Do You Employ a House Cleaner?

LNaan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 18:44
Last edited 04/01/2021 - 05:53 by 1 other user

As a longtime OzBargain reader, short time member, I’ve often struggled with whether or not to get a house cleaner. Over the past ten years we have had one off and on.

I guess everyone’s circumstances are different but at the end of the day it boils down to whether or not you want to clean your bathroom/toilets on the weekend.

At what level of income is a cleaner justified (OzBargain perspective). Then, what is a fair price? $70 for two hours?

So, do you employ a house cleaner weekly/fortnightly?

Poll Options

  • 44
    Yes
  • 137
    No
Home & Garden

closed Comments

  • Moderatorhamza23 on 04/01/2021 - 18:24

    OP is a ghost account of a banned member and therefore won't be returning, comments are closed.

  • brendanm on 03/01/2021 - 18:47

    How do you find someone who isn't going to pocket your stuff? That's the thing I can never figure out. I really really hate cleaning the showers.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 19:02
      +2

      Our cleaners have always been recommended by friends. Our last few have been great. Different nationalities. All very nice and (seemingly) trustworthy.

      • Scrooge McDuck on 03/01/2021 - 22:09
        +11

        You could employ a nude cleaner from Eastern Europe. That way you only need to check one or two places at the end.

    • chriskq on 03/01/2021 - 22:05

      cleaning the showers is easy…. just keep a scourer, easy off bam bathroom spray (or equivalent) and a squeegee and do it once a week or fortnight when hop into the shower at the start of your shower session.

    • AS2035 on 04/01/2021 - 13:01

      Cheap alternative and you are not using chemicals

      Fill a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water, and you should have enough to last at least a couple of weeks.
Spray down the shower after each time you use it, and the homemade shower cleaner will combat odors and prevent the growth of bacteria and the buildup of grime.
  • Muzeeb on 03/01/2021 - 18:49
    +18

    Just do it yourself ya lazy bugger

    • Kangal on 03/01/2021 - 18:54

      Instructions unclear, can you post a picture for that?

    • Ocker on 03/01/2021 - 19:25
      +6

      Maybe the OP time is worth more than the cost of employing someone to do the task.

      • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 19:30

        I end up putting it off and off. Then feel bad haha. Easier to pay someone but I think $70 cash/fortnight would be our limit.

  • thatonethere on 03/01/2021 - 18:50
    +9

    We have one. We find as a family it encourages us to keep the house tidy so the crew of 2 cleaners can clean each week.

    Wife is a lot happier so worth the $$$$$

    Doubt you get 2 hours for $70.

    • AustriaBargain on 03/01/2021 - 19:00

      Also they will have all the tools they need. You look at the gunk between your tiles and you need to think about what to do, but cleaners have all the brushes and liquids already because they do it all day every day.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 19:03

      The last one we had was $70 for two hours. Was start of last year. We supplied the cleaning stuff though. He brought his vacuum.

  • AustriaBargain on 03/01/2021 - 18:59
    +1

    What do you and your partner make at work per hour? If you both make over $100 an hour at work then a pro cleaner for just $35 an hour is a no brainer.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 19:04

      Salaries. Not sure what it works out to be per hour. Not sure what the pay is before tax. But both on about 100k gross.

    • netjock on 03/01/2021 - 19:06

      Should look at what they make after tax as that is where the cleaner money will be paid out of.

    • ihbh on 03/01/2021 - 19:46
      +2

      You need to compare apples with apples.

      The $100 an hour you refer to, I assume, is before tax?

      The $35 is after tax.

      Compare on same basis for both to be more meaningful.

  • Kangal on 03/01/2021 - 19:02
    +1

    I get hiring help for things like trees, gardens, cleaning roofs, maybe mowing, or even pest control, or as far as professional carpet cleaners. I mean I do all of those myself, but I can see why someone may need or want to hire someone for those tasks.

    I just can't understand people who don't do the other chores. I mean what is there to do? Dish washing, laundry, ironing, vacuuming, mopping, cleaning toilet, cleaning bathroom and shower, tidying up things, then spray'n'rag wiping surfaces. These are stuff that most people can do, even those with age and disability.

    That's the bulk of your chores anyway. What's left? Taking out rubbish, and bins. Cleaning and washing cars. Eating brekky, making lunch, having dinner. Then do some physical exercise, some mental exercise, and some spiritual exercise…. rest is free (unless kids).

