Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To expect a cleaner to have done more

61 replies

YourBlueDuck · 12/04/2024 19:40

So we've cracked and decided to get a cleaner, DH and I both work about 60 hours and just can't keep on top of it. House is a 3 bed semi, a reasonable sized semi but still a 3 bed house with standard living room, kitchen, dining room, 1 bathroom, no downstairs toilet. We agreed that we'd book in for 3 hours a week for ironing, a light clean and some things to rotate fortnightly, and that first we'd have a deep clean which would take 6 hours. The house was tidy and I don't think it was dirty before they came, we do clean just struggling to keep on top of it. I've come home today from work (DH has been at home while they've been here but been on calls a lot and didn't want to micromanage) to find that they've done general hoovering, dusting and cleaned the bathroom to a nice standard, they've not properly dusted the skirting board on the stairs and they've not dusted any picture rails or pictures on the walls. They've also totally missed out cleaning my office (box bedroom) and the porch, and also didn't do the ironing. They told DH when they left that they'd not done the ironing (even though I'd listed this as a priority but didn't mention the rest. AIBU to feel ripped off? I really don't understand how this standard of cleaning has taken them 6 hours, I feel like I could've done it in about 3 and I'm not a professional cleaner. I don't particularly want to pay £90 for it now to be honest either!

OP posts:
Justsomethoughts · 12/04/2024 21:44

I agree it doesn’t sound like they did much during that amount of time. Skirting boards I’d say is more deep cleaning territory though unless otherwise specified.
Could you list your priorities in each room so they know what to focus on? (Although I hear what you say about them ignoring re the ironing!) if it’s written down and agreed then more difficult for them to ignore though

YourBlueDuck · 12/04/2024 21:44

mrsbyers · 12/04/2024 21:41

Nah that’s unacceptable was your DH in the whole time they were there ? Were they working on separate jobs ? One doing the ironing and one cleaning they could have done more in 3 hours. My cleaner does more in 3 hours on her own including two bathrooms and a cloakroom

Yes he was in, although working. They didn't split up he says, which does seem an odd way to approach it doesn't it. Like you're really only getting 3 hours of cleaning but they get to bring a friend!

OP posts:
YourBlueDuck · 12/04/2024 21:42

NigellaAwesome · 12/04/2024 21:32

IME it takes cleaners a while to settle in to a house and to learn what it is you want. Our house is a 3 hour clean, always has been and in fact now DD has moved out there is less to do.

We have just got new cleaners and they are really struggling. It took one 30 minutes to hoover the stairs last time. I think for the first few times you need to be there to supervise and direct your cleaners to where you see your priorities to be and where they aren't - for example I don't need my cleaner to empty and polish the toaster as it is rarely used, but for someone else this could be important.

That's useful to know, thank you. I've never had a cleaner before. Trouble is I can't work from home to supervise (teacher) so it has to be DH at home and it's definitely me who is more particular! Has your 30 minute stair hooverer improved?

OP posts:
xxxjanxxx · 12/04/2024 21:42

@NigellaAwesome We have just got new cleaners and they are really struggling. It took one 30 minutes to hoover the stairs last time.

Flipping heck!! How many stairs do you have!! .........

TinyYellow · 12/04/2024 21:41

Find someone else, they sound shit.

mrsbyers · 12/04/2024 21:41

Nah that’s unacceptable was your DH in the whole time they were there ? Were they working on separate jobs ? One doing the ironing and one cleaning they could have done more in 3 hours. My cleaner does more in 3 hours on her own including two bathrooms and a cloakroom

YourBlueDuck · 12/04/2024 21:39

Mrsttcno1 · 12/04/2024 21:22

Was it just 1 cleaner OP or a team of 2+?

It was 2 cleaners for 3 hours so I just said 6 hours for simplicity's sake

OP posts:
NigellaAwesome · 12/04/2024 21:32

IME it takes cleaners a while to settle in to a house and to learn what it is you want. Our house is a 3 hour clean, always has been and in fact now DD has moved out there is less to do.

We have just got new cleaners and they are really struggling. It took one 30 minutes to hoover the stairs last time. I think for the first few times you need to be there to supervise and direct your cleaners to where you see your priorities to be and where they aren't - for example I don't need my cleaner to empty and polish the toaster as it is rarely used, but for someone else this could be important.

EvangelicalAboutButteredToast · 12/04/2024 21:29

This is literally why I wouldn’t employ a cleaner. I’d be so irritated by the waste of money. I’d rather free up some time and do it myself.

Mrsttcno1 · 12/04/2024 21:22

Was it just 1 cleaner OP or a team of 2+?

Georgieporgie29 · 12/04/2024 19:46

That doesn’t sound a lot for 6 hours of cleaning although tbf not many cleaners will do ironing.

Ive recently had a deep clean 2 cleaners for 3 hours (so 6 hours for 1 cleaner) and they managed to clean:-
kitchen/dining room/lounge (open plan)
3 bedroom
1 ensuite
2 lots of stairs and 1 landing

this included pulling out things like the microwave etc. and cleaning on top of the cupboards, windows etc.

they were great but it cost me a lot more than £90

Swipe left for the next trending thread