Home › Forums › WSB Reader Recommendations › Housekeeper needed – less so a housecleaner
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August 24, 2014 at 7:58 pm #612450
SeekingEurosParticipantI am seeking an old fashioned house keeper. Someone who not only cleans but more importantly puts the house in order. I have tried the crews, and that is not what i want. Seeking just 1 person to visit weekly, and keep a 2,200 sf in order (really only 1,200 is used regularly). I am listing my gmail address if you know of someone, bonded and insured that is available seekingeuros at the IP address gmail. Price is negotiable, as long as the person is a housekeeper.
August 25, 2014 at 1:03 am #812528
JanSParticipantAugust 25, 2014 at 3:45 am #812529
JeannieParticipantHmmm…Housekeepers…I’m thinking lovable Alice from the Brady Bunch or the competent and compassionate Mrs. Hughes of Downton Abbey. BUT if a stern-faced woman named Mrs. Danvers comes in for an interview, and she says she used to work at a place called Manderley, watch out!
August 25, 2014 at 6:00 am #812530
ellenaterMemberI’m just wondering what the difference is?
August 25, 2014 at 7:03 am #812531
SeekingEurosParticipantThis is a serious post. We have tried 4 different house cleaners in the last year, and all clean like the house is a hotel (including the toilet paper fold). We are looking for someone who will pickup clothes from various places in the house (none have done this and recently we tested the cleaner by leaving a clothes item on the dining room chair – 4 weeks later, it still sits on the chair) and return to the closet, match up shoes that seem to disappear, wash linen and clothes when asked, prepare the house for guests, not ding the walls or break things, semi annually clean out the fridge…… We have been on site for the first two visits, left written instructions, and a personal reminder also when items are not addressed… Yet we get more of the same. Surely someone in WS has a housekeeper (not cleaner) they are willing to share….please.
August 25, 2014 at 7:03 am #812532
SeekingEurosParticipantThis is a serious post. We have tried 4 different house cleaners in the last year, and all clean like the house is a hotel (including the toilet paper fold). We are looking for someone who will pickup clothes from various places in the house (none have done this and recently we tested the cleaner by leaving a clothes item on the dining room chair – 4 weeks later, it still sits on the chair) and return to the closet, match up shoes that seem to disappear, wash linen and clothes when asked, prepare the house for guests, not ding the walls or break things, semi annually clean out the fridge…… We have been on site for the first two visits, left written instructions, and a personal reminder also when items are not addressed… Yet we get more of the same. Surely someone in WS has a housekeeper (not cleaner) they are willing to share….please.
August 25, 2014 at 7:05 am #812533
SeekingEurosParticipantDouble post , sorry
August 25, 2014 at 5:30 pm #812534
ElizagraceParticipanthttp://practicalmagicseattle.com/about/
Rita Wiitala – housekeeper and life organizer extraordinaire!!
August 25, 2014 at 10:19 pm #812535
JeannieParticipantGood luck, SeekingEuros. Yes, we understand it was a serious post, and I can imagine how frustrating your situation must have been with the housecleaners. Indeed, the fancy toilet-paper fold is unnecessary! Hope you don’t mind that we teased you a bit.
August 27, 2014 at 6:47 am #812536
JanSParticipantI am curious as to how you want to employ this person. Do you want them to be exclusively employed by you? Once a week? Twice a month?
In a previous life, quite some time ago, I cleaned houses for a living…solo. Had more than I could handle…one house a day (no helpers). I was at each house 4 hours a day…big, big houses on Sunset Ave. Dusted, vacuumed, scrubbed hardwood floors, stoves, refrigerators, walls. I changed beds, but was only infrequently asked to actually do the laundry. It was difficult enough going into a child’s room to change sheets, and there was so much crap I could barely wade to the bed. IMO, it’s the households job to pick all that up. Sweater on the dining room chair? I don’t know what closet it goes to, esp. if there are multiple teenagers in the house. Again, IMO, it’s up to the owner of said clothing to put it away where it belongs(you actually left it there for 4 weeks?wouldn’t it have been easier to just put it away?). Do you want me to do that? Then tell me. Go through the mail? Tell me exactly what’s important, what’s not, and where they go. Clean all the paperwork off your dining room table? How do I know what goes where, what’s junk, what’s not? We don’t mind read. If you hire me for 4 hours, don’t give me 6-7 hours of work to do. It’s unreasonable. If you have dogs in the house, and they poop on the floor all the time…not my job (yes, that happened). Ironing? Hey, that can take a long time. What don’t you want done that day? Dishes, loading the dishwasher? I could do that, but scrubbing dirty pots and pans? Nope…you cooked it, you clean it.:)
That’s why I asked…how do you want to employ this person…exclusively or not? And, lastly, communicate…don’t assume we know what you want done besides the basics, the regular cleaning stuff, changing beds, etc. And put it in writing, so there’s no argument/guessing about it.
