to apply to the client services as normal. Any assignment in conflict with this clause is void.
Headings: The headings used in these Terms (like "Service Eligibility" or "Governing Law") are for convenience and organizational purposes only. They do not have legal effect by themselves. In a dispute, the full text of each section will be what matters, not the heading titles.

By agreeing to these Terms, you are knowingly choosing Iowa law as the law that governs our relationship and agreeing to resolve any disputes in Iowa courts.