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Original poster

If you have a cleaner

34 replies

Aswad · 05/08/2022 11:28

How happy (on a scale of 1-10) are you with their work?
I’m thinking of hiring one because whilst I’m quite efficient, staying on top of everything can be very very challenging. But I often read on MN how ppl can be dissatisfied with the quality of work. I’d also find it very difficult to let someone go as I’d feel guilty.
pls share your experiences and whether a DIY approach is less hassle

Sorry, I should add I WFH and main reason for needing one is I’m trying to do more hands on teaching with my SEN child

OP posts:

TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 05/08/2022 11:39

Mine is a strong 8. Sometimes she leaves things out eg once she didn't mop but then she did it the next time - it all comes from a good place, because she'll get stuck into trying to deep clean something but then hasn't time to finish the basics. I can't hold that against her! She is really good, though - deep cleaned the conservatory when we were on holiday so thoroughly it looked amazing, cleaned our really grotty oven over a few visits until it sparkles without charging extra, changed the beds when we were away etc etc.

Original poster

Aswad · 05/08/2022 11:42

Thank you @TooExtraImmatureCheddar
i think I can keep on top of the surface level cleaning but there’s so much I’ve overlooked (dust on skirting boards, the oven, under furniture) so even if she tackles one big job at a time and I continue with the superficial clean that’s something!

OP posts:

sleepymum50 · 05/08/2022 11:49

My lovely cleaner comes in once a week for 2 hours. I love it because she does a hoover through, mops floors and does toilets and bathrooms.

I then work my way through the house doing a deep clean a room at a time.

AmandaHoldensLips · 05/08/2022 11:55

You need to have a clear list of duties and be realistic about how much can be achieved during her time. When I had a cleaner, my weekly list included..

Bed changing
Cleaning bathrooms and kitchen
Ironing
(then general cleaning with any time left)

It worked really well for me and I was able to keep on top of the rest of it myself.

maddy68 · 05/08/2022 11:56

Mine have ranged from a 1 to a 10 always have then for a trail period

Original poster

Aswad · 05/08/2022 12:05

Some good points, thank you and hadn’t thought of a trial.
I have a teenager at home too who amazes me with his lack of common sense at times and need to give him some dedicated tasks.
2hrs once a week sounds ideal (and I think the minimum for many companies?)

OP posts:

FlySwimmer · 05/08/2022 12:07

Ours is hovering around a 3 at the moment and I want to replace her. She can't stick to an agreed schedule so every week is a Whatsapp back and forth, and we always have to factor her into our weekend plans as she can't come during the week. Then when she does come, she's slapdash. Doesn't consistently use toilet gel & the brush for example. It's like if you ask/remind her of something, e.g. clean the microwave, she then forgets something else, like clean the taps in the bathroom. We've been away for two weeks, during which time she was supposed to come twice, as per her normal schedule. Once for a general clean, and then the second was to clean the oven and the fridge, which was empty. She hasn't mopped at least one room (visible marks on the floor). Oven not done properly. My suspicion is she came once and tried to do it all then, so not leaving enough time for everything. I'm fed up with it.

MenaiMna · 05/08/2022 12:08

Mine is a 9/10 because sometimes her other job (office) demands she skip me for a week at short notice. But she does such a good job that the house stays pretty clean til the next session. I'm her only (cleaning) client and she's a brilliant person who works really hard. Respect and cherish a good cleaner!

whinetime89 · 05/08/2022 12:14

Mine would be an 8 sometimes forgets things. I'm at a point in my life where I question what's more important time Or money? I am a single mum of 3 with my own Speech pathology practice. Would I rather give up 4hrs a week to clean or spend that time with my children or doing things for me and pay someone else?

prisscalledwanda · 05/08/2022 16:02

Mine is a 7 or 8/10 for results but I am a 100/10 happy that I don't have to clean myself (and my own ability is more like a 4). So it works for us.

Simonjt · 05/08/2022 16:04

A solid 9 at least. She is brilliant, she does tell us off if we have left too many things on the floor!

beepbeep · 05/08/2022 16:10

We’ve had a few, ranging from a 4 (leaving half hour before due to, not even vacuuming and generally crap) to a 9 for cleaning but incredibly unreliable. Still looking….!

KyaClark · 05/08/2022 16:22

Mine is okay. 6/7. She's nice, but she doesn't do behind the doors, for example. I find that weird.

But, I've had a hell of a time finding anyone half decent so she will do.

