Finding a house cleaner

[MiniLopHop]

Does any one have advice on how to find a good person to help with cleaning when you have animals roaming the house? I need help due to health issues, I just can't scrub like I want to.

We have lots of pets: in my office- 2 turtles, 8 finches, 2 rabbits (this room would be off limits for them), in the bedroom- 2 gerbils and 2 rabbits (also off limits), only the two cats roam the whole house.

I want them to use animal safe cleaners and I'm willing to supply them. The cats tend not to stay out of stranger's business when they are in the house and love to play in dust pans etc. After Fraggle's horrible experience I'm worried. Plus, what if the buns got loose because it happens from time to time (the whole house is bun proofed)? I need to be sure my kids will be safe if we aren't watching.

Basically I want them to scrub the bathrooms and kitchen. If they ran the vacuum over the carpets that would be super. I won't ask them to clean after the pets.

 

[I_heart_Fraggles]

After the whole nightmare with our housekeeper we have decided to go with a maid company instead of a private person. Jason also came up with the very genius idea of informing the company (which is very reputable but we are taking no chances) that we have a "nanny cam system" and that there actions are being video/audio recorded. He told them that if anyone of there employees harms Fraggles we will press charges. Even if you hire privatly do all the basic stuff (references,background....always do the background check!) but let them know that you have a nanny cam...... I think a person would think twice about doing anything in your home that could get them busted.

 

[MiniLopHop]

Great idea. Your experience is what is making me think twice, but it just hurts so much sometimes I miss work after I clean.

There are several well known companies around here. Perhaps I will ask them what their background check takes into consideration and if they have animal interaction policies.

 

[LaylaLop]

Too bad I'm so far away.. I'm in need of a job annnd I've had experience cleaning/pet sitting/house sitting. Plus you know I'm good with bunnies and would probably spoil them Good luck in your search!

 

[Nancy McClelland]

We always have used word of mouth from friends. Our last house cleaner was a great little Hispanic gal that a friend uses to clean his grandmother's house. You should have seen the look on the girls that work for her when we started speaking in Spanish. They didn't know I was bi-lingual--after that I lost out on all the good gossip!

 

[LaylaLop]

Haha, bet they were surprised!

Word of mouth is always good, especially from others who have pets. House upkeep is a bit different with pets. Of course you want them to treat the animals well (sadly your past woman didn't) and be able to deal with hair and such.