Hiring a cleaner - help please!

[Otterock]

Mnetters who use cleaners - I need to pick your brains. I’m wanting to hire a cleaner but neither of us have hired one before. I’m a bit apprehensive but think it’ll really help us out because we’re just so busy.

Any tips or advice on how to go about it? Do you use an app? Ask around locally for recommendations? Pay cash or send the money? Any help appreciated!

We started with local recommendations from neighbours and when that didn't work, I just called well rated companies in my area using simple google search. But if you can get a recommended cleaner, that would be ideal.

Hello, I’m a cleaner. I realise you’re asking for advice from those who have hired a cleaner but maybe you’ll find some of what I say useful.

I’ve found several clients through NextDoor and one through word of mouth. You might consider putting an ad on Facebook/Nextdoor but be prepared to be flooded with responses 😊 Try to get references/recommendations if you can. If your street / area of town has a WhatsApp group it might be worth putting a post on there asking if anyone can recommend their cleaner.

In my experience it is essential that you meet with a cleaner before contracting them to clean for you. It means that you can talk about your priorities for a clean and the cleaner can talk to you about what is realistically achievable in the time-frame. The cleaner will be able to see areas that perhaps need greater attention initially (eg heavy Limescale deposits, shower doors with lots of soap scum, dirty skirting boards) and can work out a plan with you if you wish.

One client that I clean for , we have agreed on a system in which I do two hours of cleaning per week (the regular jobs) which is then followed by an extra hour of deeper cleaning (eg the grubby skirting boards, the internal doors, the kitchen cupboard doors). My plan is that once everything has been brought up to a good standard I will drop down to 2 hours per week, and do all cleaning of the flat on a rotational basis so that things are maintained to a good standard.

I prefer to have clients pay me via bank transfer , so that I have a clear trail for HMRC purposes.

My great aunt has a cleaner and my understanding is that the cleaner is doing a deep clean of each room in turn and then will work to maintain the cleanliness when the deep clean is complete.