General household workers do many types of work and are usually the only employee in a home. They may wash, fold, and iron clothes. Some domestic service workers wash windows. Sometimes they cook, answer the telephone and greet people who come to the door. They may send for repair workers as needed.
Some domestic workers look after children or elderly people and feed pets.
Some take clothes to the cleaners, buy groceries, and do other errands. Child care specialists include baby-sitters, nannies, governesses, or tutors. Workers who specialize in caring for older people are called companions or personal attendants. They may have all the duties of general houseworkers or a few special duties instead. If a household has a very large staff, it may include a housekeeper, butler, cook, caretaker, and a launderer.