Would you expect your cleaner to clean up this mess? If you are a cleaner, would you?

[holishmo]

I started up my own cleaning business (just myself) last month

I've got 2 really lovely clients and recently took on someone new

We live on the same NB estate so I popped round when she enquired and we had a cup of tea and a chat, was happy to take her on for the 3 hours a week

Anyway, I arrived today and there were nappies on the floor that needed clearing away, loo not flushed and very dirty, bloody and soaking with water? sheets on the master bed, take away tubs all over the living room and no toys put away at all, still loads of wrapping paper laying around

I tidied it all up of course and I didn't say anything. But then before I left she asked me where I'd put one of the coins that go to her baby's toy piggy counter, I said I hadn't seen a pig with coins at all (my own DC has it and I didn't see it there).

She said I must've seen it because it's in the toy box but one of the coins are missing?

I said I hadn't touched it, I hadn't. She wants me to replace it

What do I do? I feel silly for writing this but I'm doing it to fund nice extras for myself and disabled DC. I don't want bad words spread as my two other clients live on the estate too and I advertised myself on the FB page

@FrankTheCondor if I had even seen the toy I'd be second guessing myself but I definitely didn't even come across that exact toy or anything similar

It's about the size of a big chocolate coin 🪙 so not tiny but I wouldn't miss it

I don't think you should replace it!

If you want to continue cleaning for her I'd use this as a way of asking her to tidy up toys before you come.

Maybe say that she can get much more cleaning for the time if the floors and surfaces are clear and tidy?

She's trouble OP. Stand your ground on the coin. And msg her to say you will not be coming again - professional incompatibility. If she pushes it tell her she's fallen short of your standards. She'll be bad mouthing you any way sooner or later so focus on getting new clients

@FrankTheCondor I think you can just get one quite easily from marketplace on FB, it's a super popular baby toy and most DC I've been in the homes of had had one at one time or another

I wasn't going to say... because it's gossiping. But I asked what colour it was as I might have one spark and she said I should know surely?

I feel really shitty

I’d stick to saying you didn’t touch it. I might be tempted to mention that you cleared up a lot of other mess including used nappies, take away tubs and wrapping paper, but not a piggy bank.

There is no way you should be paying for this toy. She sounds like someone you do not want as a client so I think perhaps say you don’t think it’s going to work out. Yes there is a risk she will bad mouth you on FB I guess, do you think your other clients would post recommendations to offset this?

She sounds vile. I definitely would not be doing future cleans for her. As a pp said can you replace the coin from your DC piggy bank? You absolutely shouldn't have to btw, but just to save her spread3it around that you misplaced it etc

Is it about clearing up the mess or about being accused of stealing?

Clean up what ever you feel happy to it's up to you if you go back. Not really for you to judge how people live but I wouldn't do it.

As for the piggy bank you have three options, ignore her, buy a new one or giver her coins from your dcs.

Sounds like a nightmare. I wouldn't go back once and then give notice.

I'd not say anything until you go next week and see if they materialise.

Sounds abnormal.

This

What an absolute pisstaker.

I'd have been inclined to walk out when I'd seen the shithole she was living in.

I mean, I know you're there to clean, but she sounds like she lives in a filthy HOVEL.

Her house as spotless when I first went round there to give a price and had a cuppa with her

And that's before she mentioned the nonsense about a tiny toy coin

*was

I certainly wouldn't be going back. I might replace the toy if I thought she would cause trouble.

To answer a PP, sorry didn't see your username, yes I think my clients from elsewhere would recommend. One already did, she posted about me on the estate's FB page saying how happy she was with me

“I didn’t see it but it could’ve easily been lost in the mess I cleared away.” And then fire her! If she doesn’t believe you over this what happens when something more significant goes “missing”.

This is a good point

I wouldn't have touched the nappies or the loos.

I hope you're not contemplating going back.

I think I'd give the coin and my notice. There's an absolute limit to what is expected of a cleaner, and if where you live us anything like where I am, cleaners are gold dust.

Please don't go back she sounds dreadful. Just not worth it.

I wouldn't replace it because it assumes that you took it . I'd just tell her you can't clean for her anymore and maybe add that you can't have her accusing you of something you haven't done.

Do not give the coin out of your dc toy or buy one ! You are then in her eyes admitting fault. These things go missing when you have dc she sounds ridiculous.
Just sack her off and forget about it. If she writes a shit review she will make herself look ridiculous over a plastic coin so don’t worry

If you replace it, she could use it as some sort of perverted 'evidence' that you are guilty of taking the coin, or losing it. So don't do that. I would tell her that you will not be replacing something that you have no need to replace as you never even saw the toy coin, and you will also no longer be cleaning for her, as quite frankly mutual trust is imperative if you are to be in someone else's home to work.

It's clear that this is not someone you can trust! Agree with PP, she is TROUBLE.

I would lose her as a client anyway. Of course a cleaner is there to clean, but I don’t think that includes cleaning disgusting mess and dirt. It’s general cleaning, not hazmat shit.