MemberHow many shirts can be ironed in an hour? We had a new housekeeper we are trying out start today, and didn’t get done nearly what I would have thought in the time she was here. Maybe I am expecting her to be too quick with the iron? Or maybe I should stick with the drycleaner? Anyway, how long does it take to iron a shirt?
MemberMaybe like…5 minutes per shirt…tops.
MemberFive minutes to a shirt sounds about right… Idk though, I think it could take longer if she’s just starting to see your clothes and maybe a little nervous on the first day?
MemberI have never timed myself while ironing, but I know it takes me more than 5 minutes for a dress shirt. If you want it done right, you have to take some time and care with it. How many shirts did she iron and what type are they? Has she ever ironed shirts before? Was she using starch or having to put creases in?
MemberShe cleaned the kitchen (medium size, put away a few dishes but didn’t have to wash any, didn’t include fridge, and kitchen was fairly clean to start with), did one load of laundry, and ironed 20 shirts. These shirts are mostly cotton, fairly basic, and they were ok (about what I would do). This took 4.5 hours.
MemberI would probably wait a week (assuming she is at the house daily) before making any comments. The first day on any new job can be intimidating.
MemberI would give her the benefit of the doubt. What you have stated seems about right to me, for a first day. She is still learning your home and her duties. Give here a couple more days, and then have a sit down with her to let her know more what your expectations are, if she doesn’t measure up by then. If she only spent 5 minutes per shirt on the ironing, that alone would have taken her an hour. If they are dress shirts, it could have taken her a couple of hours. Maybe try ironing a not already ironed same style shirt yourself to see how long it takes.
MemberIn 4.5 hours I can pick up and vacuum around the whole house (2400 sq. ft., 3 levels), wipe down the kitchen counters, dust my bedroom and study room, clean my bathroom (fairly small), and get at least 2 loads of laundry done. I can’t comment on the ironing because I don’t iron 🙂
That being said, it was her first day, and she is unfamiliar with the house, so I would give it some time before you mention anything to her.
Or maybe you, your husband and your housekeeper can sit down and compromise on a list of what is expected to get done whenever she is there?
MemberThanks bees. There are a few other things that I’m not thrilled with, so I needed a sounding board to determine if I am being reasonable. She comes back Thursday, so we will see how that goes. Thanks.
MemberIt also depends what a medium sized kitchen is and how dirty and/or cluttered it was…and if she’s a perfectionist, etc..
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