Cleaners or Saviours?  Which is the more appropriate term for those wonderful people who come into your house and help you out from time to time with the domestic side of things? 

I returned to part-time work a year ago and enjoy being back out there.  Being me.  Being in a strictly adult environment again.  Using my mind in ways that it hasn’t been used for a long time.  Having pocket money. 

The downside is that I have slowly watched our home crumple into almost-shambles.  Floors weren’t quite as clean, dust everywhere, the new bathroom tiles getting streaky. 

Yes, I am just a teensy bit anal about things being clean and hopefully some sort of tidy. But it had gotten out of control. 

With the job came less time around the house.  The running of cherubs around, the cooking, the washing, the stuff that has to be done or else you can’t really function properly, the social life – all were taken care of – more or less. 

Also, I couldn’t do things I ‘wanted’ to do, you know the less onerous tasks around the house that are a bit of a pleasure to do, because I ‘had’ to do the basic, boring stuff. 

Then I decided that it wasn’t worth me working and then spending the time I had off trying to do everything!  I’m not ashamed to say I’m no modern-day Superwoman.  I don’t want it all – it’s too much to have and cope with.  And you get so tired!

So, I scouted around for someone to help with the domestic chores – yes, a cleaner.  I wanted someone who came with verbal references.  I wanted someone who was reliable and trustworthy.  I wanted someone with my standards.  Impossible you ask?  Well, no. 

I have ended up with not one, but two gorgeous women (sisters) who are friendly, have similar views about cleanliness, I know at least three other people who use them and they’re not monstrously priced.  I was so excited to have them come.  

When we met they kept asking me if I wanted anything else done – it was hard to keep the giggle down.  All I wanted was the basic floors, bathrooms, dusting in obvious spots and then if they had time, the other stuff I didn’t want to do!  Heaven. 

Now, once a fortnight I walk into my home on a Friday afternoon and it smells fresh.  The floors are shining and so are the bathroom tiles.  All horizontal surfaces are gleaming.  Ohhhhh what bliss. 

And the best part?  I have been much more proactive doing those little jobs that got pushed to the back of the pile because there was more important stuff to do.  I feel so much more organised in a much bigger way.  It’s a new kind of freedom – not an indulgence. 

A wise counselor once said to me that the mother is the centre of the universe.  If she’s happy then the universe is happy.  Our little universe in our home is verrry happy at the moment.

Definitely Saviours in my view.