systems and routines

[teafortwo]

So dd is in school full time now and I am back at work.

I decided to get a 'housekeeper' to pop over to our little place. She take the dog for a walk and cleans and tidies the flat for an hour. I would like her to iron a few shirts and dresses one day a week too.

I said to her "I don't mind what you do on what day as long as when I get home my place feels like a nice space for a family to relax in."

Trouble is every night I come home and it seems messier and messier. I think she needs more structure in terms of instructions and perhaps I need to be doing something in the evenings because I suspect an hour is not enough to keep on top of my family's mess.

How can I organise this so that it feels comfortable, easy and relaxed?

In brief - I need some systems and routines - any ideas 'Good housekeeping' ladies???

TIA

Hm, will have a think.

I have someone who comes once a week for 2 hours. In that time she:
changes all the beds and puts a load of washing on, hoovers all carpeted areas and mops the laminate floors, quick wipe round the bathroom and kitchen (not a proper deep clean though), all the ironing and puts it away, sorts out a load of washing from the dryer (fold, sort, iron if needed, take to correct room) and other bits and pieces. I do all the tidying so she is left with cleaning to do.

I think based on that, you should be getting more from your hour a day. How long is it taking to walk the dog? in what time is left, maybe an indication of what to do each day (M=ironing, T=hoovering, etc) so that she has a bit more structure and does other general picking up/tidying as time permits?

Thanks Norkily - She comes over four days a week (one day a week I work from home and want quiet and to take the dog out myself because we need 'special us time'to make up for me being a working owner. I know, I know!!! [but it is soooo true emotion])

So cleaner gets paid to take the dog out and then one hour tidying/cleaning afterwards.

Your post has really helped me to see the potential of how much she could be doing!!!

SO first idea...

Monday - hoover and kitchen

Tuesday - iron

Thursday - hoover and dust

Friday - shower room and kitchen

Thanks - this is really helping me to think clearly!