• Always get a recommendation
• Ask your friends who they use
• Pay the going rate or higher for best results
• Give the cleaner a list of essential chores
• Don’t leave the house first time- watch what goes on
• Make sure the house has nothing on floors and tables
• Always do the run the finger along the mantelpiece test after
• Ask for a trial run first.
• 2 people are better than one.
• Ask for references and ring one
• Don’t leave valuables out
• Don’t underestimate male cleaners- I have one and hes very good actually!!
• It is better if they have their own equipment like vacuum cleaners and products.
• Dont be afraid to point out something that you are unhappy with- they are not mindreaders!!!
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• A place for everything- the keys, the mobile , the wallet, the spare change , the homework, the house keys, the jewellery
• Get into the habit of putting these important things BACK where they belong and give each a home of its own in a convenient place- by the front door, in a drawer, on the side table, in your handbag, on a hook, in a folder.
• DONT PUT IT DOWN- PUT IT AWAY!!! This is my mantra after several years working as an airline stewardess- those planes have no room for clutter....if you don’t put something away in the galley, if there is turbulence, the passengers will wear it!!!
• Have some chores that you do every Monday ( say folding), sat ( wash sheets and towels) Thursday ( shopping) Friday ( gardening) – that way no one chore will be neglected and you will stay on top of things.
• Have a to do list by the bed and in the lounge- when you are watching telly, write out what needs to be done , put it down and then switch yourself off. Before bed- do the same thing- then you can relax!!
• Don’t take on the whole job if its overwhelming..........eg clean out shed- just break it into small parts ie- camping gear, throw out old books, dispose of old toys, organise tools and do it bit by bit- you are less likely to put it off then.
• Call your council and find out when verge collection is- the weeks prior to it- go room by room subtracting the junk out of your life. If you haven’t worn it in over 6 months- chuck it! Anything broken or dirty needs to go!
• Papers- if you are one of those people who puts mail in a big pile- then create the organised pile- pile 1 is for incoming mail, pile 2 is for mail that needs actioning, pile 3 is for mail that needs to be filed after actioning- and of course the rest goes to the recycling.
• Use eucalyptus oil in the cleaning water for floors and surfaces- it smells so fresh!
• Don’t keep anything you don’t need like bags and paper and wrapping and cards, business cards put in a file box and recipes put in another box.
• Don ‘t throw out the old t shirt- cut it up and use it for cleaning rags!
• A box file full of coloured A4 folders- each with a tab for; kids school stuff, sporting clubs, dog registration, coupons and vouchers, restaurant menus and takeaway...................... no more loose papers lying about the place!
