Cleaning Lady....

[buffettbride]

So, hubby and I are thinking of hiring a person/service to help with housekeeping. It's just nuckin' futs with both of us working full time and both the kids, plus keet #1 decided to play basketball this year (practice 2 nights a week and games on saturday) and she'll play volleyball in the spring for school as well.

We wouldn't really do it until after the new year...but anyone have advice on picking a person or a service? What kind of stuff do they do for you?

I'm a little weirded out by someone touching my stuff and all the "cleaning for the cleaning lady" stories.

Anyone else have a cleaning person?

I guess ideally it would be nice to have someone do a good vaccum, dust, bathrooms, and maybe some laundry... I don't really know what to expect I guess.

[SMLCHNG]

I don't have one, Mal - but I work with one gal who does home cleanings, and I used to work with another. I used one of them for cleaning my apartment when I moved, and she was GREAT! Prices were reasonable. If you want to deal with a company, there's one I used related to work called "Concierge Colorado". They were good folks. Just can't remember their prices.

[buffettbride]

I don't have one, Mal - but I work with one gal who does home cleanings, and I used to work with another. I used one of them for cleaning my apartment when I moved, and she was GREAT! Prices were reasonable. If you want to deal with a company, there's one I used related to work called "Concierge Colorado". They were good folks. Just can't remember their prices.

I think hubby would rather deal with a "person" than a "company". I think I'm kinda leaning that way too.

I always see the "Merry Maids" cars and stuff though, and kinda want to hear people's experiences with companies like that.

When we moved from our rental house to our new house, Matt's friend's wife was doing house cleaning and she helped get that house in shape (I had just had Tony and couldn't do any heavy lifting/working). Unfortunately, SHE just had a baby and isn't working any longer.

[mings]

So, hubby and I are thinking of hiring a person/service to help with housekeeping. It's just nuckin' futs with both of us working full time and both the kids, plus keet #1 decided to play basketball this year (practice 2 nights a week and games on saturday) and she'll play volleyball in the spring for school as well.

We wouldn't really do it until after the new year...but anyone have advice on picking a person or a service? What kind of stuff do they do for you?

I'm a little weirded out by someone touching my stuff and all the "cleaning for the cleaning lady" stories.

Anyone else have a cleaning person?

I guess ideally it would be nice to have someone do a good vaccum, dust, bathrooms, and maybe some laundry... I don't really know what to expect I guess.

my aunt runs a business doing just that - cleaning. My grandmother also did it on her own. There are a ton of reputable services out there, just go with ones that are recommended. Ask around your kids' school. You may get a good response there considering everyone is probably in the same boat as you - as far as work and extracurriculars are concerned.

[spainjane]

Why isn't this a poll??

I have one, we both work too much. It definitely cuts down on the stress that someone else comes in once a week and cleans the house. She used to come every two weeks, but after about a year I started REALLY missing her on her off weeks. It's $65 a visit here...2 girls come in for about 2 hours.
But yes...I have to make sure the whole house is cleaned up and everything is put away when she's coming

[buffettbride]

You may get a good response there considering everyone is probably in the same boat as you - as far as work and extracurriculars are concerned.

That's a good point. Hubby and I are just not the greatest housekeepers in the world (he's MUCH better than me)...just seems like we spend our whole weekend cleaning instead of "doing" stuff.

[buffettbride]

Why isn't this a poll??

I have one, we both work too much. It definitely cuts down on the stress that someone else comes in once a week and cleans the house. She used to come every two weeks, but after about a year I started REALLY missing her on her off weeks. It's $65 a visit here...2 girls come in for about 2 hours.
But yes...I have to make sure the whole house is cleaned up and everything is put away when she's coming

I should prolly make it one, huh?

We'd probably start with every two weeks and if we could afford it, do it 1x per week.

And what do you mean by "cleaned up". Stuff off the floors/counters, etc? What exactly do they clean for you?

Heck, I'd be happy if I could just have someone do all our laundry once a week.

