Do i have to clean for my housekeeper?

Question

ok, this seems kinda siily, but i hired a housekeeper to help me out twice a month... i work 52 hours a week and also have an illness and just cant keep up... anyway, my house is somewhat of a disaster and i have a housekeeper coming for the first time tomorrow.. she saw the house last week to estimate and gave me a price for 2 times per month. so, my question is, is she gonna think i am the most cluttered pack rat,dirty person ever, or should i clean up a bit to help her out nd not think i am gross? i know, seems silly, but i kinda feel bad, but also, have no energy or motivation... lol.. thanks

Answer 1

u don't have to clean and when the housekeeper comes, ask her if she needs help, try to act nice but inside u hope she says no but most likely she will say no because it's their job but try to act nice and nice if she/he needs assistent

Answer 2

Great question. I had to give you a star!

Not at all necessary to clean up before the housekeeper comes. I worked cleaning houses for a couple of years in college (in my 40s!), and I can tell you there are few things that I have found more satisfying than going into a house that needed a good cleaning and leaving it sparkling, hygienic, and smelling fresh. Your housekeeper will get the same satisfaction, and she will be very happy if you tell her what a great job she does, after her hard work.

One thing you can do to make her job easier and enable her to do a better job for you is to take an area each week to declutter and organize, now that you don't have the heavy cleaning chores. We were taught how to clean around clutter, but it doesn't give the best result (we would lift piles of things, like stuffed animals, clothes, etc., and vacuum under them if they were on the floor, then set them back down). Housecleaning for us didn't include folding and hanging up clothes piled everywhere, but did include organizing the top of a dresser, etc., as we dusted. The reason housekeepers can do a fast and great job is that they don't get sidetracked with organizing and decluttering, as we often do in our own homes. So you can get your house decluttered, organized, and cleaned over time if you partner with your housekeeper, but you don't have to do part of her cleaning job yourself before she gets there.

I will say there were a couple of people who took bad advantage, and I had to tell them about it. One was a woman whose pregnant daughter was visiting from out of town and vomited one morning before she made it to the bathroom; the puke was left down the door frame and onto the tile floor, etc., for "the housekeeper" to clean up, with a laugh. That was above and beyond, so do clean up your own vomit, etc. I did it that time, but I called her and let her know never again. Also, we cleaned a house for a woman who had three small dogs, which she let p**p all over the linoleum floor in the family room, and which she left for us to clean up. I told her it would be $25/pile. She cleaned it up herself.

Answer 3

let her clean and stop thinking what other peoples will think about you..i'm sure she have met people that have a lot more clutters than you

Answer 4

I wouldn't go out of my way to clean for the cleaner... As long as your place is picked up and she doesn't need to use a shovel to get to the cleaning products... your in the clear!

Answer 5

I understand your feelings, but do not worry and let her clean.

Think about it: If you would clean yourself, than you may not need her and she will not have a job. So you guys need each other and this is good for both of you.

Answer 6

I would not clean ahead of time, that is what she is getting paid for. You already told her what needs to be done and you both agreed on a price. There isn't any surprises, so don't worry about it

Answer 7

Pick up and put away as much as you can. You are paying for cleaning, not tidying.  My husband always thought it was silly to clean up the day before the housekeeper came, but she was here 3 hours twice a month, and I wanted my house to feel and smell clean when she left. It was definitely worth the effort for all of us--2 adults, 3 kids--to spend an hour putting things where they belonged before she came.  When she was done, the house was clean AND tidy!

Good Luck!

Answer 8

I have cleaned houses and I have had a housekeeper before so I know both sides of this.  This is what I think.  You are definitely paying her for a reason so no do not clean before she comes.  Now on the other hand if the mess is so bad and requires her to stop and "pick up" or organize be aware that it could cause her rate to go up.  Typically you are paying for vacuuming, dusting, floors cleaned. toilets..etc.  Rates do not tend to include picking up your mail from the coffee table before cleaning it and picking up shoes before mopping.  So, don't stress about what she will think.  The fact that you are concerned about what she might think leads me to believe that your house is probably not all that bad...   ; )

Answer 9

Personally, there are some things that I simply don't want other people handling......like my laundry.  Being a private person, I don't like the idea of a stranger being in my bedroom going through my drawers and closet.  Simple things like making your bed, dishes and laundry I wouldn't bother her with.  Instead, let her do the major "dirty work" like cleaning/mopping floors, vacuuming baseboards, cleaning the shower and tub, and general housekeeping.  If your goal is to have her help you declutter, then she already knows what to expect when she walks in.  After all, that is what you are hiring her for!