Hope you find your “Alice” :) There may be one reading this thread…good luck :)
August 27, 2014 at 6:25 pm #812537
acemotelParticipantInstead of testing the housekeepers, why don’t you talk to them about what you want done? I have had a couple housekeepers, both Mexican-American it so happens, who cleaned in the manner you desire, putting everything away and straightening all the surfaces (tables, counters), putting clothes in the closet, etc. They did all this without being instructed, and it resulted in some amusing situations (couldn’t find a bag of rice, missing a certain pair of socks, etc) It’s a matter of training, I think. Maybe you would have better luck if you found someone who was new to the profession, and trained her yourself. I don’t think any of the housekeepers I have employed have been bonded and insured.
August 28, 2014 at 4:40 am #812538
SeekingEurosParticipantI appreciate the advice. We have had two very successful housekeepers in the past that have had no problem for the fees we pay, worked for us for 3 years and 5 years respectively as a housekeeper doing the duties we ask (our house is pretty easy to care for if you can find the right person – every room does not require cleaning every week). The most recent one moved with her family to the east coast. We have tried several individuals in the last year. The theme of comments — being clear and communicating – We have a checklist of all of our expectations (4 pages with explicit instructions – weekly rotations of more intensive cleaning – including where to put things in straightening up and a clear request to text either of us if there is any uncertainty). We have left notes explaining what is NOT getting done, appreciating what is done (or when more than was asked is done) and when work is incomplete, we asked if we are expectations are too high. Virtually all of the responses “I forgot” or “I was rushed as I wanted to go home early”. For what we are willing to pay (which is above the going rate) after weeks of excuses and damaged walls, scratched floors, etc, we feel we have to make a change and search for a better fit. Unfortunately we are unable to always be home, so we communicate through written paper messages and text messages…. yet the things we ask are not being done. One of us is always there the first few visits for face to face discussion. I believe average pay begets average performance, so we pay above average and expect more than average (or our case, mediocre).
In between the two successful housekeepers, we had serious damage to the house, hence the bonding and insurance. We will not make that mistake again.
I’m not looking for a cook or someone to raise our kids (they are adults)…. so the “Alice” is not the analogy…. just an old fashioned housekeeper. I know there are good ones out there.
August 28, 2014 at 3:12 pm #812539
JoBParticipantthe are called wife :(
August 29, 2014 at 7:58 am #812540
auParticipantyou might want to try a personal assistant. perhaps you’ll have better luck if you search for some one in that category of services. or a high school/college student maybe
August 29, 2014 at 8:05 pm #812541
SeekingEurosParticipantJanS and JoB — that is an insult to my wife who works 60+ hrs a week professionally (and loves her work), and truthfully to me. These types of comments have driven her away from the Blog entirely. blog posters really need to think before they type (golden rule).
August 30, 2014 at 6:29 am #812542
JanSParticipantseekingeuros…I suggest you lighten up just a little :D
No one is trying to insult anyone. 60+ hours a week? To what end? Sounds like she needs a break…
for goodness sake, if she (or you) take a little lighthearted saying as an insult, maybe someone needs to look inward. I’m just being observant..you take us way too seriously. If saying jokingly ” sounds like you need a wife”, then you have a bigger problem than needing a housekeeper. I’m tired of people jumping down other posters throats on here for innocent things, me, Job, or anyone else. I’m glad she loves her job…60+ hrs a week is extreme, in my book…there’s balance in everything, I think, but that’s just me. I’m stepping away from this thread permanently…
Have a great weekend, and hope you find who you’re looking for …
August 30, 2014 at 4:18 pm #812543
JoBParticipantSeekingEuros
are you unfamiliar with the profession of wife .. otherwise known as homemaker?
it is a serious profession that is only historically relegated to an insult by those who think the institution of marriage defines it.
as a married disabled woman who struggles to keep her home in order i can assure you that i personally would love nothing more than to have a part time wife.
unfortunately, it’s a dying profession.. marginally replaced by house keepers and cleaners of specific surfaces…
In this day and age when women typically work the same back breaking hours that men do to provide that much needed second income they are needed more than ever…
but aside from the lucky few who have a full time live in family member who is versed in the arcane arts of home making..
or those who can afford to hire a domestic staff..
most of us are out of luck.
August 30, 2014 at 7:25 pm #812544
Infrequent CommenterMemberSeeking Euros,
Wow. All you wanted was to reach out for some advice / referral on a community forum in search of a service you needed.
And look what you got.. Social commentary, Judgment, Told to lighten up, Unrequested analysis of your life, all from the comfort of someone else’s keyboard.
