https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 27 May 2026 04:09:01 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid/page/2#post-974870 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:35:11 +0000 PinkElephant 974870@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Similar to mynoahbear, we live abroad in a country where domestic help is the norm and very affordable. Our domestic helper lives with us and works 5, sometimes 6 days a week. Because she's able to stay on top of the bigger cleaning tasks by doing a bit each day, it's hard to quantify the time she "needs" to clean our place - she does it at her own pace.<br /> Before we had a child and needed a helper (not so much bc we needed the cleaner, but bc these fantastic ladies are the primary form of childcare here - no daycares or babysitters) we used to have someone come in once or twice a week - i originally thought that was too often but found that added frequency meant a cleaner needed to spend less time each visit. that's nice if you have to work your schedule around being home to supervise or out to be out of her way. I also think shorter blocks of time encourage efficiency. As wonderful as our cleaner is, she can spend ages ironing a shirt or vacuuming a rug when she doesn't have a timetable - if I ask her to do several things by lunchtime though, she makes it happen.<br /> I agree fully with everyone saying that it is well worth cutting back in some other area to avoid little fights over laundry or Toilets. It'll save you so much stress! Good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974849 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:26:50 +0000 T-Mom 974849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: Another great reason to straighten up before they come is so that you can put away important things (like personal mail, bills, etc) and know where everything is! If I don't clean up before my lady comes, inevitably my kids' loveys will be put away somewhere and I will have a meltdown on my hands :-) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974831 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:21:28 +0000 Smurfette 974831@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T-Mom: I think that I am going to take him up on it. It is just getting too much!</p> <p>@hilsy85: @Beehive: @SleepyMonkey: @SweetiePie: I spent the night before the cleaning people came a couple weeks ago for the deep cleaning, straightening up. I don't want them thinking we live like pigs! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974813 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:17:37 +0000 MsLipGloss 974813@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Reese: Ours is the same . . . we pay so much (fixed rate) per visit. If we want them to do an extra thorough cleaning, we pay a little extra. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974812 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:17:30 +0000 edelweiss 974812@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we used to have a cleaning service come every week. then when we moved and were trying to cut back, we didn't get a cleaning service. we fought a lot--the uneven division of chores was a constant aggravation. we started the cleaning service again every other week, and will soon increase it to every week. i'm willing to cut back on other areas for this service, which i find important to our marriage.</p> <p>you could start with once a month and see how it goes. good luck! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974797 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:13:10 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 974797@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Once a month. We will probably increase it when we have kids. For now we can pick up in between visits and a monthly deep clean is sufficient.</p> <p>Growing up our housekeeper came every week. Our house was very, very neat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974781 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 09:08:27 +0000 mynoahbear 974781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our housekeeper comes 3 times a week for 8 hours a day. We live abroad so it's very inexpensive. She does everything. She also helps look after LO if I need to run errands or if DH and I have plans. She also comes and helps if we have a get together on the weekends which is great because I don't have to worry about any of the clean up. I'm thinking of seeing if she would like to work full time and help with LO more as I get closer to my due date with new baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974743 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:56:26 +0000 Reese 974743@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every other week. They came and estimated our house and we get it done for a flat rate every time (I prefer this - I had bad experiences with hourly people). However long it takes them to do everything. I leave notes if I want them to do specific things/pay special attention to something.. we have great communication. Best decision ever and we don't have a LO yet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974740 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:55:24 +0000 SweetiePie 974740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@hilsy85: @Beehive: @SleepyMonkey: Totally, me too. I end up spending the evening before tidying up. I just feel bad having her put stuff away. I am actually good about doing that each night anyway, but when she comes I like to make sure there is NOTHING sitting or laying out on tables, counters, beds, furniture. I want her to not mind coming here to clean :-) Though I can't promise the same when the baby comes! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974728 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:50:49 +0000 SweetiePie 974728@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a girl that comes every 2 weeks and its $85 per visit, roughly 5 hours. We have a 2 bed 2 bath apt and it is a lifesaver. Once LO is here we'll have her come weekly, at least in the beginning. I'm pretty good about maintaining in between her cleanings now but I really don't want to be worried about it for the first couple months of motherhood. I get really stressed with mess and if I can't get to things I know it will just drive me up the wall. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974684 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:41:00 +0000 hilsy85 974684@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Beehive: @SleepyMonkey: ha me too, I also clean before she cleans--neurotic people unite! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974681 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:40:14 +0000 hilsy85 974681@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have her come once a month, but honestly that's mainly because I'm a SAHM and I feel guilty having her more than that, plus it's a bit annoying having to be out of the apt for 4 hours while she's here. But if I worked out of the home full time, I would for sure have her come more often. I think it's definitely worth it even if you do have to cut back in other areas. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974617 Tue, 30 Jul 2013 08:16:57 +0000 looch 974617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Twice a month. It's been a lifesaver! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974167 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 22:00:30 +0000 mamimami 974167@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am super spoiled but our nanny cleans for us and she comes M-F. I don't know how I did it before I had this luxury. I feel like just over the weekend the place just goes straight to heck. