Maybe a Weird Question

Hi C.,

You've sparked my interest! I am a professional organizer and have been looking for an excellent housecleaner that I could feel good about referring to my clients and it sounds like you've found one! Does she do other homes as well? If so, please pass on her info!

She's not a friend she's an employee and she might appreciate a list so that she doesn't have to ask or look to you to find what else needs to be done. I know I do. I hate getting in the way so a list is great.

I know how you feel. I have a wonderful housecleaner too, and I feel bad asking her to do other things, or telling her NOT to do certain things, or asking her to put things in a certain place (I'm very particular). I make a list because that's the only way I can remember everything from week to week, then I either show it to her or read through it with her. I also make sure to let her know how much I appreciate her efforts and how nice the house looks when she is done.

Yes, write down a list! Whether it's offensive or not is in the presentation, not in the list itself. She will understand when you tell her that you're writing down things for your benefit, not hers - so you'll remember what you need her for on the day she comes. If she's a mom herself, she will doubly understand. Let her know also, how much you appreciate what she does. Pay is important, but appreciation is crucial to everyone.

I do not think it is out of line at all to give her a list.

You can tell her the list is more for you than her. I'm sure she would appreciate knowing what you would like done, especially if she is such a hard worker.

Employees generally like to know what is expected of them, so they don't spend a lot of time trying to read your mind. She would probably appreciate a list of things that you would like to get done. Maybe even just a "if you have extra time" list, if she had general idea of vacuum, laundry, whatever.
Talk to her and ask what she'd like. Create a list or even a schedule together. That way you both know what to expect.

Hi--I'm in Ogden and also have found an excellent helper. SHe has openly said she appreciates a list. I call it my "wish list" and then specify which things are a high priority and this helps a lot--she knows she can please me and I can think about what I really want and get it. I'll say, "these are the things I am most concerned about, but if there's any time left, I'd love your help with these things." I've also said, "This is my list for the *week*, so whatever gets done today is wonderful and takes some of the workload away for the rest of the week."
You might be interested in the planners at www.motivatedmoms.com. They are just a simple download for a small fee, but they have a regular daily list of everyday chores, as well as some additional ones that rotate, such as changing linens, clipping children's nails, changing lightbulbs, wiping off kitchen appliances, etc. That is a list my housekeeper and children and I often refer to when we're out of the super obvious chores.
Best wishes!

I think you're over thinking this.

Go ahead and make the list. Tell her she's doing an awesome job--so much so that you're having a hard time remembering what you're actual needs are. If she's awesome, leave her a note now and again of Thanks for her good work. Just be honest with her, the list is for YOU and not her.

C.,
I would put the list out with both your names on it. That would show that it is not just for her, but you too!
If she asks, just be honest with her and let her know it is so you don't forget to have her do something.
I would give her lots of praise for her hard work and show gratitude to her.
S.

C.,
I suggest that you do make the list when you think of things that you want her to do. Just make it a priority to let her know that these are things you are writing down as they occur to you and that you do NOT expect that everything will be done at once. What you might want to do is review that list prior to her coming over and prioritize it as to the importance of desire of what tasks you would like to have done first. That way both you and she will not be disappointed.

A housekeeper near Laurel? WHO?

I think a list would be helpful as a reference tool. Let her know that it's because you can't keep up and don't want to follow her around remembering all the time. The apartment list is a fabulous idea!!

Is she available for more homes? I had a great gal at one time, but she quit when she got pregnant. I've been searching since to find one that is worth their salt! Are you willing to share? Please send me an e-mail at ____@____.com or call me at ###-###-####.

Thanks,

Peggy

This is a very good idea, one thing you might do is go to an apartment complex and ask for one of their move-out checklists. That may help you think of some things that you otherwise might not, and then if she has more time she can work on some of the more hard-core stuff like cleaning the oven, etc. I used to clean houses and like you my clients really thought I was amazing, but I never thought of some things until I was in an apartment and had to clean it to move out. It may help to go through and categorize what is most important to you as well. ;)

Housekeepers vaccum, dust ( including window shades), change sheets and mop kitchen and other hard surfaces. That's it. If you want more you should pay more as it will take more time. Like you said she is a hard worker and dependable( trustworthy as well I assume), be happy you have this priveledge!

We've had a housekeeper for a few months now and I've never left her a list of things to do. I thought housekeepers always just do the basic cleaning, or you need to pay extra for additional requests. But, I guess I'm not sure, since this is our first one.

BTW: Do you mind telling me how much she charges and if she would come to the Longmont area? If so, would you pass along her contact info. We like our current keeper, but your's sounds excellent!

Hi C.,

Our house cleaners actually leave a nice little form for me to write "special notice" items on for the next time that they're here. The understanding is that they're doing a great job, but that if there are items that are out of the ordinary, or just need a little something extra, that I can easily jot it down for them.

So, no, I don't think it's a bad thing. Maybe it would help to let her know where you're coming from before you just leave a laundry list for her though :-)

Typically a housecleaner has a standard list of things they do for the amount of time they are there or are paid for. IE, bathrooms, scrubbing everything down, cabinets, baths, toilet, sink, mirror. If you'd like her to wipe down the walls or inside the cabinet thats probably an 'extra'.

With the few people I've used (man thats a luxury I miss!!) I would let her do the expected items and *if* she had time I had a note with the 'extras' listed. Sometimes the blinds needed attention and if I asked she'd wipe them down, but it wasn't on the expected list of things to do every week. Or vacuum under all the furniture or the furniture itself, thats an extra with most cleaners.

If the house was already fairly clean, she had more time for extras, but sometimes it was dirtier than usual and the extras were saved until next week. HTH.

I have two magnet lists on the fridge. One is immediate stuf and I devide it in thrids. one for upstairs, one for down and the other for personal. The second list pad has long term jobs that anyone can do (like my hubby). So maybe you can have something similar. one with cleaning chores and then the second pad with personal, shared adn if you get around to it jobs.

Since you are paying her to clean your house, I think you are well within your rights to make a list. If she is there for a specified amount of time just list the things that are most important to be completed at the top. Ask her to get through what she can while she is there. I know people who have their house keepers do different things each time they are there, from wiping down floor boards to cleaning blinds. That is great you are so happy with her work, but ultimately you are paying for her service so she shouldn't have a problem doing what it takes to make her client happy.

I would just let her know those are a few extra things you thought of, and if she has time, you'd appreciate the help. Tell her she doesn't need to do everything. Or, if you want, you could give her the option of doing them all and paying for the extra time. Whatever works better for you. I highly doubt she'd mind a list, especially if you talk about it not being a requirement.