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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Feel a bit weird about what my cleaner did.

858 replies

DeadlyDead · 19/12/2025 17:29

My cleaner has been with me for a few years. She’s a very nice woman, but can be a bit sensitive (if I give any feedback/ask for her to change something she does etc. she doesn’t take it well). I trust her- she has her own set of keys for my house, knows the alarm code etc. Good relationship overall- if I’m home when she’s here I’ll make us both coffee and we’ll chat.

She came on Monday for her usual cleaning appointment. I put my Christmas decorations up last weekend and she was very complimentary of them, asking where I got various bits etc. To be fair, I do go a bit OTT and love Christmas and this year’s decorations turned out especially well- I make a lot of stuff myself, and also have been collecting bits for years. We had coffee and then I needed to go out so we said our goodbyes, and I left her to it.

She lives about eight miles away from me, but we’re in the same area.

Today, I went onto Facebook and a post from a local group I’m in came up. It was a photo of someone showing off their Christmas decorations- I had to do a double take because it was my house! Pictures of my living room, hallway, landing, and sitting room, all decked out for Christmas. They were posted by my cleaner (under her own name- we’re not FB friends but both members of this group). The caption is along the lines of “not bad for a tired mum of three” and there are a few thousand likes and a several hundred comments (it’s a very big group). Lots asking where she got various items from and she’s replying, based on her asking me the same thing on Monday! In one comment she didn’t know where something was from and replied “I’ve had that for years, it was originally my Nan’s” 😮 (about a candle holder I got in Next c. 2019!!)

When I first saw it, I was a bit perplexed but didn’t dwell. Now that it’s sunk in, I’m a bit pissed off. My home isn’t instantly recognisable to strangers based on those photos, it does feel like a breach of privacy.

As I said, she can be quite sensitive so even saying this to her gently will likely result in her getting upset, and likely not coming to clean for me again. I can get another cleaner, but I don’t really want things to end this way as I’ve been happy with her until now.

In my shoes, would you be annoyed?

AIBU to be annoyed?

OP posts:
1989whome · 20/12/2025 22:15

As someone who cleans for a lady every week, that's just weird! I love her house, her views everything! But do I invade her privacy by taking pictures and pretending they are mine? Absolutely not 😂 that's is strange attention seeking behaviour. Of course she will get upset if you call her on her lies! That's what they are, lies! What else has she been lying about? If she's pretending to random people your house is hers how can you trust her? Strange behaviour

Outside9 · 20/12/2025 22:03

Change the locks.

Theslummymummy · 20/12/2025 21:53

Oh I feel a bit sorry for her. She's obviously really impressed and possibly a bit jealous, so just wanted to show them off and live a bit of a fantasy. She'll be mortified if you say something. But yeah I'd be annoyed.

CrazyAboutFurBabies · 20/12/2025 21:51

Sorry OP , I agree with most of the posters on here saying to let her go. Quite frankly astonished at some of the ‘I feel sorry for her’ comments..

She has shown herself to be a liar and deceitful and to a large audience where she may know people know you and vice versa.

How on earth do you know what else she has done that she HASN'T posted ???

It’s creepy, it’s weird and it’s an abuse of trust. She would absolutely not be coming into my house again.

woolandflowers · 20/12/2025 21:51

I’d change my keys, alarm and cleaner immediately.

SkiLesArcs · 20/12/2025 21:51

This is mad but also quite sad. She obviously has no close friends or family in the area as they would recognise it is not the interior of her home. Not a trustworthy person, you need to protect yourself here or next you may see pics online of her wearing your jewelry or clothes etc. My main concern is that she has your keys and it is easy to get copies made. I would not say anything in advance but make sure that you return early the next time she is due to come to clean and have the conversation face to face and definitely get your keys back off her at that point. A new cleaner needs to be sought!

pteromum · 20/12/2025 21:23

HevenlyMeS · 20/12/2025 21:12

I think you should inform her you know
To me it's just common sense, to mention you know & feel uncomfortable with this
She doesn't seem very intelligent if she didn't realise this would most likely come to light - I'm not saying she's bad, & remembering the saying which means that copying is one of the highest forms of flattery, it's an indirect compliment to your taste-Her wishing to take the credit(could understand if you were teens at school competing) - But it's overstepping the mark, I feel
Long term I also believe she'll appreciate your openness in concerns with knowing & wishing for her to remove your premiere precious pictures 💚Wishing You&Yours all the utmost very best

This.

it’s clearly a very different culture and wealth gap.

go for the facts.

She is a good cleaner.

until now you have trusted her.

she made a mistake. but a naive foolish one.

talk to her in the new year before you make a decision.

Lampzade · 20/12/2025 21:14

What a weird thing to do

HevenlyMeS · 20/12/2025 21:12

I think you should inform her you know
To me it's just common sense, to mention you know & feel uncomfortable with this
She doesn't seem very intelligent if she didn't realise this would most likely come to light - I'm not saying she's bad, & remembering the saying which means that copying is one of the highest forms of flattery, it's an indirect compliment to your taste-Her wishing to take the credit(could understand if you were teens at school competing) - But it's overstepping the mark, I feel
Long term I also believe she'll appreciate your openness in concerns with knowing & wishing for her to remove your premiere precious pictures 💚Wishing You&Yours all the utmost very best

AlexStocks · 20/12/2025 21:09

Oooomf, not sure I could trust her after that. I wouldn't publicly shame her, but I would have a chat and ask her to take it down. Her feelings and sensitivity aren't your responsibility. She's an adult and can figure out how to deal with her feelings.

