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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want a cleaner?

134 replies

happyhopefulmummy · 16/05/2012 17:44

My DH and I have a 10 month old baby. At the moment, during the week I try and stay on top of housework as much as possible and cook dinner every day. I am
Not going back to work (nursery fees made this a no brainer).

My DH is a great help and often cleans up the kitchen each night: our house is relatively tidy, but I don't feel its clean. This is going to sound awful, but baby's room hasn't been dusted since he was born. AIBU to suggest we get a cleaner for 2 hours a week to help us keep on top of things?

We used to have a cleaner but as soon as i fell pregnant we stopped her so as to save money. My DH doesn't earn a great income (£22,000) but we are in the fortunate position of owning our house with no mortgage. At the monent we spend a large chunk of the weekend cleaning, and i feel we could be putting in quality Family Time. DH says he doesn't mind doing this on the weekend. I feel that as our baby gets older this will prove harder and also not really fair on him; he should have some quality time with his parents, esp as during the week he'll often watch me tidy.

I was going to talk to him about it tonight so would appreciate some thoughts, and perhaps suggestions to boost my argument if I'm not being U!

OP posts:
Facebookhurtsmybrain · 16/05/2012 18:31

oh get a cleaner and if DH argues, ignore and do it anyway. The cost about £8 an hour and you could pay that out of your child benefit. Damn when I was on the dole I had a cleaner! I hour a week to clean the oven.

Everyone I know has a cleaner. It's not the big extravagance thing that it used to be. It's like owning a dishwasher now days. Cleaning my daughter's bedroom could take upto 2 hours, seriously don't have time for that shit.

usualsuspect · 16/05/2012 18:33

Everyone you know has a cleaner?
Blimey

Original poster
happyhopefulmummy · 16/05/2012 18:36

Thanks. Many people have told me not to clean when baby is asleep, but I feel that it's my job to do at least that.

A previous poster kind of hit the nail on the head - that feelig were everything is clean at once is lovely. My house looks tidy; it's just not clean!

OP posts:
Tripped · 16/05/2012 18:36

YANBU.

If you can afford it and it's what you want, then do it.

I have a 14-month-old son, and got a cleaner a few months ago to come in twice a week for two hours each time.

Only wish we'd done it sooner.

FayeGovan · 16/05/2012 18:40

op, get a cleaner for 2 hrs a week if it makes you feel better

but don't worry too much about cleaning at the weekend, I don't know anyone who doesn't do this

and don't worry about getting Family Time as you called it, you'll be spending loads of time with your baby just "being", no need to dress it up as anything

it sounds to me like you;re still getting used to motherhood and being home more than your dh - it'll fall into place with or without a cleaner, TBH on your income I'd spend the money elsewhere

but saying that, I'd dust and clean the babys room before anywhere else, the dust must be building up, you can read to him whilst you're dusting

nothingsoextraordinary · 16/05/2012 18:41

money well spent I think. I'd cut out so many luxuries to be able to keep a cleaner (not that we have a choice at the moment due to illness).

wigglesrock · 16/05/2012 18:52

Oh Lord, if you want a cleaner get one, MN can be weird on cleaners. In fact as long as you aren't getting into debt, get two Grin, one to do the ironing.

I dream of a cleaner, in fact I will have an extra £20 a week come September and that's what I'm looking into.

If spending money (that you can afford) on a cleaner will make a difference to you, go for it, I'd go without a takeway, wine, magazines etc for one.

I am a cleaner and have been flamed on MN before for saying that hopefully I will be employing one soon, apparently they're not for the likes of me Grin, I should be happy to do my actual job free at home too.

MsVestibule · 16/05/2012 18:59

Do you live in Chatsworth House? Nothing wrong with spending your money however you see fit, but I really can't understand how you and your DH spend a significant chunk of the weekend cleaning, but in 10 months, you haven't found 10 minutes to dust your baby's bedroom Confused?

That's not a criticism, BTW, I just genuinely don't know how you can spend 4 or 5 hours cleaning an average sized house (plus basic cleaning through the week) and it not be sparkling.

Adversecamber · 16/05/2012 19:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

HexagonalQueenOfTheSummer · 16/05/2012 19:03

I would do if it you have the means to do so!

I have a 3 year old DS and two older children and find it very difficult to keep on top of housework as DS is very demanding and messy. I'd jump at the chance of a cleaner!

goodygumdrops · 16/05/2012 19:09

Get one. I would if we could!

