OT: Cleaning Contractors - YouLookFab Forum

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OT: Cleaning Contractors

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

As you know, I've been quite unwell, and am still not up to a whole lot, so I have organised for a cleaner to come for around 3 hrs once a fortnight for a few fortnights to help get the house back to clean and keep it under control until I get back on my feet fully.

She starts on Tuesday at 8.30am and I'm rather excited but also very nervous - despite knowing full well its for a really good reason and I need it, I still feel a bit guilty... CRAZY!

Anyway, my question is this:

Should I at least tidy up, ie put toys etc away, so that she can actually clean, or do I leave it all looking horrendous and let her tidy up as well? Apparently she'll do whatever I ask!

I was planning on getting her to:
vacuum
mop
bathroom
toilet
kitchen/washing up if any
washing if any
remake beds (I find that incredibly exhausting at the moment)
dusting

and then if time, to start cleaning the kitchen cupboards (they are driving me crazy at the moment)...

So, considering that list, I think I should at least tidy so she can get to the floors etc?

What do those of you with cleaning contractors do?

(I've not had a cleaner for years and even then it was a friends mum who wanted some cash cos she had a mean husband and she'd just come in and take over and do any/everything!)

Thanks for any ideas! I really want to get the most out of her time without overdoing it myself beforehand.

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16 replies

Latest reply was from Theresa

Louise

Veteran

Oooo that sounds like heaven! I know how you feel about tidying up before she comes! I'd get the kids to put the toys away, at least if the place is relatively tidy she can get straight down to the nitty gritty of cleaning rather than spending some of her time tidying and then you don't get all the cleaning done x

April

Veteran

Yes, Theresa, I think it makes sense for you to do the tidying (sorry) because a new person will more or less have to come to you with each item and ask where it goes, then you'll spend the next two weeks looking for things that were put away by someone else.

If you're not up to that, try tossing the stuff that's lying around into a couple of laundry baskets grouped by type of item. "DD#1's Toys", "#DD#2's Toys" etc. Then you could just direct the cleaning person: "Everything in this basket goes on the shelves in DD#1's room," and so on.

That only works if you have a fairly well-defined place for similar items in your house. If not, leave the stuff in the baskets for now, just to get it out of the way so your cleaner can do the heavy cleaning. You'll put it away when you're up to it.

No feeling guilty, Theresa. It will help you to get back on your feet to look around and see order and peace!

Kristen

(website)

Veteran

I tidy all the surfaces and put away as much as possible before the cleaning ladies come. Also put out new sheets and they will switch them for you.

I love having cleaning ladies -- don't feel badly about it. It's their job and they need business as much as anyone else, after all.

Mac

Veteran

I tidy before my cleaning person comes, if only so I can avoid hunting for things for weeks after she's left!

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Thanks so much girls! I'm glad I wasn't being silly wanting to at least tidy up.

April you actually gave me a really good idea - I can pack into boxes all the toys etc, and then sort through and do the de-cluttering I want to do as we unpack and put things away in my newly clean house! One box at a time...

Sihaya

Veteran

Theresa, I try to clear up as much of the mess as I can so she can focus on cleaning rather than picking up. Besides if she were to pick up, I'd then spend hours looking for everything when she left. I'm so glad you're doing this to help you out in this tough time.

Michelle

(website)

Veteran

Another one in favour of tidying up first. It's just good employer manners! Plus yes, there is the whole issue of finding your stuff again. It took my cleaning lady a bit of time to figure out which drawer I like my wooden spoons in, for instance.
I really hope this helps you to feel better, Theresa! And don't feel guilty. You're providing someone with needed income, and you'll find it gives you a huge lift. I have a cleaning lady in every week and I love coming home at the end of the day on Fridays! Gets the weekend started on a great note.

Isabel

Veteran

Hi there Theresa, I am so sorry to hear that you are still not feeling well.

