Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

I live alone but I'm thinking of getting a cleaner for these reasons...

23 replies

EL2022 · 05/05/2023 17:25

I live in a flat, I keep it reasonable but don't go overboard cleaning, two main reasons are I've a disc problem in my back which is affected by stooping, bending, hoovering etc and it takes hours to settle down afterwards; the second reason being I work long days in my job and don't want to spend weekends doing housework.

Anyone else live alone and have a cleaner and how often do they come?

OP posts:
mopeymouse · 05/05/2023 17:28

I have a bad back and I am a cleaner! I have spondylosis, agony sometimes, but I have to crack on. I think if you want one get one, I probably would if I could afford it. No one wants to spend all day cleaning then come home and start all over.

Being 'the cleaner' most people have me in once a week depending on size of the house, larger houses twice a week.

:-)

broccolibush · 05/05/2023 17:29

Surely the only reason you need to have a cleaner is that you want one. It’s not a shameful secret like a drug addiction or a subscription to the Daily Mail.

I don’t live alone - but it’s just me and DH - and we have a cleaner. And I don’t even work. It’s mostly because I hate cleaning and would rather do anything else in the world, but I also like having a clean flat.

Its perfectly acceptable to outsource work you don’t want to do, as long as you pay properly and treat people well.

GoldenFarfalle · 05/05/2023 17:32

I cleaned for a lady in her 20's, she was working as a nurse so working long hours, night shifts etc.. and like you she had back pain. I cleaned her home once per week 2 hours, bathroom, kitchen and hoovering etc.. the usual. sometimes she wanted me to iron her clothes and she did pay that apart of the rest.

iamrageohtheresakitty · 05/05/2023 17:34

I live alone, my cleaner comes once a week, and it's glorious after she's been.
And I have a cleaner for no other reason than that I wanted one.

Dwightlovesmichael · 05/05/2023 17:36

You don’t need a reason to have a cleaner. If you can afford one and they make your life easier, do it!

Less work for you, more paid work for another person, win win!

ilovesooty · 05/05/2023 17:36

I live alone. My cleaner comes fortnightly for three hours.

TeeBee · 05/05/2023 17:37

You don't need to justify having a cleaner. If you want one and you can afford it, why not? I have one because I don't want to spend my free time cleaning my house. I'd prefer to pay someone else to do it so I can pootle around my garden, which I do enjoy doing.

Thighdentitycrisis · 05/05/2023 17:40

I live alone and I’m in my 50’s.
After work I am so tired and I only work 4 days.
I now want a cleaner 3 hours per fortnight sounds good. Wonder if I can afford it?

TheYearOfSmallThings · 05/05/2023 17:41

Why would you not get a cleaner if you can afford it? And you will actually get to enjoy the cleanliness without other people immediately messing it up.

activesometimes · 05/05/2023 17:46

I currently live alone and I have a cleaner. I have a really busy life and the cleaner is my treat to myself. They come for two hours every two weeks and it's lovely to come home to a sparkling house. If you can afford it, I don't think you need to justify it.

Simianwalk · 05/05/2023 17:48

Best reason for having a cleaner is you want someone else to clean and can afford it!

BrandyandGinger · 05/05/2023 17:57

I think it's a very good idea. It's an investment in your health. I know quite a few people with disc problems and hoovering is about the worst thing you can do to aggravate it.
Plus if you pay your cleaner well you're spending your money locally and that's a good thing too.

Original poster
EL2022 · 06/05/2023 16:46

Thanks, all. I think 2 or 3 hours every fortnight might be the way to go! I wouldn't need it every week.

OP posts:
eurochick · 06/05/2023 17:55

When I lived alone I had 2-3 hours a fortnight. It was great to have the place clean when I was working crazy hours.

ArcticBells · 06/05/2023 18:12

I'd have a cleaner, gardener the lot if I could afford it

Krawnprackers · 06/05/2023 18:25

I’m disabled and have a cleaner 3 hours a fortnight. They clean the whole house basically, apart from windows and big jobs. It’s a lifesaver.

IHopeYouStepOnALegPiece · 06/05/2023 18:27

You don’t need to explain your reasoning to anyone!

I’ve been single, living alone, working a 4 day week and perfectly physically able and had a cleaner ever fortnight. Because I had better things to do then clean!

WGACA · 06/05/2023 18:34

Do it! 2 hours a fortnight will be plenty. Apparently cleaners like cleaning for single people with no pets! Employing other people is a good use of your money.

Littlefish · 06/05/2023 18:36

I had a cleaner when I lived on my own, no children, simply because I wanted to.

Toddlerteaplease · 06/05/2023 18:58

I live on my own and have a cleaner. I just don't enjoy cleaning.

PomTiddlyPom · 06/05/2023 19:01

When i was single in a flat I had a cleaner for 2 hours every fortnight. It was amazing.

sammylady37 · 06/05/2023 20:10

I live alone and I have a cleaner who does 2 hours a week and a gardener who does varying hours depending on what needs to be done.

AgnesX · 06/05/2023 20:13

If you want one, for whatever reason, and can afford it go for it. Why should you have to justify yourself?

New posts on this thread. Refresh page