If you have a cleaner, how long for, what do they do and how much do you pay them

[southeastlondonmum]

As it says in title, I'm just canvassing opinion. We currently have a cleaner but standards have dropped a lot recently so I am interested to see whether I'm asking too much.

We live in a three bed property

[southeastlondonmum]

Thanks ! Xx

[Pickle]

3.5 hours a week

5 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, downstairs loo

(2 bedrooms in loft, not really used, so just get a cursory clean every couple of weeks)

They dust, vacuum, generally clean every room. Kitchen gets a thorough clean. Change the bed linen in the master bedroom only, and iron 5 work shirts. They do the insides of windows when needed etc., and if we are away I still get them to come and do things they don't usually have time to do, like the fridge.

I pay ?10 per hour, but then an additional week's pay every quarter as holiday pay (I think I pay less than other clients for my particular cleaners, but I've used them for years and get them a lot of work!).

[Pickle]

Just to add - I make sure the house is very tidy on the day my cleaners come, so they simply have to clean, not tidy. I remove all the towels from the bathrooms etc before they arrive.

[southeastlondonmum]

Hmmm, I pay 35 pounds plus parking plus four week holiday and really the house doesn't feel clean afterwards

[southeastlondonmum]

She doesn't do 3.5 hours though - more like an hour and a half hence the problem

[Pickle]

Yes, that definitely sounds like it's the problem! Have you confronted her about not working the hours you are paying for? I think 3.5 hours is long enough for an average sized house to get a proper clean, I know I can do it in that time.

[southeastlondonmum]

According to her 'she does the house' and so it is not an hourly rate. But it's not working and I'm sitting here looking at cobwebs. She has been with us years and standards have only just dipped so it is hard to change

[Pickle]

Could you make her a list of things that need extra attention? Maybe by pointing out the things that aren't being done properly she will realise she needs to spend more time to "do the house"!

Personally, having had cleaners like that in the past, I would think it's time for a change, but I know how tricky it can be.

[tomskip]

If she has been with you for years and standards have only just dipped then surely you need to be speaking to her and asking her if everything is ok with her? Trying to find out why things have changed, not just assuming that she is ripping you off or needs to be got rid of.

[minder]

Would agree Tomskip, communication is the key!

[southeastlondonmum]

Standards started to dip months ago after a trip away. We paid her but left her jobs to do.

There was a misunderstanding with our house sitter which caused bad feeling. I suspect this is the reason

[Sol]

I pay mine ?10 per hour and 5 hours per i week; she normally complains there is no enough time when I ask her to do something extra and want more money; she cleans and iron