Cleaner?

we used to go up to my nan's once very six months and do all the bits the cleaner wouldn't do - it was a full day every six months - depending on what their contract says, they don't move things (so vac around furniture - even dining chairs - will vacuum mats but not under them etc.

i always have this thought that i don't mind people doing the obvious stuff, but the other stuff is more OUR issue and i don't want help with it. i'm very organised when i can be (spent yesterday sorting stuff while i could) and when that stuff is all organised and packed away as it should be, i have NO issue having someone come in and run a vac over the floor. i guess it's just so overwhelming to get to that point where i don't mind help. thankfully the friend who will be helping out has known me since i was six, so she won't say boo (she's also seen my house a lot worse than it is now, helped me move, has sorted mum's place - mum too sick! so this is no biggie). if it were a stranger that i felt may judge - i'd have a huge issue with letting them in when things aren't perfect! and i don't mean vacuuming first - it's more that i'd hate to have someone come in and look at surfaces that are cluttered at the moment with crap and then judge me on that.... the notion of having a regular cleaner is definitely motivating us to get all the other stuff sorted firs!

You know what, I would be majorly annoyed if I had a cleaner who wouldn't even move the dining chairs to clean under the table properly. I mean, come on, what's the point then. I can do a half-arsed job myself for a lot less money. I don't expect a cleaner to move my couch to clean behind it, but under the table is just normal weekly cleaning in my eyes. Same with cleaning under the door mat (while I wouldn't expect her to move the big rug in the loungeroom).
Having said that, I wouldn't mind "helping" when it comes to cleaning. As in, I wizz through just before him/her and drag things out of the way, like move the dining chairs, put the larger toys onto the couch, so s/he can clean under them.
Do they also do things like say, once in a while wash the windows?

Saša

Sasa, we lived in a small house and had a cleaner for 2 hours every fortnight. She always did the usual - bathrooms, toilets, floors, kitchen and dusting. Because we had a small house she would generally always have time left over (about an hour) so she would always alternate other jobs that she felt needing doing. She would do the windows (inside and out), if there was washing to be hung out or brought in she would do that and fold it. Sometimes she would do ironing. She was really good at using her initiative and not just doing the bare minimum that we wanted done. We were never home when she was there, and she never gave us a run down of things she wouldn't do as she seemed happy to do anything.

Megan, that sounds like the kind of cleaner I need!!!! Unfortunately you're in Melbourne :-(

lol, she stopped cleaning eventually to spend more time with her kids and we never replaced her. :( It's a bit of trial and error. You need to interview or trial a few people first to see what they are willing to do and whether they do a good enough job. We were lucky that we got her first go. I would just contact and agency or two and chat to them about your needs and see what they say.

Ok ladies - i have spoken to them and will be getting a call back for a potential cleaner in a couple of days. YAY!

Thanks you all for your reply - although i'm feeling some of them were out of interest for yourselves lol

Ok jobs that they will do include, all the above you mentioned + washing, hand or machine, hanging out bring in (although i dont know how often they will need to do this as i like washing) lol

MAKING BEDS!! hate doing this job and they will do that so that is great! they will also clean out fridge, pantry ect....I know my linen cupboard needs looking at to start!

One thing i was a bit piffed about was i think i only need him/her for 2 hours a fortnight, however the company said that they do a min of 2 hours per week or min 3 hrs per fortnight!

All cleaners come with a current police check ect so that is nice to know although, even i know that doesn't stop all people.

growing up we always had a cleaner, unfortunately all the ones we had stole from us, odd things here and there then jewellery, so have installed a lock on the cupboard i dont want them going into! sad to have this memory really, esp as one was a 'friends' grandmother!

I will keep you all posted in how i get on.

Ok need more help!!! lol

i am meeting with the cleaners (yes two ) on saturday and would like to know what questions to ask

thanks

Hi everyone,

We have a baby on the way in a few weeks and am keen to get a house cleaner on a fortnightly basis.

Main things I'm keen for them to do is sweeping, mopping floors, vacuum, clean 1.5 bathrooms & bit of wiping.

Would appreciate any recommendations for a reliable, trustworthy & thorough cleaner in the Port Melbourne area. My email address is anneshirley123@gmail.com (I can't access PM as I don't have enough posts)

Thanks!
Cindy