Anyone used a franchised cleaner like Molly Maid etc

[MummyTumble]

Just wondered what you're experiences have been like and if it's worth doing. I don't have anyone in our area that has a cleaner that can be recommended to me.

I need someone for a few hours every 2 weeks...and a one-off blitz to start with. 2 kids and a currently painful SPD pregnancy are getting to me and i can't do it all myself anymore

I think it very much depends on the area you're in, as my parents use and are happy with Molly Maid whilst I was not impressed and no longer use them.

I've only used them for end-of-tenancy cleans and found them to be great, would definitely use again, but seemed a bit pricey for the weekly clean. Oxfordshire here.

I have SPD too so can sympathise and am considering using such a service for a full-house blitz before the baby is due.

Hope it improves. Have you asked for a referral to your physio dept by the way?

I have used a few agencies in the past and I'll never use them again I'm afraid. The cleaners changed by the week, they always did a rubbish job, and the one week I wasn't there they left an hour early (neighbour told me). I would advertise in local shop windows and interview and chase references.

Agency staff usually go to agencies because no one will use them directly.

I still use agencies for one-off cleans, but I make sure I'm in and stand over them making sure they do stuff right. Does that make me sound overbearing?!

I've used one fortnightly for the past ten years.

Yes, you tend to get different people every week. I like this - I don't want a relationship with an individual. I would have no qualms about ending a contract with a firm but would find it difficult to let a known person go.

No they don't always do a fabulous job, but I wouldn't do it at all so I look on it as 'better than nothing'. And some weeks it's great - depends on who comes.

They don't spend hours here (good) - they come through, do the floors throughout and the kitchen and bathroom. They'll do specific other stuff if I ask them (beds are my usual one). On the up side, the price hasn't gone up in ten years!

A friend of mine used them and was not pleased at all, said the work was shoddy and they even scratched some surfaces while cleaning.

Having said that, I stayed with this friend for a few days recently and, although I consider my self being a serious case of OCD houseproud, nothing prepared me for it, the woman was using flash to desinfect the surfaces everytime some one picked up a glass from the tables and washing the toiler after every single use!

Thanks for the input people. Am still pondering whether it will be more hassle to be organised for the cleaner coming (stuff put away and me and kids out the way) or just to lower my standards for a while...and get DH to do more (although he is being good to be fair)

What sort of hourly rate do you pay - ballpark figure?? I'm in the NW

I pay £34: that is three people for 40 minutes or 2 for an hour - I'm in the SE.

I think much depends on your own standards - if v high, then this probably won't work for you on a regular basis, though maybe an occasional 'spring clean' would still be worth it. If you're a natural slattern like me, then it's a godsend.

hi i charge 20 pounds i live in stone staffs thats for 2 of us quality cleen guarenteed