Great topic.
I did every bit of my own cleaning - and it was a lot of cleaning, since I was raised by a mother who still obsessively cleans - until my kids were about 7 and 10. Plus I had a full time job that involved 30% travel, as the primary income in our family. I was so exhausted on weekends when I had time for the heavy cleaning, and it made me increasingly resentful and angry.
We have had cleaning help every 2 weeks since then. I still clean lightly every day in between - vacuuming litter and cat hair daily, laundry daily, wash mirrors, counters,sinks, stovetops, windows. On the off week I wash floors, and clean the screened porch which is used daily by the cats. I wash and iron our sheets and change our bed even on the week the cleaner is here.
I really appreciate the help for bathroom deep cleaning, particularly if we've had guests and more than only our bathroom has been used. I miss the help if our cleaner cannot come. I realize it is a luxury, and I appreciate it so much.
Our cleaner says we have the cleanest house she works on, and we discuss the virtues of Shark vacuums regularly!
My husband will help inside when I ask, and he does all of the home repair work and lawn care. He was also an at-home Dad for many years which kept him hopping.
As I approach retiring in a year or so,we are evaluating how,where, and when to down/right size for all the reasons. (It's not so easy though....I totally see how people get stuck in their lifetime houses for far too long).
