house keeper question
ps...you all would be so proud of me....ive left her alone and havent even bugged her once.....the house doesnt smell clean yet though...think it would be wrong to tell her to pledge and pinesol liberally????? |
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| I think offering coffee/soda/water is enough. Usually they would bring their own snack or lunch if they wanted.
When interviewing did you ask what supplies she uses? Maybe she doesn't pledge or pinesol. With your immune system on edge it might be better to use more natural products  Unfortunately that usually means sacrificing the smells we associate with clean |
| she told me everything that i had was okay...but to add a broom (whats wrong with the vacuum cleaner??) and liquid toilet cleaner...okeydokey..... |
| I would say not to feed her.
That's funny you mention it, though--my parents told me last night their housekeeper has been bringing her cousin lately to help her and to prepare her because the old one was going to Mexico for a few weeks and the cousin would take over during that time. They also clean my brother's apt. Turns out she made $40 of calls to Mexico and ate a lot of my brother's food...My parents don't know what to do because they love the original housekeeper (although she's not very good  ). They just don't know if it's normal for this to happen. |
| She works for you, she's not there on a social visit. Let her know from the getgo, she's welcome to help herself to water, soda, whatever. If she works a full day, she should have the opportunity take a break. If you want to offer her lunch, great...if not, she can bring her own. Let her know she is welcome to keep her lunch in the fridge. If she is using the cleaning products you want, but you can't smell them, it could be because you are there while she's using them. Take a walk with Panda, and when you get back, you should be able to smell them (I love Pinesol!). Right now, I'm unhappy with my housekeeper, and am on the prowl for a new one. Think yours will commute to Illinois? |
| honestly, i dont care if she eats anything...but the long distance would be a huge no no...we dont have long distance on our land line, so that would end up being freaking expensive!!! |
barney1 wrote: ...My parents don't know what to do because they love the original housekeeper (although she's not very good
). They just don't know if it's normal for this to happen.I had a housekeeper for about 5 years. As a person, I adored her, but after about 3 years, she did a crappier and crappier job. So, I let her go (told her with both kids in college, we couldn't afford it). I think after awhile, they get too comfortable. I 've gone through 3 housekeepers since then. They all do a better job, but they are unrealiable, show up when they want, and I have a difficult time communicating with them. AND! Worst of all none of them have developed a relationship with my dogs, like my orginal one did. I may have to eat my pride, and call her back! Oh Gosh! I didn't realize how much I missed her!  |
debcram wrote: barney1 wrote: ...My parents don't know what to do because they love the original housekeeper (although she's not very good ). They just don't know if it's normal for this to happen.I had a housekeeper for about 5 years. As a person, I adored her, but after about 3 years, she did a crappier and crappier job. So, I let her go (told her with both kids in college, we couldn't afford it). I think after awhile, they get too comfortable. I 've gone through 3 housekeepers since then. They all do a better job, but they are unrealiable, show up when they want, and I have a difficult time communicating with them. AND! Worst of all none of them have developed a relationship with my dogs, like my orginal one did. I may have to eat my pride, and call her back! Oh Gosh! I didn't realize how much I missed her! My parents' housekeeper is very reliable, just doesn't clean very well! But she loves my parents' sheepie. I think Maggie understands Spanish better than English She's had a lot of problems in the last few years--her husband got really sick and eventually died, so I think she's trying to adjust to life without him as well as both her boys have moved out to go away to college. |
| Its amazing how much we adjust our lives to accomidate our dogs!!!!! But, they are there with the housekeepers while I'm at work, so those housekeepers better be good with them! |
| okay, she just left to go pick her son up from school...i
ve done a sneak check...all is good....i just added a little more pinesol to the water...she is doing a great job....i think she likes the vacuum cleaner more than dust rags....hey, whatever as long as there is no more dust!!! the worst room is last...the dreaded family room with floor to ceiling wood blinds, pandas bed and toys, dust bunnies and grass galore......we'll see how she does here! |
Darcy wrote: honestly, i dont care if she eats anything...but the long distance would be a huge no no...we dont have long distance on our land line, so that would end up being freaking expensive!!!
