Cleaners...

[DuddlePuck]

I need help! I work full time and am leaving the house at 7 and getting back 12 hours later mon - fri. DH works 6 days a week with a midweek day off, similar hours but he leaves a bit later than me after walking the dog.

I was out of work for a bit earlier in the year and it was fabulous - the bathroom was clean, I vacced everyday, DH always had clean shirts and pants, we had lovely, healthy, home cooked meals. Now we live on pizza and takeaway, the dog hair 'carpet' is about an inch thick, I can't remember the last time I washed the towels and I'm pretty sure DH went to work today in yesterday's shirt (boak).

My Sunday is pretty much taken up with work stuff, so Saturday is my cleaning day. Had prior commitments this sat and last week DH had rare weekend off and we decorated, next week he has booked the weekend off so we can go on a 'do' Sunday... So my work day then has to be sat....

I am totally overwhelmed, and feel like the only option is a cleaner, but how clean does a home have to be before someone will clean it, IYKWIM? I'm on the point of calling in Kim and Aggie. Also, what will a cleaner do? Is it too much to expect them to fill the dishwasher and fold the laundry?

Sorry for long post, I was brought up to think that having a cleaner was the ultimate luxury and I suppose I feel the need to justify!

[forevergreek]

A cleaner will do pretty much what you ask and pay them for. 2 hous a week will get you a hoovered house/ clean bathrooms/ kitchen etc, depending on size of house. 4 hours would probably get you the above plus washing and ironing done, beds changed etc etc, once they have cleaned a couple of times then your house will be easier for them to maintain. Maybe you can find someone to come and do a deep clean twice ( say 5 hours for 2 weeks, then 3 hours a week after that )

[ImperialSantaKnickers]

Most cleaning companies will do a deep purge clean, the sort you have before/after a housemove, then afterwards you could probably keep things under control with 2-3 hours a week.

If I only had one free day a week I'd definitely outsource the cleaning!

[forevergreek]

Also consider a cleaner who is more of a housekeeper. We have someone who comes in twice a week, and does the cleaning but also prepares a few meals and signs for parcels/ let's plumber in etc.. She is wonderful and we pay £10 a hour. She does 4 hours one day ( cleans/ bakes a cake/ cooks a few meals for that eve and to freeze) then comes for an hour at the end of the week and runs Hoover around, quick bathroo
Wipe down etc before picking her daughter up from school. Our flat is fairly small though so an hour or so is all she uses for cleaning really, then preps food and cleans up after.

It works well for us as we are also out the house for 12 hr days, or if home working from home. She used to be a chef in her home country but now lives in uk and looks after her disabled husband so didn't want full time hours either but something convinent. We are happy for her to move days around If something urgent comes up so great for both. It also stops us all eating crap half the week as can pop a lasagne or something she's made just in the oven on return.

[Allofaflumble]

I am a cleaner and by far my best and favourite jobs are the ones where they want one room (of course depending on size of house etc) cleaned thoroughly when you first start working for them. It is deeply satisfying to know that you have cleaned from top to bottom.

As you work through the rooms, you then get to maintenance level and it all starts to come together. So start with one room plus kitchen, or bathroom or whatever way your house is set out.

What I hate most is really dirty, cluttered houses where they want you to do all the rooms in the time slot, dust and hoover, clean 4 + bathrooms, 5 bedrooms etc. unrealistic and nothing is done properly.

I have been with most of my clients 10+ years, so I must be doing something right!

Good luck. I hope you find someone who helps you. It is also a lot easier if the client is out as you get so much more done. The tendency to chat and share life's problems is very tempting........on both sides. :)

[SunnyUpNorth]

Allocaflumble - don't suppose you're anywhere near Warrington?!