As a self-proclaimed cleaning enthusiast, I’ll admit that the thought of hiring a professional house cleaner used to fill me with a strange sense of guilt. Growing up, my mom cleaned houses to make ends meet, and I distinctly remember helping her sometimes. So the idea of paying someone else to do the dirty work (pun intended) just felt… well, wrong. Who did I think I was?
But let me tell you, overcoming that nagging guilt was one of the best decisions I ever made for my family’s health and happiness. And I’m not the only one who’s reaped the benefits – research shows that people who spend money to save time are significantly happier than those who splurge on material goods.
So if you’re on the fence about bringing in a professional cleaning service, let me share my story and hopefully inspire you to take the leap. Because trust me, a clean and tidy home can do wonders for your physical and mental wellbeing.
From Cleaning Marathons to Carefree Weekends
When my husband and I moved into our 1890 Victorian-era home, I’ll admit I was a little in over my head. Sure, our previous 900-square-foot abode had been a breeze to maintain, but this place? With its acres of hardwood, fireplaces in every room, and intricate trim work? It was a whole other level of cleaning.
Within weeks, I was silently admitting that my mom had been right all along. We were spending entire weekends mopping, scrubbing, and frantically trying to get the place spotless – only to have it quickly revert back to its messy state. Trying to keep up with the constant cleaning demands was seriously stressing me out.
Working from home made it even worse. I’d spend my days staring at the piles of dirty dishes, the mountains of laundry, and the ever-present dust, unable to fully focus on my work. And when I did try to tackle the chores myself, it would eat up huge chunks of my workday, leaving me feeling even more overwhelmed.
The Guilt-Inducing Leap to Hiring Help
Finally, I couldn’t take it anymore. I knew we needed to bring in professional help, but the idea filled me with guilt. After all, we weren’t one-percenters – I’m a freelance writer and Airbnb host, while my husband works in HR. We’re more likely to frequent thrift stores than luxury boutiques.
Thoughts of a housecleaner conjured up images of fancy people with shiny jobs and paychecks to match. Who did we think we were? As my Harvard researcher friend Ashley Whillans explains, that guilt-induced hesitation is actually super common. Her research has shown that only 2% of people would actually spend a windfall on a time-saving service, even though those who do end up significantly happier.
But I just couldn’t shake the siren song of help. So with a mix of trepidation and excitement, my husband and I decided to take the leap. We found a passionate young woman who was launching her own cleaning business and brought her on board.
The Transformative Power of a Clean Home
And you know what happened next? Magic. After that first glorious cleaning, I took a look around at the sparkling floors, polished furniture, and gleaming kitchen counters, and I could finally draw an easy breath. The constant worry and stress of living in a perpetually dirty home had been lifted.
Suddenly, I could focus on my work without constantly fretting over the state of my house. And when I noticed a stray dog hair or toothpaste splatter, I could just shake it off, knowing that my trusty cleaning pro would have it handled come Friday. No more endless cleaning marathons or arguments with my husband about who should do what.
The freedom was priceless. With several hours a week suddenly freed up, I was able to pour my energy into the things I truly loved – writing, reporting, and sharing stories. My productivity skyrocketed, and I found myself busier than ever in the best way.
The Surprising Financial Benefits
Of course, the financial aspect was a concern. As a self-employed individual, I had to really crunch the numbers to determine whether hiring a cleaner was worth it. But what I discovered was that it was actually cheaper for me to bring in a professional than to do it myself.
Here’s how the math broke down: The cleaning service we use charges a very reasonable rate, and it takes them about 2-3 hours to do a thorough job on our place. Meanwhile, it would take me at least 5-6 hours to clean the entire house myself. Given my freelance writing rate, that time investment would far exceed the cost of the cleaning service.
Plus, as financial advisor Luke Meador points out, the mental and physical benefits of a clean home are priceless. No more wasted weekends, no more stress, and no more arguments over chores. It’s an investment that pays dividends in happiness, health, and productivity.
Spreading the Word (and the Wealth)
Once I realized just how transformative hiring a cleaner had been for our family, I couldn’t wait to share the news with my local friends. I sang my cleaning pro’s praises on Facebook, offering to provide her contact info to anyone who was interested.
Turns out, I wasn’t the only one struggling with the demands of an old Victorian home. The messages came pouring in, and soon my cleaner had several new clients. In fact, she’s now set a timeline to leave her day job and strike out on her own with this new cleaning business.
So if you’re on the fence about bringing in professional help, let me be the one to tell you: do it. Overcome the guilt, crunch the numbers, and prepare to experience the freedom and joy of a clean, tidy home. Your physical and mental health will thank you.
And who knows – you might even be kickstarting someone’s small business dream in the process. It’s a win-win all around.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to enjoy a carefree weekend with my family, secure in the knowledge that our home is sparkling clean, thanks to the amazing cleaning service at Adam’s Cleaning.
