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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

One-off, whole-house cleaning services? anyone done this?

35 replies

NoInclinationWhatsoever · 26/06/2011 16:55

Was it any good?
How much was it?
My house is a complete TIP and I can't bear it any longer and I am tempted to throw money at the problem.
Thoughts please?

OP posts:
LittleMissFlustered · 26/06/2011 16:58

From what I know, they will not tidy. Just clean. You'd have to shift the mess before they start.

It's something I am working toward. Once I have everything sorted and all the junk thrown out I'm going to pay for a deep clean and carpet clean to be done.

catgirl1976 · 26/06/2011 17:02

I had it done when I moved (had the old house cleaned)

They didnt tidy but I am sure if you asked (and paid) they would. I think I paid about £20 per hour

They did a great job (local firm though so probably not much use to you) and it was worth every penny

I did spec out pretty clearly what I wanted though - I think if you dont you might be dissapointed as you may have different expectations

garlicnutter · 26/06/2011 17:09

My friend used to have this done regularly (she was a bit OCD). She used a posh, expensive, London agency but blimey, they were good! She once came home to find all her clothes pressed & re-folded, stacked according to colour and even her underwear logically sorted!

As catgirl says, they charge by the hour and need a clear, detailed understanding of what you want, how you like things done, etc.

I would definitely have this if I could afford it.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 26/06/2011 17:12

I had it done once years ago when we first moved to this house. House was tidy (I am tidy and a chucker outer but find cleaning mind-numbingly boring) and they cleaned well. The firm offered different types of clean - from a quick once over to full spring clean inc cupboards etc. Yes, i would recommend the firm, but they are local to me again!

Original poster
NoInclinationWhatsoever · 26/06/2011 20:04

Thanks all.
Just realised I posted in AIBU not Good Housekeeping which Is where I thought I was.
See even when MNing I am a mess!

OP posts:
Booandpops · 26/06/2011 20:15

I would also like this. If anyone can recommend a company in the herts area please message me. Thanks.

supercally · 26/06/2011 20:18

I had this done once. they charged £9 per hour and they cleaned the whole house in a day, even the windows (inside) including the conservatory. They did it while I was at work (DH at home) Everything was so lovely when I got home; it made me so happy. They had even made the beds! Totally worth it.

igetmorelovefromthecat · 26/06/2011 20:21

My friend is a cleaner and this is a service she offers. She is bloody good and like a one woman cleaning whirlwind. She can get done in an hour what would take me the whole day. She charges £12 per hour and is in Somerset if anyone wants her number!

PigletJohn · 26/06/2011 20:34

cleaning I can understand, but how can they tidy your stuff? Put it all in bags and dump in a skip, or what? Arrange in neat piles?

realhousewifeofdevoncounty · 26/06/2011 20:35

Ooh, I too would like this. I am going to start private tutoring soon, and have decided to spent the money I earn to pay a cleaner! I know it sounds daft, but I hate cleaning and would much rather spend my time doing ANYTHING else! Although like amothersplace I do enjoly tidying! Grin

Anyone recommend anyone in the south devon area?

igetmorelovefromthecat · 26/06/2011 20:43

Realhousewife - my friend would probably be willing to travel to you as she is based near Wellington, Somerset. If you pm me with your location I would be happy to ask her for you...she really is excellent, very good value and has references if you want them.

sc2987 · 26/06/2011 20:55

I am paying a cleaner to spring clean at the moment (and she will continue to come for an hour a week afterwards). She only cleans, but if I asked I'm sure she would tidy or wash up etc. I pay her £8ph (Bristol) and she's a friend of a friend, so maybe ask yours if they know anyone?

DarftApeth · 26/06/2011 20:56

Was talking with our next door neighbour who has been getting quotes for this for when they move out.

They have a 4 bed, 2 bath house. Not large.

The highest quote she had was £600!! Although a couple of others were about £450-500. Cleaning the outside of the windows was extra.

This is in London and would obviously be when the property is empty of all furniture.

ChunkyMonkeyMother · 26/06/2011 21:02

Doth mine eyes decieveth me? Are we talking about people that come in and clean your house while you're out? My DH told me there was no such thing as a cleaning fairy! Where do I procure one of these magic ladies for the Wirral area? Even if she just put stuff into piles I would LOVE that! So glad I have seen this thread

IDrinkFromTheirSkulls · 26/06/2011 21:50

I've been thinking about getting this done for my mum's house (when I am rich) but it's not so much a simple clean that it needs as a full on HowCleanIsYourHouse/LifeOfGrime disinfecting. I think they would want more money than I earn in a year!

OhYouBadBadKitten · 26/06/2011 22:02

I'd like a magic cleaning fairy

BuntyCollocks · 26/06/2011 22:07

chunky - maid2clean

I'm pretty sure they'll cover Wirral, I'm Chester and the lady I have is excellent: she even tidied ds's playmat so that his comforter was looking at us from it!

ChunkyMonkeyMother · 26/06/2011 22:11

Thank you Bunty! I think I will be having a look-see!

garlicnutter · 27/06/2011 01:03

Piglet - My friend's agency came round and spent 2 hours with her, looking at all her stuff, cupboards, etc and asking lots of questions. They were fantastic. The wardrobe organisation was just the most spectacular example of the many times they anticipated her needs before she knew she had them! Not cheap but, god, I was envious.

I had a much cheaper cleaner/ironer, who insisted on ironing funny little folds into the corners of my collars Confused And pressed creases in my jeans!!!

celticlassie · 27/06/2011 01:19

I've seen them on Groupon a few times, so keep an eye open!

ninedragons · 27/06/2011 01:43

I paid a very tidy student friend to clean my mum & dad's place as a mothers' day present.

My mum was delighted. Both she and dad work full-time and don't have time to do the really deep-cleaning stuff like polishing the silver or doing the grout with a toothbrush.

VforViennetta · 27/06/2011 01:53

God this service would be fab, I don't mind cleaning, but hate tidying, probably because we don't have proper storage. Once the storage is sorted I think I will find it easier.

Actually I don't mind doing it for other people, maybe I should start a business in this area. I have been a cleaner in the naafi bar area and quite enjoyed it, shame I can't do the same to my own house.

sundayrose10 · 27/06/2011 06:41

Interesting thread. I am looking for a one off cleaner as well. Someone to also sort out the mountain of toys to send to charity/chuck away. The child has too many toys.

Bonsoir · 27/06/2011 06:47

I have this done from time to time and it has lots of advantages to it.

But I agree with others that you really need to sort the clutter before having cleaners in, and you need to make sure that your storage is appropriate too, or else the clutter will pile up again in no time, and clutter, more than anything else, makes cleaning laborious and slow.

realhousewifeofdevoncounty · 27/06/2011 15:46

Daft - I am Shock at those quotes! I have rented a few places in London, and part of the rental agreement was always to get the house professionally cleaned when moving out - but I never bothered and just gave it a really good clean myself, as IMO, cleaning an empty house is quite easy really! Really glad I did as no way would I have paid £600! That's the full monthly rent on my house in Devon atm!