Opinion: No shame in having a house cleaner

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Over the years I have often had a house cleaner. A few hours every week. I lead a busy life and because I can afford the luxury of a cleaner, I don't hesitate.

It's not that I'm lazy, although that's what I have been accused of occasionally by some dear friends. I do what I have to to keep my house clean and tidy but it's not a job I like doing. So I don't. I would rather spend my time doing what I enjoy and pay someone else to do what needs to be done in the house. I really appreciate the work done every Friday so I can come home to a clean house and a weekend free from house work. A weekend to do as I please.

I don't often tell anyone I have a cleaner as the disclosure brings mixed reactions. "I wouldn't let anyone into my house, how do you know they can be trusted?" and "They'll see all your mess". "It's not right a woman cleaning house for another woman." All comments from women who I know have never had a cleaner. They take care of their own house just as I take care of mine. Those of us in the fortunate position to have a cleaner know these concerns are unfounded. We tell a different story. For most of us we treat a cleaning position just like any other job. We ask around. You can't beat a personal recommendation. I know some families who have had the same cleaner for years, long after the children have left home. These are "respectful high trust relationships". I always ask for two references and check them out thoroughly.

On Friday mornings I do make sure I leave the house tidy. Well it's a small two bedroom apartment now, gone is the big house with grounds I couldn't be bothered with either. There is never a mess for the cleaner to clear away first before she can get stuck into what she has to do. There is no way I would expect my cleaner to have to pick up after me. And I leave it up to her to organise how she goes about doing her job. The cleaners I have used over the years do a very professional job so it would be foolish of me to start telling them how to do their job. I don't want the cleaning cloth handed to me.

I usually cast my eyes over the notice board in the supermarket and often see a scribbled note from someone seeking a house cleaning job. I don't think house cleaning is just a job, like all jobs it should be something you like doing.

My current cleaner has been cleaning for 20 years. There's probably not much that she hasn't seen in a house that would surprise her. She prefers now to clean for busy professional people. She said we appreciate and value her work; we don't quibble about the hourly rate and will be flexible with days if something crops up. You bet we will be. Otherwise we will have to go and find the vacuum cleaner and cleaning gear.

I'm not sure why some people take exception when you tell them you have a cleaner. It's a paid job and for some it suits them because they can work around the days and hours that fit in with their own time and home schedule. For many it is work they carry out during school hours.

One of my past cleaners said she loved cleaning. Strange but true. She was very house proud and put her time and cleaning skills to good use. She had six houses she cleaned weekly and another four bi-weekly. She did not clean for families with children.

Women who have house cleaners dread the day when their cleaner gives notice. We don't think about why she may have to move on. We selfishly think only of ourselves. Where oh where will I find another Grace, Raewyn or Barbara? Over the years I have found there is always another great cleaner out there somewhere just looking for me. I had one cleaner for two years. She was saving up to do a business course at the polytechnic. She was a mature student and had always wanted to study. She did graduate and now works as a chartered accountant.

Merepeka Raukawa-Tait is a Rotorua Lakes Council councillor, Lakes District Health Board member and chairs the North Island Whanau Ora Commissioning Agency. She writes, speaks and broadcasts to thwart political correctness.