Do you have a cleaner?

The only time in my life I had a cleaner was when I was expecting my twins (1975), had three small children, and hubbie had sharp deterioration in his MS. Social Services provided this lovely lady, started just a couple of weeks before twins were born, and stayed on. After three months, I found I was working so hard cleaning and clearing up before she came each time, I felt the time had come to say I no longer needed her.

Always managed myself after that, okay perhaps when all the chldren were small the house was untidy and messy -although essential areas alwas clean. Washing machine on at least twice each day. Stay at Home Mum, beds were changed ona rolling basis throughpout the week (or when a child wetted).

Now, I live in a wonderful 2-bed, 2-bathroom flat. Just me. It is all so easy to keep really tidy and clean. Bed changed weekly -washing twice a week. The occasional flick around with a duster, vacuum two or three times a week. Kitchen floor and both shower room and bathroom floors cleaned weekly. Modern fittings, and modern cleaning tools make all these tasks so easy. So my mop has the the solution in the long handle which sprays out as it goes. Mop head unclipped and popped into washing machine each time it is used. Vacuum is cordless and light, My electric bed makes changing the fitted bottom sheet a doddle, and I use a flat sheet between me and duvet, that is changed weekly, duvet cover every four weeks. I reckon that I spend about two hours a week, spread throughout the week on all cleaning (including washing, etc).

No way do I need nor have enough work to have a cleaner and most definitely would not like one.

Currently, no.

Baffled by why there is anything wrong with employing someone to help out with tasks one is unable to do, or dislikes doing, is wrong.

We have always had a cleaner and a gardener. We can afford it, it provides employment and gives us more time to volunteer, help with grandchildren etc.

Not entitled at all.

So cross that I mangled the first paragraph but I'm sure you get my drift!

Employing a cleaner helps the money go around.

I don`t need a cleaner so don`t have one but I have excellent devices that make cleaning a much easier job. I live alone, easy new build and have my health and strength. If I make a mess, then I clean it, even if days later. Most of my mess comes from crafting

If you can afford a cleaner and that is what would help you enjoy life, then do it and along the way, you help someone else provide for their family

argymargy

Norah

We have weekly cleaning.

Pair of women, their own business. Their supplies.

Two hrs @ £40/hour.

Forty pounds an hour??!!

Made me jump too. But that is for 2 people, and as through an agency, will include cleaning products, their own equipment, etc- but much MORE importantly- all social contributions and pension, etc. Most cleaners employed directly, do not get social payment, pensions or holiday pay either.

I would love to have a cleaner but DH would never go for it. He has privacy issues.Although l am fairly fit and only mid 60 's l find it overwhelming sometimes looking after a sick husband and poorly dog, and doing everything else.
If you can afford a cleaner and a gardener, absolutely nothing wrong in having one.

I am surprised you are 'baffled' Kitty- we know there are many GN members who are having a very tough time at the moment, and their families too- so I think it depends how it is said, but perhaps a bit of discretion and humility would help.

I have always had a weekly cleaner, recommended and not through an agency. My current cleaner sees what needs done and just gets on with it and does a terrific job.

kittylester

Baffled by why there is anything wrong with employing someone to help out with tasks one is unable to do, or dislikes doing, is wrong.

We have always had a cleaner and a gardener. We can afford it, it provides employment and gives us more time to volunteer, help with grandchildren etc.

Not entitled at all.

Oh I’m of the school that whatever suits.

So if you hate housework and gardening get help, and keep active in other ways.

If you enjoy twiddling around in the house and love love gardening then diy.

I’m lucky that I can happily fit my life around it, including volunteering.

But I wouldn’t think twice about paying for help if I wanted to do so. Entitlement pah!

I have a small house 2 beds and one long room downstairs. I have CFS and very limited energy. the energy I do have I do not want to spend cleaning, nor gardening (its a very big garden).
I have a wonderful young woman (well, 35 ish) who comes once a fortnight. She is the DiL of a lady in a craft group. She does 2 hours a fortnight and in that time does the lot, more or less. I can leave her to get on with it.

I pay her £30 for the two hours which is above the going rate locally because why shouldn't cleaners get what they deserve? Why should such a valuable service be rated at minimum wage? She has a family to clothe and feed. (its not too hard to find a cleaner in a northern city and many are paid rubbish rates).

I also hate housework, always have. I'd rather go for a little walk or go to my gym, which I love as its my social outlet and been going there for 20 years. Once I was so tired I waited for her to do the bedroom then went there for sleep and she just carried on.

I don't need to tell her what to do, nor hover. but I do agree you need to feel comfortable with the individual to do that.

