Any advice about having a cleaner ( for the first time)

Make it clear what and where you want them to clean. (do you want them to empty bins, dishwasher, change and remake beds etc)

Establish whether they will use your vacuum, broom, mop and products or will they bring their own.

Let them know if you want them to wear a mask.

Hope all goes well

Once again you have started a thread which I have been intending to do silverlining!
Thank you!

Its the hip thats decided it, good luck Fanny.
Thanks GG.

What I’d like to know is; how do you find a ‘good’ one?
It feels like a ‘word of mouth’ thing.
To me it’s vital that I get on with my cleaner, as it is such an intimate arrangement (that’s how it feels to me)
How did you go about finding yours silverlining?

It so depends on your cleaner. I have two ladies come once a fortnight for two hours to general clean. They are very good indeed. They will also do any other things I ask (within reason).
I have had other cleaners who have point blank to anything other that what what they want to do and one was instantly asked to leave my home.
I think set clear ground rules if you are unsure.

I found mine by word of mouth.

You need to be clear what you would like done and check you are being realistic in what you are asking in the given time. Oh

I desperately need one, but can't really afford one, and am not keen on this intrusion once a week/fortnight. So I'll plod on in my muddled way. I did manage to scrub the kitchen floor yesterday.

Sorry. Oh and in my experience you need to be prepared to end the arrangement if it's not working.

it was on recommendation Fanny, she came here once a couple of years ago. I did find it awkward asking her to do things but thats me. I have suggested this for an initial 2/3 months, to cover recovery post op. ( If it works I think I will keep it going).

This might not be a problem in your house ( but would be in mine!) tidy up so they can clean.

Agree on the tidy up. I don’t see that as part of their cleaning duties.

I had a cleaner some years ago for couple of hours a week, until I found out that she dashed through the task list very quickly and left before the time I paid her for. I found out because my daughter couldn’t get into the house when she was supposed to be present.

It's really good when they can do all the floors. I insist that they use my vacuum cleaners, mops and dusters, though - as I don't want the traces of dirt from other people's houses contaminating mine. I let them choose what else needs doing in the remaining time.

Sometimes they'll do all the mirrors or the tiles. Last time they washed the downstairs skirtings (much needed with pets in the house). I change the beds and do laundry myself but appreciated help with ironing the huge window blinds.

there is a lot of discussion about the trials and tribulations of having a cleaner over on Mumsnet.
so you might want to take a look on there.
the main thing seems to be the need to clearly specify what is expected to be done, what is a must and what desirable, and whether if it takes longer to do the musts, you will pay extra to complete, or prefer to leave it and cut off strictly after 2 hours.

I dont think I would feel comfortable leaving her on her own here, not yet anyway.
Was thinking of asking her to do the kitchen, downstairs cloakroom, bathroom and hoover stairs regularly. No clue how long that woukd take.

Don't become too friendly, too much time will be lost chatting and it will be more difficult to say anything if you are not happy with some aspect of the work. Do not offer coffee, two hours is not long enough to need a break.

Will check MN Welbeck Certainly most of my AC friends have cleaners.

Perhaps a check list with things you want done in order of importance. I would find it difficult to judge what they could accomplish in two hours as I am so slow these days. Good luck with the op.

Remember the thread about the cleaner who wouldn’t clean the shower trap? If you want that done say so straight away!

I agree with the comment about getting ‘stuff’ out of the way to make cleaning easier.

I’d love a cleaner but can’t justify it solely on the grounds of my hatred of housework and downright laziness!

I had a cleaner for a while after surgery. She didn’t like doing the bathroom, which was easy as I always cleaned the toilet before she arrived so just the sink and bath and vinyl floor. I asked her to do the kitchen before the bathroom. I often had hospital appointments on the cleaning day and liked to come back to a sparkling house but three visits in a row I came home an hour early and she had gone. I didn’t say anything but the next visit she kept suggesting I go out and leave her to it. I didn’t go out. She didn’t come back and I never tried a cleaner again. I’d like to but the negative experience put me off. I’ll need to get over that so I’ll be following with interest.
The cleaner also brought her child on inset days, what do others do when the cleaner needs the job but has no childcare?

GSM I know what you mean but my upcoming hip operation has justified it for me. Drastic maybe but needs must.

Having been a cleaner and now have one, be clear about what you want doing. It will take longer to do at first but cleaners speed up as they get used to your home. I don't mind if mine leaves early so long as everything I want gets done.
I always point out coffee etc and am happy for them to grab a cup just because it's kind. My cleaner doesn't take a break but will sometimes fill her travel mug.
She's been with us for 7 years now and is worth her weight in gold.

I completely understand silverlining and hope the op makes a world of difference to you.?