Hiring a house cleaner
 

Due to severe back issues, I need to have someone come and clean my house. I also have trust issues with people. Has anyone had problems with cleaning people? Like stealing or damage to things. I've talked to 2 friends and they have recommended someone and say they are great. But I just don't know what to do.

I had a wonderful cleaning lady for years. She had to quilt for health reasons and I was retiring so I didn't hire another. We never had any problems. She accidentally damaged a blanket once and immediately called to tell me and say she would replace it. I knew she had money problems so told her not to bother. She brought us dinner for the next five times she came. Fantastic homemade Mexican food. My mother had a cleaning lady who became a good friend and helped her quite a bit when Mom had to stop driving. If you have a good recommendation I say go for it.

most good cleaning services Bond their people. of course you must prove they took something. anyway, search around and ask for references from friends, etc. Good luck.

I've had problems, to the point where I am considering hidden inside security cameras. I have a closet I usually lock, but the last time I had strangers in the house I didn't have time to lock it and several things went missing. I haven't had time to look really good but if one item in particular is still missing when I do, I will report it to the local police as the company advised me to do. It was a $500 item....just be really careful and very aware of who you are letting in your home...

It just happens automatically sometimes doesn't it? (you typed quilt not quit). It made me smile.

I had a cleaning lady ruin
a skillet because she accidentally turned the oven on with the skillet stored in it. Also had a different lady who
was using illegal meds.

I would recommend a couple of referrals from people you know. My housekeeper works for two people I know and has for several years. I would consider hiring someone who has worked for at least two years for the same people who are recommending her.
There are some things you need to consider:
1. Accidents do happen - and you could have broken or torn it yourself.
2. You need to let whoever you hire know how you want things done; they are not mind readers
3. Also, you need to let them know what you want done and what you want them to leave alone.
4. I know this is something you would automatically do; they need to be treated with respect.

I have had the same cleaning lady for the last 16 years. She was recommended to me by someone that knew her. My grandson says that she has been around so much that she is part of the family. I think I would stay away from "Cleaning Services" and go with someone that has been recommended. While I was working she cleaned the house when noone was home and have never had any problems with her taking anything.

Check with your local Senior Center or Senior Services place. I think the place that is government sponsored does background checks on their people who do housekeeping services. We hired one through the government senior service place for my mother and she absolutely loved the lady we got. She was so thoughtful and did a load of wash while she did other chores to reduce the cost for my mom. There are lovely people out there!

If you have "trust issues," you will just drive yourself nuts worrying. Don't do it.

We have a wonderful girl who comes in twice a month, the first couple times I was home- in my sewing room staying out of the way. She does a great job & now we don't worry about leaving or not being home when she comes in. It is best to meet with the person you are considering, discuss what all you want done, how long you think it should take, what you will pay, any areas that are off limits.... If you are not totally comfortable with the person for whatever reason, don't hire them, look for someone else, if you find you really do like the person ( good vibes/ bad vibes)
Give them a try. Be home the first couple times, but not in the way, don't*hover* watching every move- that will make both of you uncomfortable. Before they leave do a ( glance over- walk through) if anything is not done gently point it out, if everything is great let them know ( wow, great job, thank you, see you on....)
Remember everyone finds their own methods to do things, don't expect a person to do everything exactly how you do them, do expect a good job, final outcome to measure up to your expectations.

I have had good and bad experiences over the years--but to me paying for someone else to clean my house so I have that time to do what I want is so worth it!!! I recommend you go with someone with referrals from someone you know and trust vs an unknown cleaning service. If that doesn't work check out Angie's List ratings for some in your area. Have a 2 or 3 come to your house, do a walk through of what will be done and what won't and get bids first. Some will change bed linens, others will not. What about cleaning light fixtures? Discuss who supplies cleaning supplies and if you have any specific needs--for example I provide the cleaner for my hardwood floors because I do not want any other product used on them. I also hate the smell of Pine Sol! Keep in mind accidents do happen--if you have a lot of breakable treasures sitting out, think about handing the dusting of them yourself. I also have a window washer come quarterly and love to have sparkling windows.