[land_shark3]

My parents have gone through a few different "people" (i.e. not businesses). Each one of them had their own style of cleaning. Being on the outside, I have noticed something. All of them were really good in the beginning, but they gradually began doing less and less.

The one they had a while back started bringing her granddaughter and she caused more of a mess than before. The recent team of two, has "accidentally" broken a few things recently.

My advise would just be to interview them and find out what they do and what they don't. The team my folks have now, get the house super tidy, but they don't dust. My parents knew this going in and the pay reflects that.

But seriously, interview them. If you don't get a good vibe from them, move on. Also remember that you are not obligated to have them come back if its not to your liking.

[mings]

Why isn't this a poll??

I have one, we both work too much. It definitely cuts down on the stress that someone else comes in once a week and cleans the house. She used to come every two weeks, but after about a year I started REALLY missing her on her off weeks. It's $65 a visit here...2 girls come in for about 2 hours.
But yes...I have to make sure the whole house is cleaned up and everything is put away when she's coming

I should prolly make it one, huh?

We'd probably start with every two weeks and if we could afford it, do it 1x per week.

And what do you mean by "cleaned up". Stuff off the floors/counters, etc? What exactly do they clean for you?

Heck, I'd be happy if I could just have someone do all our laundry once a week.

So life in the big city is definitely different, but can't you just bring the laundry to a laundromat and they'll wash it for you? They charge by the pound here. Probably a long shot, but it keeps someone out of your house.

[Gulfbreeze]

What times do I start...

[z-man]

We have had someone come in to clean our house for almost 15 years.
Both of us work, and we call the cost "marriage insurance" since we both hate to clean, and the only thing we ever argued about was who's turn it was to clean bathrooms.

When the keets were little and the house was small, we had someone come every week. Now the keets and the house are bigger and we have it cleaned every two weeks. We have them clean everything but the keets' rooms, and they change sheets as long as we leave clean ones by the beds.

We have found that having the house cleaned on a Monday seems to work best, since it stays nice longer that way.

Best way to find someone is a recommendation from a friend. If you don't know people using cleaning services, frequently local realtors are a good source of trustworthy names.

[ph4ever]

The experience I've had with maids is we had one when I was a child. she helped with everything. Then when I moved up here we had someone come in once a week but she only did really hard nasty stuff that I did not want to do. We may have her come back later if we need the help. This is a family member so she's trusted. If I didn't have someone I personally knew I'd be more inclined to go with a corporation. I would be more comfortable knowing that stranger cleaning my house was bonded. If I couldn't get a bonded maid there's no way in hell I'd let a stranger off the streets cleaning my home.

[buffettbride]

Why isn't this a poll??

I have one, we both work too much. It definitely cuts down on the stress that someone else comes in once a week and cleans the house. She used to come every two weeks, but after about a year I started REALLY missing her on her off weeks. It's $65 a visit here...2 girls come in for about 2 hours.
But yes...I have to make sure the whole house is cleaned up and everything is put away when she's coming

I should prolly make it one, huh?

We'd probably start with every two weeks and if we could afford it, do it 1x per week.

And what do you mean by "cleaned up". Stuff off the floors/counters, etc? What exactly do they clean for you?

Heck, I'd be happy if I could just have someone do all our laundry once a week.

So life in the big city is definitely different, but can't you just bring the laundry to a laundromat and they'll wash it for you? They charge by the pound here. Probably a long shot, but it keeps someone out of your house.

Yeah. We can do that here too. Not very many full-service laundromats near where I live (in the suburbs)...at least that I know of and I'm not sure I want to haul my entire family's underwear downtown to the ones here by where I work!

That's a good idea though. I could do my homework on that one and see how much it would be just to have someone do our laundry. Hmmmm.

[buffettbride]

We have had someone come in to clean our house for almost 15 years.
Both of us work, and we call the cost "marriage insurance" since we both hate to clean, and the only thing we ever argued about was who's turn it was to clean bathrooms.

