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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to ask if any of you pay for someone to clean AND do your laundry?

26 replies

LittlePickleHead · 19/05/2011 17:46

OK just to start off - I am not rich by any means!
But I have just started working full time as DPs job has been looking shaky for a while and we want to be prepared.

However, if his job does turn out to be safe (which we will know soon) I would really like to get a cleaner as I'm struggling keeping on top of everything with us both working ft. Plus I find getting the laundry done really hard (especially in winter) as we don't have a tumble dryer and our flat is tiny so not much space to hang on airers or radiators. Now we only have weekends, I don't want to spend a couple of hours going to the laundrette (which is what I was doing during my days with DD when I was part time).

I just want to know if anyone pays for someone to clean and do their laundry, and how much you pay for it? I'd like to know if it is at all feasable for us to do. We are in London btw.

OP posts:

Kingsroadie · 19/05/2011 17:48

Well, we have a cleaner who washes our sheets and towels after changing our beds. She would do other laundry if I asked her but I don't as I don't need her to. She irons though. £10/hr is standard here (SW London).

TheseThingsAreGoodThings · 19/05/2011 17:49

Only my sheets - first thing my cleaner does is strip the bed and put the sheets in the machine. Then they are ready for her to take them out to hang to dry just before she leaves.

Any chance of getting a tumble dryer - you can get things washed and back in the wardrobe in no time (you also need far fewer clothes and towels etc)

FabbyChic · 19/05/2011 17:55

It is really all about time management, getting up 10 mins earlier, clearing up after yourselves as you go along, generally tidying before you go to bed so that when you get up in the morning the place is tidy, then dust and hoover once a week on Sundays.

The only prob you have with the washing is going to be getting it dry, you could put an airer in the bath whilst you are not using it.

Original poster

LittlePickleHead · 19/05/2011 17:57

TheseThings not really, we have tried to work out how to fit one in, and there is just no room at all, not even for a compact one. I really want to move to a bigger place but in the meantime I'm a bit stuck.

I'd actually need someone to take them away and was & dry and then return them I think.

Probably out of our price range I'm thinking...

OP posts:

HandMini · 19/05/2011 18:02

Yup, cleaner cleans, strips and remakes the bed, washes the bedclothes and does a pile of ironing that I build up during the week from a couple of overnight washes. 9 pounds/hour. I do give her plenty of time though - four hours to clean a large two bed flat plus the above.

Original poster

LittlePickleHead · 19/05/2011 18:02

Fabby the problem is that washing takes soooo long to dry, we have a slight damp problem anyway (basement flat) so it takes days. We do have a dehumidifier that we can use, but it's really expensive to run.

Our place isn't messy, it's just the deep cleaning of kitchen and bathroom and the hoovering. I could make time at the weekends, i just think it would be so nice to not have to do it!

OP posts:

Bonsoir · 19/05/2011 18:04

Why don't you send your laundry out?

Original poster

LittlePickleHead · 19/05/2011 18:06

Is that possible to do Bonsoir? Any idea of cost?

I think if I could get rid of the laundry I could probably sacrifice the cleaner more happily...

OP posts:

aliceliddell · 19/05/2011 18:15

Washer-driers are good SO LONG AS YOU DON'T OPEN THEM UNTIL THE DRIER CYCLE'S FINISHED. I had one when I lived in a 'miniaturised area' with no outside at all and no central heating. W/d's are the same size as regular washing machines. BUT - DO NOT OPEN to check progress, they break beyond repair.

leeloo1 · 19/05/2011 18:16

If you google 'laundry service London' it comes up with people like these who will come and take away your laundry and bring it back clean, fresh - and even wrap it is tissue if you pay extra ask nicely! Is this what you're looking for?

I think that some laundrettes offer a similar service (memories of watching Eastenders as a small child!).

coastgirl · 19/05/2011 18:17

Do you have anywhere with decent ceiling height you could put a ceiling airer? Mine dries stuff in half the time it takes on normal airers and at least everything's out of your way.

Or see if the laundrette does service washes (wash/dry/fold - some even iron I think).

Original poster

LittlePickleHead · 19/05/2011 18:19

That laundry service does look good! I'll get a quote.

No high ceilings - we are seriously strapped for space. I'll have to consider whether it would just be cheaper getting a washer dryer in the long run - DP bought our washing maching new pre-dc and doesn't want to get rid, but I think it would be much better in the long run

OP posts:

MaMonn · 19/05/2011 18:22

I send my DH shirts out to just shirts of london, they are fab and also collect dry cleaning too. That definitely cuts down the workload

Honeybee79 · 19/05/2011 18:24

I have a similar issue - no tumble and live in a flat. We have a cleaner and I take washing to laundrette for a service wash. i don't take everything - just the big stuff like bedding, towels etc. DS is 7 months and he creates a silly amount of washing (damn that baby led weaning . . . )

alicethepalace · 19/05/2011 18:30

When winter laundry gets backed up I use a service wash at my local laudetette. Drop it off at 8am pick it up clean, dry and folded at 6pm.

Costs about £8 for what would be two loads in a normal machine. Makes me very happy and would use it more if funds allowed

Original poster

LittlePickleHead · 19/05/2011 18:37

Hmmm should look into the service wash option as well. Bit more reasonable.

Think for the collect and drop service looking at about £25 a week, which if we did it instead of a cleaner would be do-able I think.

OP posts:

wordfactory · 19/05/2011 18:45

I have help in the house between 15-20 hours a week.

This might sound excessive but she cleans, does all the laudry and ironing, takes care of the chickens, walks the dogs and runs any errands necessary.

Trully it would take me at least 35 hours to do what she gets done and I figure I am better off earning money during that time.

Gingefringe · 19/05/2011 18:45

I bought one of these Electric Dryers from Lakeland and leave it on overnight. Clothes are usually dry in the morning and some only need folding once you get used to stacking them on the dryer properly - strangely the best way is to just load clothes on top of each other. The dryer can be folded away during the day and costs pennies to run.
I'm really pleased with it, the reviews are excellent and it's very sturdy.

Original poster

LittlePickleHead · 19/05/2011 19:05

Thanks for that link Ginge that does look like it might be a really good solution! I could do a wash in the evening then leave it overnight, a load a day would work.

OP posts:

trixymalixy · 19/05/2011 19:10

Would a washer dryer not be cheaper than sending your laundry out every week?

I have a cleaner, they do ironing and I'm sure if I asked them to they would stick a wash on and hang it out to dry.

Liliesandveuve · 19/05/2011 19:52

Don't get a washer/dryer, they are useless, everything comes out creased and drying takes forever compared to a regular dryer.

I hate doing laundry, would pay someone definitely.
We have a cleaner and dh shirts go to the dry cleaners. Life is too short to iron shirts.
If you can afford it, I don't see the problem

Asinine · 19/05/2011 19:55

Yes, and a gardener, cook and housemaid. In my dreams...

trixymalixy · 19/05/2011 19:58

Our washer dryer was absolutely fine.

starkadder · 19/05/2011 20:00

I also have the heated airer from Lakeland and it is BRILLIANT :) Doesn't take up that much room and the washing dries properly without going all mouldy and horrible.

Liliesandveuve · 19/05/2011 20:01

Trixy, seriously tell me which one. I have had 3 now and all been useless

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