Paying for ironing

[SoftFroggie]

In the months after I had DS I completely failed to keep up with the ironing, so, my planning for the next birth so far has comprised asking my cleaner to do the ironing for a few months. (Not got nursery / bedrooms decorated or sorted, not got the extra baby stuff, not signed up for an antenatal refresher course or relaxation classes, but have found someone to do my ironing - priorities here).

She's very happy to, and will charge the same per hour as she does for cleaning. She would rather take it home with her to do while she's watching her kids.

I was wondering how similar arrangements worked out for anyone else?
I would give her a bag of ironing on the day she comes to clean - would it be reasonable to expect her to bring it back within a couple of days (I can't really be without for a whole week)? She could let herself in and leave it while I'm out.
I guess she'd return it folded in the bag? Does it keep unwrinkled like that?
I wouldn't know in advance how long each lot would take her (amount varies each week, depending on DHs meetings / travel). Would I expect her to put a note in when she returns it, and pay her the next time she's in to clean? Should she round it to the nearest half hour / ten minutes / what? Don't want to be stingy (she's cheap and v good), but do want to be clear and straighforward.

Im sure this is all very easy, just want to make sure it works for both of us. Cheers.

I would pay per item rather than time.

I would pay per hour, also hand it over in the ironing basket and expevt it returned folded and returned in basket, also provide hangers fo shirts etc.

I would expect it returned in 48 hours.

HTH

umm ... what's an 'ironing basket'? (I have an 'ironing pile on the spare bed' not an ironing basket).

If I gave her hangers for shirts she could bring them back hanging in her car, and hang them up here (I'll possibly be out when she returns stuff)?

Thanks MissHoolie - if she wanted paying per item I could pay her when I give her the clothes, but she said she'd rather be paid per hour (which I think will be cheaper for me). Is there a big reason not to pay for time? I timed myself doing a big bunch recently, so know roughly how much I'd expect to be done for a hour's money. (Although I'd exoect her to take longer than me, cos I'm sure she'd do it better).

I think it would be better to pay per item but work out the price per item based on time sit takes to iron so it all works out even but so you all know in aadvance the cost- also I would check if it was a smoke free house if you are not a smoker

Buy a cheap large plastic oblong basket, and put the ironing in that. Think they do them in the douseware section of Tesco.

It means that she can stack everything into that, and will keep the clothes "more ironed" than putting the into plastic bags.

Mine actually sits on top of the tumble drier - and my rule to self is - if it won't fit (too many clothes crammed into it) I have to get out the ironing board

Could you not collect the stuff in your car and then you solve the not being in problem - or if you really trust her give her a key so she can drop them off when you are out

If she's taking it home I wouldn't be happy paying an hourly rate, she won't be spending an entire hour ironing if she's looking after her kids! Work out how many items you could iron in an hour (being reasonable) then divide it to work out a price per garment. At least you know you're not being ripped off and paying her to look after her own kids. (Cynic? Moi??)

Message withdrawn

I used to get my ironing done by our receptionist at work a few years ago (not whilst she was at work mind . We agreed that she would be able to do 10-12 things an hour (dependant on whether double cuff shirts or t-shirt type tops).
She charged 7.50 an hour and some weeks it would be 7.50 and other weeks it would be 10.
She used to take it home in the ironing basket and it came back neatly folded in the basket - any 'small' creases in the shirts would hang out overnight so not a problem.
It would usually be 48 hours return of clothes.

HTH

Here's my solution:

Don't iron.