Is there such a thing? Well, that’s my goal. Alice comes tomorrow, and I wanted to make the process as smooth as possible.
That–combined with my obsession with cleaning products and organization–meant that I went out and bought her all new supplies. Having them all together really serves two purposes. It keeps all the supplies together so she’s not scrambling around the house looking for them, and it helps me to know when a particular product is getting low.
I think I’ll put her sponges and rags in another container because I’m still missing a couple of cleaners I like included. It’s amazing how many cleaning products we use and don’t realize it!
And this is where I tell you that I really do keep most of my products “green”. However, I cannot give up my Soft Scrub. It’s the ONLY thing that works on my sink to keep it clean. Please don’t hate. I’m a Shaklee girl, really. Except for Soft Scrub. And Mr. Clean sponges. I need to stop talking.
After reading all of your comments about your love of cleaning ladies (yay!), do you have any advice for me? Anything you or your cleaner does to make things easier or more efficient? I’d love to hear some tips!
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Get your hands up! Hand over the Soft Scrub and nobody will be hurt!
I can’t buy Soft Scrub here in the Philippines. waaaaaaah
Definitely let her know what you want/need her to do! Otherwise, she may not focus on areas you really need worked on.
I only use vinegar, baking soda, and lemon juice to clean (except for the occasional Magic Eraser). But if I could afford an Alice, I wouldn’t care what she used!
Great comment, KP! Agreed!
I use the same things (minus the lemon juice and plus Dr. Bronner’s)! Okay, so I don’t use the same things, but close. I love not worrying about toxicity.
I want an Alice! She’d probably think we were weird hippies, though. Oh well!
I have had an “Alice” for years. There are many things I’d give up before I’d give her up. I have a stressful job and frankly, don’t want to spend my Saturday cleaning. I do/buy whatever products she wants to use. The thing I do for her every week is to make sure she doesn’t have to pick up or move around anything. She’s here for the hard stuff, not to load the dishwasher. I know she appreciates it because she’s mentioned it.
We had a Alice growing up. My Mom always made me clean my room before she came. In fact I can remember my Mom cleaning before she came. We always asked..ha! She didn’t want anyone to know what a slob we really were..ha!
I wonder if Marc would let me have an Alice even though I stay home? I better not ask…unless..I plan to pay her. Wonder if she will work for gum? Maybe signs …ya just never know 😉
Enjoy! ps…we love Alice already. Her helping you, gives you more blog time which we love. Of the love!
I always tidy up before my cleaning girl comes….I don’t think she’d get much cleaned if she spent her whole time cleaning up our clutter. Plus, it helps me keep our house somewhat put together, since I have to declutter at least every other week! (she comes biweekly) My girl brings her own cleaning supplies, so I buy only stuff that I use to keep up in between!
Enjoy! It has been one of the best investments we’ve made for my sanity!!
I also cannot give up my Soft Scrub. I tried. It didn’t work. Don’t feel bad……
Great organizing! Enjoy Alice!
I have to have my Soft Scrub too. Can’t clean the kitchen sink or the bathtub without it. No tips, but I really like your tote. It seems to hold a lot.
I actually am an “Alice”. 🙂 The best thing you can do from my point of view is to have all your “stuff” in the general area it belongs. Organizing someone elses home takes a long time and is really challenging if you aren’t sure where things go. Having “stuff” out of the way means she can really *clean*. Also tell her what your priorities are – what would be most helpful to you. Some people are paid by job and others by the hour. If she is charging an hourly fee you definitely want her working on what you need most first. Do you have something that is sort of falling apart and you have to move it just so? Tell her. A window that will slam on her fingers? Tell her. 😉 Certain areas where dust bunnies love to hide but you never get to? Your prized posession you would die if something happened to it so you don’t even want her to touch it? um… tell her. 😉 If you have pets and little ones running around on wet floors they won’t dry well no matter how hard she works on it. If you have light switches or outlets that are hidden let her know where they are. The better she knows these details the more quickly she can complete her job. I love all the cleaning products you have and keeping them together is awesome. Go you. 😉 Also… If you notice her doing something you really want done differently… kindly tell her. If she is a good Alice she will want to please you and will be happy to comply. If she has an attitude and wants to do things halfway – like wet mop without sweeping or vacuuming first… find another Alice. Have realistic expectations. Alice isn’t superwoman but she is being paid fairly to do a good job so you should be pleased with her work. I hope you enjoy the help! We Alices wish we could do the same! <3
I’m an “Alice”, too, and I echo all these things, Leanne! One thing that really helps me is that I have a daily and an annual cleaning list for the homes I clean. My homeowners know exactly what’s on those lists and can see exactly what I’ll be working on at each visit. If they have something extra they’d like to be done (washing some extra bedding or emptying the dishwasher, etc) they leave me a note with instructions on what to do. Also, if anyone in your family is home while your Alice is cleaning, stay out of her way. While it’s adorable that your kids might want to help her, and endearing that you might want to have a deep, heartfelt conversation, it’s not her job to be your babysitter or your therapist. Good luck and enjoy the help!!
