Dust and bugs can accumulate quickly in an Egyptian flat, especially if you live near a poor area. If you can afford it, consider hiring someone to clean for you.
If you choose to hire a cleaning person, the best way to do it is by looking for a referral. Your friends will probably be able to recommend at least one reliable person (if not several). Once a week should be plenty in terms of cleaning appointments – you can expect the floors to be mopped or swept, dishes to be done, your bathroom to be scrubbed and beds to be made.
It is also possible to make special arrangements whereby a cleaning woman will prepare a meal for you once or twice a week and refrigerate it. This is a more expensive arrangement, but it is certainly convenient if you are working. It also provides ample opportunity to sample home-cooked Egyptian food.
While you shouldn’t have to worry about theft (provided you find someone through a referral) it is generally not a good idea to leave cash or valuable jewellery lying out in the open. Use common sense when deciding where you should keep money and valuables if someone will be cleaning your flat or home on a regular basis.
Power surges will happen. Fuses will blow. Drains will stink. The floor will get dusty and you’ll probably wake up at least one morning to find a roach scuttling across your kitchen. As with many, many aspects of life in Egypt, patience will be key to feeling comfortable in your flat. Still, developing regular cleaning habits will help minimize any frustration.