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

I have had cleaners for several years. The best way to start is with written instructions.

As I got older, I needed the cleaner to do more of the heavy work, like washing paintwork, skirtings, windows etc. it is really important to articulate clearly what your expectations are and get this agreed.

For example do you want things wiped over, just dusted or polished. Don’t expect the cleaner to read your mind.

There are cleaning checklist that you can print off and this will help you f you are not sure.

Try the “Nextdoor neighbour” app it’s a really good place to look for local recommendations. Wishing you a speedy recovery with your operation.

Skybubble that’s an excellent idea. Thanks for that.

You need to decide exactly what you want her/him to do silverlining then be clear from the first day. Two hours is not long so need for tea breaks unless the cleaner wants one at the end of the two hours. Don't waste time chatting, he/she is an employee not a friend then you both know where you stand.
Don't fall into the trap of asking "can you just do" giving extra work, this used to annoy my daughter a lot when she had her cleaning round. As someone else said agree on equipment and products to be used at the outset. Good luck it's nice to have some of the work done by someone else.

Don't forget, it is you that is employing your cleaner so you call the shots (within reason). Sometimes cleaners will say 'I'll do this but I won't do that' etc. where, in another jon, they would be shown the door.

job!

Set out from the first day just what you want doing. One of my sons had a cleaner who was just rubbish. The place needed another cleaning when she had gone. They dont have her anymore.

My cleaner was ok for a few months then just did exactly as she wished!
She once let herself in when we were out and borrowed our hoover to clean a neighbours house.
I only kept for so long because she had a daughter who lived over a delicatessen she called it a “ dellincontestant” it made me smile.

you really need to specify your expectations, and get agreement.
hoovering the stairs is clear, but what exactly do you mean by,
<doing the kitchen>, etc.
make sure you both understand and agree how what work is to be done.
good luck.

I advertised in the local church when word of mouth wasn't working. My DD had found here's via FB.

I found making a list each week worked well - but don't expect the impossible.
It had essentials, followed by things that could be carried forward to the next week.

I decided on a cleaner when OH had first hip op and found one by word of mouth.
I reiterate what others have said about making clear what you want them to do from the outset then no misunderstanding later.
Treat them with respect but not as a bosom buddy.
Lastly pay a decent wage. I pay mine if I have to cancel her and pay her if she is off ill.
I occasionally give her small treats, so that she knows she is appreciated. It’s a two way relationship.

Thanks everyone, this is all very helpful

Make sure she is up to date with her vaccines. 3 cleaners ago that lady refused to be vaccinated so she went. The next one spoke no English and although I have two colours of cloths and many of them, I discovered blue which is for loos etc being used in the kitchen.
It is better also you decide what is thrown out, even cleaning solutions because otherwise you may be told the next time she arrives she needs x and you have zilch.
Specifiy which items of furniture are easy to move. I appear to have circular rooms with no corners and she has not moved one item of furniture, even washes around the door mat.
I am lucky, I live in London and there is no shortage.

I like to think of a cleaner as ‘help’ and don’t expect miracles. As my MIL used to say “You have to do the finishing touches yourself”.
Every cleaner will have some little thing which might not be exactly as you wish, they’re human, just like our husbands/partners etc.

I like and trust our cleaner, I have her for five hours a week, and rather than rushing through the whole house, she thoroughly cleans several rooms, which includes cleaning windows, taking down light fittings to clean, taking all books off shelves etc
This works for me, and I just do a few bits that may need doing at the weekend.
I make sure everything is tidy, make the children put everything away, empty bins, make sure I’m not paying her to tidy.
This works well for me, she has children which makes her slightly unreliable, but I just have to put up with that.

Having been on the other side (my husband has a cleaning business and I have had to help out on occasion), I would say be very clear about what you want done and how you want things done. If you want certain rooms or things cleaned with a particular cloth or product (as one poster earlier stated), you need to make that clear - things which may seem obvious to you may not to your cleaner. And be realistic - if the cleaner is only doing a couple of hours, for example, they're not going to be able to spring clean the entire house ( we had one client who seemed to think you could work miracles in next to no time). And if you find a really good cleaner, hang on to them - they are worth keeping!

