Cleaners- how much do you pay, how often do they come to your house and how do you find them?

[sorky]

I need one, no getting away from it really.

I advertised locally last year. 3 replied but did not turn up, so gave up.

Tell me your secrets to getting a good cleaner

Ask neighbours/people living close by. I would imagine that cleaners are more likely to stay/continue if they don't have to do too much travelling and it's always good to have a recommendation.

Used to have a fab cleaner who I found by asking around hospital cleaners at work. Sadly since she left we have never managed to replace her. Now on about the fourth agency. We pay around £80 per month for fortnightly clean. They will never do as good a job as I would like for the money. Lots of problems in the past with no shows, shoddy work, place reeking of smoke afterwards.
Sorry to be depressing! Good luck! Where are you? I can tell you which agencies to avoid!

North east

I'd like a recommendation, but I honestly don't know anyone who has a cleaner, who lives nearby.

My aunts have the same cleaner, she's fab, but doesn't drive otherwise I'd ask her in a flash.

I'd like someone who lives close-by, preferably independent. Agency doesn't sit right, don't know why really.

We've had our cleaner for years (prob about 6-7, can't remember exactly). Before that she worked for Molly Maid and cleaned our house, so when the franchisee went bust, she put a card through our door and it was great to have someone who we already "knew".

I am ashamed to say I have not been paying her the going rate (she has never asked for a rise), but am putting the rate up to £10 per hour from this month, which I think is about average for non-agency in my area (S Wales).

We wouldn't be without her, she comes for 2 hours one week & 4 the next, does all of the usual cleaning you would expect as well as changing the beds on her "4 hour" week.

My cousin runs her own cleaning business (N West England sorry) & is inundated with work, so it may take you a while. If you do manage to find someone, make sure you are really clear about exactly what you want doing, maybe draw up a list and ensure that you are both singing from the same hymn sheet (your idea of a thorough clean may be different to hers for example)

Good luck!

I have had a cleaner for about 8 years. It sounds like I underpay her though (£7 an hour)! We are in the Midlands

She cleaned the office where my husband worked at the time. She is lovely and very trustworthy. She doesn't come every week - tends to have school holidays off. It is always lovely coming home on the day that she has been the house looks and smells so clean - not that it lasts!!

I know other people who have used Molly Maid and have been very happy but I guess it depends on who you get.

I don't like agency either, think cleaners likely paid only minimum wage. Am in North East too. We use Laura Bartram. They are ok. Better than Time for You. Advertise in local newsagents window? Make sure to get references though. I am thinking will ask around at work again.

I was lucky and got mine through word of mouth- my friend has used various agencies and has had about 6-7 cleaners cos of problems so word of mouth is best.
I pay my cleaner £8 an hour and have her for 2 and a half hours a week and she is amazing- my house sparkles!

I think a key thing is to REALLY explain what you expect your cleaner to do communication is the key. I would suggest local newsagent or post office window too- references are essential in this case too.

Mine cleans the bathrooms, our bedroom, hoovers upstairs(not kids rooms), hall stairs and landing, hoovers and dusts living room, cleans the kitchen and mops all the hard floors.

To me a cleaner is a luxury cos I don't work (well i do 6 hours a week running a toddler group!) but dh says its worth it so who am I to argue!!!

Oh look in local parish magazines if you have them- I found my ironing lady in there and she is a whizz!

Cleaner rates vary across the country and ultimately cleaning companies are only as the cleaners they recruit. Even within the many different franchise companies or agencies - customer service and cleaner standards will vary enormously from area to area. Also as a rule of thumb, cleaning companies that employ their staff directly tend to pay minimum wage; those where cleaners work on a self-employed basis tend to earn more. If you have a problem with the company or cleaners then tell them straight away - everyone wants honest feedback - only then can they improve and you can get satisfaction.

If you decide to try to recruit yourself try our system: I run a domestic cleaning company in Bristol and we use a multi-stage recruitment process that you could use too. We advertise locally in shops etc and on freeindex for cleaners - the cleaners call us and initially we conduct a telephone interview to check - language skills, past experience, availabilty, childcare provision, how much they want to earn, any criminal record, any fears re pets etc. Then if we think they are suitable we will visit them in their home to check personal standards and id - see a photo id and utility bill or similar proving that they live at that property. Then we follow up 2 verbal and 2 written references. Only then if still suitable do we offer them a trial clean at my home so that I can check their work. Quite a detailed recruitment process but as I am placing cleaners in clients homes, I need to be reassured that they are trustworthy and capable of the work being expected and also that they want to do this type of work. Hope this helps! You could do most of this process - obviously the advantage of using a compnay like mine is that we do all of this work for you and keep a bank of cleaners should you wish to change cleaners or for when your cleaner is sick or on holiday. Good Luck with your search and if want any more advice please email me : Catherine at [email protected] ( or check out www.timeforyou.co.uk )