Am I being a total cow?

25 degrees is quite a low bar- as you say there could easily be 2 or 3 months when it doesn't fall below that. I would also not be keen on not knowing whether the cleaner is coming or not. I would say to her I understand your position but I will be looking for a new cleaner and will give her 2 weeks notice when I find one.

shes going to be let go from alot of clients- my sister is a cleaner has worked when it was 35 degrees this woman is being ridiculous

Explain your worries to her. If dhe can't clean over the summer, find someone else. You are not friends with her. She is doing a job (or not).

If she was asking to change the time she came, or take longer over it, or do shorter sessions, I'd say you should accommodate her, but just saying she won't work at all over that temp is bonkers. As you say, this seems to be the new normal weather wise, so we need to learn how to get on with normal life, and work despite it.

I think it's reasonable to say this to her. That you like her and don't want to end the relationship, but as these hot summers are here to stay, and as you can't be without a cleaner for all of summer, you will have to find another cleaner. I don't think either of you are being unreasonable - your expectations just don't align.

I think she can do what she wants 🤷🏻‍♀️ but it’s not a very wise business decision. It’s 30c here today. We have builders in (as we have for the past 4 months, big restoration project). I don’t personally care if the builders work or not (we’re paying for the job, not the hours, makes no difference to me when the come to do it). They have never missed a day. Similarly, Dh works self employed in a very hot trade. He’s working today (outside) as are all his employees. We also have livestock. The heat didn’t stop me doing my farm chores. Work needs to get done whether it’s 30c or 3c. But if she doesn’t want work, that’s fine, but yes, I’d look elsewhere if she’s consistently unreliable.

Then she won't make any money at all for several months of the year, but if that's what she wants?
You can't force her to work and she's said it now.
I guess you need a new cleaner.

She is reasonable to have her boundaries. You are reasonable to say that doesn't work for you and find another cleaner. Especially since she cancels alot anyway

Why would you feel guilty about letting her go? She didn't mind letting you down on the day she was supposed to come. Just find a new cleaner you can rely on.

Have you tried cleaning your home yourself with the fans you have on in the heat as a test? Might be worth investing in some more, to solve the issue.
Maybe you could also move the fan from the room she doesn't clean to a room and area she does. I also sympathise, I struggle to even vacuum at the moment, we have a couple of fans too.

Does she mean 25 outside or inside? Where we are in the south east it’s been 25 outside for half of the last two months, and inside is worse, but most people are still cleaning as normal albeit sometimes starting a bit earlier.

But OP needs a regular, reliable cleaner. I don’t think she’s heartless at all. She’s offered drinks, rests, etc. but the cleaner still feels she can’t do the job. That is her prerogative but it’s not OP's responsibility to agree to those terms. If it was 30 degrees as the cut-off I might agree, but 25 seems too low to me to just down tools. It could be 25 for a number of weeks in the summer.

And before anyone says it - no, I wouldn’t want to do it myself at 25 degrees, but then I know I’m not suited to being a cleaner. Maybe OP's cleaner isn’t either.

Why don't you ask her if she could do the 2 hours cleaning early before the temps get to 25C?

Its a professional relationship. If you need your house cleaned reliably and regularly (without cancellations - this would annoy me in itself), find someone who can. She can decide her working conditions, but you can decide that doesn't work for you. Definitely doesn't make you a cow!

My cleaner cancelled three times on the trot due to heat, once not letting me know. I've terminated our agreement and found a reliable cleaner.

YWDNBU to arrange for a one off clean and also consider the relationship going forward.

7am start?

My cleaner is still working normally, she said she is starting to adjust to the heat, but takes regular breaks and is drinking lots of water.

DH is in the building industry, he is still working, albeit at a slower pace than normal. Across the road, they are building new houses. The roofers are starting extra early, and the postman came very early today, to avoid the worst of the heat.

Life goes on!

25 degrees seems a bit arbitrary. Unless you're unfortunate enough to live somewhere impossible to keep cool, that's a perfect summer temperature. 35 is a different matter altogether when you're not acclimatised to it. Anyway, it's her choice to decide what works for her, and yours to figure out what works for you. It's not about whether either of you is being a cow.

Yes, I could understand at 30 degrees plus, but many summer days will be 25 degrees so she will be cancelling a lot. That’s her right, but you also don’t have to use her. I expect she’ll realise how much money she loses out on with this policy and changes her mind!

I’d go with it if she was good as experience tells me good ones are like gold dust!

Bit pointless having a "good cleaner" if they are never available to work when you need them though....

My cleaners came yesterday in 33 degree heat and still did a great job. I do pay a company and pay a premium due to VAT - £52.80 for 2 hours (usually 2 people for 1 hour) but they are so reliable.

I guess it’s her company so her rules. I’d go with it if she was good as experience tells me good ones are like gold dust!

You're not a cow. I would get a new cleaner also. Especially if I'd just had an operation!

She may have a health condition but you can get a different cleaner. It's obviously not working out for you.

I'm a cleaner too and wouldn't think of having a day off because of the heat. As long as doors and windows can be opened it's fine.