    • AustriaBargain on 03/01/2021 - 19:07

      Robots will be doing all those things soon enough. May as well pay a human to do it in the meantime.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 19:07

      Haha true. We do most of that but I guess the cleaners for us have done the windows, good vacuum (Xiaomi robovac does the daily pretty well tho), showers and bathroom/toilet. They also do a better clean (on grill, splash back, etc).

      I should have mentioned we both work full time and have two primary school kids.

      • Kangal on 03/01/2021 - 19:22
        +2

        I think you guys should look at what time you sleep and what time you wake up. Then put in work hours. Then that will show all the excess time to do all the rest of the things.

        If you don't have the time, then you don't have the time. Don't stress. But cleaners can get expensive, so not sure if one of you guys would consider moving down to part-time work. Or working from home to increase Time Efficiency.

        Though I will say this, cleaning is a habit. You should instill this in your kids while they're young, otherwise, it's possible they grow up expecting to rely on outside help/cleaners. When I went to Japan, I was very impressed by their children and elderly, very high discipline and empathy.

        • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 19:31
          +4

          Thing is we value our non work time. We certainly aren’t high fliers but aren’t poor I guess.

  • cristobaljames on 03/01/2021 - 19:09

    Currently paying 60 duckets cash money for two hours once a week, its actually two cleaners that I pay for the one hour each, I'm sure you get the drift.

    Toilets, bathrooms cleaned weekly and they vacuum the carpeted bedrooms once a fortnight whereas the other week they'll vacuum the main living area and mop the hard floors.

    My cleaners often leave about 10-15 mins early if I'm not there so I could probably squeeze in another task or two.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 21:40

      U see them on your ring doorbell?

      • cristobaljames on 03/01/2021 - 21:47

        All up I've eight cameras watching my property and with my phone app I can tap into see when they came and went.

        All good as it's my colleagues daughter so they now have their own key and generally give me a heads up on the day their planned time of arrival.

        Ohh the price includes all of the cleaning products too and I've no need to empty out the vacuum as they use their own backpack style version.

        Overall very happy as it does save extra stress knowing what free time you have can be spent catching up on other chores.

  • Meho2026 on 03/01/2021 - 19:11
    +3

    We used to have a cleaner once a fortnight. Had to get rid of them due to covid affecting household income.
    Before we had them, nearly all of our arguments revolved around untidiness and cleanliness so it was a small price to pay for a more harmonious life.
    Paid $60 a fortnight and the price never changed in 5 years. Three of them used to come and blitz the place in 45 minutes. It was a cash job and they arrived in a fancy black car, only one of them spoke English.
    They were completely trustworthy but the worst professional cleaners in Australia.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 21:40

      Haha can’t have it all. I’ve never heard of a cleaner stealing stuff, but I guess it happens

    • [Deactivated] on 04/01/2021 - 18:09

      You sir are lucky!

  • Ocker on 03/01/2021 - 19:28
    +1

    Part of the cash economy which our Asian friends relish in!
    $30 bucks and hour, tax free - or some $1,200 per week is more than most uni. graduates pull in.
    Afraid us lazy Aussie have bid the market up to ridiculous levels.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 21:39

      That’s true. No sick, or LSL but maybe a base income of Centrelink…

  • GourmetFoodie on 03/01/2021 - 19:31
    +3

    If both people working and you have kids I’d say it’s essential. Otherwise it depends. I’ve tried a few cleaners in the past but none cleaned to my standard and all were expensive. In COVID I don’t feel comfortable having a cleaner regardless.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 19:41

      Look tbqh our cleaning standards aren’t high haha so most of our cleaners have been fine as far as we have been concerned

  • zoob on 03/01/2021 - 20:14
    +3

    Cleaning is hard work and unpleasant. Outsourcing was one of the best decisions we've made. At the end of the day though you have to take into account your own (post-tax) income and what you value your time at.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 20:17

      Have u gone weekly or fortnightly? What’re you paying them.

      It’s definitely unpleasant haha

      • zoob on 03/01/2021 - 20:50

        Fortnightly, so we still do some cleaning ourselves. Have to say I'm tempted to go weekly. We pay $80 for 2 hours.

  • onetwothreefour on 03/01/2021 - 20:20
    +1

    Since I started working from home I've noticed the two houses in front of me have cleaners come to their houses, they use different people. One of them leaves a key under the mat for the cleaner.

    Not sure why I shared this, just thought is was slightly relevant.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 21:37

      Hood to know. I’d say 50% of our friends have cleaners.