Eating your food or using your phone without permission would be theft. Under no circumstances besides a medical emergency should she need to use your phone. If she needs a ride to pick her up that is fine, but there is no "phone work" involved in cleaning a house.  |
| she used her own cell phone....
im just stressed because she still has the familyroom left and i have to go to the doctors at 3...im not sure i want to leave her alone yet....crap |
| My dad has a housekeeper... she doesn't do a great job. She used to spend 4 full hours for $40 once per week, now she spends only about 90 minutes once per month, but still charges $40. Of course she started 10 or 12 years ago... |
My housekeeper does a great job. I don't know how I could survive without her! 
When she started I asked if there was any type of drink she would like to keep on hand for her, but she declined (she brings a cup of Starbucks). I don't think she ever eats our food. That would be kind of weird. She's not there all day though, so I guess she eats before or after. I'm sure each situation depends on how laid-back you and the housekeeper are. For example, if the person cleaning your house is a family friend and she doesn't charge you too much, maybe offer her some snacks. If you have a professional cleaning service who send over a team and they charge you out the wazoo - then they should not touch your food! |
I've got a treasure , she brings her own lunch , knows she is free to make tea or coffee for herself if and when she wants, uses the cleaning stuff I like, gets along well with Dutch and says if it doesn't mess with her lawnbowling she will be happy to move in and stay with Dutch if I need her to .And I trust her completley, And NO I won't share her  |
| Ok can someone tell me why I don't have a housekeeper? Well I do but I call her me or myself. |
| I had a house-keeping live-in nanny when the kids were young....Boy do I miss her....: (
She spent every day at home with my dog, so they were really close. She ate and drank whatever she wanted, of cource, as she lived with us. Some things she cleaned very well, and some she didn't. She came from a tropical island, and it was a few months before I found out she had been bathing my 1 yr old daily in cold water....  |
BatonRougeSheepies wrote: Ok can someone tell me why I don't have a housekeeper? Well I do but I call her me or myself.
I have "Me" also and boy oh boy does she work her butt off ........LOL
Antoinette |
| Just me the cleaning lady too. I did house cleaning in college, as a part time job. For the Dean, and his wife's mother too. It was a good weekend cash paying job.
No one I know has a housekeeper - just seems too weird to me (unless you are sick, or have a chronic illness, etc). if i have a mess, it seems like i should clean it up. That's what we teach the kids! And it sounds stressful - worrying if they do a good job (I'm picky about that too) , or eating your food, snooping, using the phone, etc. |
| I have a wonderful young girl. I feel very fortunate in having found her really........ She comes and spends about 3 hours........ i offer her drinks and lunch but she declines.
I grew up with a spanish Duena living in with us. (my mom was in bad health with rheu. arth) so i knew what tacos and enchiladas were long before fried chicken and meatloaf!) 
Ariana was here today, and i told her i was leaving for San Miguel next week to look at a business and possibly housing (been threatening to move for 3 years now)....... she asked if she and her baby could come with me and live with me....... heck yeah i'll take her!!!! She doesn't clean near as 'deep' as i would like, so once every 4 months i hire Merrymaids or some such to come in and wash baseboards and deep clean........ Not sure if you guys get Fabuloso at the store but i love it better than pinesol or mr clean etc!! I love the orange smelling one and the lavender isn't bad either. |
jean wrote: I've got a treasure , she brings her own lunch , knows she is free to make tea or coffee for herself if and when she wants, uses the cleaning stuff I like, gets along well with Dutch and says if it doesn't mess with her lawnbowling she will be happy to move in and stay with Dutch if I need her to .And I trust her completley, And NO I won't share her
I've never heard of a lawnbowling housekeeper before! |
got sheep wrote: No one I know has a housekeeper - just seems too weird to me (unless you are sick, or have a chronic illness, etc). if i have a mess, it seems like i should clean it up. That's what we teach the kids!
