Cleaners - what would put you off a house/customer?

[unclean21]

We've had 4 cleaners in 10 years. One we let go, the others quit. We're starting to wonder if we are not great people to clean for!

Is there anything that would really put you off cleaning for someone? We make sure the house is tidy enough to clean (no mean feat as we have so many toys!), don't leave the toilets in a foul state, always pay on time etc.

Any advice please?

I have had two long term cleaners (over 10 years each). Things they tell me they like are:

• Me saying thank you and commenting what a great clean they have done regularly
• Me telling them that they are fantastic and that I am lucky to have them
• Always paying them on time and for any extra time they do
• I am very clear what I want doing on a regular basis. Any additional work I want doing, I discuss it with them first and ask them if they would be OK doing it.

Payment being late more than once.

Client cancelling often or requesting to change day/time often.

Children/lots of people being there when I’m trying to clean. It’s fine if the family is there but try not to be in the rooms i have to clean so that I’m hoovering under your feet or can’t clean the kitchen because you’re all making food.

The house being regularly very messy when I arrive.

Someone being rude to me while I am there.

Oh, and people having unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved in the time.

I always try to be flexible with my cleaner, if she wants to change date or time. Also I buy any product that she requests.

I have had people pay late, leave their toilets unflushed, overflowing bins including sanitary and nappy bins, complain to my company boss that I didn’t change bed sheets without me being asked to, demanding more than I can physically do in the time slot, asking me to tidy up a floor covered in baby toys before I could begin which took half an hour and she didn’t offer payment for that extra time, and many people who stay home while I clean and follow me around checking/getting in the way/ asking for extras for free. Also had a house that was full of cctv so it was very uncomfortable knowing my every move was being recorded. I have had many good customers too but these are the ones that stood out for me and the reason I would make my excuses to not return.

Thanks all - from what you've said I don't think we've been guilty of any of these, so maybe we've just been unlucky.

I am working at home, so I can't get away from that unfortunately, but I either vacate my office so they can clean, or tell them to leave it if I'm in teams calls all day.