How do I go about getting a cleaner?

[Orchide]

Have never had a cleaner before but told DH that when i return to work in 3 weeks i want a cleaner. Just for a few hours a week even if she only does bathrooms.... god i HATE cleaning bathrooms!

Cant get one through wod of mouth which i know would b best. Saw an advert in a local shop, thinking of giving her a bell but how do these things usually work?

Do i ask for references?
Do i tell her what i would like done in thee 2/3 hours or does she tell me how much she can do in that time?
I have a couple of weeks off before i go back to work - do i arrange for her to do a few sessions when still around? Am v wary of giving a key to someone i dont know!

someone must know!

tell her what you want doing, then if she has extra time you could think of some extra stuff.

i would get her earlier than when you start work. im not sure about references - you could ask.

cleaners do bathrooms, sheets, washing, etc etc, so she can do more than just your bathrooms.

umm, from reading your title was going to say "ask around"... cos it is the obvious one so you've done it
why not ask for references, just phone numbers or whatever of people she works / has worked for and yes certainly have her round whilst you are in, anyone who comes surely wouldn't expect to be alone in your house at first?
We found our nice cleaning lady from friends of parents, and we sort of discussed and negotiated what she'd do with the time. If it's a tip she does a whizz around the whole house, if it's reasonably tidy she often has a big blitz on one room and just hoovers the rest.
HTH

It was a rubbish title wasn't it?!

thanks both

My first cleaner was through a small company (not a franchise)I found in the Yellow pages - this was great as they were insured etc.
My current cleaner I found through Freecycle - if you're a member you can post through Freecycle Cafe.
Ask for references, and do get them to start before you go back so that you can show them round, tell them how you like things done etc. Give them a priority list of what you want done first, and then maybe a rota of other things.
Current cleaner does 4 hours a week, and in that she makes the entire (5 bed, two bath plus downstairs loo) house sparkle, and usually does some ironing too.