If you sit at home all day and have a daily maid who follows you around, that does seem a little excessive. But there are many people who have crazy-busy schedules and hardly have any time at home. Having someone help out to clean is great if you don't want to spend your few hours at home scrubbing the toilet.  Almost everyone I know in Dallas has a house-cleaner.
For Jason and me, we both work full-time, both have 1-2hr commute each day, both have graduate school (Mon, Tues, & Wed one of us in school until 10pm, plus an online class, plus homework/studying), church on sunday, volunteer in the 2yr old class before church, have external work functions (on a weekly basis), have a new puppy, etc. etc. etc. Having someone else clean the floors/toilets/shower is priceless!  And of course, we still keep the house neat, do our dishes and laundry, and so on. |
| My Dad has a housekeeper who comes one day a week and stays all day. He feeds her. Nothing fancy just lunch type stuff.
I think if you HK is staying all day and not leaving it's nice to offer her a light lunch. Since you are having her to help you though I think it would be fair to tell her to "help herself" (make her own sancwhich etc). When I was a kid we had a housekeeper daily, she always ate lunch with us. |
| Stephanie, you took the words outta my mouth! We have our housekeeper every other week. She comes for about 5 hours. She does the big floor washing, bathroom cleaning, cleaning the ceiling fans, deep, deep vacuuming of carpets and furniture (we have 2 dogs, 2 cats, and Tony is losing his hair ). That is every other week, which means, I still do tons for cleaning in between! I know people who have housekeepers do their wash, change their linens, etc. Bravo to them! I would love that, but just can't justify it. I work about 45 hours a week, Tony works close to 60. I'm involved with many civic groups, not to mention my 2 x a week to the gym, and my treadmill at home. There is just too much for me to lose my entire weekend to housecleaning! As it is, I spend most of Saturday being a domestic (cleaning, grocery shopping, preparing food the upcoming week.) I see my housekeeper as my angel. She gives me Sunday afternoons free! |
| She turned out awesome!! My wood floors squeek, there is no dust anywhere....Im happy...
It was really hard not to tell her the order in which to clean...lol...i think my system is much more effective...and this is my first house keeper ever!! Wonder if Brian will let me keep her after im able to do all the cleaning again |
| My Lady only comes every two weeks and does the heavey stuff, and I'm retired. But heck after raising 4 kids and a hubby , lizards, dogs, cats birds and monkeys and working a full time job I think I deserve her:lol: |
| (Ok...pretend this is an embrodered pillow)
Housekeepers are gifts we give ourselves! |
| jean did you say monkey???????????????
explain that one please......... |
| Jean's housekeeper lawnbowls and Jean raises monkeys. Clearly she lives in Wonderland or someplace magical! |
| I should have left the s off the monkey, a son had a spider monkey as a pet. Not one of my favorite things and lawnbowling is just another everyday sport |
| Our niece ( John's sister's daughter) cleans for us every two weeks. She does a horrible job- and I end up cleaning again. We have kept her around for two years- because she and her husband are both in school.
She has free reign of the house/ fridge. Mom's cleaning lady brings her lunch- and takes an hour break at 1:00 to watch a soap opera. Mom is ok with that.... Sara has cleaned for her for years. Sometimes they have coffee and cookies or something if Momis baking. Beyond that- she brings her water and drinks and lunch. |
| This thread really made me miss my old housekeeper (even if she does suck most of the time), so I called her. She will be starting back this Thursday. She misses us too! I'm very comfortable with her. She comes when she says she will, and she loves the dogs (and they love her). She lets them out, and kisses them. (Boy, am I a softie!) And if I ask nicely, and not too often, she does a good job. I feel good about this decision althought Tony thinks I'm nuts. The others that I have used in the time since she left, have not been reliable. Oh well....at least the bathrooms will be clean, and the dogs happy! |
| Oh I wish I checked this thread sooner!
