Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

and this is a serious post, no silly answers please (Barbara, Rachel ehem )

Im considering getting a cleaning lady soon (as a one shot deal to start) and as I get used to that luxury, maybe once or twice a month. But I feel like I have to "prepare" somehow...

What do you do, just give them a list, do you discuss it ahead of time? How do you specify things, I feel like its going to be an awkward thing to be here while someone is cleaning my house Do you have everything put away, tidy and all they do is the cleaning, right?
Im more focused on bigger things like the floors, windows, maybe the fridge, bathrooms, etc.

and how do I know how long it will take her. do you hire them for a certain amount of hours or based on what you need done? For that matter I can have them sleep over for a few days Also, if its cash hourly, do you also tip them? I guess it depends on whether its their own business or if they are working for someone...

Thanks for entertaining my silly questions

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR POSTING THIS

I contacted a few people off of craigslist and was wondering the same thing myself!

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

FIrst off put away the clutter if there is any.
Strip your bed and leave out the clean bedding for them to make the bed
Leae a list of chores you want them to do

ETA: Most DO NOT clean the fridge (inside) unless you tell them too

I know this bc we have a cleanign woman who is not great but hey I dont have to do it

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

Ok in all seriousness - I really miss my cleaning lady.

Discuss what you're expecting beforehand. Dishes in the sink, laundry, etc.. My cleaning lady was here 4 hours for $70 (small house)

We needed to tidy up. I tried to do as much laundry as possible because she would shrink my clothes & we could never find anything. Put toys away. Tell your kids anything the cleaning lady finds on the floor gets thrown out (Ok, I tell them this without a cleaning lady). Put personal papers away, etc.

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

is it unreasonable to want them to clean behind the appliances like stove and fridge and to clean inside the fridge as well?

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

They will not pull out the stove but THEY will clean inside the fridge but you have to tell them too

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

I clean up clothes and personal things

and leave a list or make with post it's- clean me

I just want to add- my Cleaning lady is so cute- she used to call me "Miss Beth" when she writes notes about what products we are out of etc) today she called me "Mrs Beth"- b/c she knows we just got married

she is the best

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

We are pretty neat so I don't really have to straighten up. She strips and changes the bedding. She has only cleaned inside the fridge when specifically asked. She calls me Miss Kara too.

I pay $60 and now she has a whole posse - she comes with 2 or 3 other people and they are done in an hour +. I took her around the house the first ime and showed her what I expected genrally to be done, and for spcial stuff I just tell her - vaccuum all the ceilings, or pull out the furniture, whatever...

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

Thanks girls ! Great tips. I know my sisters cleaning lady did clean her fridge inside out and shes amazing. (She's in Queens or Id borrow her )

As far as cleaning products, do I give her mine, or do they prefer to use what they are accustomed to ?

I plan to call one in the next month, if anyone wants to give recommendations. Thanks!

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

Can anyone recommend a cleanig woman in the East Meadow area/ I need a new one

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

Good post. We put away clutter, personal things. She does not clean my office so that's where all the crap ends up.

I leave her a note if there's anything out of the ordinary to clean, but mostly she knows what to do. If she has time she usually does all my laundry and changes my sheets. I do not strip the bed. She does everything. She even flips my bed every now and again.

I wish she was taking on more clients but as of right now she's not.

I've written her notes about cleaning the lighting fixtures, dusting on top of the cabinets and window washing because those don't get done every week.

She cleaned under my sink where all my cleaning products were. BTW-she uses her own cleaning products except for the stainless cleaner and vacuum.

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

Just wanted to bump this post, and ask if anyone has a cleaning lady they recommend in the smithtown/commack area. ??

thanks

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

Message edited 9/18/2006 9:47:16 AM.

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

I put away all the clutter in it's right place - clothes, papers. I make sure the dishes are cleaned and away, etc ...

My main purpose for having a cleaning lady is to dust, scrub and sanitize everything. I don't want her "picking up" after my and DH - I didn't order a maid, I ordered a cleaning lady ... I want her to focus on cleaning and just cleaning.

I would go room by room and make a list of things you want her to do

Example:
Bedroom: make bed, dust furniture, windex pictures, vacuum, wipe down blinds, windex inside of the windows, windex mirrors.
Kitchen: scrub counters, clean inside of microwave, wipe rifridgerator shelving, clean toaster over, scrub down the stove, wash floor, windex windows, wipe down appliances, etc... If you want her to clean the oven, make sure to buy the right products
Bathroom: Scrub toilet, tub, and sink - I make her use amonia in the bathroom. Rinse shelving in bathtub (soap buildup, clean shower doors, windex mirrors, scrub tile floor, windex hanging pictures
etc ...

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?

Re: Cleaning Lady Questions...How to Prepare ?