So true, Sarai! She’s coming today for the walk-through, but I told her that we’ll treat her as a ghost blowing around the house. 🙂 I don’t want to pay her for us to visit, and I’m sure she’ll want to get her work done. Thanks for the advice!
Super advice, “Alice” – says another “Alice”. More: Special instructions for your vacuum cleaner, if it’s new to her. And don’t worry about what she thinks about your stuff! Can I tell you a little secret? Every house I’ve ever cleaned has at least one picture frame with a broken stand, propped up against something. LOL! Do you have indoor pets? Make sure they are up and out of the way.
Great post! I am so glad that you love your Shaklee!!! 🙂
I need an Alice, lol!
Have a great night!
Bonnie 🙂
I look at it is this way… I tidy and she deep cleans. She is able to accomplish in two hours what would take me all weekend to get done. Money very well spent.
Ooooh I loved Hearing from Alice above! Great info. Enjoy that wonderful feeling of walking into your cleanes, organized and fresh smelling home! You’ll never go back!
I can’t wait to hear how it goes! Having a cleaning lady just sounds glorious!
It looks like you have a wood floor cleaner in there. What do you use? I’ve been trying to find a good product for this. Thanks! I’m so jealous of your cleaning lady. Would LOVE one! Maybe some day….
Cleaning should be a breeze ya know.You have provided her with such a nice organized space to clean from.
Wait!!!! Why are Magic Erasers not “green?”. They completely disappear and dint use any kind of cleaning product. What could be more green than that!?
Where did you find your basket? I’ve been looking for one to create a caddy for myself, but all I can seem to find are those college dorm shower caddies. Thanks!
It’s actually a Shaklee basket that came with a bunch of products in it. I have a little “dorm” one, too, and it’s not nearly as nice!
We have only ever had a cleaning lady when I’m pregnant because I get SO sick and can’t do anything. So when she would come I would stumble to the next door neighbor’s couch for the next few hours while she did her thing.
If you pick up and tidy before she comes then you’ll end up with a shinier house. My cleaning lady was there for 4 hours. So if the house started totally trashed then it didn’t end up perfect because she had to spend time picking up. But if the house was already picked up then it was totally immaculate because she could spend the whole time cleaning instead of picking up toys.
I can’t live without soft scrub either!
Yay! You will have to keep us updated. I hope its as terrific as we make it out to be in our heads! 😉 Def, looking into getting myself an Alice (at least once in awhile)!
On behalf of house cleaners everywhere, THANK YOU for making such a convenient cleaning supply bucket! I am currently working my way through undergraduate school, and (along with being a tutor, nanny, and furniture re-upholsterer) help clean two different houses. As a housecleaner, there is NOTHING worse than scrambling for supplies in the recesses of the pantry cabinets … or habitually running out of Windex and being faced with that awkward question: Do you abandon your post and go searching for the lady of the house? Or systematically re-clean the foyer until she walks by? In all honesty, your cleaning lady will be SO pleased! Thanks for being such a thoughtful homeowner! 🙂
That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time, Lydia! Thank you SO much for letting me know that. Not having a cleaner before, I didn’t know if it would be silly. I’m so glad to know it’s a convenience!
I love Mrs. Meyer’s and it leaves your home smelling great as well! Nothing cleans a white tub and grout like Clorox Foaming Bleach for deep cleans.
I purchased some microfiber cloths at Wal-Mart, but know there must be more durable cloths out there. Any suggestions?
Cinderella used to come to my home. Sure wish she could make it twice a month now. Perhaps after I get my bills paid next year she will enjoy working here.
It makes it so much easier to get the job done when the tools are organized. Nice post!