  • Clear on 03/01/2021 - 20:21

    An ironing lady is where it's at. Mine does $20 a basket and she's excellent.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 21:38
      +2

      Not ironing is where it’s at.

      • Clear on 03/01/2021 - 22:29

        Sure if it's activewear for the gym.

        • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 22:35

          Wow that’s tiring if u do the rest. What industry do u work in?

          • Clear on 03/01/2021 - 22:36
            +1

            @Naan-Negotiable: I don't do any my ironing lady does it all. Most pants and shirts need to be ironed if you want to be presentable.

  • JimmyF on 03/01/2021 - 20:39
    +2

    You asked two questions…. Which one is the poll for?

    what is a fair price? $70 for two hours?

    or

    do you employ a house cleaner weekly/fortnightly?

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 21:38

      Mainly do ozbargainers have cleaners. Then, at what rate

      • JimmyF on 03/01/2021 - 22:06
        +1

        Mainly do ozbargainers have cleaners. Then, at what rate

        your poll is yes or no.

  • twww on 03/01/2021 - 20:40
    +1

    My next door neighbour use to have a cleaner.

    She would turn up in a BMW SUV!

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 21:38

      Haha cash economy.

    • Muzeeb on 03/01/2021 - 21:40
      -1

      You can get an original X5 for about $5k

  • Tee Rex Arms on 03/01/2021 - 20:51

    Completely unskilled labour. $70 more than adequate.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 21:39

      $35/hour seems fair. It’s not glamorous work.

      • pharkurnell on 03/01/2021 - 21:58
        +3

        No its rubbish work that nobody wants to do - which is why your getting someone else to do it.

        So what exactly do you want them to do?
        Dishes, laundry, mop floors, vacuum, clean shower n shitter ???

        I wouldn't do it for 35..

  • chriskq on 03/01/2021 - 22:08

    speaking of cleaning, whats the best/easiest way to clean the gas stove top burners (the steel round shell thing)…. oil stains are really hard to get off

    • Naan-Negotiable on 03/01/2021 - 22:18

      Correct! We leave it to the cleaner.

      • chriskq on 03/01/2021 - 22:31

        well that doesnt help…. steel wool and elbow grease works, but there has to be an easier way

        • wittyusername on 04/01/2021 - 11:25

          Bam! Easy Off spray cleaner. Have the fan on as it smells toxic AF, but it gets grease and grime off really well.

    • SmiTTy on 04/01/2021 - 11:38

      Not sure if this is what you're referring to, but I use this

      Once it gets dirty just remove and wash with liquid detergent and sponge

      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Reusable-Stove-Top-Clean-Mat-Reu…

      Before this, I just covered with foil. But this is easier.

  • Yola on 03/01/2021 - 23:04
    +6

    I think with 2 young children and full time jobs you definitely should get a cleaner. I have had the same one for 16 years and the rate has only gone up 2 times so now I pay $110 for 4 hours per week. They often start at a higher rate so do not have to ask for an increase.However I have been on a Covid break since last April. Most important are the showers as if not cleaned well and often will get to a stage where they cannot be cleaned as the glass gets etched. When I interviewed my cleaner I asked her to bring her drivers licence and noted down the details in front of her. These days just take a pic. If they are not willing to provide do not employ and those that do will know you can report to the Police if anything goes missing and they will be found. Teach the children to be respectful and put away their own things. You do not want to be paying good money so they can be spoiled.

  • MontyMacaw on 04/01/2021 - 08:48
    +1

    If your house is a mess all the time and you can’t be arsed cleaning it then pay somebody to do it if you want. In this day and age of multiple income families coming home should be a sanctuary not something that gets you down. Personally I clean as I go and never have a problem but that was my old old fashioned upbringing. I know people that hate coming home to a mess after working long days and odd shifts and they can’t negotiate with their partner about getting a cleaner because it may look like they are lazy. Now THAT is being lazy. Just do it and pay the price it’s worth to you and your cleaner. Everybody wins - if you can afford it.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 04/01/2021 - 13:03
      +1

      We make it work. I don’t like paying the money that much but if someone said ‘will u clean our house for $70?’ There’s no way I’d do it. So i guess it’s value for money for us?!

