How do go about finding a good affordable housecleaner?

[Anonymous]

I'm asking because I was reading another thread on the rate of house cleaners, and I clearly overpay mine. I'm also less and less satisfied with the results a get every months. if you have a house cleaner that doesn't break your bank (I'm thinking $20 per hour), and does a great job, did you find her/him through a neighborhood listserv, an agency, word of mouth? What? And is $20/hour a decent rate? DH and I both work full time so if we don't get help with house cleaning we'll live in a pig pen in no time. Oh also, we live in MoCo in a small 4bdr house and I'm looking at twice a month service.

[Anonymous]

I found the lovely woman who cleans our house through my neighborhood listserv - just did a search for the word and found a few recommendations. Since hiring her we have found out she cleans many other houses in the neighborhood.

We pay $90 (plus $15 tip) for her to come once a month and she does a great job - we have 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. I think she charges $85 for 2x a month and we might start getting that soon!