Cleaner Etiquette

[Nostrings457]

Hi, a while ago I posted about being stressed and the root of any arguements with DH stemmed from him not doing his fair share of cleaning. I was overwhelmed with how many of you recommended getting a cleaner (i had always thought cleaners were for the rich but it seems not).
Anyway, i have now decided to get one. Cannot get a recommendation so found one on gumtree. Right price and can do the times I want. (The last day of my working week).
Whats the etiquette though, do they come and meet before the first clean, do i stay with them the forst few weeks (they would have to come a non working day though), do i leave a list, do they get a key, how much can a cleaner do in 2 hours?

I know i probably sound stupid but I havent tot a clue? Any advice much appreciated

There isn't one right way. I've wfh to be around for cleaners, esp new ones, left keys, left keys with their boss when using agency, left keys in key safe. There is trust involved so you need to meet them.
When they start you need to meet them to see if you think it'll work for you, and to talk through your home and what jobs matter to you, how often and long you want, which jobs to do every time and which only sometimes etc. This varies loads from person to person, for instance I don't care if the cleaners take my bins out, I'd rather they got done when full vs done for the sake of it. But lots of people want bins done. I hate dusty sills and baseboards so that gets done most times, done people are less fused about skirting boards.
They will probably have a rough list but your home and priorities are yours so it's important you get the job you need done.
Enjoy your new free time. I find having a cleaner keeps us tidier as I can explain to the kids how disrespectful it is to leave the house untidy for the cleaner in a way that they listen to. And that means it is easier to run round myself in between cleans.

I’ve always met them first and interviewed like for any other job. I always followed up references, got a copy of their ID and confirmation of address. In the first 1-2 weeks I’d be around to show what’s where.

As it’s only 2h, it’d be helpful to have a little rota in writing with what to do every week. The cleaner probably has 10 different clients so they might not remember everything.

Personally, I never left the keys for a good few weeks. I’m around when the current cleaner comes and the last one had her own code on the house alarm so we’d know who’s been when.

Meet them in person, have a chat, tell them what you’d like and the time you can pay them for.
They’ll tell you if it’s too much in that time.
We keep our house tidy and neat so the cleaner can clean and not waste time picking stuff up or doing dishes etc
3 hours, 3 floor hse, clean kitchen, washed floors and vacuum and dust everywhere and 2 clean small bathrooms.
It’s lovely. It having to clean bloody loos and bathrooms!
We still tidy, vacuum in between, do all laundry, kids clean their bedrooms, etc

My personal etiquette with cleaners:

First meeting - either set expectations on what you want them to do and show them around. They should then give you a quote for the time required to do the job. Or ask what you think they can do in 2 hours. Don’t assume 2 hours for what you want them to do is sufficient - they are the professional. Compare with your friends’ experiences or get other quotes.

If you want every two weeks‘ kind of arrangement - bear in mind it’s harder work for cleaner to clean two weeks’ worth of dirt so allow for more time

References are essential. Mine was recommended by my neighbours and I felt okay leaving her in the house very quickly. Wouldn’t necessarily do that with someone I got from gumtree without references/recommendations

Yes to the key - see above

Some cleaners prefer certain products. It is courteous to get them what they like to work with unless you have specific products for items that require them (furniture that can’t be cleaned with detergent etc). My cleaner likes to use micro fibre cloths and doesn’t like bleach based products. I respect that and get her what she needs.

Replenish products regularly and ask her to let you know if there is anything that’s running low

I text my cleaner often to say thank you for making the house looks great when I come back from work - she told me she loves that her work is valued and it makes her work harder for me

Bonus and card at Xmas

Don’t chop and change time and day without sufficient notice - some of my neighbours do it and I think it’s bloody outrageous

Don’t be a CF and casually ask for all windows to be cleaned one week as an add on

Communicate swiftly and politely if something doesn’t work for you like something not being done properly or not cleaned the way you want it

Don’t leave valuables or random cash lying around. Not because cleaners steal but it can make them uncomfortable/nervous - my cleaner told me this. It makes sense. Either because they feel tested somehow or the fact you don’t look after valuables and something goes awry they can be accused of being the culprit

Importantly - if your cleaner fires you, ask why, ask them to be honest and prepared to deal with the honesty like an adult. Then learn from it. I’ve had a friend who couldn’t retain cleaners. Finally she asked as she was driven demented and she found out her house was so messy and neglected they didn’t want the bother - they could find work with people who cared more. Now she has a cleaned twice a week.

Oh and we gave her keys after a few weeks and all was well. Had seen cleaner now for 9 years and she’s great, fits us in around an office cleaning job

When we got our cleaner she came round and walked me round my house telling me what she would do in each room. I didn’t get to tell her.
It took a few trips to get the house up to scratch but now she does the whole thing. In the early days she’s just leave a note saying where she’d done.
I gave her a key immeadiatrly but she was a friend’s recommendation

You’ll never look back!!!

I always meet the new client first. Look around the house and discuss what their priorities are. I give them an idea of how much time I need to do the clean. I supply references and encourage them to take them up. I will keyhole if required. Most people offer a key early on. A good, experienced cleaner will be able to just get on with the job without you needing to be there. All you need to do is come home to a clean house!

I agree about meeting them first and showing them round the house to show them what you want them to do. We decided when we first got a cleaner that they wouldn't do the bedrooms but do the living/dining rooms, hall, stairs and landing, bathroom, cloakroom and kitchen. She also cleans the inside of the ground floor windows. This takes about two hours she then does the ironing which is a god sent for us which takes another hour.