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AIBU?

How to raise "toilets not cleaned properly"?

142 replies

QTPie · 19/12/2014 23:17

Hi

We have a good cleaner (well two people - they work as a team). They do a great job, generally, and am very happy. We have a large house and it is very well dusted and hoovered. The floors, sinks, baths and counters are clean.

HOWEVER, they don't seem "completely thorough" with the toilets (we have 4). Thought this, so have been very carefully monitoring it.

Basically, when I clean a toilet, you could probably lick it afterwards (not that you would want to, but you get the picture...).

The toilets are not "dirty" when the cleaners come: I don't clean them before the cleaners come, but I do wipe/bleach anything "obvious" (if that makes sense). However I would like the "non obvious" things completely obliterated by the cleaners.

This is terribly "English", but how on earth do I raise "please clean the toilets properly"?? I can raise other things, but feel really awkward raising the toilets... :(

Thanks

OP posts:
Clearlymisunderstood · 19/12/2014 23:19

What do you mean by non obvious things? I'm not being facetious I just can't quite grasp what you mean

Tallypet · 19/12/2014 23:19

Wh are they not doing correctly?

WitchWay · 19/12/2014 23:19

I had a similar problem & when I mentioned it they said they weren't allowed to do more than squirt cleaner round the loo "because of health & safety" Confused

PortofinoVino · 19/12/2014 23:21

However I would like the "non obvious" things completely obliterated by the cleaners.

Ummmm, sorry but what are 'non obvious' things? Confused

Stealthpolarbear · 19/12/2014 23:21

Resume they're just chucking bleach down rather than scrubbing flush, lid, seat, toilet itself all the way down to where it meets the floor

Bulbasaur · 19/12/2014 23:24

Just.. tell them?

"Hey, you guys do a fantastic job cleaning our house and we love having you work for us. One thing that sticks out at me though is you don't clean the toilets very well. Can you please scrub them better so all the grime is off? Thanks!"

Simple and direct.

No need to dance around it. You're paying them and everyone needs to be on the same page about what's expected. Then if they have issue with it you can talk about it.

pippahooper · 19/12/2014 23:30

I'd perhaps demonstrate how you would like them to be cleaned x

Saz12 · 19/12/2014 23:30

Agree with Bulbasaur. If they've a problem with cleaning the toilet then at least you can sort that out directly.
They probably do big smelly ploppy poo's, too, so it's not more embarrassing than any other part of the house.

SconeRhymesWithGone · 19/12/2014 23:31

What exactly do you mean? A former cleaner of mine told me about another client she had who made her remove all the toilet seats and soak them in bleach water.

southeastastra · 19/12/2014 23:32

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QTPie · 19/12/2014 23:38

"Non obvious things" equals things like a hair in the bowl, a spec of toilet paper under the seat, general grime on the pedestal (talking months build up), lid not being shiny. Had a visitor last weekend, there was still a few specs in the guest loo bowl after the cleaners had been (toilet wasn't "dirty" before they cleaned, but wasn't completely absolutely spotless).

Ok, being incredibly british, I pretty much feel that I should spotlessly scrub all the toilets BEFORE the cleaners come here, but that sort of misses the point.

Cleaners aren't agency - own business.

I don't think that the toilets are being forgotten (sometimes I am here as they start cleaning), just that they do only "squirt and wipe round" rather than "check everything is thoroughly clean".

OP posts:
pippahooper · 19/12/2014 23:42

You say you have a large house. How long do you give them to clean? Maybe they are rushing it? x

nilbyname · 19/12/2014 23:43

Just tell team-

This is how I wish the lavatory to be cleaned and give it to thema step by step.
I get you, my loo is spotless and gleaming and the idea of a quick swipe with a cloth makes me feel ill!

QTPie · 19/12/2014 23:44

Scone, no, that is my MIL :D (but she is from a different culture and has servants). If I clean the toilets, I thoroughly clean all surfaces (including the pedestal) with detol and would bleach and use a brush on the bowl (including getting up the rim on the overhang bit (if that makes sense)).

Southeastastra, assume you don't have a cleaner? Absolutely NOT skanky at all: if you knew me and my house, you would realise that. But fortunately I don't know you.

OP posts:
SorchaN · 19/12/2014 23:45

Most people who work to provide a service would prefer constructive criticism to seething resentment. Just demonstrate how you like it done!

Aeroflotgirl · 19/12/2014 23:46

South that's what cleaners are meant to do! Op obviously cleans the loos if they have poo on, or are obviously skanky

sleepyhead · 19/12/2014 23:49

I don't think that's fussy. I'm by no means a houseproud person but that's the way I'd expect a toilet to be cleaned.

You need to tell them exactly what you want though.

pippahooper · 19/12/2014 23:49

Are your cleaner's men? lol

mausmaus · 19/12/2014 23:49

eurgh I had a cleaner like that in a previous life she was a great cleaner in all other aspects but cleaning the loo for her was just emptying a bottle of bleach down the pan.
it took me a while to discover the origin of The Stink urine crystals under the seat
I then asked her to concentrate on the rest of the house and not to bother with the toilets at all.

Bettercallsaul1 · 19/12/2014 23:52

Ah, good - another cleaner thread. Another chance for MN's with "a large house" and four toilets to complain that things aren't really up to scratch. How best to convey this to the hired skivvy... ? Hmm - tough one.

QTPie · 19/12/2014 23:52

Pippa. They do it in 4 man hours (we only generally use two bedrooms, 2 bathrooms - so the others aren't generally cleaned). I have always made it clear that if they need extra time, to take it: I want the job doing well and am happy to pay.

I would say that the toilets are about 95% clean BEFORE the cleaners come: if I was a visitor to the house, I wouldn't blink (the toilets look clean to the casual eye). Just because I regularly keep an eye after the cleaners have been, I know that the toilets have not been completely thoroughly cleaned. If that makes sense.

Yes, I am being a wuss. I should "woman up" I think.

OP posts:
sleepyhead · 19/12/2014 23:55

Oh get over yourself. I've never had a cleaner in my life (although I've been a cleaner - I liked cleaning big houses actually. Much nicer than offices), but if I did employ someone to clean my house I'd want the toilets done properly, otherwise what's the point Hmm

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pippahooper · 19/12/2014 23:57

Why do some people on Mumsnet get so bitchy?

QTPie · 20/12/2014 00:00

Pippa, funny you should say that! One is a man and one is a woman (mother and son!).

Definitely no seething resentment, just a bit of frustration: especially since they are generally very good.

Bettercallsaul, "hired skivvy"??? Er, no, "well respected employees". If they were hired skivvies, then I would have no qualms about yelling my demands and getting them to clean up whatever. I am one of those people who tidies the house before the cleaner comes (as well as ensuring "nothing nasty" in the toilets or anywhere else). I have massive respect for my cleaners. Which is why this AIBU is tough for me.

OP posts:
Bettercallsaul1 · 20/12/2014 00:03

Oh, that makes all the difference, OP.

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