Am I expecting too much of my cleaner?

My cleaner will move everything in the kitchen and clean the toaster inside. Shake the crumbs out and polish it all up. She is amazing.

I’m a professional cleaner and move everything off the bath before cleaning, move microwaves, kettles, toasters, etc to clean worktops properly. I clean down tiles and grout every visit. I am a bit more expensive , but provide my own products and equipment and I’m fully insured and DBS certified. I’m afraid your cleaner doesn’t sound like the right fit for you. I’d have a look for a replacement, ask for recommendations from people you know, for someone who cleans thoroughly each visit. We do exist!

Also to note I provide my own cleaning supplies. My beautician had a cleaner in their office who they said had been rubbish for ages they finally got a new one and she said she was so much better. Time to replace her. X

I mean I don’t clean under the toaster etc every time I do the kitchen, but I’m not being paid! Not moving bottles in the bathroom is just pure laziness. Dusting doesn’t take much time of its done weekly

Cleaner here. I do a whole 3 bedroom house in 2 hours weekly that involves moving everything in bathroom and kitchen is never just wipe round anything. Sometimes I also pull the couches out hoover under them change beds. And I charge £15 per hour I think you need a new cleaner.

@Hamiltonfan I think with cleaners familiarity can often breed a form of contempt- cutting corners, going early etc. I've found in the past even excellent cleaners drop their standards after a while. I now use a local company and they send my preferred cleaners most times. I get a reliable basic weekly clean almost every time now.

@TheChicDreamerdud I read that right? 14 rooms? Wow!😮

I think you are expecting too much for 2.5 hours OP

To be honest I think I could just about do all shre is usually doing in two and a half hours but I don't think I could do more. I would remove items on bathroom surfaces before she comes to make sure she doesn't just wipe around them. Maybe you shouldn't have to but if it speeds up the clean and gets it done to my satisfaction it would be worth it to me.

Sounds like she's lazy and only in it for the money. I would ask around for recommendations of a good cleaner and maybe nip it in the bud if there's something you're not happy with so they don't try to slack.

Well I’m not sure what else I’d call it 🤷‍♀️
I work fast and am really thorough. You don’t have to believe me, of course.

Yes, that's just superficial cleaning in my opinion. I've had a few cleaners and the standard varies enormously. I've had people who don't go above or below waist level, then others who are on their hands and knees cleaning in the corners. One told me she wanted £35 an hour for the whole clean if I wanted the fronts of the kitchen cabinets cleaning!

I don't know. Mine comes for 3 hours and does fewer rooms but more thoroughly than you're describing - wipes down all surfaces, often does windows, and will load/unload dishwasher or wash up if there's a couple of bits left out, plus all my floors. 2.5 hours maybe isn't enough to do everything you want?

I pay over £20 an hour and I would expect much more than what you’re getting, at the very least she should be moving things to clean under them!

I do think this is fairly common with cleaners - not the good ones obviously! But some cleaners have a tendency to not move anything on the surfaces and just clean around things. Almost as though they thing “the real clean” is something you’re going to do another day.

She has already disappointed you with not dusting the bedrooms and to not even move the toaster or bottles in the bathroom is just poor behaviour. I would get a new cleaner. It is meant to make your life easier not frustrate you.

If you want to know how long things can take them do them yourself but just small tasks at a time, not the 2.5 hours. Wipe down the kitchen and see how long it takes as you must be doing this daily anyway, just add in moving the toaster and kettle.

I think she's taking the piss.

My cleaners come for 1.5hrs (though 2 of them) and do 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, kitchen, living room and stairs/landing. Everything on the surfaces is moved, wiped and cleaned behind/under.

They do the detailed jobs as needed like tops of cupboards, doors etc, focusing on different bits each time.

This costs £60.

I absolutely do not believe this. Whatever it is you're doing, you're really not cleaning.

It’s slow, my cleaner does kitchen/dining room, 2 bathrooms and downstairs loo, living room, hall landing stairs and 2 bedrooms dusted and hoovered in 2 hours. Also we only pay £15 p/h! She moves the bottles but I do give the house a very good tidy up before she comes so all she has to do is clean.

I have 6 bedrooms but we use 2. In 2 hours my cleaner: moves all counter items to wipe surfaces, including toaster. Cleans thoroughly the downstairs toilet. Cleans the en suite (most used bathroom) including limescale and thorough clean. Tidies and cleans the open plan kitchen/diner/living room. Vacuums open plan bit, hallway downstairs and upstairs, master bedroom and mops the open plan, downstairs hallway and ensuite.

Cleaners are often not as good as you want them to be. I don't know how big your house is but 2.5 hours is about right for a smaller 3 bed. I have a bigger house and don't expect my cleaner to do everything in 3.5 hours.

Just tell her to move bottles in bathroom and kettle / toaster etc.