S/O-- if you have a cleaning person--a question

smiling76 · September 2012

So I really feel like I'm way over my head with this cleaning thing. I can't catch up...like at ALL. And things like blinds, windows, baseboards--- I don't even know when I will ever have the time for those again.

So I read below that many use cleaning people --- but how does that work? How do they get in to your house (a key or access code?) Are you nervous about them having this info? Do you get nervous about them going through your stuff? Do you use a service where it's different people every time or is it a smaller business where maybe you get the same cleaning crew?

Amelia4 · September 2012

I use a small business where it is the same people every time. They have a key because friends had used them for years so I trusted them. I've also done a "leave a key under the mat on the day they come,". I don't worry about them going thru our stuff, but I'm a generally trusting person in that regard.

laurakaz13 · September 2012

We use a service and they are insured. We signed a contract with them and everything in our house is covered, if it comes up missing. They have a key and let themselves in.

ridesbuttons · September 2012

We have a cleaning lady who comes every other week. We just leave the house open for her.

I'm not worried about her going through our 'stuff'. Nothing of interest and she seriously would have no time if she's getting her job done.

groovygrl · September 2012

I also use small privately owned services, I'm not a fan of the big ones where different ppl come all the time. I have always left a key and would not provide a key until I had someone for a long time & was really comfortable with that. Always use personal references from ppl you know/trust.

I'm not nervous about them going through my stuff really though I do generally keep high valuables tucked away regardless, so they'd really have to be digging to get it.

I think in the beginning you get nervous about that stuff but think about their day- they are likely trying to bang out as many jobs as possible in a day and are usually going pretty steadily & fast. I usually try to be at home for the first 2 times just to feel comfortable.

Also be really clear about your expectations & what you do/don't want done. It is easy to run into problems w/ that if you're not clear & don't ask questions up front. My favorite ppl have always been the ones who on day 1 say, please let me know if there is something you want done differently or something else you need, etc. You need to feel comfortable talking to them about how it is being done.

GL! It is a great thing to have.

daisy662 · September 2012

Once you have a cleaning person, you will never not have one!

We use a small local business. About 8 ladies come in every other Thursday and they clean my 3000 sq ft house in about an hour. They do a great job! I just give them a key and have since day one (they have been working for me for about 2 years now - cleaning this house and my last house).

I am not worried about them going through my stuff because there are so many of them, someone would likely notice. We did have some pain pills come up missing once but we can't 100% prove it was them - who knows...

I highly recommend getting one if you can afford it. It was life changing for me!

RockyRoad3 · September 2012

We don't use a service--we have one woman who comes every other week. My husband works from home, so it's not an issue for us. However, on days he's not here, we just change our garage code temporarily to the last four digits of her phone number. She lets herself in through the garage and then can close it when she leaves. I've never worried about her going through our things. We don't really have interesting stuff lying around, and anything expensive is in the safe.

I wouldn't want a service in which different people come each time. We know our cleaning lady and have built a trusting relationship with her.

michelle_1221 · September 2012

We use somebody that a friend referred. They can't keep working if they mess with your stuff and they do want to work. No issues here. They have a code to our garage.

anvloveskme · September 2012

We have a family friend (my best friends aunt). She has a key and comes every other week. Totally worth it. I will use a service if she ever quits.

Jenny952 · September 2012

I use the same woman each time, she was referred by DH's co-workers. The first couple time she came on a Saturday so we could make sure we were comfortable with her. Now she comes on Friday mornings. She gets here before I leave for work so I let her in, and she leaves through the garage door and closes it behind her. We didn't want to give her a key.

You could leave a door unlocked or hide a key for her and only put it out on days she's coming. I close the lid to my jewelry box and we always hide our document safe under our bed where she doesn't clean. That's the trade off for having someone in your home.

BabyNewbury2012 · September 2012

We have used a cleaning company for 4 years. I honestly wouldnt have it any other way (as long as I can afford it). The same team does our house. They have their own key but are both bonded and insured so I am not worried. I obviously wouldnt leave loads of cash around but I have left a few bills around before and it was never touched. Actually they found money when they cleaned out my couch and left it on the counter for us, lol.

Good Luck! And I swear you wont regret it! Just remember no one does it better then you but you'll get over that lol.

Strunella · September 2012

My cleaning woman works for herself and came highly recommended from two friends who also use her. Since she gets all of her business from word-of-mouth recs, I don't think she would ever do anything to jeopardize that. She's had the key (the lower lock only) since day one. I would ask around your neighborhood to see if anyone has a cleaning person they trust.

LoCarb · September 2012

We use an individual who has a copy of our key from day one. She was a rec from a neighbor who used her for 10 yrs and we felt we could trust her immediately. Prior to this lady, we had another person that we would not set the alarm and unlock the back door on the days she visited.

BelleWithABlade · September 2012

I agree, a cleaning person rocks! We tried a service, but were not happy because they seemed to rush through everything. We now use an individual. She does not have a key and is let in by our nanny. She comes every other week.

brewcitybride · September 2012

I found my cleaning lady through a friend, who recommended her very highly, and of course I checked references, too. She's a stay at home mom who does this as her own business, now that her kids are in school. Do your homework, get recommendations, check referrals, and look on the Better Business Bureau if they are a big company, they'll have scores on there.

As far as the logistics, no, I have no problems. I leave the front door open for her, I leave at 8:00 a.m. and she comes in at 8:15 a.m., so the house is only open for 15 minutes with no one there, and I have a very large dog, so this is fine with us:) If anyone really wanted to break into our house, they would find a way.

She cleans for two hours, then locks the door on her way out.

Want a personalized experience?

S/O-- if you have a cleaning person--a question

Re: S/O-- if you have a cleaning person--a question

Choose Another Board

Search Boards