Hey Frequent Flyers – sometimes people just want what they’re asking for (like the name of a good housekeeping service), not a long litany of your opinions. We’re up to 18 posts now, and only two appear to offer any actual pertinent information.
I encourage everyone on here to re-read the string and think about how you would feel if you were the original poster..
August 30, 2014 at 9:06 pm #812545
dcnParticipantWhat Infrequent Commenter said. I was thinking the same thing, but couldn’t have said it nearly as well.
August 30, 2014 at 9:29 pm #812546
JoBParticipantwhat i tried to point out to SeekingEruos in a gentle teasing way before he pulled the insulted card was that even though he has found house cleaners who would straighten his house in the past…
perhaps house straightening is not generally part of the job description for weekly house cleaners…
and i personally think that he insulted me when he commented that the term wife when used as a job description insulted both his wife and him…
but there you go… i took that job description very seriously when i was able enough to do so.
if i had simply wanted to be snarky i could have pointed out the national stats on the number of hours working men in America put in on housework versus their equally employed spouses
and/or suggested that adults pick up after themselves…
would that have been more acceptable?
now.. you are perfectly welcome to disagree with either of those two premises…
but telling me or anyone else to shut up unless we have something to say that you want to hear is not an acceptable option.
have you ever wondered how often those whose posts you don’t like or don’t want to read find yours less than inspiring?
just saying…
on topic…
i personally thought au’s suggestion of looking for a personal assistant instead was a good one..
their job description includes just about anything you want it to..
August 31, 2014 at 1:21 am #812547
Infrequent CommenterMemberWow. Still more.
You’re just further illustrating my point, there, JoB. I guess when you’re on here 24/7 you start to think you own every discussion and anyone else who doesn’t like it is either mean or too sensitive.
All he wanted was a housekeeper reference. Telling him to get a ‘wife’ is judgmental because you’re criticizing their decision to get a housekeeper in the first place. whatever. Everyone hires something out at some point .. plumber, child care, etc., etc.
The point is that you and others took this way off topic just to get your two cents in about someone else’s lifestyle.
But hey I’m pulling out here because you’ve made my point. The Frequent Flyers here dominate the forums with their constant commentary; screw anyone else who just has a simple request.
Which is just sad.
August 31, 2014 at 2:36 am #812548
SeekingEurosParticipantThank you Infrequent and dcn. I appreciate the support.
August 31, 2014 at 3:24 am #812549
ElizagraceParticipantI have to agree with infrequent commenter- seeking euros was looking for a recommendation not comments on his needs-(those were stated in his request)
Not to make this a bigger issue, but I am a little put off on the wife comments as well, not only for me but really on behalf of my husband who does just as much housework as I do if not more and we still have someone come in from time to time to get the deep clean. Oh, and being a wife has new meanings outside if being a homemaker in our family- it is more of being a partner in every part of the word, housework included.
Also, when it was noted that there was some rude or at the very least unhelpful comments instead of owning it and offering a legitimate suggestion defenses were put up and the post was completely hijacked! Not cool or neighborly.
Seeking euros I would again recommend Rita- she is a ws woman and is highly capable, not sure if her skills are exactly what you are looking for but she is a rock star!!
August 31, 2014 at 4:12 am #812550
JoBParticipantInfrequent commenter..
for the record.. i didn’t tell the OP to get a wife.
i labeled the job description wife.
“the are called wife :(“
and for that remark i got accused of insulting him and his wife..
and am accused of hijacking the topic..
what exactly was i supposed to own?
that i don’t like being called out for something i didn’t do?
Sorry everyone has their panties in a bunch.. but if you actually read what i said instead of what you read into it you would find that the rail you would like to run me out of town on would be better suited elsewhere…
As for being neighborly Elizagrace… it’s kind of hard to do with so many hobnailed boots shoved down my throat.
August 31, 2014 at 4:45 am #812551
bimincParticipantAs a frequent reader of this blog, I don’t comment much, but the comments to SeekingEuros about ‘getting a wife’, ‘lightening up’, ‘having bigger issues than needing a housekeeper’ and “you take us way too seriously” “pointing out in a gentle, teasing way” are appalling to me.
SeekingEuros had a legitimate request. He did not come to this forum asking to be teased, evaluated on his sense of humor, or the amount of hours his wife works or whether or not she was “in balance”.
SeekingEuros please know that the “us” who you have been told you are taking “way too seriously” does not represent the readership of this blog.
Regarding the type of housekeeper you are looking for, I would love to find someone like that as well.
Our housecleaner only cleans. I spend a lot of time straightening up before she arrives.
Best of luck in finding someone – some of the referrals sound promising.
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