Cleaners
Jo also asks:
Admittedly through a haze of guilt at my own laziness, can anyone recommend a good cleaning service? There's an ongoing battle about who our house belongs to, the spiders are winning and I need re-enforcements.
God, I'm being rubbish this morning. Sadly the cleaning in this particular household still gets done by our own fair hands so I can't recommend anyone from personal experience.
Presumably what you'd really like is "a treasure" - your old-fashioned cocker-ney char, complete with flowery turban and frilly apron, mop and bucket in hand, ready to make your house sparkle, always happy to sit down with a cup of tea for a good old gossip... oops - sorry - just went off into a little personal fantasy there....
I believe they're still around (you only have to see that ghastly "How Clean is Your House" for that - why do people choose to show off on telly the pigsties they live in through their own laziness?) but the very fact that they are treasures makes people rather jealous of theirs.
I get all sorts of hand-printed leaflets through the door from individuals wanting to clean my place (not so sure they'd still want to if they actually saw it) which could unearth someone fantastic - though the chances of references are presumably lower and it's a very personal thing, letting someone you don't really know into your house.
That leaves cleaning companies. They at least come with things like insurance and guarantees, but they do have drawbacks. You never know who you're going to get - and since turnover is high it's possible you'll never get the same person twice - and, of course, you'll pay more.
I confess I've not even considered a cleaning company since I read Nickel & Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, where she goes undercover (albeit in The States) as a minimum-wage worker in various menial jobs and gets treated appallingly. Ok, ok, this was America, but I've become a bit suspicious anyway. Not only do some American companies treat their workers terribly but they essentially rip-off consumers too (one trick that sticks in the mind was spraying heavily-scented furniture polish into the air so that a consumer will think a room has been cleaned.)
Perhaps all British companies are perfect and I'm being unduly suspicious. Maybe people here can reassure me? And help Jo find someone to make her spiders pack their suitcases...
Admittedly through a haze of guilt at my own laziness, can anyone recommend a good cleaning service? There's an ongoing battle about who our house belongs to, the spiders are winning and I need re-enforcements.
God, I'm being rubbish this morning. Sadly the cleaning in this particular household still gets done by our own fair hands so I can't recommend anyone from personal experience.
Presumably what you'd really like is "a treasure" - your old-fashioned cocker-ney char, complete with flowery turban and frilly apron, mop and bucket in hand, ready to make your house sparkle, always happy to sit down with a cup of tea for a good old gossip... oops - sorry - just went off into a little personal fantasy there....
I believe they're still around (you only have to see that ghastly "How Clean is Your House" for that - why do people choose to show off on telly the pigsties they live in through their own laziness?) but the very fact that they are treasures makes people rather jealous of theirs.
I get all sorts of hand-printed leaflets through the door from individuals wanting to clean my place (not so sure they'd still want to if they actually saw it) which could unearth someone fantastic - though the chances of references are presumably lower and it's a very personal thing, letting someone you don't really know into your house.
That leaves cleaning companies. They at least come with things like insurance and guarantees, but they do have drawbacks. You never know who you're going to get - and since turnover is high it's possible you'll never get the same person twice - and, of course, you'll pay more.
I confess I've not even considered a cleaning company since I read Nickel & Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, where she goes undercover (albeit in The States) as a minimum-wage worker in various menial jobs and gets treated appallingly. Ok, ok, this was America, but I've become a bit suspicious anyway. Not only do some American companies treat their workers terribly but they essentially rip-off consumers too (one trick that sticks in the mind was spraying heavily-scented furniture polish into the air so that a consumer will think a room has been cleaned.)
Perhaps all British companies are perfect and I'm being unduly suspicious. Maybe people here can reassure me? And help Jo find someone to make her spiders pack their suitcases...
Labels: Ask The Phantom, Services
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:41
4 Comments:
Since moving here I have tried two cleaners as I am totally alergic to cleaning - well ok actually I hate it with a passion. First one was fairly good when she turned up but she was sick, her kids were sick, her dog was sick. I got sick of it and she had to go. The current one has to be reminded that my house has corners - its no good just mopping and hovering in circles! Its the only time I miss my ex-husband who could be relied upon to hoover, dust and even iron as long as there was sport on the radio.
To be honest, I'm beginning to come to the conclusion that living with a certain amount of squalor isn't that bad...
Before I moved to Greenwich I used Blitz located in Penge, you have to have a min of three hours as three people do the work for an hour each but with all their own equipment and they always did a good job at reasonable rates. I could only afford twice a month and that was fine. At the time it was £7 an hour but I have to say I haven't used them since I moved to Greenwich (got married and the husband does most of the cleaning now) three years ago and cannot tell you if they are still any good, however about two years ago a neighbour was using them (that's how I know they will service our area) while they were trying to sell their house so maybe you could try them as they are still in business which isn't a bad sign. Good Luck and let us know if you find the perfect solution.
Thanks for the suggestions all, I was in the cheese shop yesterday and saw an advert for .... actually I can't remember the name as I was too distracted by their Stinking Bishop. Anyway, I'm going to give them a call, if they're any good I'll let you all know.
I will check out Blitz as well though, thanks.
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