How to find a good reliable cleaner?

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Hi,
We’re struggling to find a decent cleaner, the last one we had was a recommendation and she was great but we’ve only had her a few weeks and she has too much work so has had to lose a few jobs, one of which is us unfortunately.

I have only ever found cleaners through friends recommendations but have exhausted these locally. I have tried searching local Facebook community pages for recommendations but its difficult to know if the recommendations are genuine or, for example, just their mates. I have tried someone this way but they were average and expensive and I feel uneasy getting someone completely random in that I know nothing of. I’ve considered agencies but not sure where to start as they get varying reviews aswell and it seems quite often you get different people each time and they obviously take a cut so less money actually goes to the person doing the work.

Does anyone have any suggestions of where best to look or recommend any agencies they have used in the Richmond /Teddington/Twickenham/Hampton area?

Thanks!

Hi there, I had the same problem. All the cleaners my friends use are booked solid and it was hard to find someone on those local Facebook pages because I reckon that's a great place for weirdos to get a foot in ha ha.

Out of frustration I ended up putting an ad on Gumtree and did find an excellent lady (in the SE, not London). She has been with me for 2 years now. I was very specific in my listing as to the expectations (I am quite fussy) and the day of the week and hours needed. I also put in the ad that they must be reliable, and that I would only pay via bank transfer and that the cleaner must expect to work the full 3 hours and not finish early because there was so much to do (a common problem I have had in the past - packing up after 2.5 hours etc). Expectations were set before application!

Because I sounded like a nightmare I had only 4 applicants and interviewed two at my house - I would have hired them both and on fact the one I did not hire my neighbour is now using and also says she is great. Of course check references etc and do a trial clean.

I think the ad was 4 quid to list?

My cleaner has changed my life, I am not joking. Keep searching and good luck