OS Cleaner

Miss_Marple_5

Feeling a little bit nervous because this is my first thread so I hope you will be gentle on me and I hope I get some responses

I am thinking about getting a cleaner but would want to make sure they follow my standards as far as old style goes. I am reluctant to use an agency as they all seem to be very expensive and not very old style. Can I ask if any of you have a cleaner and if so how you found them and how you keep them doing a good job.

Thank you

inapickle_4

When I did have a cleaner she was recommended to me.

Since she retired I have found it impossible to get a replacement. The good ones are all very busy, I am on one or 2 "waiting" lists though.

freyaluck

have you tried placing wanted adds in local shop windows, my friend cleans and she got most of her work from answering these adds, she charges £6.00 an hourwhich is pretty cheap in this area

MATH

Hi Miss Marple and congrats on your first thread:j If you are supplying the cleaning products I cannot see any cleaner having a problem with cleaning Ol'Style. Very few are going to put themselves out of pocket or suffer the agro of having to buy and heft gallons of cilit bang to your home and back again, it would be far easier for them to just use what you supply even if they do think you're gaga:D Maybe you could make a feature of it in your advert something like "Mrs Beaton wanted to clean like mama always did...." or "Home needing attention of good old fashioned spit and polish. I provide the polish you bring your own...":rotfl: Good luck and let us know how you get on

Queenie

Penny_Pincher!! will be the one who can best advise you on this subject

Congrats on your first thread

My mother was a cleaner when she retired - she would use whatever was in the cupboard of the house she was working in.

Remember: you will be the 'employer' so you will be able to discuss with whoever you 'hire' how you'd like things done.

Miss_Marple_5

Thanks to everyone who as responded - I was very worried I would not any replies after my question


inapickle - how do you get on a waiting list
Freyaluck - unfortunatley my nearest shop that will allow ads is too far away but maybe I will try in the local Asda
Math - thank you and I will let you know
Queenie - cant wait to hear what penny pincher will advise:j and thank you for the congratulations its all a bit nerve racking at first especially on old style

chickadee

Funnily enough Miss Marple, I am thinking about getting a cleaner too. I used to have one before DS was born (he is 10 now!) but when I was on maternity leave and later with a new baby at a very expensive nursery I had to dispense with her services. However, during the time when I did hire a cleaner I found the standard a bit mixed. The first one was fantastic, very reliable, punctual, honest and worked very hard and did a good job. She even brought herself a drink in a flask and her own snack so she wasn't imposing by using my kettle, etc. She finished for personal reasons so I advertised in a local shop window. The second one I got was completely different. She dictated to me what she would and would not do and as I was a bit green and young I let her. She told me I had to tidy up before she came as it was her job to clean not tidy things up. She told me what cleaning products she liked to use and gave me a shopping list. Then after about three weeks she informed me that she had put up her prices to all her other clients so I would have to follow suit! She didn't last long I can tell you!
I have a couple of numbers for agencies that I may make enquiries with, or else I will advertise again.


Good luck!
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Penny-Pincher!!

Hey Hey Hey

Thought me ears were burning

It has taken me nearly 5 months to sort out a good cleaner :eek: Depending on where you live, a cleaning company would be a good place to start and see what the rough hourly rate is and base it from that(Im in london and cheapest I found was £8ph-dearest £18ph). A private cleaner will charge alot less than a company, so you will get more for your money. For a good cleaner I would say around £6 an hour, but again this will depend on your location.

I put an advert in the local paper and had 100's of calls-mainly from non speaking english-which i didnt want. Had a few interviews and a couple started and stopped as they werent very good. Good idea to have a list of questions (refs, how long u been cleaning, kids/holidays,days you want, etc etc) In the end I actually went with a recomendation from a friend and have been very happy.

She is happy to use old style products. Uses vinegar on windows/worktops/cupboard fronts/tiles etc and has actually admitted that it cleans much better than Flash and branded cleaning products and are easier to use. I have a 2 bed semi and she cleans the whole house top to bottom, puts the clean bedding on and if time left she cleans out the fridge and cleans out a kitchen cupboard. I am very very particular/fussy about my cleaning and like it done in certain ways IYKWIM. I have a very detailed list of jobs for each room/area that I have laminated on a piece of paper and she does these weekly. She does 3hrs a week but thats more than enough-Im lucky that I dont pay for the cleaner-I am disabled and the council pay for 2hrs a week but because I dont use a company I squeeze an extra hour a week out the money they give me. I pay cleaner £7ph and do look after her-endless tea and lunch if she wants and doesnt include this time, she is becoming a nice friend.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions-please just ask and will try my best to answer them. You can PM me if you want.

Good Luck

Penny-Pincher!!
xxx

Nelski

looking for one myself so thanks for all the advice.

Miss_Marple_5

Penny-Pincher!! wrote:

Hey Hey Hey

Thought me ears were burning

It has taken me nearly 5 months to sort out a good cleaner :eek: Depending on where you live, a cleaning company would be a good place to start and see what the rough hourly rate is and base it from that(Im in london and cheapest I found was £8ph-dearest £18ph). A private cleaner will charge alot less than a company, so you will get more for your money. For a good cleaner I would say around £6 an hour, but again this will depend on your location.

I put an advert in the local paper and had 100's of calls-mainly from non speaking english-which i didnt want. Had a few interviews and a couple started and stopped as they werent very good. Good idea to have a list of questions (refs, how long u been cleaning, kids/holidays,days you want, etc etc) In the end I actually went with a recomendation from a friend and have been very happy.

She is happy to use old style products. Uses vinegar on windows/worktops/cupboard fronts/tiles etc and has actually admitted that it cleans much better than Flash and branded cleaning products and are easier to use. I have a 2 bed semi and she cleans the whole house top to bottom, puts the clean bedding on and if time left she cleans out the fridge and cleans out a kitchen cupboard. I am very very particular/fussy about my cleaning and like it done in certain ways IYKWIM. I have a very detailed list of jobs for each room/area that I have laminated on a piece of paper and she does these weekly. She does 3hrs a week but thats more than enough-Im lucky that I dont pay for the cleaner-I am disabled and the council pay for 2hrs a week but because I dont use a company I squeeze an extra hour a week out the money they give me. I pay cleaner £7ph and do look after her-endless tea and lunch if she wants and doesnt include this time, she is becoming a nice friend.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions-please just ask and will try my best to answer them. You can PM me if you want.

Good Luck

Penny-Pincher!!
xxx

Some excellent ideas there Penny Pincher thank you very much - I will start on my list of questions and things I would want doing (where did you get your laminating done if you dont mind me asking) I am not very fussy when its me doing the work although I think I may need to crack the whip otherwise nothing will get done:rolleyes:
Not sure I want to provide lunch for her though maybe she will stay longer if I do - mmm lots to think about

Chickadee thank you for the advice and I have had bad experience in the past with cleaners too so I am very wary

Edinburghlass_2

Its the same as employing anyone, treat them as you would expect to be treated, with respect, and you should get on fine.