Between work and having two kids under the age of two, I am realizing that I need help in keeping our house up. I have never used a cleaning service before. Does anyone have any recommendations? Who to use? What is a reasonable price? Do you have someone come while you are home or while you are gone? I am only looking for someone to come once every couple of weeks to do the heavy duty stuff- mainly bathrooms and kitchen. Any input would be appreciated!

Bartowmom, good for you for accepting the need of help. That is for sure a positive first step. I have heard that cleaning services can be pricer than individuals.

I had a friend that had a cleaning lady get hurt at her house. She fell off a short stool and bruised her wrist. The cleaning lady sued my friends homeowners insurance, and the insurance company dropped my friend. Also had a friend that gave a wonderful cleaning lady a key to their house and her grown daughter was strung out on drugs and stole the key from her mother and robbed my friend blind.

I don't want to scare you, but something to consider. Get a lot of references. You are doing good to ask here if someone uses someone.

I wish all working moms could afford to have a cleaning person. I don't feel I get all done what I want and I stay at home most days. I can not imagine leaving home everyday and still having to get so much done.

If I were working and had the kids, I would definately have a cleaning lady.
I agree, get plenty of ref and background.
I don't know anyone in Bartow area who does this but I will keep asking around for you. Good luck.

My next door neighbor cleans houses for a living. Her husband does commercial cleaning at night and she cleans houses during the day, however I am not sure if she goes to Bartow or just stays in the Winter Haven area. I will ask her and get back with you or see if she knows someone in the area. She is very trustworthy and has been doing it for many years and I am sure she has many references.

quote:

Originally posted by bartowmom:
Between work and having two kids under the age of two, I am realizing that I need help in keeping our house up. I have never used a cleaning service before. Does anyone have any recommendations? Who to use? What is a reasonable price? Do you have someone come while you are home or while you are gone? I am only looking for someone to come once every couple of weeks to do the heavy duty stuff- mainly bathrooms and kitchen. Any input would be appreciated!

Bartowmom,

Shawn is right, GET REFERENCES!

And....

It's a great thing to realize you need/want help in an area of trouble. It's a "season." My sister had a young lady from her church come to clean once a week, then phased her to once every other, then once monthly for the heavy duty cleaning, etc. eventually not "needing" her, but it was a "season" of busy in their home and she felt they could financially afford the help, so they used it.

We were just on an 8 day much needed vacation at our time share and traveling upstate a bit, too.

Anyway, we went to St. Augustine for an overnight stay with friends and when we arrived back, our dishes were done and we had fresh towels and sheets. It was such a blessing as we were tired from the drive and just wanted to get out to the pool for a late night swim/play.

Our younger son said he wanted to live at the resort. I informed him we couldn't, then he said, "Well, when I have a wife, we will!" I then said, "It would be great to live here, afterall, my dishes and laundry get done for me!" My husband and I had a good laugh at that exchange. (Anyway, to clarify, we had ONE freshen up day for us during our stay, the rest I did do. lolol)

Anyway, check with your church, there is a cleaning service in town near Dixieland you could at least have a referral or consult with/from, inquire with your children's friend's parents/teachers/sport or dance coaches, etc.

Even if we aren't using one now, we may want/need to in the future, as our life's seasons change.


Michelle