The first thing I do after arriving at the flat was to establish some rules for Jelly and Gilly. Since they've been living alone so far without my ever-presence, I'd like to emphasize some common ground, which are:
- Compulsory tooth brushing and showering every morning and evening with soap, shampoo, and running water. No scourgify or shower spell is to be used for this. All body orifices must be cleaned during the shower every day. So, no ear or nose boogies or others left uncleaned.
- Washing hands after every ablution is strictly compulsory. Failure to do so will result in punishment.
- All rags should be disposed of indefinitely. Clean uniforms should be worn at all times during work. Pajamas are used for sleeping at night. All clothes must be washed daily without fail. No re-worn clothes.
- Gilly must always wash both hands thoroughly with hand soap and running water for at least 30 seconds (I proceed to teach him the handwash method approved by WHO for covid stuff – thanks Yester) before and after handling food and drinks.
- Gilly also must wear a plastic mouth covering when handling and serving food/drinks. No talking during cooking and serving food.
- All kinds of cleaning must be done BEFORE handling cook/drinks so that the dirt does not go to the food/drinks.
- Brunch is at 10 AM, late lunch is at 2 or 3 PM, and dinner is at 8 PM every day, except if requested otherwise. The menu should be the heaviest at brunch with fruits, veggies, bread, eggs, potato, and meats. Lunch should be like brunch, but less in portions. The lightest should be dinner with only soup, bread, and veggies. No dairy because I'm lactose intolerant. All member of the household has to eat together at the table every mealtime.
- Jelly must always shower again every time he finishes garden work. No exception.
- Groceries need to be bought weekly. The remaining organic food has to be disposed of after 1 week of storage to be fertilizer.
- Jelly and Gilly will be paid 10 sickles every week without fail. Failure to receive or any refusal is made will be met with punishment. They both have a day off on Friday. So, all day they will not work. I will do everything myself on this day.
- Jelly and Gilly will not sleep in any cupboard but in the guest room. They will share the guest room and use the restroom inside it.
- Jelly and Gilly are forbidden to say anything about any family information without my explicit approval.
A few things will be added here and there when the circumstances occur. But for now, I think all is covered well, especially the basic hygiene. I just can't have peace of mind when anyone working for me just wears rags.
I don't want to think negatively, but I take hygiene very seriously. I can't have their rags contaminating my food and everything.
I don't get how wizards and witches just employ anyone wearing rags and handle their food like that. I just shuddered when thinking about it.
I'm honestly considering bringing one of my elves to Hogwarts later. He will have to make personal meals for me. I'm unsure if Hogwarts has the basic hygiene standard yet. So, better be safe than sorry.
After everyone is all clean (the elves wear my clothes, for now, no more rags), we set out to Diagon Alley with me looking like Mortiss to buy furniture, food, and all household items necessary for the flat. After 10 minutes of walking around, we enter a shop that sells all kinds of household items.
There I bought 2 sets of queen size beds, 4 sets of bedding with pastel color, some curtains, 2 desks, 2 chairs, 2 sofas, 2 coffee tables, strawberry-scents shampoo and soaps, all kinds of hand soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, towels, a kind of washing machine together with a drier, some kitchen appliances, plates, spoon, kitchen knives, forks, glasses, etc. After about 2 hours, we exited the shop with goods worth 2500 G. We made a shop owner very happy that day.
After buying all kinds of household furniture, we stop at a clothes shop, I buy all kinds of clothes: shirts, skirts, shorts, underwear, jackets, sweater, robes, socks, some shoes, etc. I also buy my two elves some uniforms, casual clothes, and pajamas for their daily wear. I make sure that they understand the clothes are for working for me.
After clothes, we stop at a grocery store to buy all kinds of fruits, veggies, meats, fish, some loaves of bread, etc. When everything is done, we go back to the flat to arrange everything and stay in the flat for the rest of the day.