What help do I need? Cleaners who tidy?

[duckie83]

No judgement please, but I'm a busy mum of young DC, running a business with husband who works long hours (yawn I know), and no other family support or babysitting. We are lucky enough to be able to afford a cleaner and looking at my week / life I've decided I need to out source something otherwise I'm in danger of feeling overwhelmed, and I want to prioritise time with DC and time to look after my health & fitness over housekeeping chores.

However, having had one off cleaners before I found that I was tidying like crazy before they came, so that they could clean. Ideally it would be really helpful to have help organising the home, tidying stuff away, putting away laundry, hanging up bath towels etc as well as actual cleaning.

Does anyone know if this is a service that exists as I don't think cleaners will do this? Has anyone else in my position got any outside help to manage the potential overwhelm?

Is it obvious where things go if they tidy?
I tidy up before my cleaner comes because then i know stuff has been put in right place. I'd rather pay her to clean (which I hate) rather than tidy which I tolerate.
Hanging up towels yes.
Randomly chucking all Lego in one box yes
Maybe they would fold laundry but again how would they know where you want it?
A bit like if we have house guests. It's lovely if they empty dishwasher but I'd rather they left stuff on worktop if it's not obvious where it lives otherwise I spend ages trying to find grater after they've gone home!

When you search for a cleaner, think about what you want done and then discuss with them. It sounds like you want more than just general tidying so it might be worth actively searching for a cleaner/housekeeper, although frankly, I don't see any reason why a cleaner wouldn't do all the things you've listed.... if it's agreed. Also, it might impact time - so core cleaning is 3 hours but another hour for the tidying etc, which you obviously still have to pay for.

I had a cleaner who did all that and more.

My current cleaners are an agency. They will do this sort of thing if asked but at a fairly basic level - eg I've asked them to change the bedding occasionally and they'll do a little tidy up of DS/DD's bookshelves etc.

Of course a cleaner would do all that.... just not all of them. Just make it clear what's expected and check that the cleaner is happy to do it.

@BruceAndNosh Agree re putting things away, but a) a cleaner can learn if you're willing to invest a bit of time or b) for me and DH, someone folding the laundry is a massive help right there, even if we still have to put it away. Our cleaner leaves neatly folded clothes on the beds if there is dry stuff hanging on the drier - fantastically helpful (she did ironing too, but we preferred her to prioritise other things). She also changes bedding and towels and does as much of the washing/drying of them as she can in her allocated time - usually we come home to a load still in the washing machine and one in the tumble dryer.

OP, if you're willing to pay and can afford it, also consider an additional half hour per week for "extras". eg ours works her way round the bigger chores - inside of fridge/cupboards, windows etc.

I think you need a housekeeper/cleaner. Or a housekeeper and a cleaner. It won't be cheap but some things are worth a try.