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Original poster

Are you good at cleaning?

30 replies

Badtiming21 · 10/05/2021 12:38

I've had 3 cleaning jobs, all of which I took up PT when I was either pregnant or when my DC were very small and I grew tired of being a SAHM.

Each time there was nitpicking: this needs to be better, can you pay more attention to XYZ. You missed this bit. Etc.

I've come to the conclusion that I'm just not a very good cleaner!

Are you?

OP posts:

Original poster

Badtiming21 · 10/05/2021 12:40

When my DC were 2-3 I should clarify, not newborn

OP posts:

MeetMeAtTheMuseum · 10/05/2021 12:41

God no! I manage to keep things ticking over at home but wouldn't be offering my housekeeping services for money

OneRingToRuleThemAll · 10/05/2021 12:42

Yes I am, but I did a 6 months stint of working as a cleaner for Waitrose about 10 years ago when I was between jobs. Their standards are high and I learnt how to clean thoroughly and effectively.

The easiest way to clean is to keep on top of it. It's easier to wipe off fresh spills than to clean ground in and dried on mess.

LorelaiVictoriaGilmore · 10/05/2021 12:43

I am an absolutely terrible cleaner - haven’t the foggiest what I am doing. I have never had to clean until lockdown. That was a horrible shock. But then, I never, ever criticise my cleaners because they are doing a job that I would be useless at and don’t want to learn how to do properly.

Original poster

Badtiming21 · 10/05/2021 12:50

I would never want to do that job again.

I have a few strings in my bow and have done all sorts of jobs but cleaning was the absolute worst. I've never been so heavily micromanaged and criticised in any work place

OP posts:

BettyCarver · 10/05/2021 12:54

No, and I’m actually quite envious of people who are good at it. I’ve read a few blogs and books which give routines and tips about methods for keeping the house clean and organised and I’ve come to the conclusion that there’s a wide gap between understanding the theory and actually putting it into practice!

People talk about cleaning jobs as though it’s one of those things anyone could do if they were desperate for work, but I think I’d be seriously shit at it.

BIoodyStupidJohnson · 10/05/2021 12:55

I’m good at some things, dreadful at others.

I can get a good shine on glass and mirrors and stainless steel things, and I can clean a toilet like a beast.

Dusting, though? Nah. If you watched me dusting you’d be forgiven for thinking it was called ‘whimsical flicking’.

And my limescale removal game is strong on the flats, poor in the corners.

Floobydo · 10/05/2021 12:56

I think I’m alright at it as our house is clean & tidy but it’s just a chore that has to be done, I’m not sure I’d be good at it professionally. I’d be a lot less invested in anyone else’s house, for a start.

Chewbecca · 10/05/2021 12:56

No, I am rubbish and don’t really want to learn. Except my kitchen, I love the take everything off the worktop and give it a good scrub then polish.

I have a cleaner as a result. I don’t think she is particularly good either but I have and would never say anything at all. It keeps the basics under control.

shumway · 10/05/2021 12:56

I'm terrible at cleaning. Not sure if it's because I've never really been shown how to do it properly. Like the poster above I am envious of people who are good at it.

BusterGonad · 10/05/2021 12:59

Yes I am, I worked as one for a year. I was too good and really wanted more time in each room as I hated doing a 'top coat' job.

PottyTrainingissues · 10/05/2021 12:59

I am spectacular at cleaning. I absolutely love it. Soon as my youngest in reception I’m going to set myself up as self employed and I cannot wait

MarmaladeToastAndAMarmaladeCat · 10/05/2021 13:00

I am a decent cleaner. I’m definitely a perfectionist and do a thorough job. However you couldn’t tell from looking at my house as I have a 2 and 3 year old and it is like shovelling snow in a blizzard.

C0nn1e · 10/05/2021 13:04

I'm very good at writing To Do Lists
I'm very good at getting most stains out on any fabric or surface
I do the basics everyday
But to be honest, I just can't be bothered to do any deep cleaning.
I do have a lovely person to come and do everything I don't want to though. The children help as well.

inmyslippers · 10/05/2021 13:04

No my talents lie elsewhere. I wouldn't take it personally. You'll never clean exactly as people want you're not psychic. Just take on board when people mention it

CatrinVennastin · 10/05/2021 13:04

My aunt used to run a cleaning company and I used to work for her in the holidays.

