Are paid cleaners any good?

[silliemillie]

Due to health issues I can no longer clean my house as well as I used to.
I was thinking of getting a cleaner but was wondering if they are any good.

I have two trains of thought, the first is that a paid person might do an adequate overall job but not do the little bits & bobs as the owner who takes pride in their home would do.

The second train of thought is that if they are being paid to do a job they should be able to do it better than me.
What do you guys think? Do any of you have any experiences you would be willing to share?

Millie

[bednobs]

well my cleaner works much better when i pay her.
Anyway, there's nothing stopping you trialling someone. Better to have an individual rather than a company i reckon - look at cards in your local PO/newsagents
I have had a cleaner for some years (3 different ones) my one now does a general clean and also concentrates on one thing each week. For example, this week she paid particular attention to the blinds. One week she emptied the fridge and cleaned it all out.

[jno]

well, it depends on the cleaner! Do ask for references, or get personal recommendations from friends and neighbours.

He/she doesn't have to come every week - maybe once a month would be enough if you can still do some of it yourself.

Also ask locally about the going rates.

[bednobs]

also meant to add that you need to be generous with time (for example if you want a good job you need to pay for the right amount of hours, not hope he/she can do an excellent job on 1 hr a week

[Barmaid]

When I lived on my own I had a cleaner come in once a week. She did in 3 hours what it took me all weekend to do. I thought she was a goddess. Go for it. Professional cleaners are just that - professional.

[askyourgran]

One of my work colleagues hired a cleaner for three hours per week, she was highly satisfied with the arrangement. The woman cleaned and looked after her laundry. As my colleague neither indulged in drink or smoking she said she could afford that 'luxury.' The cleaner broke a rather valuable peice of china which caused a bit of a ripple but the loss was replaced by insurance, plus a rather hefty repair bill on the broken china. However they still enjoy working. There are one or two ABers on here who seem quite happy with the arrangement.

[silliemillie]

Thank you for all your replies, a lot to think about.
You hear so many stories dont you?

A friend of mine had a lady she got from the small ads, but she was rubbish, my friend had to show her how to clean, but she gave her the benefit of the doubt and then she stole sime of my friends clothes!!!

So for that reason I was thinking of going to Company but maybe not now.

[boxtops]

My neighbours use a cleaning agency so there is a proper contract, what's expected is all laid down. I don't think I'd use a private person from a small ad.

[Barmaid]

I got my cleaner through a small ad in the local shop. She was inexpensive but worth every single penny. She provided references which I checked. My only regret is that I left the area and had to let her go. I suppose its like any service, some are terrible and some are brilliant. My "Gemma" fell into the "brilliant" category.

Entirely up to you Sillie as to whether you feel confident with going with a private person or through an agency.

[tenrec]

Make sure you get references, or find someone by word of mouth.

[jomifl]

Personal recommendations are reliable but some cleaners can be a wee bit clumsy. Our cleaner destroyed a pottery item that cost twice her weekly wage and disabled several others. You have to remember that there is sometimes a very good reason why they work as cleaners.

[Mojo-Jo-Jo]

I don't know where you live, but here there is a company called Molly Maid. They are an agency that deals with what you're looking for.
I need a deep clean after going away for a weekend leaving a candle burning. I was lucky. It put itself out before burning entirely through the bookcase shelf to the paper below.
I know I've got to face it, but I daren't even Google the cost"

[Old_Geezer]

Your questions are much the same as the ones you consider when hiring any tradesperson. Which is why, where I can, I do things for myself. But I understand the difficulty sometimes, especially for health or age reasons, so I think one just takes a chance, preferably from recommendation, and hopes for the best. In any case if something is missed you can always do the finishing touches.

[jno]

we haven't had one for a few years, but when we did she was a law student from Colombia working her way through law school, we got her by personal recommendation, and she was excellent. We don't leave Ming vases standing around, mainly because I'd probably knock them over myself.

[tenrec]

When you do find someone, make sure that you both know what is expected. If you want them to scrub floors and climb up to clean windows you must say at the outset. A lot of cleaners will not do these tasks.

[silliemillie]

Thanks again for you advice.

Old Geezer, I am like you, if I can do it myself thats what I prefer to do, only have people in if absolutely necessary which is why I am so nervous.

Mojo, I live in Essex, yes I have heard of Molly Maids, they do this area, maybe I will give them a try.

[craft1948]

I love my cleaner, she is worth her weight in gold. She is not from an organisation such as Molly Maids or whatever but came wth a personal reference. She does all the cleaning and ironing, and if I aren't feeling too good does some shopping as well. I was a bit doubtful about having a cleaner but it's the best thing I ever did.

[prendi]

you should take one on for a months trial to see how they get on.i am a p/t cleaner and one of my ladies will not have a mop in the house as she says they are dirty things!! so i have to get on my knees to clean the kitchen floor(with arthritic knees).i dont think many people would put up with that .

[kaw69]

I live alone since my divorce some years ago I also work long hours on a farm and only got every other weekend off which I found I was using up doing the housework as I couldn`t do it after 7 o`clock when I got home.
I answered an ad in the newsagents window for a cleaner and it has been the best decision of my life she comes in twice a week for 2 hours each day one day she puts the wash on including stripping the bed and puts it out for me to bring in and 2 days later irons and puts it all away, once a month she cleans out the fridge another month she cleans out all the cupboards she is an absolute gem and to top it all my house is always clean when friends come round (no dust on top of the telly or pictures etc) I don`t have to rush around to try to make it look presentable because it always is.