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974166 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 22:00:12 +0000 PointeShoesTutus 974166@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our housekeeper comes once every 3 weeks. We found that it was less expensive to have her come regularly than to wait until the house was a total mess and then call her. She manages to get the house so much cleaner than I ever good even if I spent the entire weekend cleaning. That's one expense both Husband and I are willing to cut back in other areas to keep.</p> <p>@cheert16: we found ours through friends. She actually is the mother of one of my husband's coworkers.</p> <p>@sandy: Our lady charges $120 for every 3 weeks. She usually brings one or two of her kids or grandkids to help her. They are never here more than 2 hours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974129 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 21:39:22 +0000 Smurfette 974129@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@cheert16: I asked a friend! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974112 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 21:29:42 +0000 T-Mom 974112@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: I've been in your shoes of having a DH traveling full time and working full time as well. i would definitely take the offer for cleaning service. It's a sanity saver for sure, and put the onus on him to find another place to cut back. I used to get mad that my DH could think he could just hire someone and make up for his absence but I realized that I should just try and make the best of a bad situation and that it wasn't his fault. Traveling for work is mentally exhausting, even if you don't have a baby to take care of or chores to do. It's not a free pass for him to be a bum on the weekend, but I think a cleaning service is a practical solution. Mine comes every other week and I pay her $100 for 3000 sq ft. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974107 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 21:26:15 +0000 MamaMoose 974107@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Smurfette: we split the difference and have her come every three weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974068 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 21:02:58 +0000 LindsayInNY 974068@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Currently every 3 weeks but no LO yet. Probably every 2 weeks once there's a LO?</p> <p>@cheert16: I've always found mine through referral - friend, neighbor, coworker! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974014 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 20:31:18 +0000 cheert16 974014@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I want a cleaning service! Not to thread jack, but how did you find your cleaning service? Dh and I have been talking about getting one for awhile! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-974002 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 20:26:09 +0000 dolphin 974002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My house must be extra dirty because we do every 6 weeks. I need to go schedule my next cleaning service now! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-973969 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 20:12:51 +0000 SleepyMonkey 973969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Beehive: haha! that is hilarious that you tidy up before she comes. its hilarious because i do that too!! even though she does the tidying up just fine if i leave the apartment a mess. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-973961 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 20:08:16 +0000 Beehive 973961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We also do every other week. She just came today and the place looks great - it's the best. The last thing I want to do with my small amount of free time / time to spend with LO is clean! Another bonus is that it forces us to tidy the apartment before she comes. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-973955 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 20:05:50 +0000 birdofafeather 973955@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we have her come monthly, but when DH starts fire academy next month, i'm going to have her come every two weeks. i look at it as an investment into my sanity. it costs $60 for our tiny 600 sq ft home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-973928 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 19:55:58 +0000 Smurfette 973928@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@SleepyMonkey: I am hoping he finally got the message. We never fight. And when I got out from nursing R and putting her to bed, he had cleaned up. We will see next weekend. But yes, how hard is it to put a knife in tr dishwasher instead of on the counter! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-973913 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 19:50:02 +0000 Pepper 973913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sandy: It's about $140 or so for 1.5 hours. They charge by the hour. That's the price for 3 people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-973905 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 19:45:30 +0000 SleepyMonkey 973905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sandy: i'm not sure if she charges per hour, i pay her $110 and she usually cleans for 6 hours. </p> <p>@Smurfette: yup. thats the kind of stuff that obviously a cleaning lady can't solve for you. DH would do the same stuff...leave dirty socks on top of the hamper, rather than put it in...leave glasses/dishes out on the counter by the dishwasher instead of just taking 2 seconds to put it IN the dishwasher. the thing that irks me is that i end up having to do it for him and resenting him, or having to nag him like crazy and then he feels like i'm a nag of a wife...ugh. i'm not sure how to fix those problems for you. i guess DH and i just had enough fights over it and he finally realized: happy wife, happy life. :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-973872 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 19:31:10 +0000 MrsH 973872@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Every other week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-973868 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 19:30:02 +0000 Charm54 973868@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sandy: Ours charges 10$ an hour .. She's totally inexpensive for how hard she works so I wouldn't be surprised if she raised her rates soon! I hope not though because I really would like To get her every week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-have-a-cleaning-servicemaid#post-973864 Mon, 29 Jul 2013 19:28:57 +0000 MsLipGloss 973864@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have a crew that comes every two weeks (we're thinking about having them come every week, but what we really need is every 10 days - lol!). It's so worth it to get out of the pattern of feeling resentment and exhaustion . . . I want to enjoy my LO, not worry about the last time the toilet was cleaned or the sheets were changed. I know it seems silly, but I enjoy not letting the cleaning take up space in my head (and so does DH, because I start to become more and more OCD--tick-ier-- when things start piling up - and then I can't let them go : /). </p>