When the keets were little and the house was small, we had someone come every week. Now the keets and the house are bigger and we have it cleaned every two weeks. We have them clean everything but the keets' rooms, and they change sheets as long as we leave clean ones by the beds.

We have found that having the house cleaned on a Monday seems to work best, since it stays nice longer that way.

Best way to find someone is a recommendation from a friend. If you don't know people using cleaning services, frequently local realtors are a good source of trustworthy names.

Wow! Sounds like you and I are in the same boat!!

How much do you pay? What do you mean by "cleans everything"?

[buffettbride]

What times do I start...

Damn, baby. You're hot.

[spainjane]

Why isn't this a poll??

I have one, we both work too much. It definitely cuts down on the stress that someone else comes in once a week and cleans the house. She used to come every two weeks, but after about a year I started REALLY missing her on her off weeks. It's $65 a visit here...2 girls come in for about 2 hours.
But yes...I have to make sure the whole house is cleaned up and everything is put away when she's coming

I should prolly make it one, huh?

We'd probably start with every two weeks and if we could afford it, do it 1x per week.

And what do you mean by "cleaned up". Stuff off the floors/counters, etc? What exactly do they clean for you?

Heck, I'd be happy if I could just have someone do all our laundry once a week.

I guess every one is different... mine don't do laundry.
I put everything away (like to keep it that way anyway), and they vacuum, dust, clean bathrooms,change the bed linens, scrub everything in sight. The house smells so good when they're done!!

[buffettbride]

Why isn't this a poll??

I have one, we both work too much. It definitely cuts down on the stress that someone else comes in once a week and cleans the house. She used to come every two weeks, but after about a year I started REALLY missing her on her off weeks. It's $65 a visit here...2 girls come in for about 2 hours.
But yes...I have to make sure the whole house is cleaned up and everything is put away when she's coming

I should prolly make it one, huh?

We'd probably start with every two weeks and if we could afford it, do it 1x per week.

And what do you mean by "cleaned up". Stuff off the floors/counters, etc? What exactly do they clean for you?

Heck, I'd be happy if I could just have someone do all our laundry once a week.

I guess every one is different... mine don't do laundry.
I put everything away (like to keep it that way anyway), and they vacuum, dust, clean bathrooms,change the bed linens, scrub everything in sight. The house smells so good when they're done!!

Ahhh. I see. That sounds like a plan. I think if all that stuff was done, it wouldn't be too bad to do my own laundry.

[ToplessRideFL]

Mal... there will be a difference between getting a larger commercial service and hiring someone privately. Services have a "check list" of things they clean.. IE... Bedrooms, Bathrooms, ashtrays, tables, counter, stove.... you get the idea...

I prefer to have someone who I can leave a list for... as there maybe times where I change my own sheets and whould prefer her to clean the ceiling fans that week in addition to the regular bathrooms, dusting and vac....etc.

I had a gal come in for several years when I was a single mom in Clearwater... but then let her go when we moved to Plant City 9 years ago. I have just recently been given a name of a local gal who I plan on calling to see what she charges.... and what she "does" for my $$$!

Whichever way you go.... make sure background criminal checks are done...either by you or her company. ALSO.... it helps if she is bonded!

[Wino you know]

I don't mind doing my own laundry. You put the clothes in the washer, pour in the detergent, and hit the "on" button. So simple even I can do it.
However, I HATE ironing. about the only things I iron are my work uniforms and my dress shirts. My wife has offered to iron these for me, but if I can't stand doing it, how can I expect her to like it?

Most other household chores aren't too bad, but I DO wish the "dust fairy" would quit paying so many visits here.

So, to answer the original question-I'll do just about any type of housework and not complain about it with the exception of dusting and ironing.
(Yes, I do windows).

[z-man]

I guess every one is different... mine don't do laundry.
I put everything away (like to keep it that way anyway), and they vacuum, dust, clean bathrooms,change the bed linens, scrub everything in sight. The house smells so good when they're done!!

about the same for us. Our service, and most I know of, quotes a rate based on the number of rooms to be cleaned and the services requested.