When You Need Real Housekeeping Help

I have a confession to make: I watched Dance Moms on Lifetime this weekend. It's my favorite vice (and for the record, no, I do not watch Honey Boo Boo Child.) While I was watching, a promo for a new Lifetime series, Devious Maids, came on.

I checked out an early preview of episode one via On Demand — I mean, it stars the queen of what most grandmothers used to call "my stories" (aka soap operas), who is also my own grandmother's favorite: Susan Lucci, along with the brilliant Judy Reyes, otherwise known as Carla from Scrubs. (And her character's name is Zoila, which must be a tribute to my favorite TV housekeeper, Zoila Chavez of Flipping Out). How could I resist?

For those of you who are tempted, the show premieres Sunday, June 23. Sudsy TV habits aside, it made me think about hiring a professional to help around the house.

Do you hire someone to help you with your housework? What are your favorite tasks to get help with? What are you willing to pay, and what budget item would you trade to be able to afford it?

Are you a professional housecleaner? If so, what are some good guidelines for an effective working relationship?

While I only dream of having cleaning assistance in my budget, my mom has had the wonderful Gayle come and help her out for a few hours per week for many years, and I've learned a lot from watching their great relationship.

Here are a few tips about how to get some assistance with your housekeeping needs. Please augment these tips with your own advice in the Comments section.

This poster looks like a Robert Palmer video still meets Dexter. I'd expect nothing less from Lifetime. But I digress — on to the advice portion of this ideabook.


How to Hire a Cleaning Pro

If you're feeling overwhelmed by your cleaning tasks and want to hire someone to help, here are some tips.

Get references. Start by checking around with friends who have housekeepers they couldn't live without. Also, ask other professionals you already trust to do work around your home if they can recommend anyone.

Make a list of tasks you want help with. Discuss them during the interview to see how many hours per week they will take. It may take a few weeks to determine whether or not the estimate is feasible. Make sure that the interviewee lets you know which tasks he or she is and is not willing to do.

Talk pay. Ask how much money is expected per hour up front. You may need a trial week or two to figure out just how much can be accomplished in the allotted time.


Haven Clean House Starter Kit - $84.00 » The Right Way to Communicate

Talk supplies. Ask what you are expected to provide or if the pro will be supplying anything: vacuum, rags, window cleaner etc.

Make your preferences clear. If you prefer to go earth friendly, make this clear. Many cities even have ecofriendly housecleaning services. If you like things done a certain way, be specific.

Leave the housekeeper a note each week. Prioritize what you want done in the time allotted, from most to least important, in case there's not enough time for every task. Before you even get to that, start off the note with just how much you appreciated how sparkling clean the house was the previous week. At the end of the note, be sure to ask if the person has any questions, if there are any issues and if there are any supplies you're running low on.


Know that accidents happen. Do you have favorite plates on display, a breakable heirloom or a priceless coil pot your kid made that you'd be devastated to lose? While it would be lovely to have shelves like these dusted for you, perhaps you should do this yourself. Let your housekeeper know about any keep-away zones.


Have a plan for your pets during cleaning time. If vacuum cleaners terrify your cat or Fido loves to try to escape when anyone opens the door, make sure your pet is in a room that will not be cleaned, a crate (if your pet is cool with that) or a fenced yard when your home is being cleaned. Your housekeeper is helping you clean up your beloved pets' shedding and paw prints; having the animals jump on or nip at him or her is not part of the deal.


Roomba 650 Floor Cleaner - $399.99 » If the characters on Devious Maids intimidate you, you don't have a budget for housekeeping or you'd just rather keep your home clean youself, here are some helpful alternatives.
Think about going high-tech; see Where Is My Robot Housekeeper?Keep tasks from overwhelming you; see Can-Do Cleaning Strategies for Busy PeopleCommunicate with your partner; see We Can Work It Out: Living (and Cleaning) TogetherGet the kiddos involved; see Clean Routine: Housework Strategies the Whole Family Can ShareMore: Browse the Housekeeping section on Houzz for additional strategies.

URL: When You Need Real Housekeeping Help http://www.decor-ideas.org/cases-view-id-18494.html