How long to hire a cleaner for this list of jobs?

[Theswiftsareback]

Live alone in a small one-bedroom flat. I'm thinking about hiring a cleaner twice a month as I'm getting really overwhelmed with other commitments. I'm very slow at household tasks so no judge of how long it would take a professional plus have never had a cleaner before - how much time do you think this job list would take, please?

Bathroom:

• clean toilet
• clean sink area
• clean bath/shower
• mop floor
• polish mirror

Kitchen:

• clear out and clean fridge (including discarding gone off food e.g. hummus and cleaning the tubs out)
• stainless steel polish sink/stove areas)
• mop floor
• take out recycling, rubbish and food waste (3 floors down)

Misc:

• wipe/dust all skirting boards
• hoover stairs
• hang out a load of laundry
• iron sheets/duvet cover and make bed
• iron approx 10 items of clothing

I'm not sure any cleaner would clear out your manky food out the fridge. The rest would take no time at all. I've never had a cleaner do laundry either but maybe some do. Someone efficient could probably do that in an hour to an hour and a half easily. You would have to ask someone to come and see what was needed and if they would be willing to do what you want then cost it.

Two hours maximum.

The fridge thing is tricky as it’s subjective. Not many cleaners would do it as standard. Ironing can vary it can take ages for high thread count cotton and no time atall for poly cotton blend.

Id do it yourself and time it and it’ll give you a decent idea. Probably take a cleaner a bit of extra time initially as she / he learns the place

I'd say a couple of hours if they're only coming in twice a month. I'd ditch the ironing and use a specialist service for this seeing as you're prepared to pay. I used to and it was heavenly having someone deliver all my ironed clothes.

I have to disagree with some and say IME if you employ a cleaner you decide what they do.
I never iron now so but I did when DC were small. Someone in the village set up an ironing service so I tried it. Everything came back smelling of cooking. aFter that I asked the cleaner to do it. Obviously while she was ironing she wasn't cleaning but it was to reduce my chores. If I want my cleaner to clean the windows she will.

In my experience cleaners won't do

Bathroom:

• polish mirror

Kitchen:

• clear out and clean fridge (including discarding gone off food e.g. hummus and cleaning the tubs out)
• stainless steel polish sink/stove areas)
• take out recycling, rubbish and food waste (3 floors down)

Misc:

• wipe/dust all skirting boards
• hang out a load of laundry
• iron sheets/duvet cover and make bed
• iron approx 10 items of clothing

Ironing is more of a specialist service.

You'd maybe need an occasional deep cleaner for things like the fridge.

The fridge is surely 10/15 mins job at the most.
Doesn’t sound a lot to do although may not do laundry. Couple of hours? How long do you think it would take you?

2-3 hours if it's only being done twice a month.

@Carebearsonmybed but aren't most of those just routine cleaning?
I've had many cleaners over the years and never come across one that refuses to do specific jobs.
I hadn't had a cleaner for a few years but recently got one for monthly deep cleaning. Two women from next village who work together. They do whatever I need on the day.
These are all local people though, maybe big contract companies are different?

Cleaner here. Happy to clean out a manky fridge if it's a cleaning job that needs done. Your list op. 2 hours...

I can't see how it's the job of a cleaner to empty your fridge, especially as that opens them up to all sorts of issues with throwing things away that we're wanted etc.

Thanks all. Totally new to this so in addition to the advice re timings, really helpful to get a sense of what's reasonable to ask for!