All About Life Without Maids

[huanghou]

I have been hiring maids (until recently) because of skin allergy to chemicals, dust and frequent contact with water and I am delighted to find a group of brave people here who went without maids even though you have to adjust to the inconvenience. So here are some recommendation for skincare:


If you don’t like oily (who does?) and don’t mind paying more (just under $20 per tube) try Avent’s Magic Cream. It contains allantoin which is good for rashes. I found this wonder baby cream when I was living in UK and my whole body cracked up. I even used for my face and it was very soothing and effective. My baby (now little girl) also used it.

If your skin is very itchy and hot use Sarna lotion (about $8+ from NUH and Changi hospital pharmacies). Good for ladies with hot flush and cannot sleep at night due to skin contact with bed. For those with very hot bodies (literally) like me you must try to avoid moisturizer with paraffin content. It acts like a plastic layer over your skin and when you get hot your skin cannot breathe. Paraffin and similar content are widely used because it is probably a cheaper raw material. Unfortunately there are many skin specialists who don’t understand that oil/paraffin based ingredients and heat don’t go together.

If you like lotion type and not oily, try GV lotion available in most pharmacies. I have been recommended the expensive Physiogel by doctors but I found they too contain some lipid and paraffin. So do read the fine prints. Aqueous cream and Urecare is a much cheaper option but I am not happy that the manufacturer does not reveal exact ingredient. And Urecare also contains enough oil based content to make me hot and uncomfortable.

[Vevey]

jnj0910:

Vevey:

[quote=\"jnj0910\"]Does anyone do housework like washing dishes and hand-washing clothes , wearing long plastic gloves?


I need to buy them as I have skin allergy, but can't find suitable ones anywhere.
the short plastic disposable ones are too short and trap water, making my
allergy and rash worse...

cannot have latex gloves, or wool inside...

help please?
thanks in advance!

My 3rd anniversary w/o maid is coming! :rahrah: :boogie:

I'm v problematic, so hv to wear gloves (rashes), rubber slippers (heel pains) & disposable masks (allergic to dust) when doing housework.

Gloves - Giant brand is cheap & good but I think it is latex.
Tried long gloves up to elbow but find them too thick, hot & cumbersome.

In general, check for leaks often (as these r the main culprits for my rashes when wearing gloves) by filling gloves w water (also wash their inners at same time) & then turn them inside out to air dry.

Turn them right side out by trapping some air to \"pop\" the fingers out (I used to spend so much time trying to get each finger right side out until i figure this out!). Then squirt some powder into inners b4 wearing them again.

Dishwashing Liquid - I find diluted Mama Lemon is still too strong 4 me when i don't feel like donning gloves just to wash a cup. Try diluted Ligent. Cheap & good but think they come only in refill packs.

Handwashing collars, cuffs etc b4 machine wash - Fab bar soap for v dirty bits, else normal/hotel bar soap.

THanks for sharing your experience!
Going 3 years, and counting, without a maid is no mean feat, especially since you have these problems with rashes, heel pain, dust allergy etc...
:udawoman:[/quote]Oh, I just do within my means. Doesn't want to set myself up to fail.

[24hr-mum]

IJJ:

I have a dishwasher. Yes, it cleans well. Love it. Contemplating to get a dryer, but did not really like the texture of clothes after drying.


Now, I am thinking of the robot vacuum.... skunk, can share your verdict of its usefulness? Does it vacuum corners well? Is it noisy during operation? Do you have to change the filter bags frequently? How costly does each replacement bag cost?

TIA!

my curr electrolux edv705 dryer doesnt make clothes hard. if u stil find clothes hard aft dryer get dryr ball frm howard storage n the clothes will feel soft

[24hr-mum]

for dishwash i m usg tat from newlife , a supplement co. doesnt make my hands itch. or try those biodegrable brand frm ntuc

[Hush]

Hi All Mummies / Daddies,


I need advises. I have been hving maid for the past 6 years and her WP is expiring this June and will return to get marry.

I have 2 kids (DS 6 yr old) (DD 3 yr old). They are currently in full day CC. I am staying in a EA and my parent (both 62 yr old) staying with me.

My DH is saying to forgo maid after current maid contract end. I am worry as i am a FTWM (stress and return home almost 8pm and totally drenched out). My parent are hawker and need to wake up early in the morning.

I should said i am so used to hving maid for usual housekeeping and preparing for kids school. My mum will cook for all and maid will do all the washing / cleaning.

When i am home everyday after work, i will hv my dinner, shower and start to supervise school work with my DS (spelling on Monday, chinese spelling on Tues). Berries, Piano etc etc etc…

How to survive life without maid??

[Vevey]

Can but tough. Another way is for your dh to b e stay at home maid lor..

Hush:

Hi All Mummies / Daddies,

I need advises. I have been hving maid for the past 6 years and her WP is expiring this June and will return to get marry.

I have 2 kids (DS 6 yr old) (DD 3 yr old). They are currently in full day CC. I am staying in a EA and my parent (both 62 yr old) staying with me.

My DH is saying to forgo maid after current maid contract end. I am worry as i am a FTWM (stress and return home almost 8pm and totally drenched out). My parent are hawker and need to wake up early in the morning.

I should said i am so used to hving maid for usual housekeeping and preparing for kids school. My mum will cook for all and maid will do all the washing / cleaning.

When i am home everyday after work, i will hv my dinner, shower and start to supervise school work with my DS (spelling on Monday, chinese spelling on Tues). Berries, Piano etc etc etc...

How to survive life without maid??

[Hush]

Hi Vevey,


I would rather be the one if i can kill another household incomes. We can’t afford to live on single income for the whole house hold of 4 adults (without maid) and 2 kids.

[Hush]

I am just afraid if we reli forgo maid, there will be alots of argument on who do wat…

[1amber]

Need to automate cleaning and have clear job description for all parties but if u r living with in law then tough.

[Hush]

Dear 1 amber,


Not in law but my parent stay with me when DS was born. On the other hand, i would like to try to forgo maid (their salary very high), however, on the other hand, i dun think i can push myself any further when i got home.

I am wondering will getting a part time helper does reli help…