Employing a cleaner - any tips?

KathrynPenguin

Apologies if this is on the wrong board.

I recently seperated from my husband (who was costing me a fortune so big money saving) and I'm trying to sort my life out. I work full time (teacher) in a demanding job and I have a 4 year old son to look after. Hubby used to clean and do the washing/ironing as he didn't work many hours (none at all for a long time) and he would keep things ticking over at home (although not well).

Since his departure I have struggled to keep on top of things,, to the end where at times you wipe your feet ot leave the house! I'm getting up at 5.30am to get washing on and out to dry before work, I'm ironing an outfit just before I leave. After work I pick DS up from nursery and spend quality time iwth him until I get him into bed at around 7.30. Then I geit my own dinner and relax for about an hour before I go to bed (soon tonight!).

There are just not enough hours in my day to keep the house and us clean, washed and ironed so I want to get a cleaner. I was thinking of getting someone in twice a week - Mon and Fri and asking them to clean/tidy toys and do some washing and all ironing. I live in an area which is not over affluent so I should be able to find someone but what should I pay? I was thinking of about £6.50 an hour, cash which is more than hubby gets for his industrial cleaning job (pub) but a lot less than my Mums rip off cleaner who gets paid £25 for 2 hours work! Mum does live in a more affluent area though so its hard to get someone.

Any advice? Anyone know what I should watch out for when I advertise? I will be giving this person free access to my house when I'm at work so how do I tell they are trustworthy?

cattie

Often it pays to ask around to see if anybody can recommend somebody they know.

Ask for references of course & I often think instinct is a good indication of whether you feel a person is trustworthy, I know mine has never let me down.

As you are a teacher & get school holidays off it would be ideal for you to start somebody off while you are at home during the summer break, so by the time you return to school you'll feel quite comfortable leaving the person alone in your home.

If you want all your ironing done too I personally don't think £6.50 an hour is reward enough, but if as you say you live in an area that isn't well off then you will have no trouble finding somebody.

Always remember, if you treat your cleaner well & fairly it will pay off in the long term. There is nothing like having someone reliable who you really trust to tidy your house to a good standard.

KathrynPenguin

Cheers Cattie, I was thinking of starting someone in the holidays so I can be in and out for the first few weeks. I'm off on holiday 29th July so would look to start when I get back.

Maybe I will add in a bit extra for the ironing - its valuable to me, I can't do it!

ben500

Employing a cleaner - any tips?

Yeah lock up your jewellery! :rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl:

Saint_Chris

I work as a private cleaner.

It is hard work and non stop work.

I draw the line at ironing as it is to time consuming.

A few of the houses i work for have profesional people.

Tomorrow i'm of to a bungalow, the occupants are high up in the police force. I have a key to there house and i know the alarm code.

i let myself in and make myself a drink cause the house i've been to before don't offer me one. They know i make a drink and don't mind. Sometimes the husband is in, depends on his shift.

The house is lovely and spotless, but she wants me to do the things that she can't do, ie windows, pulling out the sofa moving the bed and hoovering behind.


Do you know anybody who already has a cleaner. That is how i get my jobs. Infact i could take on more as i've been asked a few times by their friends. but i do 6 hours a day cleaning and its bloody hard work. Especially in this heat.

If your a teacher maybe some of your teachers have a cleaner that they could recommend.

what area of england are you in.

Sarahsaver

I do someone's cleaning, tidying, laundry and ironing once a week. I am paid £30.
I dust, hoover, clean mirrors, take out the rubbish and clean the loo and bath, iron loads of clothes and bedlinen. I do the whole flat, I have a key and the alarm code. I have a CRB check and am also insured to £1 million in case of accidental damage.
I think he gets good value for money;)

lolly5648

Sarahsaver wrote:

I do someone's cleaning, tidying, laundry and ironing once a week. I am paid £30.
I dust, hoover, clean mirrors, take out the rubbish and clean the loo and bath, iron loads of clothes and bedlinen. I do the whole flat, I have a key and the alarm code. I have a CRB check and am also insured to £1 million in case of accidental damage.
I think he gets good value for money;)

He certainly does - how long does all that take you? I pay my cleaner £7 ph and she is very good at what she does but she won't do ironing or move furniture

bluesindy_2

I have a cleaner, she comes once a fortnight, she hoovers, dusts,generally tidies and moves furniture to clean behind in rotation and she'll make the beds up if I've stripped them, she has a key and I trust her completely, I pay £20 a session and she's worth every penny for the time it frees up for me.

Good luck in your search

Bluesindy

carine

- do try and get recommendation
- start off with them coming on - say - saturday morning so you re around (that's what I do)
- be very clear (particularly if english isn't their first language) on what to do and how to do it (assuming you have a view!)
- be clear on stuff that are fragile/important
- as for all things a little flexibility on both side always help
Enjoy your free time in a clean house, it's wonderful!!

Rachie_B

i have a few cleaning jobs,i get paid between £6 - £7.50 p/h
i have keys now,first few times i cleaned when the occupants were there,now i mostly go there when they are at work

i provided references from past cleaning jobs

they are fab people i work for ,i am able to take my son along and they dont mind,its not like "work" for me lol as im one of those strange people who actually like housework !

both houses are very "tidy" i just do an overall general clean once a week and some ironing if required

a tidy house is much easier / quicker to clean than a cluttered / messy one ! so if you are wanting a cleaner to tidy aswell make sure they know that and they are prepared to do it

good luck with finding someone

betterbargains4u

I feel totally undervalued after reading some of these posts and what people get paid.
I have a part time job as a housekeeper for a very rich couple who own a very well known company.
I clean the entire five bedroomed house(she doesn't lift a finger!!!!)
I wash all of their clothes
I shop for all of their food
I cook sumptious meals (for them to just heat up every evening)
I iron all of their clothes
I work constantly for 25 hours per week (do not take any breaks at all) for a measly £8 per hour!!
I would dearly like to give it all up, but the money comes in very handy....but the work is killing me.
She is a very nice lady....but VERY VERY picky and pedantic.
What would you do??
I would like to ask for a pay rise...but am really not very good at that sort of thing.
She has told me on various occasions that I am doing an excellent job and they are very pleased with me....but praise ain't enough!!!
HELP!!