Cleaning Help Advice

amother ↓

Wed, Dec 06 2006, 8:29 pm

I have never had cleaning help before (neither did my mother, she didn't believe in it - I was her housekeeper!) but I really need the help now. Between working and a new baby and entertaining every shabbat I need someone to do the work I am too tired/don't have time to do. Can anyone give me some suggestions on how to begin? What is the price range? Should I be in the house while he/she is here? What types of cleaning is typical to do? etc....

Sregion28

Thu, Dec 14 2006, 1:30 pm

Where do you live? Where I live people find cleaning ladies by word of mouth ,and they charge $10 an hour.
I have them do the bathrooms, dusting, mopping floors, cleaning the kitchen, etc..

I dont have her do laundry - she doesnt know what needs to be hung dry, etc..
And also she doesn't put stuff away, mostly because she doesnt know where it goes .If you have a cleaning lady for along time, she will learn your house, but mine is fairily new, so before she comes, I tidy up, then she does actual CLEANING - making beds, dusting floors and furniture, washing windows, washing floors, cleaning bathrooms, etc..

It's well worth the money if it means you're not going to be a tired, overshelmed mommy!

Also - I am here when she gets here and when she leaves to let her in and out, but I dont have to be here the whole time (she stays for 4 hours). although in the beginning its good, until she learns how you like things done.

queen

Thu, Dec 14 2006, 1:38 pm

You definitely must be in the house while she's cleaning, at least until she's been with you for a substantial time. Without doubt they do a better job when you're around (work faster) and you can guide her or get things done as you wish... vs. her just "cleaning your house."

price range depends where you live.

I pay $12/hour, with 3 hour minimum. One can find for less, however for me I like the woman, she works fast and I know where she lives/where her husband lives etc. incase there ever is a problem.

routine jobs for her to do: wash dishes, clean kitchen (including appliances, if necessary- like top and inside of stove/oven, clean bathrooms, sweep and wash floors, vacuum, change linen, fold laundry (if you wish), some iron- but make sure they know how to Exclamation

before you find out the hard way.

In general, it will be the best gift you could ever get yourself.

(about finding one- post on Luach.com plus tell your friends you're looking and see if anyone has a woman who is good, and has extra time.)

↑ amother

Thu, Dec 14 2006, 4:41 pm

OP here. thanks for the advice.

I had someone here today. it worked ok...definitly the best gift I could give myself. I am so much more calm right now about shabbat coming! dh loves that I am not so stressed...and it's only thurs!