All About Life Without Maids

[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.

[babycutie71]

slmkhoo,


U r right about high standard, really can take up most of my time.

In fact I planned once a week task - wiping window grilles, wiping kitchen cabinets, wiping doors and fans, washing toilets & marketing. Floor - 1, 3 & 5. I have to lower my standard of cleaning so these task will not take up much time. My robot cleaner arrived, hope that it can ease my floor task.

Like u, I will spent about 1-2 hrs to overlook the kids homeworks. They are quite young - 8 years old and 6 years old. I have to cook simple as well. Yesterday cooking took me 2hrs. After that, I have to mop the oily floor and stove. These take up time as well. I have to mop the floor after cooking everytime so that the floor is not greasy to step on. And have to wipe the stove and wall around the stove otherwise seasoned stain will not come out and there will be an oil smell (in hokkien - cao you kao). Do you mop the floor and clean the stove after cooking?

[verygeksim]

i’m new to this maid-less situation.


we’re second week into maid-less situation and i feel v stressed up.

the maid was repatriated because of the trouble she created. The last week of June was sheer madness because of her phantom medical ailments and she left a mess. the yard was a mess, her room was a mess, the sink pipe was dislodged and my gas burner is destroyed and will have to be replaced. she dumped a whole load of cleaning material without permission and i have had to re-organised.

it’s been a mess and i’ve the "undomesticated goddess" to borrow Sophie Kinsella’s term.

like babycutie71, i feel bogged down with the housework and the cleaning up after cooking is horrible. it is even worse that my children are slow and picky eaters.

the kids feel the difference because now i’m just short fused and have no time to sit down with them to run through school work/ revision or just read books.

upset. frustrated.

[Imami]

Dekora:

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

Hey sorry for the slow reply. Have been busy these two days. Yes, I did hire another company - amahs on wheels. They are good. Office folks are courteous, always accommodating on cancellations and make up sessions, adopts the 'no matter what, customers are always right'.

But the relationship turned sour after they kept sending me different china ladies for cleaning. can you imagine week after week you need to orientate different cleaning staff? :mad:

Also, the staff are just like problematic maids - fake illness, hid in toilets to eat snake (shd be la, if not you help me explain why they are in the toilet for one hour with their phones), ask for drinks etc.

Other than that, the price was a factor too. They are the most expensive in the market. But despite all these, I would still recommend them to anyone who have already decided to engage such companies to help out.