Cleaner

[flimsyforay]

Hi there. I'm getting a cleaner and wanted some advise as to what jobs other people have their cleaner do. I'm thinking 2 hours to begin with and possibly increase this after we have renovations done.
Also, so you give your cleaner a key or leave one out for them? Any advise and details welcome!

Well, can't help re the key - I'm in when she comes - but I wouldn't regularly leave a key out for anyone, that anyone else could then pick up, no.
As to jobs - it depends what you want doing / what your priorities are.
I'd meet her to chat first, and ask what she thinks is possible too.
My cleaner told me that the first week or two are slower, and then she will get in to her stride (know where the sockets are / how long a reach she has on the vacuum, etc etc) and will speed up a lot - proved very true - what she did in 2 hours the first week, she now completes in about 1 hr 15mins. She is super speedy though.
Some people have things they hate doing - so some people's cleaners do things like change the beds. Others seem to ask their cleaners to do jobs I've never even heard of.
A good idea is to establish at the beginning that you'd either be happy for her to do X number of rooms / jobs each week (then not be upset if you find she can whizz round and finish in under the 2 hours) or if you want her to stay for 2 hours - in which case you need to have a list of 'These things to be done every week' then 'These jobs to be done as and when you have time' or 'These jobs to be done on a rota, ot alternate weeks, or whatever'.

You need to establish if you are fussy over particular cleaning products or cloths and so forth, as that seems to upset quite a lot of MNers.
The key is, not to assume that she will automatically do things your way, and keep communicating

Great thanks for that. Changing beds is a great idea. I'm hoping to gaff her come on a Friday so when I come home after work the place will be lovely and clean, new sheets would be amazing! Good advice re the essentials and what to do when she has the time. But sure how I'll manage the key...

Can you get a key safe installed? Little metal box with a code on. Put key in that.

Thanks @JuniperBeer we discussed that this evening. Stayed in a holiday home over new year that had one. Was really handy.