Deborah, we have a cleaning lady who we are very happy with. She is a referral from our neighbor and I've referred her out to a few now happy friends. I think she would come out to Gurnee as she drives to a client (friend of ours) in Barrington from the city. PM me and I can give you her phone number. She is very reliable, cleans well, accomodating, and LOVES LOVES LOVES the dogs . I'm not usually home when she cleans, but on the rare occasions that I am, I can tell how much she she likes the dogs and vice versa She has a little dog of her own now so I'm sure she smells great! Sometimes Steve makes comments that she spends more time outside with the pups than cleaning. I remind him not to complain too much as she's much more thorough than the last girls we had. We have increased her to come once a week and both of us feel a huge weight lifted off our shoulders. It's so nice to come home to a house that has been cleaned. I can only do light housework and was tired of nagging Steve to vacuum, as was he.
We have switched to primarily natural cleaning products due to my sensitivity to smells. The house doesn't smell chemical clean to me which is just fine. I think she does a very good job and can usually read my notes. Here's a funny story... I have told Elizabeth to help herself if she's hungry or thirsty. She does typically bring her own lunch and we don't usually have anything that tasty in the house. One day I came home a little early, and she was still cleaning. I barely opened the door and she told me that she forgot her lunch and was apologizing for eating one little piece of thin crust pizza. I told her not to worry at all and to please eat some more so she didn't pass out. No, no no. The next time she was to arrive, I placed a note on the table telling her to take any items she wanted from a box of giveaways. I came home from work and was looking all over the place for the Boboli pizza crust Steve had placed on top of the refrigerator. I called Elizabeth to ask if she "hid" it somewhere. She let out an embarrassed laugh and said that she had forgot her glasses that day and thought my note said for her to take the pizza crust She assumed that since she enjoyed pizza the previous week, that I was giving her more. She was really sweet about it and I could tell this was not an intentional ask. I really really like her! |
| Stacy?????? What do you mean, you usually don't have anything tasty in your house? Don't you guys eat??????  |
Darcy wrote: i think she likes the vacuum cleaner more than dust rags....wood blinds, !
Two comments from the male side of the issue: I do all my dusting with the vacuum cleaner small round brush. I figure the dust rag just moves the dust around and back in the air. About blinds: I just installed 2"wood blinds on the windows replacing the 1" aluminum mini blinds that were all kinked. What's the quickest and easiest way to clean all those slats. Deb: How far is Gurnee from St. Louis, maybe we (barney, maggie and I)could come up and clean the place for you. I'm old fashioned, my toilet bowl cleaner is Comet, a rag and elbow grease... I get right into it. |
George wrote: About blinds: I just installed 2"wood blinds on the windows replacing the 1" aluminum mini blinds that were all kinked. What's the quickest and easiest way to clean all those slats. You just asked and answered your own question. Replacing them is easiest! |
| Ron
Aluminum blinds were 25yrs old and due for replacement. Wood blinds are not a throw away item $$$. |
| You didn't specify easiest and least expensive
It may break your rule about not pushing the dust around, but I've seen feather-duster-like tools that have multiple fingers for cleaning slats. We have had so few blinds over the years (Now we have just one, and it's an aluminum mini blind in the motorhome) that we just gently clean them with a feather duster or a rag. Sorry, no good advice here. |
| We have about a million-gazillion wood blinds in our house, and they are a pain to clean!! They get soo dusty! If you close them and then use the vacuum brush up and down the slats, it does help. Close them the opposite way and clean the other side.
I say vacuum anything that needs to be dusted! I even vacuumed the sheets once (while they were on the bed) to get the cat hair off. Anything with dust on it... just vacuum it off! The couch, the coffee table, the widow sills, the counter.. Yes, I know I am weird. But it works! (Probably why I am no longer in charge of the vacuum.) |
| George, its about 5-6 hours from St. Louis! We're at the Wisc border. Come on up! Speaking of St. Louis, my husband and I are going to Fenton for Christmas...he's family is there. How far are you from there? |
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