spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

i am going back to work soon. i have a really small house but am a total neat freak etc....i now have 2 little kids and a ton of other things to do. going back to work is worrying me-that i won't be able to do it all. DH is out of the house most of the week. i don't know if i want to spend $$ for cleaning every week since my house is really so small. but i don't want to spend all my time cleaning and not with my DC. i feel like i have nerve wanting a cleaning person when my house is not big.
SO i ask, if you only have a cleaning service come in twice a month is it worth it? i mean is that enough for you to feel like your house is neat/clean? does it make it easier for your to keep your house clean in between? would you rather it was everyr week instead? TIA for any answers offered!

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

honestly...its nice to have since she cleans the toilets, shower, tub...things that i dont normally clean. but 2 days later i feel like the place is a mess again. so i cant imagine how much dirtier it would be if i didnt have her.

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

By the end of 2 weeks (like today), I am DYING for her to come. I would much rather her come every week but we cant pay for it or have her take over the house every single saturday (only day she had available). I'd say it's better than nothing. And you definitely dont have nerve wanting one! Working outside the home with 2 kids is HARD!

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

For me, she is a LIFE SAVER!! She does the big cleaning and (like the AP said) the "dirty work" like the toilets and shower and bathtub and stuff. She changes our sheets, including the cribs, does laundry, does a great vacuuming job and dusts in the places I can't, and don't want to, reach!

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

Message edited 11/20/2009 3:38:31 PM.

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

i keep up in btwn. i still clean the bathrooms everyday (not scrubbing the grout) and sweep the floors daily (i have tile floors throughout so its pretty easy)

they are a trio that come in and tear my house apart - they do everything much much more thorough. They wipe all the cabinets, windows, tiles on the bathroom walls, wipe all my high hats and fans, wash bedsheets - move furniture and the couches to clean under them .... they do everything.

It is definitely worth it for me.

Message edited 11/20/2009 4:22:13 PM.

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

THANK YOU all for your helpful replies! i appreciate it!

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

Totally worth it. It's easier to maintain and keep things tidy, and she does the big clean twice a month.

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

We have a cleaning lady that comes every 2 weeks and I think it works out great....the few days before she comes I can't take the mess anymore, even though I'm doing some cleaning here and there during the 2 weeks...but its great to have a REALLY clean house every 2 weeks...w/2 big dogs and a newborn, and my DH...yeah, it needs it

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

Totally worth it!

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

How much do they generally charge? Now that our gardener is done; a cleaning person could pick up for the winter...

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

I have a cleaner who comes twice a month -she charges $60 and is supposed to be here for three hours but she usually leaves after 2 1/2 hours. She doesnt do any laundry or changing of the beds just cleaning. I have a pretty average size cape house - 4 bed, 2 bath.

I cancelled her the past few times as I was home on maternity leave and cleaning up every day anyway. I am back at work now and I work from home so its worse in my opinion as the house gets dirtier and you can see it every day.

Well today was her day to come but as I had cancelled her I cleaned myself and it was a total PiTA - my DS who is 4mths didnt nap so I feel like I spent the entire day stopping and starting my cleaning.

I have decided to get her back and its worth the money!

Thats my long winded story. Get her you will love it.

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

Totally, 100% worth the $! I work full time, so I want to spend my time home with my DD, not cleaning! She does pretty much what the others posted -- all the "dirty" work -- bathrooms, dusting, mopping wood floors, cleaning the appliances, etc.. She also vacuums, and cleans windows and doors. In between visits, I lightly clean the bathrooms, vacuum, and do touch up cleaning, but I leave the heavy stuff for her!

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

I had one every two weeks when I was working FT. My house was small too, but I hardly saw DS during the week so did not want to spend my weekends cleaning!

The team of three stripped the beds, thoroughly did the floors, bathrooms, kitchen, whole house (Including scrubbing down the inside of the fridge) and the place was spotless when they left.

In between, I would vacuum, and clean the sinks, wipe things down, etc. But their twice a month big cleaning made things much easier because much less accumulated. Do it!!!

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

Mine comes twice a month. I wish I had time to do more in between but it gets tough. Ideally I would keep her and do a bit more myself. This way I know that some things are getting done exactly the way I want them.

Message edited 11/20/2009 9:46:27 PM.

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

It's worth it for me because I can focus on organzing & cleaning (um..or relaxing) that week.

Re: spinoff- if you have a cleaning service that only comes twice a month?

I love my cleaning lady! Fm me if you want her info. She is reliable and honest. She only charges me 60 dollars every two weeks and she does 3 bed 2 bath. She works with her mother, so two of them come here while I run errands. Its nice to have. The more she comes the cheaper it is per time. If I have her come every Saturday its 55 dollars. Its worth it to me. I deserve it

Message edited 1/2/2010 10:12:18 AM.