To be confused as to why hiring a cleaner is seen as an indulgence?

[Gahr]

This is something that I see time and again on this site, and it is SO WEIRD. People seem to think that it is the height of luxury to have a housecleaner, and also seem to be strangely apologetic about it, offering disclaimers as to why they need one. Also, I've noticed that on threads when someone has a problem with their cleaning service, they will get several posts telling them to 'clean their own house'. Nobody would tell someone to 'service their own boiler' or 'fix their own toilet'! I don't understand it at all. I have a cleaner and I wouldn't be without her.

Exactly.

If you think that having a cleaner is not a luxury, you live in a very luxurious world where luxury is just your normal. Your second comment demonstrates this. You may not think of yourself as wealthy, but if you can afford a cleaner you are.
On most people’s incomes, after deductions, rent/mortgage, utilities/bills, transportation, kids, food etc, there is no money to pay someone to clean your house.

Some people need a cleaner because they can not do it themselves. Is that a luxury?

I genuinely can’t afford it. Hope that helps.

By all means, if you can afford £200 a month for someone to come in and tidy your house, you crack on. That is almost my entire food budget for the month.

So here we are in a people have different budgets and different priorities shocker

@XenoBitchthat is not what this thread is discussing. You could say that about anything - cooking, driving etc

its all about priorities I guess 🤷🏼‍♀️

I pay a cleaner currently, partly due to having 2 little ones so bleaching the bathroom is now tricky and partly to stop the other half moaning about the mess.

on maternity leave, low income and have 3 figures in savings but feel like it's important to do for now 🙂

tbh the cost isn't all that much as she cancels regularly and rushes when she is here so I don't think it's ever been more than £50 a month - 2 takeaways for us

I guess my point - which ive already made - was that it isnt always a choice because not all households have the budget to do that. (The same people who also dont have money for regular take aways, hair cuts, nails etc)
Life can be busy and hectic for people on any budget.

It is a choice for lots of others, who would rather spend their money on something else.

Its not a huge luxury - and its something thats quite normal for lots of people so its easy to overlook that it isnt an essential in the same way rent, childcare or food is.

Op I actually voted that you're not being unreasonable at first but would change if I could seeing your further comments. I have a cleaner once a week as I work long hours and have a commute, young kids etc. I place a lot of value on it as it helps free up some precious time at weekends with kids.
But you do seem to very much take your situation for granted. Do you realize there are so many hard working people that are really struggling to pay for groceries etc and hiring a cleaner is completely out of reach? You can't fathom how somebody would consider getting their windows cleaned a luxury?
I find it concerning that you could be so out of touch with how the world works beyond your own immediate network - open your eyes and mind and be thankful. Ignorance truly is bliss.

I couldn’t ask a cleaner to come to my house and clean the toilets. Same way I wouldn’t invite guests round without checking the toilets were done first. Abit of pride and I think most people feel the same. I couldn’t leave a bathroom dirty for a cleaner when it takes minutes to wipe over. I’d need to at least clean the loo or sink after a family has used it daily.

That was the point I was making after a poster said the cleaner ‘does the basics’ - seems a pointless waste of money when the ‘basics’ literally need doing daily. Yes if you’re a couple it will stay longer nicer after the cleaner has been, but family homes need work everyday.

I can see the logic in a cleaner deep cleaning bedrooms, skirting boards, windows etc if you’re out at work all week and dont want those jobs hanging over you for the weekend when the kids are home and you’ve got plans.

When did we get to the stage people can’t clean their own loo? 🤷🏼‍♀️

To be fair I'm sure some people need cleaners but still can't afford them - they have to rely on good friends/family to help with what they can't.

If we're debating whether you should feel bad about it, no you shouldn't. It provides someone with a wage and makes your life easier. Should people judge? No, not at all. It's a legitimate service and if you can afford it then why shouldn't you?

Is it a luxury though? Yes, of course it is.

Why is it a luxury?

Crikey cam she come clean for me , line is 25.00 per hour

This has been explained multiple times already.

Well no, because then it’s essential.

Having a cleaner and a gardener is money well spent for me. I’d rather have that time back to spend on other things. Outsourcing frees up time so I can focus on what matters more.

I think this is a stealth boast OP of course it’s a luxury. You can feign that you “can’t believe” that people think this all you like.
I used to have a cleaner then we moved and got a bigger mortgage. Now we have less disposable income so we do the cleaning ourselves - it’s definitely a luxury, because despite being comfortable too, we could do without the additional spend.

That doesn't mean it's not a luxury

That’s exactly the point I’m making. They are all little luxuries in life, and we chose what we spend our money on. I personally hear more judgement on take aways and coffees when people talk about the cost of living. I don’t think anyone should be making judgements on what people chose to spend their spare money on. But people generally have less spare money so a cleaner is definitely a luxury not an essential ( for most people ), doesn’t mean it’s wrong to chose to spend your money on it if it enhances your life.

I don’t think so—I just don’t spend money on much else. I have my mortgage and bills, and I treat these the same way. Other than food, I don’t really spend on anything.

Sounds like their benefits are too high.

Great.

Not everyone has money left over after their mortgage and bills to pay for a cleaner.

HTH.

I think that's very different and why things like PIP and DLA are not means tested, because it is more expensive to be disabled.

I genuinely wouldn't want anyone else doing my dirty laundry unless I became really disabled.

Because you can just do it yourself and having a cleaner is expensive.

But I DON'T WANT TO do it myself! Why can't people get that!? JFC.

People do get it. But that doesn't make it any less of a luxury.

The more you post, the more oblivious and ridiculous you're sounding.