For those who have housekeeper/Cleaning Service

[Nickel]

I am considering hiring someone to come clean my home 1-2 days per week. Possibly 2 days because I have multiple pets and the dust is killing me and the family. Was thinking of either 3 hours 1 day/week or possible 2.5 hrs/2 days per week. But I have a few questions. And I've never had anyone clean my house, so I'm a little ignorant in this area.

When do you have them clean? When the kids are here, during nap, after hours, weekends?

How long does it normally take to clean the house? I just need basic stuff like scrub kitchen/2.5 bathrooms, sweep and mop floors, entryway and fireplace area. Wipe down baseboards in all rooms, dust all surfaces including storage shelves in living room/daycare area, office, and 2 bedrooms. Wipe down lighting fixtures and occasionally dust the walls (yes, my walls get dusty. I've NEVER seen that before in my life until we moved here. It is dry as a bone and we are looking at having ZERO drinking water in the next 12 months). And occassionaly strip beds, wash curtains, or bath towels/mats.

Is the above list expecting too much?

Do you require a background check and what do you ask during the interview?

Is it cheaper to just higher a cleaning company or a housekeeper?

Anyone had any good or bad experiences they can share?

Did having a cleaning service make your life easier?

Where parents comfortable with someone coming and cleaning while thier child was here?

Thanks ladies, I really want to hire someone. I am fighting a losing battle here and need some help. Can't wait to hear what you all have to say!!!

[daycare]

I used to have one, but then was told by LIC that she could not be there with all of her supplies and chemicals out with the kids being there.

I tried to find someone to come weekends or after hours but could not find anyone.

I wish I did have one. I am thinking that I will look again for someone to come on weekends.... I think the other thing that I had a hard time with was the cost here in CA.

NO joke, one guy came in and told me for what I wanted, which was similar to what you are asking for it would cost about $70an hour and it would take about 1.5-2hours....................are you kidding me. BUT this guy was licensed which meant I could have claimed it towrds DC expenses.

The other girl was only 25an hour, but she was not licensed, so I could not claim any portion of it....

[Nickel]

Wow! $25/hr is still more than i get for 1 child per day. No way i could afford 70!!! I was thinking of having it done during nap time when the children are in the quiet room. Since that room i would clean when the children are gone, but i like my quiet time during nap... I sort of dont want my husband to know so i sort of wanted it done during the week... Hmmm... Thx for the input...

[daycare]

Wow! $25/hr is still more than i get for 1 child per day. No way i could afford 70!!! I was thinking of having it done during nap time when the children are in the quiet room. Since that room i would clean when the children are gone, but i like my quiet time during nap... I sort of dont want my husband to know so i sort of wanted it done during the week... Hmmm... Thx for the input...

yeah I almost passed out when the guy told me $70an hour. I was like dude I have a degree and I don't even make that much an hour.....HOw much education do you need to know how to scrub a toilet??

So now during nap is when I clean up....and play online

[rhymia1]

I had someone come in to clean a while ago. At the time she came on a day I didn't have kids in the morning (they were either in preschool or didn't come that day). I paid about $60 a visit. But she did it on the side - wasn't bonded or insured. Honestly, the clean was okay, but eventually I didn't have the schedule I used to and couldn't have her come.

[MarinaVanessa]

The other girl was only 25an hour, but she was not licensed, so I could not claim any portion of it....

Just curious as to why you couldn't claim it on your taxes as a business expense? That's interesting.

[daycare]

Just curious as to why you couldn't claim it on your taxes as a business expense? That's interesting.

because she was not licensed and was not claiming the money that she was being paid.

[MarinaVanessa]

because she was not licensed and was not claiming the money that she was being paid.

Ahh ok, I see.

Back to the OP. I have a friend that cleans my house once every other week and does a lot of what you just mentioned. Her fee is $60 each time and she comes for about 1 hour and a 1/2 to 2 hours each time.

Because of licensing regulations in CA I can't have any adult or staff in my home regularly without having that person undergo a criminal background check or TB test so for the meantime I just take the kids out for a park day while she is cleaning. When I get around to it I may just have her get a background check and TB test just so that she can come and clean during daycare hours. For now this works though.

