Definition (Source: Wikipedia)
***Maid service, also known as a cleaning service (such as for an office or home), is a business which provides cleaning services as a convenience to homeowners who do not have (or do not wish to spend) the time to clean their own homes. Maid services have become increasingly common in many developed cultures, partly because of the rise in two-income families.
A maid service may be more expensive than simply hiring a part-time maid, but it offers a number of advantages. Usually the service will provide not only someone to do the cleaning, but also all of the necessary cleaning supplies. Also, as a bona fide employer, the service is responsible for withholding Social Security and other income taxes. Third, a service is insured and often bonded, so it can be held accountable if something is stolen or missing.
There are thousands of residential cleaning businesses throughout the United States and Canada. Maid services are becoming more popular in cities in particular; perhaps a sign of a relatively well-off population. Historically and traditionally, cleaning was considered a woman's role, but as more and more women have joined the workforce, the time pressure on families with children has grown, so paying a service for cleaning makes sense to persons who can afford it. Additionally, many modern homeowners lack the proper knowledge to use the safest and most effective cleaning products.