Joliv123 · 20/12/2025 21:07

I would actually take this as a complement , someone is aspiring to your lifestyle , let them have their online moment , what does it really matter n the grand scheme of things , she probably has a very frugal hard life

Tessabelle74 · 20/12/2025 21:03

I'd be sacking her, no way I'd be happy about this

SMDX3 · 20/12/2025 20:53

Clefable · 19/12/2025 17:34

That’s bonkers! That said, I really value a good cleaner so I might just stay quiet. I feel a bit sorry for her actually, perhaps her circumstances aren’t good this year and she is trying to live another life in a way even just for some social media likes.

I mean what else is she getting obsessive over and taking pictures or in your house when you’re not there? If she’s becomes over obsessed or emotional she has access to your home with keys and alarm code. That’s like basic clinic confidentiality who does that! Odd behaviour and would be gone

Snapandfart24 · 20/12/2025 20:50

Strangequinoaconcoction · 20/12/2025 00:03

I’ve apparently hit a nerve with my jokes. I’ll leave you to it.

Well the casual blasphemy at Christmas does nothing for your image.

Newbie8918 · 20/12/2025 20:49

Screen shot it and ask her to delete! Wowzers. I’d be raging. Such an invasion of privacy and also really dishonest. I wouldn’t be worrying about hurting her feelings!

Kamek · 20/12/2025 20:48

You could pop round to hers and ask for your keys back, saying you need to lend them to a friend/family member to get into your house while you're away. Once you have the keys back you can then tell her why you dont want her coming in your house again. She sounds nuts though

pinkyredrose · 20/12/2025 20:47

Lizziespring · 20/12/2025 18:16

Poor woman. Give her a generous present, focus on what's important in life and I hope she - oh and you of course - has a nice christmas.

The cleaner's arrived! Poor woman my arse.

OminousChristmasPudding · 20/12/2025 20:42

DeadlyDead · 19/12/2025 17:29

My cleaner has been with me for a few years. She’s a very nice woman, but can be a bit sensitive (if I give any feedback/ask for her to change something she does etc. she doesn’t take it well). I trust her- she has her own set of keys for my house, knows the alarm code etc. Good relationship overall- if I’m home when she’s here I’ll make us both coffee and we’ll chat.

She came on Monday for her usual cleaning appointment. I put my Christmas decorations up last weekend and she was very complimentary of them, asking where I got various bits etc. To be fair, I do go a bit OTT and love Christmas and this year’s decorations turned out especially well- I make a lot of stuff myself, and also have been collecting bits for years. We had coffee and then I needed to go out so we said our goodbyes, and I left her to it.

She lives about eight miles away from me, but we’re in the same area.

Today, I went onto Facebook and a post from a local group I’m in came up. It was a photo of someone showing off their Christmas decorations- I had to do a double take because it was my house! Pictures of my living room, hallway, landing, and sitting room, all decked out for Christmas. They were posted by my cleaner (under her own name- we’re not FB friends but both members of this group). The caption is along the lines of “not bad for a tired mum of three” and there are a few thousand likes and a several hundred comments (it’s a very big group). Lots asking where she got various items from and she’s replying, based on her asking me the same thing on Monday! In one comment she didn’t know where something was from and replied “I’ve had that for years, it was originally my Nan’s” 😮 (about a candle holder I got in Next c. 2019!!)

When I first saw it, I was a bit perplexed but didn’t dwell. Now that it’s sunk in, I’m a bit pissed off. My home isn’t instantly recognisable to strangers based on those photos, it does feel like a breach of privacy.

As I said, she can be quite sensitive so even saying this to her gently will likely result in her getting upset, and likely not coming to clean for me again. I can get another cleaner, but I don’t really want things to end this way as I’ve been happy with her until now.

In my shoes, would you be annoyed?

AIBU to be annoyed?

It's really weird and I think I'd be unhappy with my house being on social media. But I'd also feel a bit sorry for her, she obviously wouldnt have the same level of decorations as you and perhaps is living vicariously through you, getting comments from people she knows, perhaps she's lonely? I'd try and gently tell her you saw it and would like it to be removed if you are happy with her maybe quitting on you... Very awkward, good luck with whatever you decide OP!

Snapandfart24 · 20/12/2025 20:40

I would just comment, "This is my house?!"

Sometimes honesty is the best policy. Even as an example for others.

Whatstfpoint · 20/12/2025 20:38

I get this. It's a really weird feeling if the inside of your home pops up on social media. My cleaners tik tok account popped up on mine as a suggestion one day. She took photos and selfies with my pets and posted them. In one you could see my bedroom. It's very uncomfortable. I still employ her because she does a good enough job and I'm always at home when she's here.

But it meant I now always have a weird feeling and wouldn't leave her to do her job whilst I'm not there.

MyPeppyTurtle · 20/12/2025 20:35

I'd sack her on the spot, who knows what else she's taking liberties with!!

SlightlyTerrifiedButPolite · 20/12/2025 20:30

So there’s the post which is obviously unacceptable, but then the bigger question of what is driving this behaviour overall and how it might escalate. I wouldn’t feel safe around her after this

Mropalsmusic · 20/12/2025 20:26

Lizziespring · 20/12/2025 18:16

Poor woman. Give her a generous present, focus on what's important in life and I hope she - oh and you of course - has a nice christmas.

Why are you suggesting she rewards this intrusive, deceptive and unprofessional behaviour with a gift?

One thing that is important in life is being comfortable with everyone who comes into your home.

Try having a wee bit of empathy for the OP,
if you read all her posts you’d see she already gave the cleaner a lovely gift.

Springtimehere · 20/12/2025 20:18

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

nayals · 20/12/2025 20:17

Lizziespring · 20/12/2025 18:16

Poor woman. Give her a generous present, focus on what's important in life and I hope she - oh and you of course - has a nice christmas.

Wild! A generous present for invading the privacy of a client and being weird on the internet.