Cleaning service anyone? - Page 2

AnikaBrodie · ‎03-10-2010

I would love to have a cleaning lady but can't find anyone that comes close to our former cleaner. We had an Amish lady (husband picked her up and took her home) for a few years, and then she got a retail job with her aunt. She cleaned twice a month and was great, everything was spotless when she left. So, for now DH and I do the cleaning.

"Faith, Hope, Love; the greatest of these is Love." ~The Silver Fox~

toria · ‎08-28-2010

I don't have a big service but a small local one where I can get one person, the same one coming every two weeks. I've never had anything stolen. They do a pretty good job but are not perfect. I do plenty of cleaning up myself too mostly in the kitchen. They are a big help and do a lot I could not do. They charge ninety dollars to clean a three bedroom home. ITs not by the hour its whenever the cleaning is finished. The service pays the taxes and takes the withholdings. If you don't do that you are breaking the law.

Peridot · ‎11-21-2010

We had a cleaning lady for a few yeears that we loved and she did a fabulous job and then she had to quit because of a family situation. I have serious back issues and can't tolerate the bending over and the headaches and dizziness so the search was on trying to find a replacement. Was not able to find a private person again that was recommended so we ended up with a service. Merry Maids to be exact.

It costs us $180 for two people for two hours. Am I happy with them - no I am not!!! It is a hit and miss situation and the obvious things that should be cleaned or wiped are not. If you ask them to do something it has to be on the sheet that was filled out when the manager of the company came through the house on the initital visit. I know darn well that there were several things that I said that I wanted done that are supposedly not on the sheet.

They don't move items on tables or shelves, don't move end tables that are on legs and not tight on the carpeting (where dust does accumulate), they won't dust the blinds unless I pull them down everytime they come, they don't dust the woodwork between the fridge and the wall and I could go on and on. I have asked them three times to WIPE with a DAMP RAG the patio track but that is never done either.

They have what they call a deep clean every six months - that's when they dust the top of the wall units and items on it and move furniture that it moveable and vac my drapes and valances and vac furniture. So for six months dust can pile up on top of my wall units and drapes and valances and if I want it cleaned I need to to it myself.

The first initital cleaning cost us $400 dollars! Yep, the big initial clean - didn't see much difference from what they do every two weeks when they come. If I cancel and then it is a month to the next time they come to clean I have to pay almost $400 for that next time. Now I am a very clean, neat and orderly person. We do not smoke, non-shedding pet (a little Poodle), no kids, nothing is on counters or tables or any other place, it looks like no one lives here because everything is put away, dishes are never in the sink, stove it clean and on and on.

Why do I keep them - because I can't find anyone else that I can trust. Trust is a big thing with cleaning people. About 5 years ago we had two people come in to clean for us for many years when I worked full time and they abused my wood work, cabinets and broke things. They cost me a lot of money in repairs to wall paper, lamp shades, woodwork and cabinet repairs. Why don't I call and compain you ask......I did in the begining and then the next time they showed up you could feel the cold and hate radiate off of them when they came in the door.

I wish I were young again and healthy so that I could clean my own house. Merry Maids are franchises I think so maybe they are better in your area or city. Good luck finding someone.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

We considered the big national companies when we were looking for cleaning lady but they were just too darn expensive. I like having someone in weekly, it's just the two of us and we live in a condo so 4hrs does it. We chose a local woman from Angie's list. She actually works for an agency but also has her own clients. She charges $15 an our and she's fast and thourough. She does the whole thing in 3 hours, I give her $50. I don't tip weekly because we give our cleaning ladies generous Christmas bonuses.

Gooday · ‎03-23-2010

We use a Hispanic woman while we are in Az. for 6-7 months. My brother and SIL have used Sylvia for the past 10-12 years. She charges us $60.00 and we have a 2,000sq foot house. She comes every other Tuesday and does a fabulous job. However, there are just the two of us and we have no pets. We sometimes go out before she gets to the house so, we leave the key under the mat and when she's done, the key goes back if we're not home. We supply the cleaning materials. I give her extra money at Christmas and before we go back to Illinois for the summer.

Also: she strips our bed and washes the sheets and makes the bed! She is a gem and I hope she never leaves! When we came back in October, I asked if she raised her rates and she did not. I would gladly pay her more if she asked.

spix · ‎04-26-2013

I had a girl who did a good job, but got married so she stopped her cleaning. Tried Merry Maids once, pretty much the same as what I've read here, first time they tell you all they're going to do NOT!

Stopped for a long time, then tried a woman that a friend uses, first time she was a really good, 2nd time a little less, kept going this way, so I was not happy, let her go, now looking for a replacement, want only once a month (to cut costs) & I also clear everything away, so she can just come in and clean, here, in Chicago they charge $20 hour, cash, most are immigrants so I'm sure no tax is paid, so I believe that's a very generous payment, I know for sure they could not get a job paying that amount much less tax free, so now I'm not sure what I'll do, did get a flyer & might try that to see how it works out. btw I do't have any bedrooms done so no valuables are accessible.

ShowMe · ‎09-06-2010

I don't know if you have Scrubby Dutch in your area or not, but I have them clean my apartment (2 bedrooms, 1 bath) every 2 weeks. Have been very satisfied with the team that cleans for me.

Lucky Charm · ‎03-09-2010

@millieshops wrote:

I had such a bad experience the one time I used a service that I never tried again. The second time, the service sent a man to do the cleaning and I watched him walk from a bathroom into the kitchen and start to clean there with the same dirty water! He was upset when I asked him to leave immediately - saw nothing wrong. I did.

Bingo!

I've witnessed cleaners cleaning toilets with their bare hands. I don't do that in my own home.

The *rags* they bring could've cleaned someones toilet before and now their polishing your kitchen cabinets with them. No thank you.

I think you need to hire someone who works for themselves.

maestra · ‎03-09-2010

My 2nd job after teaching FT is being the maid. DH tries to help but he's not as fastidious as I am, esp. in bathrooms and kitchen.

hovis · ‎10-24-2014

I have a cleaning lady that comes once a month. She is great. She is hispanic and does everything. And she only charges $50.00 and she is here 3 hours. We live in a small ranch and it takes her that long to clean. She is very thrustworthy. My two sister in laws use her and they love her. I asked her why she only charge fifty dollars and she said I love to clean. How about that? Thanks.