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Housekeeping

Am I expecting too much from a cleaner?

12 replies

Myusername2015 · 28/10/2016 13:49

Hi I'm in the East Midlands and have a private cleaner; 12.50 an hour for 3 hours a week. I have a 2 bed house; all wooden floors and no children so pretty minimal. She's been coming for a few months and although she cleans fairly well she leaves everything out; so bath mats not put back; shower head unscrewed and left out; Hoover not put back; Cushions put on floor etc. Although I've raised I would like it left looking tidier she hasn't changed. She also left a note asking for a specific type of tea bag and biscuits to be brought for her visit. In 3 hours in a minimal house am I expecting too much for things to be put back?

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Sunseed · 28/10/2016 13:59

Are you paying for her tea break or does she take it after she's done the 3 hours work?

I expect to be able to come home and find everything clean and orderly. No, I wouldn't expect to have to go round replacing what she's moved in order to clean it.

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bumpertobumper · 28/10/2016 14:00

I think you need a new cleaner. My house is immaculate when mine leaves (lasts about ten minutes!), but she really should be putting everything away, and demanding certain Biscuits is taking the piss.

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KateLivesInEngland · 28/10/2016 14:03

You pay for a cleaner who leaves your house messier than when she found it. I think that's all you need to say really. But she also demands you do her shopping for her little luxuries Hmm

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DesolateWaist · 28/10/2016 14:06

New cleaner.
House should be tidy. She it taking the piss a little by having a cup of tea but completely taking the piss asking for certain tea bags and biscuits!!

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QuackDuckQuack · 28/10/2016 14:08

New cleaner. You probably don't need 3 hours in a 2 bed house either. She must have had a long tea break, what with the extra time and biscuits.

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Myusername2015 · 28/10/2016 14:23

Thanks all; first cleaner so although I was a bit 😮 at the tea and biscuit request I know how hard it can be to find a ok cleaner so wanted to check I wasn't be too fussy! We don't have a contract or anything would you all give her a months notice in this situation?

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ImperialBlether · 28/10/2016 14:42

I wouldn't give her a month's notice and expect her to work it - I wouldn't want someone in my house when I wasn't there if I'd fired them.

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MrsCampbellBlack · 28/10/2016 14:44

You don't need to give her any notice really. She sounds a shockingly bad cleaner and you are paying good money for your area.

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CoffeeCoffeeAndLotsOfIt · 28/10/2016 14:47

I'm in Surrey in a 4 bed house and pay £10 an hour for two hours every other week. Your cleaner is taking the piss. I'd cancel straight away and find someone else.

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buckyou · 28/10/2016 14:49

My cleaner is a bit like this. Mine does 5 hours but bigger house in country with dogs and kids so she has her work cut out really. Sounds a bit of a cheak about the biscuits!

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birdsdestiny · 28/10/2016 14:49

I have a cleaner for 2 hours. 4 bedroom house. I never have to pick cushions etc up. I have no idea what your cleaner can be doing in that time. If I am in I make her a coffee because that's just polite, if she left me a note asking for specific tea I would be gobsmacked. Go through an agency.

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Strikingclock · 28/10/2016 15:01

I think some cleaners leave stuff out or move things slightly to show that they have cleaned that particular item or area. I don't understand why she would continue to do this if you have asked her not to though!

Don't think it is unreasonable to have a short tea break when working intensively for 3 hrs although putting in a request for a particular brand of tea & biscuits is a bit OTT perhaps.

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