We have had a couple of live in household help that have become family. We sponsored one for citizenship. She, and her husband (who she met here) just moved back to Columbia. We are saddened by this, and we miss her terribly. The other woman, goes back, and forth to Columbia, and stays with us when she is here as a guest. We would trade these women for anything. There was one that we caught stealing, and it was pretty funny. At the time she was here, we owned telephone booths all over NYC, and we had always had sacks of change that we had to wrap, and bring to the bank. We caught her when we found coin wrappers that were from a different bank in her room.. It's a little funny, as there was so many other things that she could've taken that were more valuable. We have a safe, but some things can't be put away..

I have not had problems with my cleaning ladies. One quit and didn't tell me. (She didn't like my son being home when she was there.) With another cleaner, the only time I was disgruntled was when the pantry was rearranged and all my spice packets were thrown out because of the freshness date. Those things are good way beyond the date posted, and even if not, they were mine to throw. BUT I realized the lady was trying to help me, so I kept my mouth shut and didn't stash so many spice packets after that. She did break something once and told me right away. It wasn't something I could replace, but it was a thing. ​People are more important. She was a gem in all other ways. Wish I could have moved her with us!

I agree that if you have trust issues, you won't be happy until you address that. Out of all the people you might consider, some would have been great and some wouldn't. It's really a crap shoot (excuse the language). I've used a cleaning service on occasions after surgery, etc. No problems with them. My friend uses the same service every week and she has no problems with them stealing anything. So I wouldn't automatically eliminate a licensed, bonded, insured service. It also makes it easier on the paperwork because if you hire someone yourself you have to file their social security.

LOL I quilt for health reasons also....it keeps me from dying of boredom. :)

Here most people request a Police Clearance and also if children are around the house, a Working With Children check/card. In house cameras are reasonably cheap/useful, also make sure your cleaner has insurance or your household insurance will cover any dramas.

I agree with many of the things already said. No one will clean the same way you do. If you can accept that, you're half way there. Get references from folks you know. Meet with the cleaner and spell out what you need/want done; type of cleaning products you prefer (or that manufacturer recommends for given flooring/appliances); what you are okay with them not doing. Another thing to remember, pick up 'droppings' yourself and put them away. My attitude always was 'I'm paying them to clean, not tidy up'. DH leaves stuff everywhere. He was always good about picking up for the cleaning folks - not so much for me, but that's a different issue. I'd rather put my things away where I'll know where to find them again instead of someone else putting them in a place I'll never think to look.

I had several different cleaning people over the years while I was working. Never had a theft issue but did have some breakage. As others have pointed out, this can happen to you as well. If you want to be there, out of the way, a couple of times until you feel more comfortable there's nothing wrong with that.

I wish I could justify having a cleaning person now! Kinda hard to justify when I'm not working though.

Remember, they are there to clean, not pick up. If you leave things laying around, they will dust/vacuum around it, usually. My daughter got a cleaning service but she said she had to clean before they came and it just wasn't worth it. If she had to clean first, she might as well finish with a little dusting. Just a thought.

I have never used a cleaning person before but many of my friends have. I would go with someone recommended before looking in the yellow pages. Also, I believe you will be in the house at the same time they are cleaning it, that would help with your trust issues. Lock up all valuables, I never leave anything out in the open due to a beautiful valued bracelet being stolen once by someone visiting my home. If you have very fragile items that need dusting, ask them to be very careful or do it yourself. Accidents happen, no-one is perfect. Good Luck.

I have a good friend who has a cleaning lady once every two weeks. To tell you the truth, I really could not tell what she did! There were still spider webs and she must not even dust. I asked my friend what she expected of her cleaning lady and she said that she felt sorry for her because the woman recently lost her husband and son, and she knew that she didn't do that good of a job, and as long as she vacuumed and mopped she was happy... I told her if I lived close enough I'd be her cleaning lady! lol

I have hired a few different people to help with housekeeping chores, and this is what I have learned. 1. Do not hire the person who seems to need the work, desperation is not a good thing in a housekeeper. 2. Do not hire the person who you have so much in common with, that you both just keep talking, that will be what happens when she should be working. 3. While interviewing, watch the other person for what attracts their attention, if they are interested in your art collection, keep doing interviews. Even if you never plan to be gone when they are at your home, ask how they feel about working when you are absent. Beware the housekeeper who says "I prefer to work with no one home". Why does she prefer that working environment? If you will be absent diring working hours, invest in a nanny cam of some kind, for yours as well as her protection. I have one that I set up even when I am home, just to keep tabs.

