Comments on: The politics of cleaning my apartment! http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/ Making the baby Jesus cry since 2002. Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:14:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Nikki http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-930 Nikki Mon, 11 Jun 2007 03:40:54 +0000 http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-930 A friend of mine went to a load of trouble to hire a cleaner that was self-employed, uses organic/natural cleaners, and that didn't give her feelings of ick the way you're describing. If for whatever reason you're not comfy with the cleaner you've currently found, then drop me a line and I will give you the info. I need a cleaner. It is important to my mental health to have a clean house, and it's bad for my mental health to feel creeped out about my own floors. I will probably continue to be too cheap. C'est la vie. A friend of mine went to a load of trouble to hire a cleaner that was self-employed, uses organic/natural cleaners, and that didn’t give her feelings of ick the way you’re describing. If for whatever reason you’re not comfy with the cleaner you’ve currently found, then drop me a line and I will give you the info.

I need a cleaner. It is important to my mental health to have a clean house, and it’s bad for my mental health to feel creeped out about my own floors. I will probably continue to be too cheap. C’est la vie.

]]> By: valeko http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-855 valeko Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:40:38 +0000 http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-855 It's a common dilemma for most conscientious middle-class people who just don't have a lot of time, and I can certainly empathise very deeply with the perception that it's an overly smug, aristocratic thing to do. And if you read about some of the experiences of professional cleaners and similar low-wage service personnel as in <em>Nickel and Dimed</em> the perception becomes even more acute. I don't have a lot of answers to offer, sadly (maybe not sadly, who knows if my answers are held in esteem). Prima facie, I cannot altogether affirm some of the robustly capitalistic perspectives on it produced above; on the other hand, how different is it, really, from say, hiring roofers or someone to build your deck? Apart from the perceived difference in required expertise and specialisation, not too much. It’s a common dilemma for most conscientious middle-class people who just don’t have a lot of time, and I can certainly empathise very deeply with the perception that it’s an overly smug, aristocratic thing to do. And if you read about some of the experiences of professional cleaners and similar low-wage service personnel as in Nickel and Dimed the perception becomes even more acute.

I don’t have a lot of answers to offer, sadly (maybe not sadly, who knows if my answers are held in esteem). Prima facie, I cannot altogether affirm some of the robustly capitalistic perspectives on it produced above; on the other hand, how different is it, really, from say, hiring roofers or someone to build your deck? Apart from the perceived difference in required expertise and specialisation, not too much.

]]> By: octogalore http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-854 octogalore Fri, 08 Jun 2007 19:37:50 +0000 http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-854 Hire the cleaner. It's good that you're concerned about exploitation, but this isn't it, if you pay fairly. Just like in the sex work example, removing a work opportunity is putting words into someone's mouth that aren't there. It's very unfortunate that many wind up cleaning houses who'd rather do something else. But if these opportunities didn't exist, that would be one less way for them to support their families. The proactive approach to concern about these issues is to donate time or $ to charities emphasizing access to educational opportunities for lower income populations. Until that situation improves, the cleaning jobs are appreciated. But not to preach -- I know you know all this. I have someone every 2 weeks, pay $100 each time and $200 on X-mas. Hire the cleaner. It’s good that you’re concerned about exploitation, but this isn’t it, if you pay fairly. Just like in the sex work example, removing a work opportunity is putting words into someone’s mouth that aren’t there. It’s very unfortunate that many wind up cleaning houses who’d rather do something else. But if these opportunities didn’t exist, that would be one less way for them to support their families. The proactive approach to concern about these issues is to donate time or $ to charities emphasizing access to educational opportunities for lower income populations. Until that situation improves, the cleaning jobs are appreciated. But not to preach — I know you know all this.

I have someone every 2 weeks, pay $100 each time and $200 on X-mas.

