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Original poster

If you hire a cleaner, how big is your house?

43 replies

BlueRaincoat1 · 26/09/2021 19:00

I live in an average sized 3 bed semi. One main bathroom, one downstairs loo. DH and I both have busy jobs, we have 2 young DC, one still in nursery. We find it very hard to do all the house jobs on a regular enough basis, especially washing the downstairs floors, hoovering upstairs, cleaning the bathroom. Normal stuff like laundry, dishes, sweeping up, general tidying is OK. I really feel like my house isn't big enough to justify an occasional cleaner, and we should just be able to cope. On the other hand, not having to do it, and it being done would be amazing. What are other peoples' experiences?
Thanks

OP posts:
CaramelWaferAndTea · 26/09/2021 19:02

Had one in two bed house with no kids. Now have four bed house (Victorian semi) with one toddler, still have cleaner weekly.

WorrisomeHeart · 26/09/2021 19:02

We’ve just hired one (last week was her first clean). We have a 4 bed semi with 1 main bath, 1 shower room and and under stairs loo. Hands down, it’s the best decision I’ve made for ages. We weren’t getting close to managing with full time jobs and two kids, and the house looked amazing even just for 2.5-3 hours work. I can’t wait for her to come again.

LittleBearPad · 26/09/2021 19:02

4 bed semi now.

I had a cleaner when we lived in a 2 bed flat.

If you can afford a cleaner then get one. It’s much better than having to clean yourself. I don’t think you need a certain house size first.

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Cleaning
Blankiefan · 26/09/2021 19:05

I had a cleaner when I lived alone in a 2 bed flat. Am now with DH and DD in a 5 bed house and still need one. I've had cleaners because I could afford it and would rather not spend my free time cleaning.

If you want a cleaner and can afford one, get a cleaner. It's totally normal.

Twinstudy · 26/09/2021 19:09

Two bed cottage, no kids and we have cleaners once a fortnight. We both work long hours but I gave up justifying it a long time agoGrin

Fredoftheforest · 26/09/2021 19:09

We had one in a one bed one bathroom flat. If you can afford it and it would make your life easier, then why not?

Hendersonsisnotrelish · 26/09/2021 19:10

Also in a 3 bed semi. Have a cleaner 2 hours a week.

She makes me so happy and means we have to tidy up a bit the night before she comes, so it's not embarrassingly messy. Without that we would live in a hovel.

Original poster
BlueRaincoat1 · 26/09/2021 19:11

This is all very encouraging Smile
It's washing the floors especially, we can just never be bothered at the end of a long day.
Might check the budget - I think it could well be worth it.

OP posts:
IceLace100 · 26/09/2021 19:11

You're judging yourself too harshly.

If you want a cleaner and you have the funds, go for it! Doesn't matter if it's a studio or a mansion.

saraclara · 26/09/2021 19:12

I have a (relatively small) four bed house. But I live alone now, so only ask her to do the lounge, kitchen, cloakroom, hall/stairs/landing, my bedroom, bathroom and (superficially) the study. So basically the equivalent of a two bedroomed house.

LittleBearPad · 26/09/2021 19:16

@BlueRaincoat1

This is all very encouraging Smile It's washing the floors especially, we can just never be bothered at the end of a long day. Might check the budget - I think it could well be worth it.
Give it a go. You can always cancel.
BrilliantBetty · 26/09/2021 19:16

I had a cleaner in a 1 bed flat. Because I couldn't manage it.

No kids at that time, but a job and additional studying. Cleaning just isn't my thing, I can't keep on top of it but I do want a clean home.

There's no shame in getting help if you need it.

I now live in a bigger house, family of 4 and I'd love a cleaner but they are in short supply around here. Cleaning is a really drag.

samwitwicky · 26/09/2021 19:17

3 bed semi with extended kitchen and conservatory, but still only 1 bathroom and loo downstairs. Hired her because I can't be bothered with it anymore Grin

Helpel · 26/09/2021 19:19

Similar to others, currently in a 4 bed house with husband and two kids, with a cleaner. But also lived in a 1 bed terrace alone and had one. The thing that has remained constant is a full time job and no desire to spend my weekend cleaning.

MaverickDanger · 26/09/2021 19:19

Now in a large 4 bed detached with both working & a baby, but have had cleaners in a one bed flat & no kids.

Since I’ve lived with DH, we’ve had cleaners. I swear it’s the only way we’ve managed to stay living together Grin

igglepigglegingin · 26/09/2021 19:22

4 bed detached - 3 bath - we both work full time with 2 young DC. We have a weekly cleaner who comes for 10/hr and she's fantastic. I would 100% have a cleaner if I lived in a one bed flat, it's not about the size of property, it's amount of time you have to do your cleaning vs handing it over to someone else who could do it so much better and probably faster!

Kite22 · 26/09/2021 19:28

If you can afford it, it isn't a lot to spend on giving yourself that time back. It really isn't much in the scheme of things - compare with what else you might buy for that money and ask if you would rather a cleaner or that other treat.
Personally, I LOVE my cleaner.

KeyboardWorriers · 26/09/2021 19:30

Mine came once a week when we had a 3 bed. Twice a week now we have a 5 bed. Come to think of it I even had a cleaner for my tiny 2 bed.

I work full time and having a cleaner ensures I can focus on work and relaxation

4BlueTowers · 26/09/2021 19:30

@MaverickDanger

Now in a large 4 bed detached with both working & a baby, but have had cleaners in a one bed flat & no kids.

Since I’ve lived with DH, we’ve had cleaners. I swear it’s the only way we’ve managed to stay living together Grin

same. 3 bed detached. I have said the only reason we are not divorced is because of our cleaner.
Imcatmum · 26/09/2021 19:33

It doesn't matter. If you both work, you need and deserve a cleaner. Not everyone who should have a cleaner can afford one and that's very unfair but if you can afford one it's money well spent on improving the quality of your life and stress levels.

TheUnbearable · 26/09/2021 19:35

I had a cleaner for a small flat, I was fresh out of studying and only 21. My life was a lot less hectic than yours. I just hate cleaning so have almost always had a cleaner.

Brollywasntneededafterall · 26/09/2021 19:36

Cleaner here.. No house too small!! One lady has a 4 roomed bungalow!!

Jk987 · 26/09/2021 19:39

Yup you don't have to justify it. Size of property is irrelevant. Anything to make life easier in my view. If I had more money I'd hire a chef as well!

RobinPenguins · 26/09/2021 19:41

4 bed end of terrace. 1 bathroom, 2 reception rooms. We’ve had a cleaner even before DC, we had the disposable income to afford it and just didn’t want to spend some of our time on the weekends doing housework.

maofteens · 26/09/2021 19:44

I've had one since I got married. My husband had one for his two bed flat when I met him (he was 40 and divorced). He was super tidy though! When we married the cleaner came too - we bought a large five bed four reception house and had two little kids and two teenagers. But that's irrelevant.
Since then I've had a cleaner even when I haven't been working. The jobs just wouldn't get done otherwise. And I have no guilt about it - I pay £12.50/hour, and give someone a flexible job.