What is it like to have a cleaning person?

I can afford to have someone clean my house but I choose not to.

I have had cleaners in the past and they can cause you major headaches. You have to manage them like you would any other employee. Even if you get a really good one there will come a time where there is some sort of issue that needs to be resolved. If you find it hugely helpful to have someone clean your house then it might be worth it to you, but for me I found it gradually became more of a hindrance.

That being said, I'm very fussy and also don't like having people in my home unless it's for social reasons. If you're more laid back than me then you might not be bothered by any of it.

I have some health issues that make certain household tasks difficult.

I do hire someone to care for my yard and remove snow.

I've also hired house-cleaners on 3 occasions where they showed up to work (I tried hiring others and they never showed up).

1 of those was a professional cleaning company that came in with a crew of 3-4 people as I was scheduled for surgery and needed to have a clean and sterile house to come home to. Expensive; but, well worth it - and they did a good job.

The other two were ladies trying to earn money by house cleaning. I worked on training them on what and how I wanted my house cleaned.

Lady #1 had difficulty in showing up as scheduled and after a number of times of that I let her go.

Lady #2 was very good and reliable (and had earned a house key) until she took a check out of my check book and forged a check to herself (she took the last check out of my new check pad - and the check was for a modest amount - I think $37.00). End of that (and I put new locks on my door within 3 hours of finding out).

The interesting thing is that I know that its hard work and does not pay that well; so I pay extra (back then $20/hr which was well above what anyone else paid).

My yard and snow clearer tells me that what I pay him is well above what anyone else pays him - and he's quickly at my house if I need assistance with anything else. So when a storm took down part of a tree and the power lines to my house.... He was at my house with a chainsaw first, and put off everyone else who called because I pay best.

It does free up time and worries if you can afford to do it.

To get the best and most reliable workers pay at least a 25% premium over what they normally get paid. Decent cleaners take care of the good paying clients, and respond promptly to special requests.

Finding someone honest and reliable can be a challenge. Please check references.

You typically need to spend the 1st and possibly the 2nd time with them to be sure they are doing things well and provide special instructions for certain items.

I wish you the best with this.

ps: Somewhat after Lady #2 I met the Lady who became my wife. We now share housecleaning duties and she does the things that are difficult for me due to health issues.

I still have the yard and snow clearing person. My wife appreciates that it frees up her time as well.

Asshole answer here but what about getting a girlfriend or wife with ocd?