I'm wanting some help cleaning the house. Do cleaners do...

[dudsville]

I've always looked after my home and enjoyed doing it. I'm probably too critical of other people's ability to clean my home as I would like. Lately however it all seems to be getting on top of me. I don't want to hand over the whole job of it though. I've been wondering if a cleaner would take a job on that was just 2 bathrooms and a small downstairs toilet.

Is this ridiculous? Also, I'd want to be home while they were here. I used a cleaning service once where I lived previously. I was studying at the time and needed a hand. One day I was home unexpectedly with a cold. I'd only paid for a 2 hour clean and the cleaner took a smoke break, standing at my back door with one foot in the back door. She knew I was home but I was keeping out of her way and stayed in bed. The smell of smoke in the house caught my attention though. It was via an agency and when she was finished I took my keys back and cancelled.

Oh, I think I've talked myself out of it just by writing this!

@dudsville
it is very unlikely you'll get someone willing to do a job that small - they usually have minimum hours to make it worthwhile. My cleaner won't do less than 2hrs (we have 3).

Not meant unkindly but you really don't sound cut out for a cleaner - you definitely need to be quite relaxed for it to work (although you were totally reasonable about the smoking thing).

Yeah, I got that impression myself as I was writing. Unless I can chill out and let go and let them do the house properly I should probably wait for infirmity!

What exactly is it that you’re not happy about?
I don’t have a cleaner anymore sob but in the past I preferred to hire an individual rather than have an agency sending different people. That way, I could go through my expectations from the beginning about what products to use, that I wanted under the sofa and under the sofa cushions hovered, and to lift rather than scrape vases etc.
It’s easier to have the conversation at the start.

Some cleaners will make up the remaining time with ironing, which might suit you?

if you live near me, i'll do it haha! I love cleaning but would hate to do a whole house but would love a little job like this as bathrooms are my favourite to clean!!
Basically you need to find someone like me! ha
I don't see why it's not possible!

Cleaner here. If you were near one of my other jobs an hour's work is better than not an hour's work - to me anyway!

You might be able to get a small job like that done if tacked onto a bigger job. Our cleaner will do one offs for our neighbours as she’s here anyway. Might be worth speaking to your neighbours to ask if they have a cleaner?

Oh! You have given me hope! I've cleaned today and decided that I need to start with getting a deep clean as there are just so many jobs I haven't done because the time I have each week is taken up with just about meeting the basics. I googled cleaners near me. I could ask around if anyone has a local cleaner. I know one of my neighbours has someone. I would just love to be freed up to do the other things like wash the front door and clean the pantry and cupboards. Whenever I do those things it's at the expense of the more fundamental stuff. Basically I took on a big commute a year back and didn't realise the impact it would have in my motivation to get jobs done.

I meant to say I googled cleaners near me that were agency, and so far I've got rejections. They haven't said why but I presume the job is too small.

If you got a cleaner to do the fundamental stuff, you could get on with your cupboards etc.
I used to have a cleaning business. Some of my clients only wanted a bit of help so I would do 2 hours fortnightly rat her than weekly- they were usually elderly and very tidy people. Perhaps that would work better?

Yes, long, thanks, it is the kind of thing I'm looking for. This thread had helped me see it's not a far fetched ask! I will investigate.

I only have my cleaner in once a fortnight for two hours.All I need her to do is the kitchen and main bathroom. if has any time left she does a bit of hoovering. We are fairly tidy people, just hate doing the,itchen and bathroom.

You could get some occasional help? I've done that quite a few times. There are local people you can use, rather than going to a company. Maybe ask for recommendations on a local fb group?