3teenhell · 16/05/2012 19:11

I struggle to see why you need one (mum of three and work full time, my house is clean) but if you want one go for it!
I have considered it but i am the sort who would have to clean before the cleaner so no point!!

Yeahthatsnotgonnahappen · 16/05/2012 19:19

I'm getting a cleaner. but my house is a tip. well its tidyish but not clean. I'm actually worried that the cleaner might say no. She's coming tmrw and I can't wait. We're having to make cutbacks on other 'luxury' spends for it but I really don't care.

Oh and if you're a cleaner and you're meeting a new client tmrw - I'm sorry. I'll keep it clean once its there promise. It won't always be this bad promise.

BumpingFuglies · 16/05/2012 19:20

If having a cleaner gives you more time with baby and you can afford it, why not? A good cleaner can accomplish a huge amount in 2 hours in an average sized house, much more than you can yourself. Get someone in while you are out.

It helps in so many ways, not just in a practical sense.

Do pay well though - good cleaners are worth the money. Also ask for references and go on personal recommendation if possible.

BumpingFuglies · 16/05/2012 19:22

Yeahthats - don't worry. If the cleaner is good, they will have you ship-shape in no time Grin

emsyj · 16/05/2012 19:26

3teenhell, if you work full time then surely you're not there to make the house messy/dirty most of the time?? Confused It's not the same as being at home with a baby making dishes, dropping crumbs, using the loo all the time etc - everything is going to be cleaner if you do most of your crumb-dropping, toilet-visiting and carpet dirtying at work!

Get a cleaner if you want one. Some people like wine, some people like holidays, some people like fancy cars - if a cleaner is your chosen luxury then have it and enjoy it.

catgirl1976 · 16/05/2012 19:27

Get a cleaner.

I have one - she's great.

Money well spent.

Outsource outsource outsource :)

thekidsrule · 16/05/2012 19:33

YABU in my opinion

for gods sake i really feel like i live in a different world on here sometimes

you dont work and have 1 child but you cant keep up with the cleaning yeah gods

totally different if your working i can see the sense in that but this no organize yourself better

MaMattoo · 16/05/2012 19:42

Get one and try it out. If it helps, makes you happy and does not eat into the income too much - why not. Enjoy the baby - they won't always be with you all day and at some point of time they won't want your attention at all Wink
I have a cleaner who comes for 3 hours once a week - she cleans the house, chops veg and puts them in the freezer. It means I have time to take bubba for a walk, play with him and ONLY Hmm do the cooking and the washing. It also means that we all go grocery shopping over the weekend as a chore.
Housework is endless and when you throw a baby into the mix you land up cooking and washing up and washing clothes all the time. Get a cleaner Smile life will (she crosses her fingers) become easier as they get older.
I am not a sahm but I think it is easy for me to get away from a messy house and not think about it when I am at work. When I am home I cant seem to stop doing housework!

bumblebeader · 16/05/2012 19:54

MsVestibule that was my first thought too!

3teenhell · 16/05/2012 20:06

Emsyj yes i may not be there but 3 kids are after school and 2 in the holidays. So yes not there all the time personally but big little people make a mess instead!!

3teenhell · 16/05/2012 20:07

Also i had 3 under 5 and was a sahm then. Think its just about getting into routine

3teenhell · 16/05/2012 20:13

And i encouraged the OP to get a cleaner if she wanted one, jyst wouldn't work for me as i would have to clean for her to clean can hear the DC chanting clean freak as i type!

YourFanjoIsNotAHandbag · 16/05/2012 20:18

I have an oven cleaner man and a garden person!

I love to outsource

I also have teenage DCs who pretend to clean.

Funnily enough, everyone is out of the house all day but it still requires bloody cleaning everyday!

Molehillmountain · 16/05/2012 20:18

I had a two hour a week cleaner but it didn't make enough difference to justify the cost tbh. Getting into good routines for daily cleaning has made far more difference. I have three dc, 6, 3 and 10 months and I manage to get my house clean by doing little by little during the week so we don't clean at the weekend. I don't clean while dd2 naps. And i don't clean in the evenings either. And dd2 is a very poor sleeper. I'm not saying you should be able to do it, i have no idea what your energy levels and tiredness are but I wanted you to know that I am at home with young dc. I am not a born tidy/clean type. If it were me, I'd prefer £20 of treats in the week-the cleaner didn't get it all done and it was only clean for a very short time. Doing bits each day makes my house pretty clean all the time.

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