House Cleaner??? How do I find one, and what should I expect?

[Janie]

Clearly I don't really belong in this 'Domestic Goddess' section LOL, as I need to pay someone to clean my house.

I NEVER thought I would have a cleaner, but I am on couch rest ATM. DH is doing a great job of looking after me and DS, running his business, cooking meals, tidying up, doing the washing etc (except I iron sitting down, I don't think he knows how to use an iron PMSL). And we have lovely family and friends who help hang washing out, iron, look after DS etc). But there are a couple of things not getting done, mostly because DH just doesn't have the time. Our floors are putrid! And the bathrooms are only getting a very cursory wipe down (although I do make sure the toilets are clean, I can't help myself).

So I want to get a cleaner in, once a week, for maybe 6-8 weeks. I think I only really want the floors and bathrooms done. Where do I start? How do I find someone who will do a good job, and won't rip me off? This is an expense that we could really live without ATM, as I've had to finish work earlier than expected etc, so I really want to have the minumum done. But I'm guessing that there may be a minimum fee, or time required to be paid for? In which case I'm sure I could find other jobs for them to do .

I have heard lots of mixed stories about people using cleaners. I don't want to stuff around too much, as it's only a short term thing anyway. Any tips and advice would be most welcome, I really am clueless in this area! TIA

[Junglemum]

A friend used an agency and she was happy with them. She is the other side of Melbourne, but i'll ask her.

Damn good idea by the way. x

[feeb]

Absolute Domestics is an agency that I have used was good, but really depends who they have in your area how good they are IYKWIM.

Good luck

[Kazbah]

I used "Absolute Domestics" and they are wonderful. You're looking at about $25 / hour - with this agency it's either min 3/hrs / fortnight or 2/hrs / week. What will they do - they won't tidy, but they will clean. You supply all the cleaning products and vacuum cleaner - if they supply, you get charged more. Going through a good agency will mean that everyone's had a police check.

Prioritise the cleaning - I had a lady once who loved ironing, so she'd iron more than clean! She'd also do loads of washing for me. So I'd ask her to do the bedrooms (mop), the bathrooms (all) do spiderwebs & dusting, then the ironing. If your house is tidy there means more cleaning time

Good luck, and great idea. It removed so much stress for me ...

[feeb]

Didn't think to add what they do.

as Kazbah said they wont tidy but will clean.

Mine does floors, bathrooms, changes linen on our bed, kitchen and some dusting.

Fortnightly for 3 hrs is $74

I aggree that better to go thru agency as they are then police checked.

[Sequoia]

Sorry to hijack Janie, but what is a reasonable amount to pay a cleaner if it's cash in hand? TIA.

[Janie]

Thanks guys, I'll look into them then . I would dearly love for my floors to be done once a week, but maybe I should looking at 3 hours/fortnight. I would rather do ironing myself, as it's something I can do, and get them to do other stuff............can I ask them to do one off jobs? Like clean the fridge, or the oven etc? I guess I could get them to change linen etc. I'm assuming it's not going to take them 3 hours to clean the floors and two bathrooms!!!!!

ETA I'm totally fine with them using my products, but I use mostly Enjo.........will that be okay do you think, or will I need to get some other stuff? I'm not really fussed what they use

[Fuzzywuzzy]

My mum gets a cleaner in every fortnight and they do a general clean - floors, kitchen, bathroom. Sometimes she asks them to do one off jobs like clean the windows and runners and tops of fans etc. Generally it's not a problem as long as they have time

[Loula]

I used Absolute Domestics and found them to be good, then had DH SIL for a while who was great but not reliable. we used Absolute Domestics 3 hours a fortnight and that was fine for us $76 i think? and Janie you know i am no cleaning goodess! lol

[Rivlas]

Have a friend who has just started up and he does a great job. Cleaned DD1 house with me when they moved.
If you want I can ask him what he charges.
I fully trust him and he is great with kids, they do foster work as they could never have children themselves

[Loula]

ETA

she cleaned my fridge, hung out washing, floors, dusting

Used what i had although i did ask her to tell me if there was anything she prefered to use and got whatever it was.