Swt63Sun 11:46:54 PM Jul 07 2008

Now in the same breath.....While it is true you can hire some college kid to clean usually about 30-50 % cheaper....you may get lucky to find someone to work like a dog to clean your mess for pennies on the dollar of what you should be paying them for... But just remember if something(s) is broken or stolen you have NO recourse to sue and recover the lost $$ amounts. I(Unless you catch them in the act) Plus if not more scary, if someone slips and falls and say breaks their leg or worse neck on your porperty ....you would be personally responisble since you hired them under the table. No waiver..if you make them sign one, is going to save you from a possible lawsuit since you are illegally hiring someone...etc etc. Just some food for thought. Good Luck

Swt63Sun 11:46:23 PM Jul 07 2008

They will learn your likes and dislikes..favorite flower, color or even perhaps leave you a birthday card. Good services will even change light bulbs, batteries to the smoke detectors and change furnace filters. At least I do anyway. And yes, tip them during the holidays.or a small gift, usually $25 is good enough (per cleaner). Trust me, we remember by when you would ask us to do somthing "extra" and not charge you for it, once or twice. ..but don't go crazy on the extras b/c …Yes you will be charged if you try to take advantage of us. And last but not least, remember to treat your house cleaner(s) as people. Say helllo ..ask them how their day is going? But restrain yourself from acting in such a manner to ....Talk down to them as if your cleaner have no idea what it is like to do this or that. Or as if the person can not relate to anything within a topic of substance. You'd be surprised to know that increasing that they are college educated. Four out of the six women who wor

Swt63Sun 11:41:25 PM Jul 07 2008

As far as information about hiring a house cleaner....it would be a good place to start to create a fresh slate to start from so that you can not feel so overhelmed by years of dirt or grime. Make sure the service is bonded, licensed a liability insurance policy and carries workers comp. (ask to see the papers) AND make sure that all employees ihave had background checks pulled- with no criminal or child abuse history. Do some research ...ask for references - at least 5 current clients. Ask friends who they use and why? Get at least 3 quotes. Also ask if you are going to be having the same people clean your home every time...I think it is bad business having numerous people in and out of your home knowing every detail of what is in it and not to mention you can't even remember their names. Get to know these people and they will care for you in a way that is very unique.

Swt63Sun 11:40:27 PM Jul 07 2008

This is because you are not looking at it in a way that brings you up close and personal with the dirt or floors. I have seen some serious neglect that caused a family to have to spend $$$$$ on plumbing and new floor boards etc because they choose to ignore for months the leaky toliet and shower OR perhaps they they never saw it underneath all the grime. If you have to lay out towels outside your shower door because it leaks from the door when it is closed ..then it is time to call someone to fix it for a few hundred versus $10 grand later. It was a very nice house from the outside but inside it was a mess!

Swt63Sun 11:37:37 PM Jul 07 2008

I have seen first hand what happens when "BOTH" parents give up on working to teach their kids to help out around the house. ....they hire me.... a house cleaner. While it is great for business aka job security.... allowing for another future generation to pull from for work for me to take on. And I can understand and see the stress the house cleaning places on the family dyamnics, etc thus why they have called a service. Our society has changed so much to make a living usually both parents have to work to make it. Often the woman is left holding the bag because she is trying to literally do 2 jobs....career person and homemaker. She has little to no patience with trying to teach or fight her kids to do the right thing to help her out...husband included. People often forget that the if they own their home....with every month that passes and you are not cleaning your home ...you could be causing or allowing it to lose it's value. This is because you are not looking at it in a way that

Swt63Sun 11:35:55 PM Jul 07 2008

I have seen first hand what happens when "BOTH" parents give up on working to teach their kids to help out around the house. ....they hire me.... a house cleaner. While it is great for business aka job security.... allowing for another future generation to pull from for work for me to take on. And I can understand and see the stress the house cleaning places on the family dyamnics, etc thus why they have called a service. Our society has changed so much to make a living usually both parents have to work to make it. Often the woman is left holding the bag because she is trying to literally do 2 jobs....career person and homemaker. She has little to no patience with trying to teach or fight her kids to do the right thing to help her out...husband included. People often forget that the if they own their home....with every month that passes and you are not cleaning your home ...you could be causing or allowing it to lose it's value. This is because you are not looking at it in a way that

B m list 05:31:08 PM Jun 21 2008

I happen to agree with this article. Your kids not cleaning the house with you is an issue. I have a younger brother who was very spoiled by my mom and never did anything. The result: He is barely surviving college; you should see how messy his apartment is just because no one taught him how to clean. Also, my husband and I make sure to split the chores so no one is left complaining. We both work, we are both people, and just because he's a man doesn't mean he doesn't chip in at home.

Foxfire35858201 09:47:52 PM Jan 19 2008

It just amazes me how some of these women cannot get help from their children. I raised two children who are now grown and believe me, they helped. They did not argue with me because I would not put up with it. I never did make threats to them because they knew if I said something that was the way it was. Now it is not to say that every now and then they would try me to see if I had a "weak spot" which I didn't. My kids have thanked me for making them do their chores. Yes I am a child of the 50's but we also had a farm and a business so everyone was busy. Ladies get your kids moving. They can be responsibile for their own rooms and help in other ares. If they do not do what you ask then you do not do for them. Hey who is the parent.? Housework is not just for women, it is for everyone who lives in the house. This means husbands too.

Shabbypink123 07:16:15 PM Jan 19 2008

I have a once a month cleaning service, but the rst of the time I'm stuck doing everything after working umpteen hours a day, umpteen days a week while my husband sits on his behind. Not to mention my 6 year old runs the other way when I ask her to "help" mommy.

Secreatdandi 05:56:39 PM Jan 19 2008

So let's see - "Women" can clean the coat closet while waiting for the car pool. How nice and 50's is that? What do the men do? First, they're not waiting for the carpool. They've already driven off to their work. Set aside 2 hours each week for cleaning, or 20 mins a day, etc. I work 8-9 hours a day, come home, feed 22 horses, make dinner, feed the dogs, do the laundry, while hubby. who I love dearly and have for over 30 years, exercises his thumb switching stations on TV, and making sure that the couch cushions don't float away. So geez, why should I get upset????????? And as for the line about "ENlist the older kids" - I haven't laughed that hard in years. Do the people who wrote this even HAVE kids? My kids could walk around, over, through, and under a mess and never see it. Then try to get them to help? Funniest thing I've heard in years.
I'm sorry if this offends some men. Yup, there are men out there who clean and help around the house. I just don't personally kn