]]> By: Amber http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-846 Amber Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:14:51 +0000 http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-846 Well yeah, we are not going to turn into total slobs just because we have a cleaner coming twice a month! (I think it would be impossible for me to become a slob, actually.) We'll still do the daily "clean as you go" type stuff. I see hiring a cleaner as more of a help with tasks that don't need to be done every day, such as cleaning the bathroom, mopping, that kind of thing. Well yeah, we are not going to turn into total slobs just because we have a cleaner coming twice a month! (I think it would be impossible for me to become a slob, actually.) We’ll still do the daily “clean as you go” type stuff. I see hiring a cleaner as more of a help with tasks that don’t need to be done every day, such as cleaning the bathroom, mopping, that kind of thing.

]]> By: duane http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-845 duane Fri, 08 Jun 2007 15:01:21 +0000 http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-845 Your thought struggle makes total sense; in fact, it shows your character is strong to have such a conflict. Many would not even think about the issues of class, and the struggles related to it. I say get the cleaner. Just make sure you don't pay too much for it, and don't get lazy because you have one coming. I have a friend that spends about $400 a month on a cleaner because they have 3 kids; and she said it is worth every penny. I think James and I are going to hire one sometime in the near future as well; as my doctor said, it is a small amount of money that can truly save a relationship. Your thought struggle makes total sense; in fact, it shows your character is strong to have such a conflict. Many would not even think about the issues of class, and the struggles related to it.

I say get the cleaner. Just make sure you don’t pay too much for it, and don’t get lazy because you have one coming. I have a friend that spends about $400 a month on a cleaner because they have 3 kids; and she said it is worth every penny.

I think James and I are going to hire one sometime in the near future as well; as my doctor said, it is a small amount of money that can truly save a relationship.

]]> By: Amber http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-844 Amber Fri, 08 Jun 2007 13:43:29 +0000 http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-844 Thanks for the input, everyone. Thanks for the input, everyone.

]]> By: rootietoot http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-841 rootietoot Fri, 08 Jun 2007 12:28:31 +0000 http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-841 Amber- as someone who used to clean houses, I don't believe you would be exploiting them unless you didn't pay them what they were worth. I cleaned rich folks houses, and didn't mind, because they treated me with respect and paid me well. If they didn't I quit, and it was their loss because I had no shortage of clients. One woman even fixed me lunch so I'd sit down and talk with her. It's all about respect. By feeling guilty for using their services, you are implying that those services are somehow demeaning. Any job well done, whether it's cleaning houses, waiting tables, or working in a cotton mill, is a worthy job, and the person doing it will feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. No matter what the media tells us. By hiring someone to clean your apartment, you are giving them an opportunity to earn an income, rather than take a handout. That is a very good thing. As for tipping- holidays and birthday, and if you ask them to do something out of the ordinary. Any more than that and it becomes something they have to claim on their taxes. Amber- as someone who used to clean houses, I don’t believe you would be exploiting them unless you didn’t pay them what they were worth. I cleaned rich folks houses, and didn’t mind, because they treated me with respect and paid me well. If they didn’t I quit, and it was their loss because I had no shortage of clients. One woman even fixed me lunch so I’d sit down and talk with her. It’s all about respect. By feeling guilty for using their services, you are implying that those services are somehow demeaning. Any job well done, whether it’s cleaning houses, waiting tables, or working in a cotton mill, is a worthy job, and the person doing it will feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. No matter what the media tells us. By hiring someone to clean your apartment, you are giving them an opportunity to earn an income, rather than take a handout. That is a very good thing.

As for tipping- holidays and birthday, and if you ask them to do something out of the ordinary. Any more than that and it becomes something they have to claim on their taxes.

]]> By: Sara http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-835 Sara Fri, 08 Jun 2007 03:49:54 +0000 http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-835 Also, you are going to use the same cleaner that I use and she is really good and nice and responsible, and I like to see people like that, especially those running a small business, rewarded with more business. But this tipping thing? You're going to tip every time? I give an extra at Christmas and if I feel like I am leaving her an especially dirty situation I usually add a fair amount into the check. But I've never heard of tipping on every check, am I doing something wrong? Now you have me worried! Also, you are going to use the same cleaner that I use and she is really good and nice and responsible, and I like to see people like that, especially those running a small business, rewarded with more business.

