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

Jenpax
Like you I have three children here, and where I am very tidy, like things clean and organised, my daughter and her children are absolute slobs!
So I also feel that for at least a day or two, things are clean.
She also organises the children, moves things around to make things easier to keep tidy, and she has completely reorganised the playroom. My daughter and I are usually impressed, and wonder why we never thought of it, but my twelve year old granddaughter hates her moving her stuff, I just tell her, if she moved it herself, N…… wouldn’t have to.

she cleans the oven on request
She sounds like a saint, jenpax!

Mine comes 2x per week as we have three children here, 2 under 5!. She is a God send as I know that for at least 2 days the house will look and smell fresh and clean. I found her via facebook local group and picked her because she is around my age and I hoped (and was right) that we would get along. Someone else pointed out that its vital to get on with your cleaner and that is true. I set out at the start what I would like her to do and I keep it realistic! She hoovers and steam cleans floors, dusts and cleans sink and work tops and the hob, she cleans the oven on request. She cleans interior windows and deep cleans the bath room and she does some ironing. I am not always in when she is here but she likes to turn Alexa on for music and thats fine by me. I work from home so I tend to be in when she arrives but have to go out mid morning.
I always make sure I have a chat with her for a few minutes and offer her a drink.

I agree with "make it clear" - my cleaner is somewhat reluctant to move things!

That is helpful, thanks Teacheranne.

Basically my cleaner cleans all surfaces ie dusting or wiping with a product in kitchen and bathroom, moving things to one side first and then mops or hoovers the floor, including under mats and rugs. She also cleans mirrors and paintwork and uses a long handled duster to get into high corners to remove cobwebs. In each two hour visit she cleans five rooms plus bathroom and hall, stairs are done monthly when she goes upstairs to clean the dormer bedroom which is only used by very occasional visitors.

A clean every two weeks is fine for me as I live alone and keep my house tidy and minimal with few ornaments or books. I do clean bathroom sink and toilet in between her visits and use a squeegee on my shower glass after every shower. I wipe down kitchen surfaces every time I cook but only sweep the floor if I spill crumbs!

I began using a cleaner last summer as my arthritis was getting worse and I was struggling to keep on top of things. I wish I had got one sooner as it is such a relief not to worry about the cleaning anymore, I have more energy for my hobbies and socialising and can relax when I am in my house.

You’re not alone there!

Germanshepherdsmum

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’m the same! Plenty of time and well able to do it myself, but I hate it - have to force myself.

Necessary not necessarily

I’m not above setting the odd trap here and there Callistemon, but not necessarily with this super cleaner!

But her little ones seem to be constantly unwell, really hope they grow out of it.
And you can't be too careful at the moment either!

I remember my Mum, when she was ill, having a cleaner who was also a neighbour and Mum complained that she 'dusted round things' and missed corners.

Callistemon
So do I, a whole playroom full.
But her little ones seem to be constantly unwell, really hope they grow out of it.
Every time I employ a cleaner I promise myself we won’t become friends, but gradually I’m sucked in, at work I can ask someone to do something and expect it to be done, at home I’m useless.

Sara1954

She's the one I need, Sara*!
she has children which makes her slightly unreliable
I have toys ...

How do you find one who doesn't gossip about you to other people?

I think I'd have to have a professional firm in to give the house a deep clean from top to bottom first.
When an estate agent came the other week to give us a valuation he said our house is 'immaculate'. To say I was astonished is an understatement although I had given it 'a lick and a promise'!
As I can't do what I used to do it looks as if it needs a good spring clean to me.

What would you expect to be done in two hours? if the cleaner is fit, then:
It depends what you think is essential - probably dust all downstairs rooms, vacuum downstairs, steam clean kitchen and other hard floors and clean the bathrooms.
The stairs if there was time.

What about window cleaning inside? If you want that done every time that could take 2 hours for a house.

Me and my family are all living together at the moment . The girls cleaner ( they shared the same one) comes every week to clean . I like to do my own ironing but like the fact I now don’t clean and she cleans my bedroom for me including changing the bed.

I’m interested that you mention her only coming every other week, surely most things need to b e cleaned every week. We seem to have worked out the hours ok and our cleaner comes twice a week as it’s a large house. She is very competent and is a very nice woman. When I am making tea I make her one too and we have a quick chat. She doesn’t take advantage and finishes everything, the house is sparkling.

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?

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

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 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.

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!