My last cleaner was dreadful. She only lasted about 4 weeks. She didn't once clean the shower and left out the downstairs toilet completely, yet would leave after an hour instead of the two I'd asked for (and only charged for one hour).

tobee · 05/08/2022 16:25

Mine is about a 6/7. He's been coming for years, is generally very reliable. But he doesn't do some of things I'd like him to do, things he could do on alternate weeks maybe. I should probably tell him to be fair but because I've had him for so long it's a bit more awkward.

Anyway, I trust him. And the best thing is he is done and dusted (literally) by 8.30 am as he comes so early.

2bazookas · 05/08/2022 16:30

Ours is a 10. Reliable, friendly, trustworthy, totally efficient.

I can't imagine why anybody hires inadequate cleaners.

WellThatsMeScrewed · 05/08/2022 16:32

9 - I bloody love our cleaner. I’ve told my DH if it was him or her I would go for her.

I make sure the house is very tidy before she comes as I don’t want her picking up after us or cleaning round our crap. So all she does is actually clean. I don’t know how she does it but she makes the house look amazing. She used to work for hotels and we all love the night she’s been as she makes the beds amazingly.

She is very professional and I feel bloody lucky to have her. The number of times she’s been asked if she has space by people who have been in my house when she’s there!

Joyfulflowers · 05/08/2022 16:32

Like others I've had a variety from 5/10 to 10/10! Current one is 10/10

I think you have to be clear with what you want your cleaner to do and is it achievable in the time frame?

I've had cleaners for 3hrs weekly when all dc's lived at home and 2 of them were amazing-beds changed, oven & fridge cleaned etc (time permitting depending on state of the house!)

Current cleaner is 2hrs and does all bathrooms, hoovers throughout, washes all floors, dusts if time. I'm amazed at how much she achieves in that time tbh!

WellThatsMeScrewed · 05/08/2022 16:33

Saying that in the past I’ve had other cleaners who have been 5,6ish. Some really odd ones who just were not professional.

WellThatsMeScrewed · 05/08/2022 16:34

Oh and i have her for 3 hours, I’m willing to work extra so that I don’t have to clean!!!!

Michellexxx · 05/08/2022 16:34

We used to have a 10/10, then moved house and couldn’t get her anymore 😭
we now have one who is fine, but probably a 6/10. She doesn’t even wipe side tables or plump
cushions. My husband also got into a habit of making her a coffee and she leaves her coffee mug out so I have to put it in the dishwasher after she leaves..

KyaClark · 05/08/2022 16:40

2bazookas · 05/08/2022 16:30

Ours is a 10. Reliable, friendly, trustworthy, totally efficient.

I can't imagine why anybody hires inadequate cleaners.

Because a good cleaner is really hard to find and sometimes having someone who is just okay is better than having no one and doing it yourself.

This is my fifth cleaner in three years.

Two were unreliable.
One was just crap.
One was good but put her prices up and wasn't quite good enough to justify charging that much (though I probably should have sucked it up!)
One is my current who isn't terrible.

TheHorrorOfIt · 05/08/2022 16:42

Ours is about an 8 or 9 - we have a variety of people as it’s through an agency.

It is supposed to be consistent so the same person gets to know your house etc, but they just can’t get/keep the staff. Although by now most of them have been at least once before so I don’t have to keep wasting time showing them round. They seem to work hard and get the priorities finished (bathrooms and floors, plus a bit of dusting/wiping) and it’s lovely when it’s all done. I try and look after them but they usually don’t want drinks etc

CaitlyntheCactus · 05/08/2022 16:49

A strong 8. He's great. Doesn't always direct his attention where I would do or do things the way I would, but it has reduced my stress levels massively. We've had 2 cleaners prior to this one. The first left the bathroom and kitchen sparkling but was unreliable and took too long to do the other jobs. The second was also really good and did loads of extras, but she too as very unreliable. Reliability for me is key!

Mummyoflittledragon · 05/08/2022 16:50

Ours is a solid 9. There are things I’d like her to do on top as she takes less time now to clean as she knows my house. But I’m aware she works so efficiently that I don’t ask.

SallyWD · 05/08/2022 17:03

I'd say 7/10. Generally the place looks lovely and clean when they've been and it's definitely worth paying for! I can't imagine not having them now. It means I have more free time to enjoy the family at weekends. However, it's very much a superficial clean (not doing under sofas and beds, cobwebs on the ceiling etc). We do have a big house and they clean for 3 hours so I think they only have time for a superficial clean. However, they often slope off 15 minutes early (there are 2 of them so 15 minutes each =30 mins that I'm paying for). Despite little niggles I still think they're a godsend.

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