  • Sunshines bright on 04/01/2021 - 09:04

    I had surgery was out if commission for 6 weeks, hired a local uni kid off of facebook willing to clean 🧽 at $25 per hour every week. One week was dusting, floors vacuumed 🧹 and mopped bed 🛌 linens changed and the next week was thorough bathrooms(2) and toilets cleaned.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 04/01/2021 - 11:00
      +2

      Are u going to continue after u heal? That’s an awesome rate btw. Did u set that or the cleaner?

  • Euphemistic on 04/01/2021 - 09:41
    +1

    Over the years we’ve had a cleaner on an off, when both of us work full time. The extra $ earned cover the cost and meant we don’t need to clean bathrooms and flooring on weekends or afternoons. Also makes us tidy up prior to the cleaner coming - something that occasionally drags on for too long when there is no cleaner.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 04/01/2021 - 10:59

      This is our scenario. Also means work life balance is easier when u don’t spend weekends scrubbing the bathroom.

  • OzHunterNSW on 04/01/2021 - 10:01

    Be it a paid caste system or not, where one feels too privileged to clean their own s#@ must realise that these "cleaners" tend to use their own equipment.

    You say you have periodically used cleaners, but ponder an hourly price… I wonder whether you are attempting to pay as little as you can possibly pay, and get away with it.

    Pay them the going rate, even pay a bonus.

    • Naan-Negotiable on 04/01/2021 - 10:43

      We’re on ozbargain, not whirlpool…

  • WorstBestHuman on 04/01/2021 - 10:09

    We have a largish house and pay $165, once a fortnight. I don't know how long it takes them but they do a good job.

    • Euphemistic on 04/01/2021 - 11:39

      Similar to us. Currently Pay a flat rate and it takes as long as it does. The first time took all day to get up to his standard. Subsequent times are much shorter.

  • Lastchancetosee on 04/01/2021 - 10:14
    +1

    New house and I'm working hard to pay for it. Having a cleaner, who comes once a fortnight for three hours means that the free time I have is not spent on housework (apart from the laundry). The pluses are that the house is maintained in good condition, we are forced us to put things away the day before she cones, so mess doesn't get out of hand, and I love coming home to a spotless, fresh smelling house at the end of a long week.

    About twice a year, she comes in for an extra half day for a spring clean, to do fridge, windows, and similar jobs.

  • OnlyifMyPrice on 04/01/2021 - 10:50

    Has anyone ever had any trouble with things going missing or catching cleaners looking through drawers or paperwork?

    I see someone has mentioned getting a copy of their driver’s license, which is a good idea. However, the wife of one of my husband’s colleagues cleans houses and reckons she always looks through people’s private stuff. Strange that even she told us this but it’s really put me off getting a cleaner. I’ve since asked other cleaners who said “pfft, I don’t have time for that!”

    • Naan-Negotiable on 04/01/2021 - 12:40

      Had half a dozen cleaners over the years. Never had any trouble with anything being stolen.

  • inherentchoice on 04/01/2021 - 12:08

    Just don't make mess. Can reduce the need to clean down to monthly.

  • fredblogs on 04/01/2021 - 12:57

    Any tips on how to find a good cleaner with reasonable rates?

    • Naan-Negotiable on 04/01/2021 - 13:00

      We always go recommendations from friends. Though the payment rate varies a lot.

      Those who accept cash are significantly cheaper than those who run a legit business (from my experience).

  • takemymoney on 04/01/2021 - 16:25

    get a dishwasher, a robovac, a stick vac, one pressure washer, two slow cookers, 1 pressure cooker, 1 decent electric grill, 1 rice machine, 1 horizontal combo washer/drier (add here more for lawn maintenance). learn about oven sprays, bartenders friend, magic sponge , and other products that works. save 30min a day for chores and you don't need a cleaner. you got 3.5 hours in a week, which is more than enough for typical houses if you commit to it.

    • fredblogs on 04/01/2021 - 16:38
      +1

      I suspect robovac and young kids don't mix.

      Btw why 3 different cookers?

  • lddv04 on 04/01/2021 - 17:26

    I live alone and have had a cleaner for years. I pay $65 per week and she does a great job. During the COVID lockdown I had a go at cleaning myself and couldn't hack it. I always believe in hiring in the skills I don't have.

  • Gmetal on 04/01/2021 - 17:55

    Depends on how regularly you want it, I normally get it occasionally for deeper cleaning, and they bring 3 people who work for an hour for 80$ and it's very thorough.

  • [Deactivated] on 04/01/2021 - 18:02

    At what level of income is a cleaner justified (OzBargain perspective).

    IF Value of Cleaners > Domestic issues

    then

    Hire cleaners

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