apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I bet your mid-century bureau has been sullied by Pledge MANY times before.

Me too please. I've been using a service the last few years...but the sort that you have to be home while they are there. I'd prefer to find some kindly person that I can give keys to.

Does it have to be a woman, or would a man do? ;)

Growing up in Rangoon we had excellent help from hill-tribe stock, usually the young ones sent to the city, where the abundant food scraps and trash heaps at least ensured basic survival. We could feed, house, and cloth a boy for the equivalent of $4/ month. Since we kept his internal passport there was no chance of him leaving, either.

Looking foward to other posts and hearing about solutions to this vexing task of hiring help in NYC.

that's it! a slave! now all we need is some upstate-tribe stock.

Umm...I am sorry, i couldn't understand you, could you please take the silver spoon out of your mouth and say that again?

....Mmmm....
"Living like a white woman in a black country" as the saying goes...Sorry I was raised with a maid but far too working class for "help of my own....Good "help is SO hard to find"...

at first, i was going to comment on the snootiness of the question, but was put off my the snarky answers posted. R & G, the only thing I can say is that no one is going to clean the way you want it to be cleaned. I didn't know pledge couldn't be used on some mid century blah blah blah. I suggest hiring the cleaning service to do the basic things, i.e., scrubbing the toilets, folding laundry. You and your friend should to the more intricate tasks, because it sounds like you'll never be pleased by anyone else doing these things. The last time I checked, my TV wasn't hurt when we used Windex on it. Also, the reason many of these cleaning people don't have the "initiative or knowledge beyond routine tasks" is because they're not paid enough to put the all that effort into cleaning the way you want to. Hire someone, show her/him how to clean and offer nice compensation if she/he does it your way.

Oh my. I read this question and just knew there'd be some snark flying.

Anyways, this isn't going to be much help, but, I recall an article in some shelter mag a year ago where one of the writers spent time at some special cleaning academy. The point of the school was to train cleaners (both men and women, by the way) in the art of homekeeping, sort of harking back to Howard's End-like help. The goal was to go beyond just cleaning; sort of to train quiet, less in-your-face Martha types for hire in your own personal home. That sounds like what you are looking for. Can't remember the name of the place, locale, costs, or even for sure what mag it was in, but what you are looking for it out there. You just have to search for it.

We had help growing up, so I don't know much about housework. However if this Windex that you speak of is so harmful to your electronic entertainment equipment, I suggest you inform said charlady quick-sharp. How hard could it be?

My suggestion would be to find an individual who owns their own cleaning business and is looking for long-term clients.
I own my own gardening company and I'm happy they're are people who want help with their gardens. If their weren't people looking for "hired help" then many of us wouldn't have careers/businesses that we love and that provide us with a good income.
If you're willing to pay someone well and treat them as a valuable resource then I have no doubt you'll find the perfect person to help within your home.

J, I remember that article too. It was in Domino, but I don't remember when.

hmm. generally people born with silver spoons in their mouths don't have problems getting good help. They're brought up knowing how to get and keep help along with how to talk with that sliver spoon stuck in their mouths. (It produces a weird lock-jawy sound.)

I suggest using a cleaning service. Express your particular wishes to the owner with whom presumably you will have no problem talking to and let him talk to the person he assigns you.

oh gawd. what is wrong with hiring someone to help clean your house? for all we know, R & G work very hard for their money and are too busy volunteering to keep their home as clean as they'd like...and even if thats not the case, who the hell are you to judge?

and housekeeping is an actual JOB, just like being a chef, a lawyer, an artist, etc...employing a reputable housekeeper helps not only the house-owners, but those in the housekeeping industry as well.

hdtex,
I haven't heard that saying before and I hope I never hear it again. It's offensive and distasteful, and explains your working class status.

Honestly, just try out a few different places/people until you find the right one. Ask your other friends and neighbors who have help and set aside the time to explain to your trial housekeeper just what a "kept" house looks like to you and the way you would clean it, what you would use, etc. Clean the house together the first time and if you like them, have the person come back again and see if the results are similar. I don't have help cleaning my apartment but imagine that this is the advice that I would follow if I could afford this luxury at this time.

haha... i love the snark. i think we're all a little off-put by the size of said new apartment... especially since it's not at all relevant to the question.

that said, i love having someone come help me clean my home, even if only once a month (and I do the touchups in between). i have total respect for her - i am a terrible cleaner!

I am surprised that AT would have the gall to post a question that is as inexplicably tacky as this. All together now: If you don't like it, clean yo' own damn palace!

What's so wrong about hiring help if you can afford it?

I cleaned houses part-time when I was in college, and I was very thankful for the employment. And I would have appreciated detailed instructions for how to properly clean my clients' nicer pieces of furniture, though I think I did a decent job of winging it.

I mentioned the size of the apartment in an attempt to avert snark, by showing that it's too big for us to clean by ourselves, and to show that it's a good employment opportunity for someone. A Web site devoted to conspicuous consumption is an odd place for class warfare, as goodnightdean keenly intimates. We're looking for a referral, not karma, but much of G's time is taken up by being on call to her patients 24/7, and by looking after her elderly parents, who live nearby and both have Alzheimer's.

