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Post by def6 on Mar 1, 2017 13:37:28 GMT -5
I can't believe this! I haven't had a maid since I was a kid. We are starting a new business and DH told me that he insists. Smart man!
Now I have some work to do to get the house "maid ready." Is there a list anywhere..I guess the house needs to be streamline. Help!
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Post by mynicehome on Mar 1, 2017 13:55:22 GMT -5
Really smart man! Congratulations def6! That is great news! 
Not sure if I can be of any help with your streamlining to get "maid ready", but if such a magical thing ever happened to me I would definitely be designating rooms that need that extra help on a regular basis. Kitchens, bathrooms, etc. Is he/she going to be more "light" housekeeping or will you have an extra pair of hands for spring cleaning type of housework such as walls, rugs, etc.?
Good luck with your new business! |
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Post by ohblondie on Mar 1, 2017 14:14:07 GMT -5
As my parents have gotten older, they have hired cleaning help.
basically, they clear off the countertops so that she can dust/wipe counters etc. There is nothing on the floor that needs to be moved (other than furniture)to impede the vacuuming or mopping.
their house is immaculate anyway - the cleaning person comes every other week.
I have heard people say (cleaners and those hiring the cleaners) that your house needs to be picked up in order for them to clean. (hence the cleared off counters and nothing on the floor). Some cleaners will not move things to clean under them and will end up cleaning around them. They are there to clean not do the shuffle. Moving stuff eats into valuable time and cleaning around stuff does not really leave your home looking clean.
I have always heard that the first time they clean they charge more.
These are all anecdotal stories. I have never been able to afford to hire help.
I agree with mynicehome...clearly outline what is expected and make sure you are in mutual agreement before there are any misunderstandings.
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Post by phoenixcat on Mar 1, 2017 14:39:26 GMT -5
One thing to discuss is supplies. We had a service for a short time at our old place and they had 5 or 6 people who would swoop in with everything needed for about an hour. Now I have one person who comes every month and she brings a helper. I provide all the cleaning supplies including vacuum, broom, mop, etc. We have a fairly big house so it usually takes the both of them about 3-4 hours. DM has a lady that comes about once a month - takes her around 3 hours to do DM's house by herself - DM also supplies everything. What I have them do: 1) Floors and vacuum furniture - we have cats!  2) Dust 3) clean kitchen and bathrooms - ours also wipe down the microwave, coffee pot and toaster oven. 4) they will make the beds if you have clean linens available 5) mine also "dust" the outside - knocking down cobwebs etc. 6) They also empty all the garbage and recycling containers. Everything else is scheduled separately like a special project in the house or window washing. I prefer to have my things picked up so they can actually "clean" and not waste time moving my clutter around. They have a hard enough time dusting all my breakables that I have everywhere  Some maids are sensitive to pets or plants so you may need to clarify any "special" circumstances that you may have in your home. I prefer being there mostly due to the cats and typically work on a special project. But a lot of people have them work alone. It is rare if all the rooms are available to them for cleaning Usually one spot or another becomes a stash/dash while I get ready for them not to mention the closets!! But it really helps me to have that monthly accountability - if nothing else - things get done once a month  We work our pest control to come the day after they clean so that they don't clean up the pest repellents. Congrats - you will enjoy it!! PC |
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Post by def6 on Mar 1, 2017 15:23:01 GMT -5
Thanks for your support mynicehome ohblondie and phoenixcat Your information is very much appreciated. I'm trying right now to get things cleared off in the kitchen. The microwave is cooking with a bowl of water and lemons to help steam it. I'm trying to wipe down the counter underneath the microwave...Oh the grease! |
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Post by def6 on Mar 1, 2017 15:58:34 GMT -5
What I want them to clean: Kitchen with oven and refrigerator, bathrooms, floors, dust and do mirrors, polish wood, sweep porch, new sheets and vacuum, empty small trash cans and large trash and take out. For a first time cleaning here it runs 400 dollars.  |
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Post by outfromundah on Mar 1, 2017 16:38:56 GMT -5
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Post by def6 on Mar 1, 2017 21:02:07 GMT -5
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Post by mse on Mar 2, 2017 1:10:02 GMT -5
Announcement: I'm jealous! (So jealous!) But joking aside, that is awesome and I hope once they get started that you can thoroughly enjoy not having to worry about some of those regular tedious cleaning tasks any more!  |
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Post by haywirehousekeeper on Mar 2, 2017 3:08:05 GMT -5
I have had someone come in once a week or once a fortnight at times in the past when I have been working long hours and could afford it. We usually agree on an hourly rate and they do two or three hours weekly, depending on what we agree that they will do. I usually arrange for a longer visit in the first week or two and then reduce it. So it might be 3 hours a week for two weeks, and then 2 hours a week after that. Of course, it depends on the size of your house. Mine is quite small so 2 hours is enough once it is under control.
For me, it is a matter of finding someone who will do what you want rather than their own routine. For example, I had a man coming in at one time who insisted on doing a set routine even when I asked him to vary it. So, for example, I might say that I didn't need him to wash the bedroom floors weekly, and would prefer that he folded some washing or cleaned the fridge, but he couldn't seem to do it. He would always do the full routine and then say he didn't have time to do the project I asked for. So I would say that you want someone who will clean your house according to your priorities and needs and is flexible.
I always strive to have the house tidy so that they can go through and do all the floors, the bathroom, dust surfaces etc but sometimes it isn't and I appreciate someone who can look at what needs to be done and focus on the tasks that will make a difference. For example, with a different cleaner, I once left dishes in the sink and came home to find them still there. The floors were spotless, and so was the bathroom but I would so much rather she had done the dishes and missed out on dusting one of the rooms or washing one of the floors for a week. The best cleaner I ever had was a mum and she cleaned the house like she would her own house. So sometimes I'd come home and she'd have left a note saying she'd noticed the linen cupboard was a mess so she'd tidied it, or she'd seen that the washing on the line was dry, so she'd brought it in and folded it and put it away. She would use her judgement to decide what task could wait another week and focus on the task that needed doing and would make my life easier.
I find that I keep the house much tidier when I have someone coming in to clean, because I have to rush around and do a big tidy up once a week before they come and then it's easier to maintain. It doesn't really reduce the amount I do, in fact it makes me do more. But it does mean that I know that the floors are clean, the bathroom is clean etc rather than having it hanging over my head that it needs to be done. And that means I can enjoy the time with my children when I'm not working rather than feeling guilty about housework not getting done, or sitting them in front of the TV while I do it.
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