Would you (or have you) hire a house-cleaner or maid?

[Katy Belle]

Do it! I hate cleaning. When I worked full time I had someone come every other week. That was just DH and I. When we lived overseas I had someone clean twice a week. Im a SAHM, so I cant justify it now, but if I ever return to work, i will hire someone.

 

[Goofycampers]

I would absolutely hire a housekeeper if you can afford it. When you work full time who wants to spend their free time cleaning? I say go for it. Even if you just have it done a couple of times it will get you caught up so maintaining it is easier.

 

[zurgswife]

Being on the cleaner side of the equation for years, I would suggest either finding and individual or small local cleaning business. I had a number of clients that had gone with the large national chain(s) prior to hiring me an they were not satisfied with their work.

Some charge by the space or some by the hour. I charged by the hour and I charged $20 per hour; which depending on where you live may be a little higher or lower then the average in your area. I'd plan on somewhere around this cost per hour though.

I think recommendations from others would be the best way to find someone. Also, you can pick how often you'd like the service - I had clients I worked 12hrs per week and others I worked 2 hr ever other week. Pick the occurrence that works for you.

 

[lovesmurfs]

We have a cleaner come every other week. It's a small business in the Chicagoland area. Sometimes the crew (usually 2) are so-so, sometimes great. We've used them for over 5 years now.

Our lives are just so busy, with a senior in HS and one in middle school -- I'd much rather spend the money on the cleaner and spend the time with the kids.

My only concern is that the kids aren't necessarily learning how to clean -- we're working on that as DS is getting ready for college.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

Thanks for the responses everyone--it didn't take much convincing for me!

Based on your replies, I will look for a small local business or an individual. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who already has a maid service--none of my friends do in the area and no one in the small number of people I work with has one either.

I'll use the power of google-searches and Craigslist to find someone to come in. Sounds like quality can really vary so that is something I will keep my eye on.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

And I know that you didn't ask this, but your doing most of the regular housework and your husband doing the occasional housework doesn't exactly seem like an equitable distribution

The reason I mentioned anything about my husband at all is that I knew that if I didn't, some people will say, "Gosh, it sounds like you are doing all the work and are asking for help--why don't you ask your husband."

I don't need to share our chore chart with the boards (the purpose of this thread is not "do my husband and I share the work evenly--what do you think?"). However, there is no doubt that my husband does his fair share of household responsibilities. Household responsibilities are much more that cleaning--there is mowing the lawn, shoveling, caring for the pets, working on the cars, shopping, etc.

 

[Art 1]

It is well worth it for us. I don't want my wife to have to do deep cleaning. Find a good person you can trust. Problem is my wife cleans before she comes and after she leaves, and Monica, the cleaning lady does a wonderful job. I say nothing, as long as she is happy.

 

[prncess674]

Love my every other week cleaning service. If you are planning on getting the house "company ready" I suggest doing all your messy baking and wrapping before they come. Also just before they come do a whirlwind pickup around the house. Maids generally don't know where all the stuff belongs and will sometimes clean around clutter so be sure all the toys and junk are put away so they easily clean all the surfaces.

 

[YachtClubWoman]

I have had a house cleaner since my husband and I bought our house in '99. I am on my 4th - but I have always used a small business or individual person.

It is so worth the money - I feel that I have no time now I can't imagine if I needed to clean every weekend.

 

[redshoepaul]

I probably would in my own house, but I know my mom would never again. Back in our old house she hired somebody and they took some jewelry from her.

 

[Stitchfans]

Nope. As long as I am able, I will clean my own house. I just don't want some stranger doing it. And my 88 year old mother still cleans her own house, I sure can't justify hiring someone.

My thoughts also. My philosophy has always been if it is something I can do myself there is no way I will hire someone to do it. Just like with the tons of snow when we lived up north IL. I shoveled the snow, with the help of my family at times. Had people stop by and offer to do it for whatever amount of money and I'd just say no thanks and continue on.

 

[SaraJayne]

I come from a long line of practical, no-nonsense German women. Having someone else clean my house when I'm more than capable of doing it myself will never be an option.

 

[WowLookAtThat]

I would do it. There are enough things to do to get ready for a holiday party why add cleaning to the list? Next year we are having a sort of family reunion here and I am getting the house and carpets cleaned.

