How do you find a cleaner?

[Bancha]

I’m looking to hire a cleaner, but all I find when I search online is agencies. I realise there are some benefits to agency cleaners but I would prefer the money I pay to go straight to the cleaner. I don’t know anyone locally who has a cleaner (that I know of!), so can’t ask around. I’m not on any social media either, so if that’s where people advertise now then it’s not something I’d see. Our last cleaner posted a flyer through the door but I haven’t had any of those. Please help, wise mumsnetters!!

Local Facebook page. Just sign up specifically for that purpose, you don't have to use it for anything else. Lots of great local services found on FB, it's the first place most people would look.

Facebook or Next door app - get references as this person will be in your house

Ask your neighbours?

Otherwise NextDoor is a good idea.

Recently found Next Door while looking for a plumber. (Once you plough through the weird ads, rants about teenagers and complaints about dog poo …) there are usually plenty of ads for local independents.

Maybe put a card in your Post Office window.

Our cleaner is looking for more work. She's been working for us over five years, and other houses in the neighborhood. Very reliable, does a great job, and we would recommend warmly. London, areas around Kentish Town, Holloway Road, Tufnell Park.

Thanks for the ideas. I really want to avoid FB so I will have a look at next door. I would ask neighbours but I haven’t ever seen them cleaners going into any nearby houses, except for an agency a couple of streets away but like I say I worry about them being exploitative. I’ve had a bit more luck finding (one) individual when I started searching for ‘cleaning lady’ instead of ‘cleaner’, though…

adverts in a magazine was how I found a cleaner