Full service domestic help (!!!) (Arlington, Washington: condo, attorney, house)

[Katie_22201]

We are looking for full service residential domestic help - and I emphasize "help" because that is exactly what we need.

We are overloaded with basic household management - house cleaning, laundry, ironing, even dishwasher unloading. Are there companies in the area that provide this type of service? Or perhaps a domestic services staffing company? (The only ones I have found are for nannies.) We would rather not piecemeal services (other than grocery "shopping" - we use Peapod although their produce is not great so we would love a recommendation for another provider). If no one provider or staffing company exists, individual provider recommendations are greatly appreciated.

It is not a large home - the two of us in a two bedroom Arlington condo with a small dog.

Thank you.

[kellyeb]

Hi Katie!

Here is a link to a company who places full service domestic help:

[url=http://planetdomestics.com/about-our-agency/]About Our Agency - Planet Domestics[/url]

beyond that...have you thought of posting an ad for what you are looking? Craigslist seems maybe a little creepy but there are other options. Washington Post classifieds perhaps? Maybe a more local newspaper?

[mikecart1]

Someone I know uses a maid at their place. They pay by the hour and they get the maids from some classifieds website. I don't know the name but will edit later when I remember. It is like $15-20 hour and you can schedule for like once a week if you want. They said it is the best thing ever.

[car54]

Just be sure you pay the taxes on 'em....just in case you ever want to be Attorney General or sumpin.

[ShiShisHouse]

Just remember to hide valuables in a safe or in a computer box (office supplies). Cleaning people don't bother w/boxes that office stuff comes in. ALL other hiding areas they are familiar with!! And never keep any spare keys around.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by ShiShisHouse

Just remember to hide valuables in a safe or in a computer box (office supplies). Cleaning people don't bother w/boxes that office stuff comes in. ALL other hiding areas they are familiar with!! And never keep any spare keys around.

Maybe I'm too trusting....(and from those who remember me from the "Do You Lock Your Doors?" thread, I rarely do), but I do not hide my valuables. I live my life with my things out and about. I don't see the point of having valuable things "hidden". I use my silver and crystal; I wear my expensive jewelry; I display my art. I am not going to spend time hiding these things every time someone is entering my home.

So, my most "valuable" items are my sentimental items, which may not have much monetary value. But, through inheritance or gifts, I do actually possess some monetarily valuable items, especially jewelry. My husband gave me a bracelet from a well known jewelry designer that is easily recognizable. It sits right in the jewelry box with everything else, including the paper bracelet my 4 year old niece made me and my mother's diamond engagement ring. So, one day, it turns up missing. I look and look, and cannot find it. After YEARS of having the same trusted pet-sitter and cleaning crew in my house, I begin to question their integrity. Thankfully, I only did this in my head (and not openly), because 2 months later, I find that the bracelet (somehow) became stuck behind the drawer. Not missing ever.

So, moral of the story is that there are certainly trustworthy people; and those people appreciate being trusted, and would not compromise their reputation in any manner.