If you have a cleaner….

[SixLeggedSugarBug]

How often do they come, how long for and what do they do?

I am considering a cleaner, I would want them to clean the bathrooms (one en suite, family bathroom and downstairs loo), hoover the stairs, mop downstairs and give the kitchen a good scrub, wipe tiles and appliances etc maybe wipe inside the oven/oven door.

Does that sound reasonable? How long would that take roughly?

Do it yourself to work out what you think is reasonable in terms of time. It's always good to do the jobs yourself first, because you then know what "your standards" look like; can be extremely clear about what you are expecting from them, and are realistic about what it looks like afterwards.

I find the cleaners go much quicker than we do, so I wouldn't use how long it takes you as a guide.

I would think 2 hours would cover that. It’s unlikely that a single cleaner would commit to less than 2 hours where I am.

I have similar questions to the OP but I'm disabled. It took me three days to clean one bedroom once so I would have no idea how long a house would take someone to do who is used to the physical work and presumably had found decent products that made the work quicker/easier.

How long would it take you to do the rooms OP wants?

2.5 hours a fortnight works well for us but we have two bathrooms, not three.

Maybe try 3 hours a fortnight and see how it goes.

Fair comment. In your case I would be completely clear about what I wanted done, and then ask potential cleaners how long it would take them to do it. If I were the OP I might start with an assumption that it would be about 2.5 hours, and I would go for once a fortnight. I would probably go slightly more to allow for extra things: please clean the windows, please clean out the fridge etc. It ends up being an ongoing conversation with a cleaner you like.

Are you in the house when they come? It makes me nervous to think of some stranger in my house.

Im thinking about getting a cleaner but this is probably what's holding me back.

Oh do they do windows too that’s a good shout.

Is once a fortnight enough for most people?

I'd allow at least 2.5 hours for that. Mine sweeps, mops, dusts 3 rooms downstairs, cleans kitchen surfaces and sink, one bathroom, hoovers landing and stairs and it takes 2 hours.

3 hours once a week.
Two bathrooms , one in use daily the other one isn’t.
Kitchen cooker /mops floor.
No carpets , sweeps lounge and hall.
She will change the beds if asked.
If she finishes in the time she may clean the lounge windows.
Sometimes does a couple of extra hours to do a deeper clean especially if we’ve had people staying.

I often go out. My cleaner's not a stranger, I have gotten to know her well. But it's up to you I guess if you are happy or not, everyone's different.

Thank you. I realise I probably came across as snippy so apologies for that but it was a genuine question. It's been a very long time since I could clean a house within a day but I have continued to do my own cleaning to a reasonable standard over the years. Unfortunately I can't anymore so I've been wondering the same as OP for a starting point.

Didn't consider your comment snippy at all. The reason I suggested doing it yourself (if you can) is that IME people think that cleaners "overestimate" how long a house will take / think that they do a bad job in the time; I have found doing my own house periodically reminds me of how long it takes. I've also found that cleaners tend to underestimate because they don't want to scare you off with how much it will cost; but I would rather go fortnightly for slightly longer to give them time to do it properly IYSWIM. But sometimes it is a suck it and see, and if you find someone you like and are comfortable having in the house etc then you can adjust either up or down as your house / your requirements need.

I have a fantastic cleaner who works 2.5 hours per week. She cleans our main bathroom, hallway, lounge and main living/kitchen/diner .. she’ll often do extra hours if I want extras doing. She’s a godsend as I’m unable these days due to MSK/joint issues

4hrs (2 x 2) every fortnight.

They’re a team of two and spend two hours here, one takes the upstairs and one downstairs. 3 bed with a main bathroom and downstairs WC.

They mop, hoover, polish, dust, tidy, clean and organise pretty much everything. Deep clean bins. Have brought laundry in before if it’s out. Will often do ‘extras’ like organise the fridge/cupboards if finished in time, as well as change bedding if needed. Everything is sparkly clean after they’ve gone. I love it, it’s the highlight of my week if they come!

I know you haven’t asked for price, but we pay £95 for this.

My cleaner does this in 3 hours

My cleaner does the kitchen and mops once a week she comes for an hour

thanks all for the input, I can’t wait to have a sparkly clean house.

3 hours for that? Sounds like a lot of time for little work.

She is very thorough. We happy with her.

I would think 3 hours to do your list properly.

Surface cleaning of that could be 2 hours.