I am not able bodied as I used to be because of osteoarthritis but I keep mobile by doing my own housework.

I've always done my own cleaning but have it down to a fine art and only do that day what my cleaning chart tells me i.e. 30 mins. The house is always work in progress never clean never dirty. If someone visits I tidy the sitting room. I'll need someone when I am no longer able to do the difficult bits. I use my cleaning rota as zen/meditation time and focus on the physical process. If I had to spend hours tackling a room I'd go bonkers. Hey! Ho! It works for me.

Yes, I have a cleaner, she's also my dear friend.

We both hate cleaning, so once a fortnight we clean each other's house, knowing where to avoid and what needs doing most!

This has been on-going for years, and works well.

Wyllow3 Once I was so tired I waited for her to do the bedroom then went there for sleep and she just carried on.

I have ME and if I'm having a bad day my cleaner has been known to vacuum around the bed while I'm lying in it!

Aren't they a blessing, Sparklefizz! We are fortunate despite all.

I also have a lovely female gardener who comes every 6 weeks in season.

I know I'll need to move this year, or one after, but will still keep a cleaner if need be for a flat.

One thing to factor in, in terms of cost, is that they have to travel to us and from us and its "dead time" as regards their income and car expenses.

I couldn't get a cleaner without having to do several months' of clearing out and redecorating before I would let anyone other than family in to see the state of the place. By which time I would probably be able to manage it myself anyway.

But to get back to Antonia in the OP - I thought that in general, cleaners were only supposed to clean up to their eye level, so for tops of cupboards, you would have to get in someone more expensive, who is insured.

(Of course, this may be a German thing, and even then only apply to cleaners who are officially employed by an agency or cleaning company)

Thank you all for your replies. I've contacted an agency - there are plenty where we live as it's an 'old people's' town so I think a lot of people use them. I haven't heard back from them yet but it is the holidays.
I used to have a cleaner when the children were young and I worked full time, but now it's time to get someone younger and fitter to do things like changing beds.

JackyB

I couldn't get a cleaner without having to do several months' of clearing out and redecorating before I would let anyone other than family in to see the state of the place. By which time I would probably be able to manage it myself anyway.

But to get back to Antonia in the OP - I thought that in general, cleaners were only supposed to clean up to their eye level, so for tops of cupboards, you would have to get in someone more expensive, who is insured.

(Of course, this may be a German thing, and even then only apply to cleaners who are officially employed by an agency or cleaning company)

Thanks JackyB.
The agency's website says their cleaners are insured so I'm guessing they'll do jobs like the tops of cupboards. I do hope so.

Whitewavemark2

kittylester

Baffled by why there is anything wrong with employing someone to help out with tasks one is unable to do, or dislikes doing, is wrong.

We have always had a cleaner and a gardener. We can afford it, it provides employment and gives us more time to volunteer, help with grandchildren etc.

Not entitled at all.

Oh I’m of the school that whatever suits.

So if you hate housework and gardening get help, and keep active in other ways.

If you enjoy twiddling around in the house and love love gardening then diy.

I’m lucky that I can happily fit my life around it, including volunteering.

But I wouldn’t think twice about paying for help if I wanted to do so. Entitlement pah!

Totally agree with both of you.

(I never let anyone clean my kitchen /diner as that is definitely my territory, I even get sniffy when DH wipes down after he has cooked, so now he knows to leave it be and I will sort it 🤣)

Haha GG13. I would never get "sniffy" with anyone who fancied doing a bit of cleaning in my house

Me too. As long as I'm comfy with them. Needing one now is good practice for being very elderly, is my thought, get used to people seeing into your life. What to hide?

I have had a lovely cleaner for nearly two years now, since I had my cancer diagnosis. She is like another daughter.
At the moment she is away with her family and as it is a day she would normally come, I have had a quick (ish) dust around upstairs, and tickled the bathroom and loo. The Robot cleaner is busy now while I have a coffee.
The kitchen floor needs attention, which may get done later, or not. Depends how tired I am.
DH is ironing 😘

argymargy

Norah

We have weekly cleaning.

Pair of women, their own business. Their supplies.

Two hrs @ £40/hour.

Forty pounds an hour??!!

Yes.

We pay well, they clean well. Their work is worth above minimum wage, to us. We're happy to provide employment to people working in their own business (they supply devices and cleaning products).

I don't see why people are classed as entitled because of how they choose to spend their money. I had a cleaner when I was working and it was lovely to come home to a clean house. As others have said there are things I would rather be doing than cleaning and gardening.