Best way to find a good cleaning person?

Question

What is the best way(s) to find a good cleaning person? (For house cleaning).

So far we hired a few people from Craigs List and were not happy with the service.

Answer 1

Friends and neighbors is a good place to start; someone you trust.  Is there a house or place you think looks great?  Sometimes people who clean office buildings at night are happy to do homes during the day.  

It may feel weird (or uncomfortable) but remember this is your employee, and needs to be managed.  Set expectations at the start and be specific.  I provide a straightforward list of what needs to be done and the cleaning products I'd like used.  Every month or two we sit down for a cup of coffee and talk.  Since she's in my house, I feel I should know a little about her.   You're both people but it's your home and should be as clean as your standards require.

As a side note:  have you tried posting on Craigs versus picking one out of those listed?  It's a positive first sign if they've taken the time to respond to your specific ad instead of you doing all the work. Lol.

It's not easy, I know!

Answer 2

Word of Mouth

Answer 3

Ask for references, then contact those references and ask if they are satisfied with the cleaning person.

If you can get the cleaning person's address, drive by and take a look at their house.  Does it look neat and clean on the outside?  If so, chances are it is neat and clean inside too.  Does the person present themselves as neat and clean?  If someone can't keep their own home or themselves clean, they certainly won't put much effort into cleaning your home.

One of my former neighbors - whose house was infested with rats and fleas and was condemned - is now cleaning houses.  She can't even keep her kids clean, and that would be a dead giveaway to me that she should not be hired as a housecleaner.