I have just taken on a small cleaning job, never done it before, help!

[Peckarolloveragain]

I have agreed to clean for a lady I know.

2 hours cleaning
1 hours ironing

Once a week

Im a bit befuddled about what I actually DO!!

Do I just go about it the way I would my own house or is there a certain trick to doing things in particular order etc

What would you expect from a cleaner in 2 hours, 3 bed semi

Thanks!

I'd say the first couple of weeks is to get the house clean, The next weeks you will need less time as your starting point is cleaner so maybe tackle the downstairs windows, upstairs the next, then shelves, then behind sofas (if they aren't too heavy)

always let your lady know what you are doing as they love that.

For the ironging, ask he how she likes her ironing done -creases? No creases? makes ure she leaves out suitable coathangers.

oh my goodness, I have done the exact same thing - my friends think it's hilarious because I so rarely do any cleaning in my own house

I'm only doing it for 3 weeks while the real cleaner is away (there is a highly aggressive dog in the house and few people know him, I'm confident with him).

I think you should ask exactly what is expected of you, I had to get it spelled out very clearly and felt a bit traumatised when I realised it involved WINDOWS

anyway I start tomorrow, when is your first day?

good luck!

In two hours with 1 cleaner I would expect the kitchen, living room, bathroom, and staircase to be cleaned and 1 bedroom to be vaccuumed - when I could afford a cleaner that's what 2 could achieve in an hour.
It might be best to sit down and discuss what she wants you to do and make sure that she does not expect you to be able to do the whole house in that time. I made a list of priorities with mine i.e this is what I definitely want done and these are the things in order of preference that I would like done if you have time.
If you are going every week you might discuss doing downstairs one week plus bathroom and upstairs the other week plus kitchen.

My staring point ie how clean my house is, was very good so I would expect 1 cleaner to be able to do a 3 bedroomed semi. I don't have any ornaments, house is generally clutter free and I always tidied before our cleaner came so all she had to do was hoover, mop floors, clean toilets and dust.

I would check with the ironing as people iron at different rates. Will you have a certain amount to iron in an hour and will this take you only an hour?

Her house always seems tidy and clean to me when I have been round!

I will ask her to make a list in order of what bothers her most I think

always ask, and she if she wants to write down an itinerary or to do it week by week.

I always used to clean better as a cleaner than at home as they were paying for it!

Noonki I'm the same, I am very good cleaner but unfortunately it doesn't show in my house!
Just do as others say, ask what she is expecting and check how she likes the ironing done, everyone assumes they are normal, but everyone I do ironing for has little things they like - ie sports clothes folded but work clothes hung up, creases no creases etc etc
Good luck

Agree with the others - ask her what her priorities are, what things bug her, if she wants all furniture moved and vacuumed under etc.
My thing is toilets - I get really annoyed if they haven't been bleached (ie not toilet bloody duck)

Whats wrong with toilet duck? It does fine with me and i'm sure it kills any germs as good as bleach if thats what you mean. But yeah i agree its down to the individual so have a chat over a coffee first. Personally i'd prioritise with the bathroom, kitchen and hoovering. Good luck hun x

I would also ask her if she expects cobwebs (top dusting) and skirting boards done each time. I do that each time in my cleaning jobs. You really need to work those two jobs into the clean somehow so that you don't get a build up

I like to bowl to be whiter than white, and find that bleach works better than toilet duck. Not too fussed about germs TBH - have 3 DSs!!!

I am doing my first stint on Wednesday morning!

Eek!

You will be fine Just remember to leave it how you would like to find it, thats the way i work anyway! Is the owner going to be there when you clean?

No, she will be at work!

Thats good then Always better to work on your own, i find it that way anyway!!

I was always told to start upstairs and work down, also to start up in each room, so do cobwebs at ceiling level and work downwards. Also, to work from left to right in each room, that way you shouldn't miss something out!!
Good luck

Dry the bath, sinks, taps, draining board etc after you've cleaned them. They'll look lovely and shiny then.

Good luck for today!

Oh yes, dry EVERYTHING! LOL! I have to dry all the sinks etc., bath, basin the lot, but it does make everything look so much better!
How did it go then?

Please don't do what my cleaner did and fold our loo roll into a little point. I found it hilarious.

In that time I'd expect hoover and dusting right through, and the bathrooms clean. I wouldn't expect the kitchen to be done, apart from the floor.