I appreciate the suggestions and the Domino citation, which I'll research. We have asked friends; this is an extension of that search, so if you have a great housekeeper, we're happy to have a referral.

P.S. -- You should absolutely never spray Windex on a computer or TV screen. A Google search will tell you why, but here's what MacRumours.com has to say: Windex has ammonia, along with the majority of other window cleaning products. Amonia can strip off any protective coating that may be on the screen.

And paper towels are abrasive. Just use an old-shirt.

Wow feeling inadequate people? There is nothing wrong with hiring someone to do your cleaning. There is certainly nothing wrong with wanting a cleaner who knows that Pledge is horrible for wood. I don't hire a cleaner because I don't want products such as Windex and Pledge used in my house. So please, if you do find someone - let us know.

R&G,

The article from Domino is "What I Learned at Maid School."
It's from the February 2007 issue, pages 76-78.

I second Downeast Suzy!!

If you get one thing from this article is that spend some time cleaning with your house keeper. Sounds weird, but it makes total sense. Let her/him know how you want things cleaned and with what products. Also, set us a list of weekly, monthly and yearly chores so everyone one is on the same page and knows what is going to be done and when.

Most of all, if you love their work, don't forget to tip. If you don't, talk to them about it or find a new cleaning service.

I think most large cleaning services are like a lot of gardeners, it's dust and vacuum, similar to mow and blow.

Here's an idea.

If you know how the particular items are supposed to be cleaned, you supply the products and the cleaning person will supply the cleaning.

That should fix the problem, yeah?

There are a million ways to skin a cat. Not everyone skins it your way until you tell them too, old-fashioned or not. As far as initiative goes, if they show up to your house when you ask them to they have initiative. As far as knowledge beyond routine tasks go, what exactly do you have in mind for them? Because house cleaning is pretty routine. Maybe you expect too much from them.

Oh, and no, I don't have a recommendation for anyone--sorry.

Everyone needs some help sometimes. Hiring someone to "do your dirty work" can feel very awkward, especially if you need to direct or give feedback to that person. But presumably they want the job and will be responsive to your concerns. You just have to try your best to be nice and respectful to your employee. If they can't adjust find a better fit.

I do have a recommendation - European Maids (212) 227-0730. Forgive their dorky name, and no, they will not show up in a teeny french maid costume. They were recommended to me by a friend who has a very clean place. I had a very good experience with them when my children were small - and I too am particular about the products I use in my home. I was mostly home when they were there, but let them lock up many times while I was out.

And you supply the products for them. So spell out in the beginning what you would like for them to do and how often and you should be ok.

I seriously cannot believe the snark! Hell, my condo is about the size of a small office cubicle, but I still plan on having someone come in once a month to give it the rundown.

R&G, I really hope you find what you're looking for. I too, hate Pledge. I learned the hard way, as a teen that you do NOT use that stuff on wood or anything else. Everytime I see my mom's dinning room table, my heart breaks just a bit. Thanks Pledge (please note sarcasm).

When y'all get over the notion that paying for housecleaning is immoral, this isn't that complex.

1. Forget all mass-market services like Merry Maids. The way they're paid, the cleaners cannot run around giving special service.

2. Get a recommendation from a neighbor or co-worker for an individual who cleans using the YOUR equipment. If you don't keep Windex in the house, Windex will not be used.

3. Explain what you want, clearly and respectfully. Treat your cleaner as a skilled worker, but communicate your wishes -- don't expect him/her to anticipate your every desire.

4. Pay generously. You're demanding a different level of work than most employers, so you need to be prepared to compensate your cleaner appropriately.

Cheryl Mendelsohn's Home Comforts has a chapter on hiring and employment of household workers.

It's a great book!

I had a good experience with a service in Manhattan called Lend a Hand. Their website is www.lahny.com, and their phone number is 212-614-9118. This service has been around for many years, and quite a few aspiring performers and writers supplement their incomes by working for it. The gentleman they sent me did a terrific job.

Best of luck to you in your search, and I do wish you good karma. You and G have a lot to deal with, and you're wise to seek help.

Hey there -

For special occasions, epecially around the holidays, I have a woman named Jacquie come to clean my apartment. She is beyond meticulous and orderly and I definitely recommend her services. She can be reached at: jacquelineraphael@yahoo.com and nannycares@gmail.com. Please don't reach out to her if you intend to be mean and harsh - she's way to sweet for improper treatment.

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Hi Ya'll,

I'm a house cleaner - I clean private condo's in Manhattan & still wondering if you are looking for someone to clean?

i do all of what is listed in Today's Maid for a very decent price. I have & current cleaning for several famous people as well as non famous.

If interested, please, pop me off an email: stevie9499@hotmail.com with 'cleaning' in the subject titled for more details.

Either way, good luck in life

Stevie