After saying ing all of this, my current home helper is a gem. My last one was OK, but I never trusted her, and the first one was a knee jerk "help a young mom" impulse hire, big, big, mistake! She cost me several hundred dollars in broken tools and ruined items. ( I'm real glad she did not electrocute herself when she used my Bissel vacuum to clean up water she spilled in the kitchen, and no it was not a shop vac!)
Your state or local "in home health care provider registry" might be a good place to start. Here in Oregon they are registered and certified by the state and they do the background checks for you. Never skip the background check!

Also be careful if they always carry a big purse with "junk". Friend of mine lost a necklace of sentimental value at the first interview. The necklace belonged to her grandmother from a nickel and dime, but it was the last Christmas gift she got from her. If they are very interested in everything you have the "red flags" will rise even if you miss them.

Use a service that has a license and is bonded, most will background check their people. You could also check a site like Angie's list.

I have had cleaning ladies from time to time. I was always there when she was cleaning, so never had any trust problems. As long as they come recommended by friends, ect, I would be surprised that there would be much of a chance of anything stolen ect.
Wish I had one now, but my DH is so god to do the vacuuming,ect, that we can do it ourselves for no.
Good luck! Mariah

I've had a cleaning lady for years, some good and some bad. I like hiring who my neighbor has or a friends recommended. One time I went with a service, first time great, I liked the ladies, second time different ladies came, every week it was someone else. This bothered me because now several strangers have been in my house and know what I have in my house, TV's, computers, etc. I'd say I'm home 90 percent of the time when the cleaning lady comes. Also I have a copy of her driver's license, make, model and license plate of her car. That way if something happens and I ever need to file a police report I have information to track her down.

If you have trust issues, it is best to not hire someone to clean your home. I have cleaned homes when my children were young, put myself through school by cleaning other's homes and at times when I just needed to supplement my income. Most of my client's were appreciative of my hard work and compensated me well. However, a few just made me miserable. Not only did they not appreciated my service but were insulting and degrading. One lady actually asked where I was going with her throw rug, when I was shaking out the dust and dog hair outside. Of course the few who did not treat me properly I soon replaced with respectful clients. Yes, I did this work because I needed the money as most people need their paycheck. I also enjoyed it when working for honorable people. It is not fair to the cleaning person if you have an issue and they have to deal with your issue as well as clean your home.

I agree, if you have trust issues it is best not to hire anyone. It won't matter if it's a service, you will still be uncomfortable.
I am a housekeeper. I have 2 clients; 1 for 9+ years the 2nd for just over a year. The 1st I have 'expanded' from just housekeeping to just about anything. Laundry, garden cleanup (2 acres of beds & paths), windows, just about anything she needs. If I can't, there is a handyman. I've also spent the night to take care of the dogs instead of a kennel. The 2nd lady is beginning to be the same. If either one didn't trust me to the point of installing a camera I would have a very hard time trusting them. Do you trust the people who recommended someone? If they are sure of their housekeeper, give it a try.

If you have two two friends referring, that is your best testimony. Why are you questioning it?
Sandy

I agree with you, Carmen. Stay away from cleaning services. I have tried 3 different services and either they didn't show up, or they did not do a good job. Turnover with services is frequent, and you often do not get the same people. The people I know who have cleaning done and are happy are those who use an individual that was referred to them.

For several years I have had an older [60's] lady cleaning for me every other week. Recently I have hired a younger lady for the off week. It works wonderfully. The young one can climb step ladders and clean things that have been waiting for a while. She can get on her knees and clean under my sewing machines. She can clean deep cupboards, etc. I trust them both and enjoy their company. I am approaching 86 so they are a blessing. Luck me.

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Times has changed in recent years but my Aunt had a awesome cleaning lady that all us cousins would call her Aunt Corrine! Don't cros. Her cuz we would get reprimanded! But seriously if you have friends using one and recommended, then try one for couple weeks to see how it goes. But be sure to let her know what's off limit like moving machinery around or cleaning certain items.

