All About Life Without Maids

[pecalis]

mummy of three:

1amber:

[quote=\"mummy of three\"]is part time maid safe?

I think it really depends on the comfort level you have with the part timer. For me I prefer to stay home when part time is around, even though I did once leave the house for a short time. I would only trust a part timer if she has been working with me for a while. Therefore it is important to have a regular one so you can assess her character over time.

I’ve always been thinking of having one, tiring to handle everything, but my hubby says it’s like stranger in the house, I think so too. But sometimes, really tiring…[/quote]Part-time really helps alot! To my hubby, it's $ well-spent as if I can't cope, i'll look to him for help but after a whole day at work, he just want to rest and spend time with kids, not doing household chores. We didn't want live-in maid, so we always have part-time coming in once a week, at a time, even considered 2x a week. As I'm SAHM, it's easy to arrange for a weekday. Part-time helps with dusting, vacuuming, mopping, washing toilets, changing of bedsheets, washing kids sch shoes and cleaning of windows & fans (monthly-I leave to her to arrange). If time permits, she can iron clothes too. For hdb flats, 3-4 hrs is sufficient. For my place, she takes 5 hrs without ironing.

Well. my latest gadget is robot vacuum cleaner, helps me to have clean floor for the rest of the week.

[janet88]

mummy of three:

is part time maid safe?

Go for recommendations.
If you do not feel comfortable, then try to be around during that period of time. Part time is better than having a live-in, ie if you do not need one around all the time. At least you have privacy.

[babycutie71]

Anyone knows where can I get a mop squeezer bucket? The one that u place the mop into a compartment & press down the lever to squeeze out the water from the mop.

[Dekora]

I gave in to hiring part time help to come in to clean up because I want to spend my weekends with my husband and kid. I don’t want my poor kid to remember her mummy as the one keep doing housework only.

But looking for part time help is also sooo difficult. My previous help before I hired my maid told me she is too busy to help me( probably she felt slighted when I decided to to hire a maid). I could leave her do her stuffs when we go grocery shopping.
Then upon friend’s recommendation, I managed to find another part time help ( those auntie housewife type) but she was too "environment friendly" 1 pail of water mop the whole house and had to be reminded to change. And she don’t wash toilet just wipe then splash water. (actually she closed the door when she Washing but because I had to get something frm the toilet, I saw what she was doing) so we parted ways cos she felt I was too fussy.

I gave up and now turned to a cleaning company called just relax (2 cleaners in 2 hours and they bring their own cleaning agents) (forgot to add those free lance dont separate the cloths- they use one cloth for the whole house) coming in on Monday! And I’m excited heh I don’t pay peanuts so I expected some professional standard frm them. Update when they are done on Monday

[Dekora]

Btw anyone used the new magic clean (advertised on TV) supposedly able to pick up more dirt?

[Imami]

I tried just relax before. We engaged them during my confinement period. They came in pairs and they cleaning stuff. We got the first time trial at $15 but package is about $280 per month for 4 sessions. One of the lady was soooooo friendly and Sooooo knowledgeable. She not just "inspect" my home, she also wanted to teach me, my hubby and my confinement lady how to take care of my new born - how to carry him la, how to feed him, how to bath him etc. During the walk through of the contract with the sales person, we quickly checked if we could request for another team. Eventually we didn’t sign them cos just relax didn’t provide a replacement session on cleaning days that falls on public holiday. That was something different from what we understood earlier during the phone call enquiry. So no deal…

[pokemon97]

Ran1977:

Pokemon 97, I mop my floor with a normal mop. then use Magic Clean with dry sheet to wipe over the floor once dried.

It seems to effectively remove the dirt and make the floor shinner.

On the days that I don't mop, I just use the dry sheets to 'pick up' dust/dirt and hair from the floor.

Thanks all for the comments.

[Dekora]

Imami:

I tried just relax before. We engaged them during my confinement period. They came in pairs and they cleaning stuff. We got the first time trial at $15 but package is about $280 per month for 4 sessions. One of the lady was soooooo friendly and Sooooo knowledgeable. She not just \"inspect\" my home, she also wanted to teach me, my hubby and my confinement lady how to take care of my new born - how to carry him la, how to feed him, how to bath him etc. During the walk through of the contract with the sales person, we quickly checked if we could request for another team. Eventually we didn't sign them cos just relax didn't provide a replacement session on cleaning days that falls on public holiday. That was something different from what we understood earlier during the phone call enquiry. So no deal..

Oh no! I didn't even get a trial session and the person on the line told me there haven't had any complains and they are v popular. Now I'm waiting for them to appear.. Suppose to come between 9am to 930am. Worried once money handed over, all hell breaks loose.

Btw imami, did u hire another cleaning company? Really need recommendations instead of those written testimonials on their websites

[huskies]

What if not sure where is the nest? How to use the citronella spray? My food on the dining table are always invaded by ants. Not sure where they come from.[/quote]



I used to have that problem. I traced the ant back to their nest before I finally eliminated them. The nest was IN the wooden door frame. Really hard to get as there were a few pin sized entrance points. But key is to locate the nest. Another time I found the nest on the underside of the wooden slated table so the ants will join in while we were eating! Carried the table out. Sprayed n washed it. No more ant problem for now.

[babycutie71]

Any SAHM? Can share with me yr daily household chores? Do u set a timetable for yourself? I want to spend more time to revise homework with my kids. But is always tie up with housework.