Another thing I just thought about ... if you are thinking about getting someone to do this for you make sure you ask for a contract and such and get exactly what you plan on requesting of them on paper. Make sure you ask whether or not they will provide the cleaning supplies or not. The girl that cleans my house usually charges $70 an hour but because I clean with all green or home-made cleaners and she wouldn't need to use her supplies she lowered her price for me. Also most house cleaners would rather not mess with ovens, microwaves, windows and laundry as it takes up a lot of time so make sure you mention specifics and negotiate what they can and won't do. Most of the time they will have a list and such of what they usually do for other people so ask to see that or have them make you a list if they don't have one already so you can give yourself an idea.

And finally ... my girl came recommended. My SIL lives next door and I met my cleaning lady through her as she cleans my SIL's house and her sister's house also. You should probably talk to neighbors and/or friends to see if anyone knows somebody that they can recommend. It's better to get someone reputable. I wanted someone I could trust while I was out of my home (most people have their homes cleaned while away at work) and didn't want someone that would take something or short me on cleaning time etc.
Just some things to consider.

[MarinaVanessa]

I used to have one, but then was told by LIC that she could not be there with all of her supplies and chemicals out with the kids being there.

This is why I think that it's lame how licensing works. In my county it's ok to have a house cleaner come during daycare hourse as long they are background checked and TB tested even if the kids are here. Licensing in my area says that there no difference between a house keeper cleaning my home with cleaners than if I were to clean with cleaners myself while the kids are here ... which makes sense. Goes to show how different licensing regulations are even in the same state .

It's always good to call licensing and just ask them what they require of you if you want to have a house cleaner.

[daycare]

This is why I think that it's lame how licensing works. In my county it's ok to have a house cleaner come during daycare hourse as long they are background checked and TB tested even if the kids are here. Licensing in my area says that there no difference between a house keeper cleaning my home with cleaners than if I were to clean with cleaners myself while the kids are here ... which makes sense. Goes to show how different licensing regulations are even in the same state .

It's always good to call licensing and just ask them what they require of you if you want to have a house cleaner.

so very true....My old licensing lady was a tuff cookie. I could not even have hand soap on the bathroom sink counter. UGH.

I had the cleaning lady over and I looked at what she was doing. She had all of her chemicals in a bucket in my hall way while she was cleaning the baseboards and bathroom. I thought to myself if my licensing lady came in right now would I be in trouble. Yup. So I decided to call LIC and that is what they told me...

[MarinaVanessa]

so very true....My old licensing lady was a tuff cookie. I could not even have hand soap on the bathroom sink counter. UGH.

:::::: I can't have it on my bathroom OR kitchen counter either . I have to put it up high in the bathroom and in my kitchen I installed one of those pump soap dispencers on the sink itself and that was approved by licensing. BUT I have 2 sets of kitchen knives on my counters and that was okay .

[daycare]

:::::: I can't have it on my bathroom OR kitchen counter either . I have to put it up high in the bathroom and in my kitchen I installed one of those pump soap dispencers on the sink itself and that was approved by licensing. BUT I have 2 sets of kitchen knives on my counters and that was okay .

sorry don't want to hijack the thread...but as we always say....when in doubt, call licensing and ask. That is if you are licensed.

my friend just got cited for knives on the counter.....

[Country Kids]

My knives they said where ok on top of my frig or under my sink with all the chemicals (yummy), on the day they came to inspect as I wasn't able to get a drawer lock installed in time.

[proudmommyofthree]

I live in Southern Ca. and my cleaning lady comes once a month on a Saturday. She is usually here 4-5 hours. She srubs my bathrooms, cleans the kitchen, stove, microwave, wipes down everything even my cabinets. she dusts all my blinds and sweeps and mops my floors. My house is 90% tile. Only the bedrooms have carpeting.

Anyways she charges me $85.00 which I think is pretty good for all the work she does. I have 2 bathrooms and she scrubs both toilets and tubs.

Well worth the money for me. I am considering having her come every 2 weeks.

I found her through one of my clients and I then referred out to 2 other clients.

So I would difinately go with someone word of mouth.

[Oneluckymom]

I have a lady come on Friday afternoons who was recommended to me by a freind. I have used a few in the past as well. My advice is to use someone who is recommended. Don't go through ancleaning company they are WAY too expensive. Bargain with who ever you find...there is usually room for negotiation, they expect you to bargain. They are there tomclean, so what ever you want done just let them know what you expect.

The lady I have now comes for 5 hours every Friday and I pay her $75.00. My daycare is separate from the rest of my living area and she ONLY cleans the mAin living areas. Good luck, it does help take the stress out of cleaning.