Cleaner, housekeeper? How do I advertise this?

[backinthebox]

I need a new cleaner. Our last one has retired, and being honest she didn’t actually do the things I really wanted her to do. We’ve had cleaners previously who have done minor housekeeping tasks such as emptying/loading the dishwasher, folding laundry, changing the beds and putting the bedcovers in the washing machine, and picking some things up. They also did jobs like clean the interior windows, fridge or oven if we were all away and they wanted to come in to work anyway.

I work away from home up to 5 days at a time, and DH also currently works 2 days a week away, the other 3 days a week WFH. We’ve got 2 teenagers who are good at helping out when we are here to ask, but are not particularly self-propelled in this area. The most recent cleaner was quite adamant that she was a cleaner only and would not move anything to clean under or around it - it was my job to pick up, her job to clean. TBH it was a bit of a relief when she announced she was retiring, as I found it quite stressful coming home from a long work trip to find that the house was actually in quite a state. My 2 cleaners prior to this one both worked this way already. (One left because she married and moved to her husband’s country, the other found herself working much more on her family’s farm during Covid and never really returned after that, so I don’t scare them off! Valid reasons for leaving.)

I realise I need someone a bit more than just a cleaner, but how would you word this in a job advert? And how much more would I expect to pay someone who takes initiative?

Intuitive, pro-active cleaner/housekeeper required for busy household of four people. There will be elements of tidying and prioritising tasks involved as well as the usual general cleaning. There is very much the chance for you to make the role your own without having to stick to a fixed list of exactly the same jobs every week. In short - can you help us get clean and organised!?

I’ve been a cleaner and have done a few of these roles. They tend to be described as housekeepers and have longer hours than cleaning jobs so in 3 times a week for 3 hours a time rather than a once weekly top to bottom clean. It takes a surprising amount of time to tidy and sort through stuff.

I do think you need to crack the whip with the teens I’m assuming a lot of stuff that didn’t get shifted belonged to them? My top tip would be have a designated dumping ground in each room so it can be cleared quickly then cleaned, then if your handy helper has time they can find a home for stuff but its not stopping the space from being v cleaned. Hard rules about clothes that are left lying, as ll shoes go to x type stuff.

I’ve been a cleaner and have done a few of these roles. They tend to be described as housekeepers and have longer hours than cleaning jobs so in 3 times a week for 3 hours a time rather than a once weekly top to bottom clean. It takes a surprising amount of time to tidy and sort through stuff.

I do think you need to crack the whip with the teens I’m assuming a lot of stuff that didn’t get shifted belonged to them? My top tip would be have a designated dumping ground in each room so it can be cleared quickly then cleaned, then if your handy helper has time they can find a home for stuff but its not stopping the space from being v cleaned. Hard rules about clothes that are left lying, as ll shoes go to x type stuff.

I would advertise as cleaner/ housekeeper and ask for someone willing and able to carry out a variety of tasks to ensure the smooth running of the household.
There are people out there who will do this stuff.
The traditional way to get a multi-tasker like this was always to advertise in "The Lady" magazine, as that is where people who are capable of that sort of thing would look.

And this would be a really good template to use.
It's a role I have done before and the right person will know exactly the sort of expectations from this.

Make sure it’s enough hours and frequently enough.
my cleaner does all that and comes in twice
also
communicate clearly from the start what you want but leave some flex
and pay well
weve had ours 12 years

My current cleaner does all those things, and so did the previous one, when she had time. And I've never had a cleaner who didn't also tidy. I've been upfront when hiring that I will not be doing a pre-cleaner tidy, so that their job will be to get through as much as they can in the circumstances, and if they aren't comfortable with a situation in which they will not be wiping and mopping empty floors and surfaces, this is not the household for them.

I asked Chatgpt for you :

Yes, she absolutely needs to word this carefully — what she wants isn’t “just a cleaner”, it’s more of a housekeeper / household support role. The wording is what will attract the right person and avoid another mismatch.
Here’s how she could frame it clearly and positively:
Example Advert Wording
Part-Time Housekeeper Required – Initiative Essential
We are looking for a reliable, proactive housekeeper to support our busy household.
This role is more than standard cleaning – we are looking for someone who can take initiative and help keep the home running smoothly, particularly when we are working away.
Duties would include:

• General cleaning (bathrooms, kitchen, floors, dusting etc.)
• Tidying and resetting rooms
• Emptying/loading dishwasher
• Folding laundry and changing beds
• Putting bed linen in the washing machine
• Occasional deeper tasks (e.g. interior windows, fridge or oven cleaning when time allows)

We are a family with two teenagers. Both parents work away part of the week, so we are looking for someone who is comfortable working independently and happy to move items where necessary in order to clean properly (within reason). We are looking for:

• Someone trustworthy and discreet
• Proactive and able to spot what needs doing
• Comfortable working without supervision
• Happy to help with light housekeeping tasks as well as cleaning

Hours: [X hours per week] Rate: Competitive, dependent on experience. References required. Why This Works

• It reframes the role as “housekeeper” rather than “cleaner”.
• It explicitly mentions initiative.
• It makes it clear tidying is included.
• It avoids sounding critical of the previous cleaner.
• It sets expectations about moving items.

How Much More Would She Pay? In the UK (since she mentions DH and WFH, I assume UK context):

• Standard cleaner: £14–£18 per hour (depending on area)
• Experienced housekeeper: £18–£25 per hour
• Highly experienced / nanny-housekeeper hybrid: £22–£30+ per hour

Someone who:

• Works independently
• Takes initiative
• Does light household management tasks
• Can be trusted when the family is away

…will usually sit at least £3–£7 per hour above a basic cleaner. It’s not just “cleaning plus a bit extra” — it’s responsibility and decision-making. Important Advice for Her She should also:

1. Be very clear in the interview:
2. “If there are shoes in the hallway, would you move them to clean underneath and put them back?”
3. Decide what is non-negotiable:
4. Does she expect tidying before cleaning?
5. Or is tidying part of the role?
6. Possibly trial for 2–4 weeks.

The stress she described (coming home from a work trip to chaos) suggests she needs someone who sees the bigger picture — not someone who only wipes visible surfaces. If you’d like, I can also help her word a firmer but still friendly version — slightly more direct about expectations.