 

[teacup princess]

I just got rid of my cleaners. I hired them when I was pregnant and unable to bend and kept them for 5 months after the baby. To be honest I was so glad to finally "let them go". I was just avoiding it because they were nice and I felt bad firing them. They did an ok job, not a deep clean, more maintenance cleaning, and it was nice to come home to a sparkling house twice a month. However, I could not stand the "pre-clean" before they got here. I do have 4 small kids who are very messy. I was always struggling at the last minute to get our stuff organized enough so they could actually clean. I'd be throwing stuff in closets, drawers, anywhere I could quickly stash it just so they could clean. Now our closets and storage areas are a disaster. Plus, realistically, we can only manage to maintain the "clean" for maybe a day so I didn't think it was worth it. I'd rather put that $3000 per year I was paying them into a Disney fund and go on vacation. Disney or clean house? Which to choose? Hmmm.

I would use a cleaner again as a prep for Christmas or a big party, but not for all the time.

 

[mickeysgal]

I didn't read all the responses. My answer is yes, why not? Make sure they come referenced. I'll go a step further. Friends of ours have had big house parties at Christmas and they actually hire two ladies to work the event - to do both tasks - serve and clean. When the party is over, no dishes, no mess to clean up. And the cost was reasonable. The host has a much better time knowing all the pre and post party stress is handled.

 

[arminnie]

I don't now, but I did for decades. I remember a guy at work making the comment "Three girls live together and you have a maid!!" Pretty sexist remark. But it saved a lot of headaches not worrying about who was or was not cleaning. That was when I was first out of college.

A word of warning though. I have been totally disappointed with MerryMaids, etc. They sent two people to clean a 3000 sq. ft. house (my dad's which was not real clean but not filthy) and they spend about an hour and charged a fortune for a one time cleaning. They just gave a cursory swish over everything.

When I was working in Northern California I used a local service for years and years. I was traveling a lot - mostly internationally so it was nice to not have to clean in between trips. I had them come once a month which was plenty as I was gone so much.

The best results for me have been when I had a private person who charged by the hour. They would do what I wanted not just a list of pre-determined tasks. If I wanted silver polished or laundry done they would do it. I had one in California (in addition to the cleaning service) who would go to the grocery store and cut up fruit, etc.

 

[momto2girls]

It's totally worth it to me! I have my cleaners come every other week. They are a two women that work for themselves. I wouldn't use a big service. I've heard too many bad stories about Merry Maids and their ilk. I have a really large house and having them come is wonderful!

 

[kate_wdw]

The reason I mentioned anything about my husband at all is that I knew that if I didn't, some people will say, "Gosh, it sounds like you are doing all the work and are asking for help--why don't you ask your husband."

I don't need to share our chore chart with the boards (the purpose of this thread is not "do my husband and I share the work evenly--what do you think?"). However, there is no doubt that my husband does his fair share of household responsibilities. Household responsibilities are much more that cleaning--there is mowing the lawn, shoveling, caring for the pets, working on the cars, shopping, etc.

I’m sorry my post made you feel defensive, that wasn’t my intention.
The way you described the distribution of chores in your household sounds pretty typical of many US households, where women generally do the repetitive tasks (e.g., laundry, dishes, routine cleaning) and men do the less habitual tasks (lawncare, repairs, etc). In general, this breakdown results in women spending significantly more time on household work than do men. I am fully aware that this isn't the case for all households, but research makes clear that this is still the overall trend (even when both partners work outside the home). It's great that this isn't the case for your household.

My post was not intended as a personal attack against your husband - I was just trying to call into question the assumption that housework is primarily a woman’s responsibility. The fact that you compared getting a cleaning person to getting a manicure made me think that you viewed it as a luxury for you, as opposed to a household expense.

I’m not trying to derail the thread here. Threadjack over.

 

[jeepgirl30]

My DH and I split chores where he does outside and i do inside. It is something that works for us.

My mom did private cleaning and occassionally hired help for larger homes or when she got too busy. I'd go with her during summers home from college. We did the day to day but also deep cleanning too depending on what the people wanted. Her business was all word of mouth, you'd be surprised who knows someone once you start asking.

she got a lot of ex merry maid clients that were so fed up. Mom charged a fraction of the price and did so much more. Merry maids only surface cleans, you pay additional for a lot of stuff she just did routinely.

I personally wouldn't hire a maid because I know I would end up cleanning before and after anyway! My DH is a major neat freak and if we were paying someone to clean he would nit pick to death it just wouldn't be worth it.

However, it sounds like a good fit for you!

 

[bettymae1121]

I'm hoping to. I'd really like to hire someone for a few months after I have the baby in Feb. I don't think it's in our long-term budget at the moment though.

For sure I will at least hire someone to come in before big parties or holidays though.

The only reason I haven't done so before now is because the house has been under renovation for the past 6 years (almost done!) and it can't stay clean longer than a day, paying a house cleaner would just be a waste of money. For example, I mopped the kitchen floor last week, 10 minutes later DH tracked drywall dust across it. So until the house is done (mid January I hope!) I'll have to keep doing it myself!