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.

I don't seen having a cleaner as a luxury.

People get a cleaner for a variety of reasons. If you can afford it, being time poor is the main reason. I am sure most people would rather have the time. You can't get that back regarldess of what you earn. We all have the same 24 hours in the day.
And then there are people who have cleaners because they physically can not clean. And some people can't cope with it mentally either, either due to illness or the executive dysfunction that can come with being ND.

Money

Yet some people on benefits employ cleaners.

And some people have all of those physical, emotional and mental things to contend with, without the finances to cover something like a cleaner.

It's not a race to the bottom, but being able to pay someone to do something for you is a luxury, whether it's because you need it or want it.

You are treating it as a race to the bottom in order to virtue signal. Very boring

I think it’s quite sad that you DON’T see it as a luxury. I have a cleaner. My DH and I work full time and while I might sometimes think it’s essential (for my sanity!), we have managed to work full time, raise 2 kids and a menagerie of pets, and keep our home clean when we’ve had to. Therefore, not essential actually. I appreciate that not everyone is in the position to be able to afford pay a cleaner - it’s a privilege. One I’ve worked hard for, but a privilege nonetheless.

You came on here and said "why do people think this is an indulgence?".

People told you.

You said "no it's not, though", repeatedly.

But I'm boring? Ok then. You clearly can't see anything beyond your own bubble. I sincerely hope that you never have to, because you will not survive the real world.

I have to admit that I was shocked to find out that most of my friends have a cleaner. I really thought only rich people have them! I finally cut myself some slack about my house. I can totally understand why they do, busy lives, but I was surprised…

I suppose it’s a ‘luxury’ because unless of reasons such as disability, it’s easy and not skilled and not even particularly time consuming (unless living in a mansion) to maintain cleaning at home.

It is not a luxury to pay someone for a service because you can not do it yourself.
Not lack of time, not because you hate it.... but because you can't do it.
Being physically or mentally able to carry out something basic like cleaning is a privilege, and paying for it when you are not able to, is not a luxury.

Having the ability TO PAY FOR IT is the privilege. Why some people can't comprehend that is baffling.

Your idea of 'the real world' is fortunately not mine!

Takeaways, nail appointments/hair colouring, cleaners, are all luxuries.
But whether or not you indulge in them isn't a moral issue.

That's my point. You don't live in it.

Yet people on benefits use things like PIP to pay for it.
And then they are told it is a luxury, and according to MN, PIP is not for luxuries.
Fucking hell, already been told that someone on benefits gets too much if they have a cleaner.

But what about people who can't do the things you've mentioned i.e cleaning or washing their hair who can't afford to pay a professional to do those things? Who have to rely on the kindness of their friends/family/neighbours or just go without?

Nobody on this thread is saying it's a bad thing to outsource these things, just that it is a luxury. You're arguing on the basis of disability but OP has a cleaner just to make her life easier. Which is fine but it doesn't make it not a luxury.

Being able to afford to pay for it is the luxury, regardless of the requirement of having it.
necessities: food, water, heat, shelter
luxuries: gym membership, takeaways, meals out, holidays, cleaner, window cleaner, sending out ironing
For example: I need to pay my mortgage this month so I have a roof over my families head
I would like a holiday in the Maldives. However, I can’t afford one, it’s a luxury.

You are a lost cause if you are equating going on holiday to the Maldives on the same footing as a disabled person needing a cleaner.

It’s a luxury because it’s an extra rather than a necessity.

lots of people just can’t afford a cleaner on top of everything else and it’s not essential as cleaning is a basic life skill.

if you have the money and want a cleaner - go for it.

if you want a window cleaner and can afford it - go for it.

if you want a private chef and can afford it - go for it.

if you want a butler/housekeeper and have the money - go for it.

if you choose meals out, a holiday or spa days and you have the money - go for it.

BUT lots of people don’t have this extra money so will prioritise basic heat, mortgage/rent and food, essential clothes.

Some services require a specific qualification - like corgi for boiler service. But cleaning does not.

I think the argument about disability really needs to be dropped from the thread as it pretty much goes without saying that someone who struggles alot with mobility might physically need a cleaner. I’ll also add that alot of disabled people do want to do as much as they possibly can till they reach the limit of what their bodies will let them do.

As for mental disability, yes some people do struggle with the basics of cleaning. In an ideal world, I think there is a huge argument for teaching people cleaning routines, keeping people active around the home, taking pride in your living space and offering support (but there is a mental health crisis out there and every service is overwhelmed), so ofcourse there are people where a cleaner is more of an essential for their mental health.

Overwhelming majority of the population - cleaner is a luxury.

They are a total lost cause!

because if you cannot clean your own living space, you are not a capable adult. this is basics

Hahahaha you are the lost cause hun, you’ve spectacularly missed the point
but given your other posts on this thread that’s hardly a surprise to me.
i don’t think you or the OP are quite the full ticket. Bless your heart.

I am not sure what you mean by that but OK.

Yeah its odd because it is actually really hard to keep on top of your house if you have kids and wir full time.
Its like we all have to pretend its just something everyone manages to keep on top of and its not.
I have 3 young kids and work 12 hour night shifts whilst my husband works full time days..
My house is a tip.
Were it to be cleaned by myself I would literally spend my entire time working or cleaning. No time with the kids, no time with my husband, no time to myself.
A cleaner seems pretty essential tbh