I know how to use cheats in general, but I can't get this one to work - it doesn't get acknowledged by the cheat system which tends to mean it wasn't accepted. "sims.add_buff NPC"_Maid or an alternative I have seen "sims.add_buff buff_Role_ServiceNPC_Maid". Neither seems to be accepted or do anything. Has this cheat been removed in a patch since it was documented?

What exactly happens when you enter the cheat? I read Sims only do the actions if something needs cleaning immediately, like a plate already on the counter?

Well usually when I enter a cheat a line pops up confirming it is now active. I don't get that feedback when I enter the maid cheat. I do have testingcheats on. I am not meant to add the sim's name or anything am I? I just entered it while I had the sim selected that I wanted it to be active on

For the sims.add_buffs command, there is no output in the console. It just does the command. Some commands do that and I wish they would at least say it was successful.

Oh right, so I'll just wait then, or test with a dirtymaking cheat.

Nope she's not doing it. I made the shower and sink dirty but after thinking for a while she decided to read.

Yes, with testingcheats on, making things dirty or breaking them is easy. And fun.

See edit above, she's ignoring the dirty sink and shower

Oh, NOW she's started!! She took her time!

Do maids in TS4 clean that stuff? Well, in my experience, I hardly see them clean. They just take my money and leave. Let me test the cheat.

Edit: glad you got it to work

Edit 2: my Sim took a while to do it as well.