Three steps to a clean home + WIN 3-hour cleaning vouchers from Helpling, Dubai

Perhaps one of the first things I would ask for if found a magic lamp would be to freed of my cleaning duties! Washing, cleaning, mopping, and dusting aren't exactly the most fun tasks to do - and in a sandy city like Dubai, you can't avoid it. We were recently hit by a sandstorm in the UAE, and I wasn't looking forward to cleaning up its aftermath.

Luckily, I was given an opportunity to try out an online cleaning service company called Helpling. While the company is not a cleaning service provider itself, it facilitates the process of finding a good cleaning company for your home. For a fixed rate of AED 35 per hour, it finds the best match for you based on your requirements. All cleaning companies and staff are verified by Helping, so you don't have to worry about their reliability and efficiency.

I made an online booking to have my home cleaned. I had to provide details such as location, services required, etc. They require you to enter credit card details, but no amount will be charged without your consent. You also need to create an account to make a booking.

The minimum booking you need to make it three hours, and at the time I felt it was too long for my one-bedroom apartment. I was wrong, and I'll tell you why in a little while!

I received a call confirming my booking, and I was told that I would be informed when a cleaning company was found for me. I received these details the next day, and I was given information on the company which would be providing cleaners for my home. Instead of a three-hour cleaning with one maid, I would be provided with two maids who would do the work in 1.5 hours. This seemed good enough for me, so I agreed.

On the appointed date, two uniformed ladies, Lenny and Maru, were at my doorstep within the time they were expected. They got to work instantly, not wasting a minute. I had kept my supplies ready, as Helpling requires you to provide your own. They spent close to an hour thoroughly cleaning my kitchen and washroom. I was impressed with how efficient they were with the cleaning.

With an hour and half, they had cleaned my whole house and it was spotless! It was then that I realized why three hours is minimum for a cleaning. Even for a home as small as mine, it was just the amount of time needed for a top to bottom cleaning job.

These are the things I liked best about Helpling's service:

- It's very easy to book, and the follow up is constant. You will even be asked to rate your experience once it's done.

- The maids were on time and very efficient.

- I had informed Helpling that I wanted extra cleaning in my kitchen, and I guess the maids were passed on this information since they did a good job there.

- For a total amount of AED 105, I felt that the value provided is quite good because the maids are professional and know exactly what to do.

Of course, there are many companies that Helpling had tied up with, so I can truly only comment on the one which served me. But Helpling promises the highest standards of service through a strict screening process, so if you are not happy with your cleaning company, you may even be provided with a re-cleaning.

Visit the Helpling website to book a cleaner or call 055-3188736 for more details.

CONTEST ALERT!

I have teamed up with Helpling in Dubai to give away

TWO VOUCHERS for a 3-hour cleaning service worth AED 105 each.

Here's your chance to get a spotless home in just a few clicks!

HOW TO PARTICIPATE

l. Like Helpling on Facebook.



2. Like Sand In My Toes on Facebook.



3. Subscribe to the Helpling email newsletter.

You can opt out any time you like, and we promise no spam.

4. Subscribe to the Sand In My Toes email newsletter.

You can opt out any time you like, and we promise no spam.

5. Comment below with why a service like Helping would be useful for you. Please leave your email address in the comment so you can be contacted if you are a winner.
6. Share a tweet about the contest.

WIN a 3-hour cleaning voucher from @HelplingAe for a spotless home! Enter contest now: http://www.sandinmytoes.tk/2015/03/helpling-dubai-review-and-giveaway.html @sandinmytoesTK #Dubai #giveaway (Click To Tweet)

AND/OR
Share the contest on your Facebook profile (Public setting). You can re-share the Facebook post below.
(function(d, s, id) { var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)(0); if (d.getElementById(id)) return; js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_GB/all.js#xfbml=1"; fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));
Post by Sand In My Toes.
AND/OR
Repost the following Instagram post.

For each share you do on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram, you will receive extra entries. There is a limit of two shares per day on each platform.

This contest will end on Thursday, March 20 and the winner will be announced on Saturday, March 22 on this page, and on Facebook.

Terms and conditions:

1. Contest open to those in Dubai only. If you are in the UAE, you can enter the contest, but cleaning services will be provided only in Dubai.

2. A 3-hour cleaning service voucher will be provided to the two winners, which can be redeemed online. A Standard Cleaning Package will be provided to the winners.

3. If the announced winner does not reply to our email in 3 days, a new winner will be chosen.

4. Participants will receive multiple entries into the draw once their entries have been verified.

5. The winner will be chosen by Random.org.

Don't forget to leave your email address below if you participate. Good luck!