Yes, I agree with the others, do pick up so she can get to things. HOWEVER, since you are doing this because you are sick....I would consider buying some baskets, leaving them empty and just having her put things in the baskets as she goes. I was on complete bed rest with one of my children when we had to get a cleaner. It would stress me out so much the night before that sometimes I couldn't sleep.....though she was wonderful. So on the nights my husband couldn't pick up before her visit, she knew where there where empty baskets for her to set things aside in.

Don't stress yourself out, if you can't pick up, you can't. You will as you get stronger.

AJ

Veteran

We tidy up before the cleaners come. That way it is easier to clean the surfaces and the floors. Otherwise I feel they wouldn't clean that well just trying to get around everything.

I even clear out the bathroom counters. I put the toothbrushes and their holders in the cabinet, because I fear they may just spray the cleaning solution around not thinking about what it might land on. Plus, even if they move it, what was their hand touching last? ICK! Then after they leave, I change the kitchen and bathroom towels, because again. what were their hands touching?

We used to have them come every two weeks, but with the kids getting older and helping out a bit, we still have them come once a month. It forces us to put away the clutter! LOL!

Oh that's great that you have dishwashing and laundry service if you need it. This will really help you both physically and mentally. Do not feel guilty about this one bit! Can't wait to read about your reaction on Tuesday.

AJ

Veteran

Oh, I forgot to mention. I didn't feel right saying, "The maids are coming," and possibly having my kids repeat that. So I started from the get-go saying, "The ladies are coming," to the kids. Hmmm....I don't know what's sounds better "ladies" and all that it might imply or "maids" and how that might sound to others. LOL!

anne

Veteran

I second Isabel!

RoseandJoan

Veteran

I have never employed a domestic but if I where in your situation I would not hesitate to do so. Given that she will be in for a limited period of time I would also prioritise the jobs which are most important.

FiestyWife

I absolutely agree! Cleaning help is much different from organizing help. When we moved into our current house (we're a military family) we had the hardest time getting everything set. The organizer my sisters gave me as a housewarming present said to leave everything so she could see what our problems were. It sounds like you know where things need to be but are just unable to deal with after that because of health (I really hope you feel better soon). I would get as much straightened up before she gets there; prioritize the cleaning list based on what is important to you and then relax b/c you are still taking care of your family the best way you can. When you make your cleaning list I would think about what you're going to be up for after she leaves. If you can handle changing the sheets but the kitchen cabinets are too much I'd have her do those things you know you won't be able to get to. Good luck and feel better!

Queen Mum

Veteran

I haven't read the other's responses, but I do say tidy up before she comes.
I had a friend who would leave the house in complete dissaray before her cleaning ladies came and then have the nerve to complain that they never put stuff away in the right place.

Anonymous

I say tidy up first for the simple reason that it will end up costing you less overall. If your cleaner is there for 3 hours and she needs to spend time tidying, then there is less time for the heavy cleaning. Or she will need to be there for 4 hours and that will cost you additional $$$.

I have asked my housecleaner about this and she has agreed that it is more efficient for her to just CLEAN and not TIDY-THEN-CLEAN. When she needs to tidy, it puts her behind schedule and she runs late (she said with heavy annoyance in her voice)

I have the whole family scurrying around the evening before my cleaner comes...me yelling "Julie is coming tomorrow...we need everything Julie-Ready" which basically means, pick up everything from your floor, put away anything lying around, clear all the horizontal surfaces. Basically, if your room is not Julie-Ready, then Julie is not allowed to go in there and dust/vacuum.

Theresa

(website)

Veteran

Thanks so much everyone. Really appreciate your little tips and suggestions - we bought a couple of little boxes yesterday and another toy storage bin, and I've already seen the use of these!

Yesterday I made the girls help me tidy their play room (the worst in the house!), but instead of just tidying, we ended up de-cluttering it - took about 6 bags of rubbish to the dump this morning! It's left me absolutely exhausted, but I do feel better knowing that at least she will be able to get in there and clean now.

The rest of the house isn't too bad thank goodness.