I have a cleaning lady that owns her own business, she came highly recommended and as it turned out I had worked with her mother. The lady has 4 kids and she needed to be able to control her own schedule. She comes every other week and the primary duty is cleaning the kitchen and both bathrooms. She also dusts and vacuums all the rooms but does not move items. I knew this when I hired her. So we do straighten up the place before she comes. But it is best for us to put things away than someone else.

My mother didn't trust strangers to clean her house. So when she was unable to do it, I was the only one cleaning her bathroom when I came twice a year. My sisters didn't mind cleaning up the kitchen while staying with her, but I was the one that did the bathroom. I tried to vacuum one time and she got upset. But it needed to be done - I was surprised she didn't have mice.

When I first hired my cleaning lady I was nervous and felt embarrassed - but if I liked cleaning and was good at it, why hire someone to do it? I love it now - I do other things while she is here.

I have cleaned for others for many years. many years from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. after that I had a courier job with a local bank. Did that every weekday for about 15 years. I had so many people wanting to hire me and some of my friends advised me to hire help and take more jobs. I was not comfortable doing this as I did not want to be responsible for others working for me. I would not have control over if they did a good job and/or if they broke or stole something. I now have 3 and sometimes 4 people I clean for. Most are every other week. Both myself and them are flexible due to scheduling our time. Works out well for everyone.
I seldom take on anyone new nowdays but if I do I ask what they want done and give them a list of things I need for cleaning. they laugh when I need an old toothbrush. I do floors on my hands and knees and like to get into corners and in the bathroom around bottom of stools and around faucets. I ask them to let me know if they are unhappy and how I can fix the problem. If I can't please them I am open to quiting.

When I was working, I had someone in to clean and never had any problems. She often did more than she was expected to do and the house always sparkled when she was done. Wish I could still justify having her come to clean, but since I'm home "retired" ( yeah, right) I don't feel like I could have her cleaner while I sew ... hmmmm ... or could I??? Lol. :-)

Rubesgirl, When I retired I kept my house keeper. After all, I retired because I'm getting older and I don't want to add cleaning house to everything else I do.

I had a cleaning lady that liked to take all day.
She wanted to do what she wanted and she'd be dammed if I asked her to do otherwisw.
She didn't care what I liked or wanted. I got her from some single men I know who loved her.
Of course they did, she wore hot pants, remember them and no bra. would like to wait til my dh got home b4 she left.
You could never find anything coz she went in the drawers and closets.
I did get a new one, chgs less and is done in 2 hrs.

I have never hired a house cleaner, but getting to the point that I need to. I am 82 and I have a very bad back, and can do very little housework. Can't stand up but a few minutes at a time. (I can handle sewing very well though), until the sciatic pain kicks in. What is considered a fair hourly wage for a cleaner? Or is it better to pay by the job, and not by the hour?

I got lucky - DH & I hired a woman based on a referral from our real estate agent when we bought the house. Turns out this cleaning lady is the agent's cousin. We ended up not trusting our agent at ALL, but the cleaning lady has been wonderful so I feel lucky. She's licensed and bonded and owns the business herself. She had a crew of 2-3 girls she used to bring with her but after the economy tanked she scaled down so now it's just her and her husband. It takes them a little longer but the price is the same and the work is just as good so I don't care.

We have an electric combo lock on our front door so we just gave them the code to the door. DH works out of the house so sometimes he's home, sometimes not, sometimes for part of the time. They come and go as they need to.

At first we were nervous about it but they've been great so we don't worry anymore. A couple minor things have been broken but they never hide anything and have always offered to replace or pay for things so we don't worry about it - mistakes happen. Nothing has ever gone missing, except for a vacuum attachment that I think must have gotten thrown away somehow, as they don't have it and we can't find it!

We actually tried another (cheaper) cleaning lady for awhile but it was really bad. Another lady who owned her own business, but she was very very short and wouldn't use a stepladder or a long brush, so the upper parts of the shower started to mildew, upper cabinets never got wiped down, etc. Plus she'd leave grunge behind on the kitchen counter and when we asked her about it her answer was, "I don't scrub. I wipe, but not scrub." Um...but that's what we hired her to do! We went back to the original people (who don't mind scrubbing when necessary) and we don't try new people anymore, LOL.