Office cleaning is much easier than house cleaning! My aunt binned a few clients because of their unrealistic expectations. The wealthiest clients were the worst. One accused me of stealing a designer bag. The bag was found in the client’s car by her DH. Thankfully he called up and cleared my name.

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 10/05/2021 13:05

I think (based on many threads on here) that some people who employ cleaners have unrealistic expectations of what is possible to achieve in 1/2/3 etc hours.

I'd say I'm fairly good at cleaning, but I couldn't spotlessly clean a 4 bed house in 2 hours (like some posters on here expect!).

Echobelly · 10/05/2021 13:07

No - I haven't the energy to get beyond 'clean enough' and good cleaners would probably be horrified by what I'd consider clean (in fact I know they are - MIL asks EVERY TIME she comes over whether our cleaner is 'still coming' as a pass-agg way of saying the hours of cleaning and tidying I've put in before she visits isn't worth shit - sigh) . If a little smear won't wipe away easily or if I've hoovered a room and missed a few specks, there it stays TBH! It seems like so much effort to get rid of every little bit of dirtiness like some people manage to do.

We have a cleaner, but I have been getting better nonetheless. On my second mat leave years ago I finally conditioned myself to wash up every night before bed so there wasn't stuff waiting in the morning. In the last lockdown I have got into the habit of actually cleaning the worktop and (most nights) sweeping the floor before bed as well, as I even I couldn't stand the fact that sometimes the cleaner could be cleaning up stuff that got on surfaces a few hours after she left the previous week and I didn't want to be that skanky.

Kottbullar · 10/05/2021 13:14

Yes I think so. I don't think it's a skill as such though things are clean or they're not.
I'm slow though, I don't know how cleaners can do a whole house in a couple of hours.

idontlikealdi · 10/05/2021 13:15

No. I can't be arsed with it and it's why I pay a cleaner!

AcornCups · 10/05/2021 14:01

I dislike cleaning but can do it well. I was working as a cleaner when I was 13 in a hotel at weekends but that was a long time ago. My SIL worked as a chief steward on luxury super yachts. She talked about boat standard levels of cleaning that is next level, as good as an operating theatre.

Fundays12 · 10/05/2021 14:05

Yes I don’t mind cleaning and love a clean house. I have often found cleaners leave more mess than I would but wouldn’t hire one as I know I would be cleaning before the cleaner arrived.

lljkk · 10/05/2021 14:09

probably not but I don't mind, happy slattern

Original poster

Badtiming21 · 10/05/2021 14:22

When I was pregnant with DS (now 3) I worked as an office and site cleaner for a water company, cleaning their prefabricated/portable offices and canteens on sites around the city.

That was difficult as i'd have to clean around the office workers as they sat at their desks, one used to complain whenever I mopped or wiped near his desk despite insisting that I did.

I got a telling off for not dusting on top of the paper towel in the mens loos despite not being able to reach it (I'm 5ft 2) without dragging a chair in from another office and standing on it, not at all safe for a heavily pregnant woman.

The construction workers used to trapse thick mud around the canteen floor as I mopped so I'd end up doing it 5+ times and it still never being good enough.

"You're using too much water" to then "You're not using enough"

The men used to leave the toilet bowls in a disgusting stage despite there having a toilet brush right next to it.

Then there was the gym, my last place, I was expected to deep clean the entire gym and changing rooms within 4 hours single handedly. The manager would follow me about saying it needed to be better. The full time cleaners all quit and I was expected to do their work on top of mine. It was just impossible.

I agree with PP who said that people assume cleaning is an easy job to take up when you're desperate, I certainly felt that way but would never delude myself into doing it again because the reality is very different

I'm a bit jealous of those who can clean to a professional standard effortlessly.

OP posts:

Northernsoullover · 10/05/2021 15:01

I cleaned professionally for 10 years so yes I am an excellent cleaner. However I only ended up so good at it because' of complaints. For example I would clean the shower cubicle but neglect the shower hose. I'd clean the sink but not do the plug. If someone then said northern you missed the shower hose I'd be but would remember next time and carry it out on all my other clients. I employ a cleaner now and they do an ok job but nowhere near as good as me. If that sounds braggy I bloody earned the right.

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