I’m getting a cleaner… tips?

[Girlof6]

I’m looking for a cleaner to come and clean my house once a week, just to help me keep on top of things. Never had one and don’t know anyone who does, so what questions should I be asking? What should I expect? Price wise? I’m in Devon if that helps

I would think about what is most important to you to get done - be quite specific
Make sure the place is as tidy as possible for the cleaner coming so they can actually clean.
Do you want them to use (or not use) specific products?

I pay £20 an hour. We have two hours a fortnight.

I always tidy up beforehand, too. Prioritise the rooms that are important to you (for me it’s master bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, then other places as time allows). Make sure you have the right products & a good system for them to ask for replacement (typically leaving the empty bottle in the sink).
Also, I try to be a decent employer eg if I have to cancel a clean because we’re away (holiday or whatever) I always pay them half rate; it’s just fair as they can go and work elsewhere for those hours if they want & it also encourages loyalty!
Enjoy having a cleaner, it’s honestly life changing!

Mine brings her own products and machines, so check this. I've asked her to Spring clean every room in turn. Then it's so much easier to keep on top of. This week it was the spare bedroom and en suite, which Is now gleaming. She had time left to mop the hall and bathroom too.

She got me to declutter the kitchen and bathroom when she did them. That's made a heck of a difference.

Decide what you want done and ask her to do it.

My daughter does the upstairs, her cleaner does the downstairs.

Get trusted recommendations from people you know. I prefer to pay the cleaner direct rather than go through an agency but there are pros and cons.

IME all cleaners love Henry and hate Dysons. My friend who runs a cleaning agency says she always visits a house first to make sure they don't have a Dyson. I also find no cleaner will thank you for eco products - they like bleach, viakal, mr muscle.

I pay £20 p/h for 4.5 hours (3 storey house) a week.

My cleaner likes Purdy and Figg. I guess better for your lungs