How much does a cleaner cost and what do they 'do'?

[mrsbarryscott]

Since going back to work full time and with a 14 mo dd I really can't get on top of the housework.

How much does a cleaner cost and what do they actually 'do' in the way of cleaning/tidying.

They do what you ask them to do.

If you aren't used to employing a cleaner, it's easiest to start off by asking her to do discrete tasks ie a week's worth of ironing. The bathrooms and loos. Dust and hoover the reception rooms.

The longer you employ her the better your management skills will get and so you will be able to judge how fast she is, how thorough, what her strong points are and what really helps you out, and direct her accordingly to the tasks where you will get the most out of her.

Sometimes there is just a bad match - some cleaners love doing a quick once over of the whole house and other prefer doing out one room very thoroughly in the same time. You need to find someone who suits your lifestyle.

Upsidedowncake - I used to have a cleaner who did quite a lot extra for me. But I gave her first refusal on everything I was chucking out (and I was a single girl with a huge wardrobe at that point) and I think it was her way of thanking me.

Sometimes I miss those Prada bags