Do I really need a cleaner? (first world problem alert)

[brainonastick]

We have a cleaner for 3.5 hours a week (except she seems to only do about 2.5 hours, which could be part of the problem I suppose). Its fab (I work PT, DH FT, 2 young children, so time is scarce) but expensive, and I'm looking to see where we can make savings to afford holidays.

From what I can see, she does the loos and bathrooms, the kitchen, and hoovers. Changes our sheets as well, and a bit of ironing (DH's work shirts).

The actual cleaning she does I imagine wouldn't take me that long, and I could mostly do it as I go along rather than taking a 2 hour chunk of my week out. And I might do it better, if less frequently. And then I wouldn't have to tidy up like a lunatic every Monday.

I hate changing sheets, but I could live with it, and the ironing we could give to an ironing lady.

Am I being a bit rose-tinted specs? I remember how brilliant I thought having a cleaner was when we first got one years ago. Maybe I'm not remembering how boring and time consuming cleaning is. And maybe I would get more stressed with DH and the kids making mess. WWYD?

Yes, I promise to leave a nice note for her tomorrow! I'll ask her to start doing the doors.

Although I've just realised dh has a massive shirt backlog, 9 of them, do that should keep her busy.

What about making a list of things you don't mind doing & things you can't stand?
My lovely cleaner does things like skirting boards & window cleaning & getting mould off the shower.
I can happily float about with can of Mr Sheen & a hoover.
I feel, that way, I'm not resentful of spending my hard earned cash & someone else does that hard jobs better than me.
I do think that maybe you should address the time management things though. Be strong!

I really want to get a cleaner. I felt I couldn't justify it being a sahm, but since staying at my parents over Xmas, who have a cleaner, it is just bliss to know that someone else also shares the responsibility of keeping your house clean. I think i will find the 30 quid a week needed to try and save my sanity and relationship

The time thing is why I charge by the job, rather than by the hour. I find that, over time, I get faster and faster at a house.

What I do is quote based roughly on how long I think it will take once it's up to spec. The first visit or two may take a bit longer than that. I constantly remind my clients that the first couple of times I may be there X hours, but I will gradually get faster as I learn the home and also because the first cleans are about getting it to a base level that I can maintain.

I often put things on a rota because they don't need doing every time. I will need a toothbrush for the shower tracks the first time, but it will be weeks before that is necessary, again.

The important thing is communication. I make it very clear they're paying for results. Do I have a time frame in mind? Sure I do. But, I base everything on what the client wants to see in their home.