When I was working I had several cleaners. I started with a friend who urgently needed some extra income, but was glad when she moved on, as I did not want to sack her, but she was not up the job.
After that I used an agency. They took care of the paperwork, vetting, insurance, and if one gave up or was on holiday, they sent a replacement, so although it cost extra, it saved me a lot of hassle.
Over the years, there were good, bad and excellent people. Some were lazy, left early or did a half- hearted job, but I did not have to complain directly. I told the agency,

I always left a list: bathrooms every week, then alternate weeks upstairs/ downstairs thoroughly. Leave a room if no time. List of items to do if time permits.
No children allowed.

I had quite a few cleaners when I worked. 2 by word of mouth the others through agencies, over 30+ years. If it is word of mouth ask your friend what they do for them and see if you want the same,if it is an agency they usually have a list that they go through and then say how many hours it will take. My first was a dream she would even babysit the children if they were still off school for a little extra present.
Remember if it is through an agency part of the fee is going to them.I always made sure the house was tidy so they could get on and we had a study that was out of bounds with anything to do with my husband's job and mine locked in during the visit.
Mine did basic vac, dust bathroom cleaning. I had to supply the cleaning products but when my vac brought the agency supplied their own. Windows were cleaned on a rota .
They liked the beds stripped but the bedding to be left for them to remake the bed.
I supplied tea or coffee and biscuits usually.
I would say if you are in try not to get into conversations and then be disappointed by the little that has been done. Set the tone from the first. Good luck.

When I went back to having a cleaner, I started with a deep clean from same agency. 5 women for 5 hours !! House looked amazing and they even took everything out of the pantry and cleaned the shelves. Then cleaner only has basic stuff every fortnight which is done well.

My DD has the rule that the cleaner does not do the teenagers’ rooms if they haven’t been tidied up beforehand.

As well as other valid points clarify holiday pay, whether it’s full, half or whatever and give good notice of holidays both you and your cleaner.

I have a cleaner for two hours every fortnight ( sometimes she brings another cleaner with her so they finish in an hour). Before she started, she came for a visit to look at the house and discuss with me what I wanted doing. She provides all her own equipment and cleaning materials and because she runs a small business with about ten other cleaners, any illness or holidays are covered. For this I pay £13 an hour by bank transfer after each clean.

Each visit the kitchen, bathroom, lounge, dining room, my bedroom and the hall is thoroughly cleaned then one additional area or job is done, such as one of my two spare bedrooms or my craft room or I might ask her to clean the windows or the blinds. If I am not in while she cleans, I either text her with a suggestion for the extra work or just let her decide. If I’ve had visitors, she will remake the bed if I leave the clean bedding out.

I tend to be in when she cleans, 10am on a Monday, so I see how hard she works. All I do before she comes is empty the bins and a quick tidy round so that she can get on with the cleaning without having to move my craft projects! In between her visits I have a quick wipe of the bathroom and might vac the kitchen floor if it looks messy. The whole point of getting a cleaner was that I was struggling to cope due to increasing medical issues, I am able to tidy up ( my house is quite minimal anyway) but it’s a joy not to have to do any cleaning.

Mokryna
I have that rule with the children as well, if they can’t be bothered to tidy up, she’s to shut the door and leave it.

I think it would help to make a list of what you hope she could do in the time and ask for her input. Spend a few minutes on her first visit going through it. A happy cleaner is one who knows what is expected and who has the opportunity to discuss it with you. Yes you should definitely tidy up if needed. Then she will be able to get more done in the time. I think you should offer a drink but she should drink it as she works. If she’s using your products make sure have the right things available together with plenty of cloths and a pair of rubber gloves. Maybe employ her on a trial basis on both sides. Relax and let her get on with it.

Thanks everyone, this is really helpful, especially teacheranne whose cleaner does the same hours as times as I have booked.

I thought kitchen, small cloakroom, small bathroom and stairs in 2 hours but it seems that i could include a couple more jobs in the time. I don’t want to over expect, but equally want the full 2 hours to be used.

What would you expect to be done in two hours?