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Original poster

Should I pay for carpet cleaning?

61 replies

PrairieOyster · 08/01/2010 14:13

My son is 3 years old and still has some potty training issues. Recently some of his poo fell on a carpet (well a large rug really) at his childminders which she then got cleaned at a cost of £120. She has now presented me with the cleaning bill.

Should I pay it completely, or say that it is part of the reasonable expenses that a childminder should expect when they join the profession, or pay something towards the cost as a goodwill gesture, say. Or what?

Any ideas?

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FabIsGoingToBeFabIn2010 · 08/01/2010 14:51

A baby wipe would have got that cleaned.

Has she shown you the actual bill that shows it cost £120?

I wouldn't pay but if it happened at a friends I would have it cleaned for her (we have a wet carpet cleaner.)

henryhuggins · 08/01/2010 14:49

how ridiculous. pay nothing

Littlefish · 08/01/2010 14:48

No, I don't think you should pay it. Both childminders my dd has been to have had "hard floors" ie. tiles, wood etc. which have been easy to clean after the inevitable accidents.

bigstripeytiger · 08/01/2010 14:44

I dont think that you should pay for this.
She was supervising your son at the time, and it isnt unexpected that a 3 year old who is potty training would have accidents.

Given the obvious risk of this sort of thing happening it seems odd for her to leave a rug like that in a room that the mindees can access.

shonaspurtle · 08/01/2010 14:35

It's seems pretty dim to have a rug that needs professionally cleaned in a room where you care for small children.

Or maybe not so dim if you're going to get someone else to stump up for it every time.

I don't think you should have to pay. Surely this sort of thing is par for the course when looking after children?

Also possibly tax deductible expense for the cm?

bossykate · 08/01/2010 14:26

no i don't think you should pay. why wasn't she looking after him better?

nancydrewrocks · 08/01/2010 14:24

IIRC I had my downstairs carpets professionally cleaned in August - sitting room, dining room, playroom and the cost was 120 not far from London. I cannot believe a rug costs that to clean!

Original poster
PrairieOyster · 08/01/2010 14:21

Apparently the carpet is quite expensive and she wanted it to be professionally cleaned. I think also that it had to be removed from the house to be cleaned. I never saw how messy it had got.

OP posts:
imaginewittynamehere · 08/01/2010 14:19

No you should't have to pay, if a childminder does't expect this at times& is that precious about their furnishings then they are in the wrong profession

nancydrewrocks · 08/01/2010 14:16

I don't think you should pay. Any childminder who minds young children shoud expect this sort of thing.

And at 120 for cleaning a rug!

doggiesayswoof · 08/01/2010 14:15

oh - I think that's a bit cheeky of her tbh. I wouldn't be keen to pay for it.

Has she never heard of Rug Doctor?

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