But this tipping thing? You’re going to tip every time? I give an extra at Christmas and if I feel like I am leaving her an especially dirty situation I usually add a fair amount into the check. But I’ve never heard of tipping on every check, am I doing something wrong?

Now you have me worried!

]]> By: Brian http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-834 Brian Fri, 08 Jun 2007 02:38:42 +0000 http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-834 Thoughts, anyone? You're over thinking this issue. You're contracting for a service. It is no different from having an accountant do your taxes or a mechanic repair your car. And think of it this way - you're creating wealth by having the job hired out. Thoughts, anyone?

You’re over thinking this issue.

You’re contracting for a service. It is no different from having an accountant do your taxes or a mechanic repair your car.

And think of it this way - you’re creating wealth by having the job hired out.

]]> By: Nicki http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-833 Nicki Fri, 08 Jun 2007 01:30:26 +0000 http://www.beingamberrhea.com/2007/06/07/the-politics-of-cleaning-my-apartment/#comment-833 Let me put this as succinctly as I can. Hire the damn cleaner. Don't feel guilty about it. Act ethically, and there's no reason to sweat it. I was raised solidly middle class. My mom teaches public school. I have had a cleaner all my life. First, cleaning is a job. It is not demeaning, and it need not be done at slave wages. The cleaner my parents employed until her death when I was in high school wasn't miserable or exploited. She was poorly educated, but that's about it. Second, we're all good at things, and we all can choose to spend our time doing those things that we enjoy and are good at. Cleaning is neither for me, and I don't do it well enough to maintain the standard that I'd like to keep. Therefore I generally don't do it other than daily activities to keep the edge off -- I figure my time is better and more productively spent at other things. And I really do suck at it -- it makes me unhappy and no one can tell I've done it, anyway. Third, and this is a side issue, the reason I've had a cleaner all my life is 'cause my 'rents believe in equality. And housework falls disproportionately on women. Not necessarily because the men are lazy (though my father was your standard busy executive when I was a kid), but because the expectations associated with cleaning fall much harder on women, as does the expectation of yielding some portion of your economic self-sufficiency to your nurturing/home-maintaining needs. So...you're both busy, you want to maintain a certain standard, and goddammit you're equals. Hire a cleaner. As to your identity issues...all I can say is paragraph 1. Let me put this as succinctly as I can. Hire the damn cleaner. Don’t feel guilty about it. Act ethically, and there’s no reason to sweat it.

I was raised solidly middle class. My mom teaches public school. I have had a cleaner all my life. First, cleaning is a job. It is not demeaning, and it need not be done at slave wages. The cleaner my parents employed until her death when I was in high school wasn’t miserable or exploited. She was poorly educated, but that’s about it.

Second, we’re all good at things, and we all can choose to spend our time doing those things that we enjoy and are good at. Cleaning is neither for me, and I don’t do it well enough to maintain the standard that I’d like to keep. Therefore I generally don’t do it other than daily activities to keep the edge off — I figure my time is better and more productively spent at other things. And I really do suck at it — it makes me unhappy and no one can tell I’ve done it, anyway.

Third, and this is a side issue, the reason I’ve had a cleaner all my life is ’cause my ‘rents believe in equality. And housework falls disproportionately on women. Not necessarily because the men are lazy (though my father was your standard busy executive when I was a kid), but because the expectations associated with cleaning fall much harder on women, as does the expectation of yielding some portion of your economic self-sufficiency to your nurturing/home-maintaining needs. So…you’re both busy, you want to maintain a certain standard, and goddammit you’re equals. Hire a cleaner.

As to your identity issues…all I can say is paragraph 1.

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