Do you have a cleaner?

I mostly don’t mind housework but am definitely considering employing DD (currently unemployed) to help with the post-Christmas clean, including all paintwork and tiles. If you can afford to employ people to do the jobs you hate why on earth not?!

kittylester

So, it was me you were suggesting should have discretion and humility, fp?

Kittylester please do not worry about your posts on this thread.

You haven’t posted anything which is disrespectful or lacking in humility, unfortunately it appears that it’s your turn to be picked on

sending you a (((hug)))

Fleurpepper

About you being 'baffled'. There was nothing hurtful in that post at all. Why?

You are joking?
Opinions may differ.

So, it was me you were suggesting should have discretion and humility, fp?

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

That seems quite rude to me?

About you being 'baffled'. There was nothing hurtful in that post at all. Why?

kittylester

^Did you read the first reply to OP? This is the post the humility and discretion' was directed at^

That was not clear Fleurpepper, I felt very hurt and i was the only person you mentioned by name.

That reply was to your comment at the time.

We have a big detached property 4 double beds study two bathrooms I don’t have a cleaner as I love housework and can do it myself, but we do have a gardener. If I wasn’t in a position to be able to cope with cleaning then yes we would have a cleaner also.

Fleurpepper

Did you read the first reply to OP? This is the post the humility and discretion' was directed at.

Nothing wrong at all with having a cleaner. Like so many things, there are 'ways and ways'.

Sanctimonious twaddle, not. Gnetters come in all guises, and many are truly struggling now. Some may well be cleaners- some respected, and some not. Consideration of others is never twaddle.

That doesn’t make sense. The first reply simply says the the person has a large house and values having a cleaner.

Did you read the first reply to OP? This is the post the humility and discretion' was directed at

That was not clear Fleurpepper, I felt very hurt and i was the only person you mentioned by name.

Gnetters come in all guises, and many are truly struggling now. Some may well be cleaners- some respected, and some not. Consideration of others is never twaddle
If many are truly struggling now, maybe we should not have threads about holidays in Europe…….. Those who are struggling may well be going down to their caravan on the coast, or staying in a holiday camp - not touring Europe…..

Did you read the first reply to OP? This is the post the humility and discretion' was directed at.

Nothing wrong at all with having a cleaner. Like so many things, there are 'ways and ways'.

Sanctimonious twaddle, not. Gnetters come in all guises, and many are truly struggling now. Some may well be cleaners- some respected, and some not. Consideration of others is never twaddle.

I am amazed that anybody actually dares to admit to having a cleaner, given the attitudes towards them and words and phrases such as
Show some humility and discretion, entitled , and smug being bandied about.
Blimey! If cleanliness is next to godliness, does that only count if you are the one on your hands and knees sweeping and polishing? Hoovers and domestic appliances presumably being only one step away from “staff”.
Sanctimonious twaddle!

" so I'd rather do without other things in order to keep these going."

yes, definitely. an orderly and clean house is a great comfort. I dont do holidays rather have nice house all year round.

And looking out on a tidy garden, its well planted now (just far far too big, but therefore also not overlooked).

sodapop

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.

Indeed.

We love a clean house, paying for what we want is normal.

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.

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 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 😘

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?

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

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 🤣)

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.

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.

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)

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.