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Original poster

How tidy / clean is your kitchen before your cleaner comes?

51 replies

Padstow58 · 23/05/2023 19:44

I was talking about how I leave my house when my cleaner comes and my friend was appalled.

Basically, I load the dishwasher but don't wipe all round the kitchen because that's what the cleaner is paid to do. So when she gets there, the kitchen is covered in crumbs and food spills etc. But the surfaces are clear of plates, cups etc.

My friend says my cleaner must really judge me.

Is my friend right? Am I minging?

OP posts:
SaladRooney · 23/05/2023 19:53

My cleaner is here to clean. I don't do anything at all to prep for her weekly visit , other than leave her her money and text her to say thank you afterwards -- she deals with what she finds, which is generally chaos, because we're living in a semi-renovated wreck and there are builders in an out, and dust and packing cases everywhere, and zero storage, and stairs that lead to an extension not yet knocked through, and occasional bats.

But I pay her to do this (well, not the bats, and last time, when she phoned me screaming, I did actually come home from work (nearby) and get it out), and I think the people who tidy frantically before their cleaner comes are quite mad. They seem to say on here that it's so that the cleaner gets time to clean, without having to move stuff around, but I think that's just saving face because at some level they think there's some moral issue going on with having an untidy house, and that their cleaner is secretly judging them. I did explain to ours what she would be dealing with, but I don't think it's unusual not to pre-clean. Her entire cleaning rota is in our immediate vicinity, so I know lots of the neighbours she also cleans for, and they're definitely not prepping for her arrival. She's massively sought-after and could ditch any of us if she wasn't happy.

mumtohatty · 23/05/2023 19:56

I do a quick ten minute tidy up the morning she is due, make sure all the toys are in the toy boxes, dishwasher loaded, clothes hung up, floors are clear etc etc. I pay her for 2 hours a week and want to make sure she uses her time actually cleaning not tidying!

Circumferences · 23/05/2023 20:00

I think it's a good idea to tidy and sort your stuff before your cleaner comes because otherwise you risk them stealing stuff.
I speak from experience.
I've had two different cleaners nick my stuff but unfortunately it couldn't be proven. Haven't bothered with cameras in the house because we're not that rich.

Arxx · 23/05/2023 20:00

It takes me a good hour to tidy enough for her to be able to clean every week. I’ve tried to streamline my life a bit to have less and less stuff so I don’t have so much building up on the worktop every week or so many kids toys to clear away but it still takes quite a bit of prep time before she comes. I won’t wipe worktops though

DiscoBeat · 23/05/2023 20:02

I don't have one but if I did it would be decent to quickly wipe up actual spillages/food.

Sunnydays0101 · 23/05/2023 20:12

I’m sure you or your DP wipe the spills and crumbs the other mornings of the week, so why not the morning your cleaner comes?

FeigningConcern · 23/05/2023 20:13

SaladRooney · 23/05/2023 19:53

My cleaner is here to clean. I don't do anything at all to prep for her weekly visit , other than leave her her money and text her to say thank you afterwards -- she deals with what she finds, which is generally chaos, because we're living in a semi-renovated wreck and there are builders in an out, and dust and packing cases everywhere, and zero storage, and stairs that lead to an extension not yet knocked through, and occasional bats.

But I pay her to do this (well, not the bats, and last time, when she phoned me screaming, I did actually come home from work (nearby) and get it out), and I think the people who tidy frantically before their cleaner comes are quite mad. They seem to say on here that it's so that the cleaner gets time to clean, without having to move stuff around, but I think that's just saving face because at some level they think there's some moral issue going on with having an untidy house, and that their cleaner is secretly judging them. I did explain to ours what she would be dealing with, but I don't think it's unusual not to pre-clean. Her entire cleaning rota is in our immediate vicinity, so I know lots of the neighbours she also cleans for, and they're definitely not prepping for her arrival. She's massively sought-after and could ditch any of us if she wasn't happy.

Nope I definitely tidy before my cleaner comes so she has time to clean! She only comes for a set number of hours and I want her to focus on the cleaning. I can do the tidying. Plus it means the house is both tidy and clean at least once a fortnight! I could pay her to both clean and to tidy but that would cost more so I do that bit myself. We do try to stay on top of the tidying as we go but there always seems to be stuff that builds up.

Fanamarama · 23/05/2023 20:15

Don't deliberately leave it messy but equally don't do a special tidy up. My cleaner is amazing and will do everything even washing up if I ask.

Workyticket · 23/05/2023 20:17

We do a family tidy the night before but no cleaning

declutteringmymind · 23/05/2023 20:22

I tidy so load up the dishwasher with the drying rack/food waste bin. but she cleans. And yes sometimes the floor is full of crumbs and there is food in the sink but no dirty dishes or empty saucepans.

I use it as an excuse to get certain jobs done- clearing out the fridge, emptying flower vases etc. then she turns up and go out to do run the weeks errands and do the weekly shop.

5childrenand · 23/05/2023 20:23

Our house is always pretty tidy but I make sure everything is in the right place before she comes, so she can focus on cleaning. And yes, I would wipe the sides of obvious crumbs / spills - but always wipe down as soon as used anyway so that’s not an extra job. I do think it’s a bit grim to leave, sorry.

CatticusFinch · 23/05/2023 20:24

Tidy up before she comes but don't clean. I don't want her tidying my stuff as she won't know where it goes..plus I like it tidy before she comes to clean so when I get in from work, for that short time, it is show home standard and it brings me joy. If it wasn't tidy, her cleaning efforts wouldn't be as obvious and joy sparking!

Tiredmummaoftwo · 23/05/2023 20:32

I tidy the house completely so it's only cleaning she needs to do. I surface clean up any obvious mess such as spills, hair in the shower or mud from the dogs etc. I also empty my bathroom bin as don't expect her to do that.

museumum · 23/05/2023 20:34

I do wipe crumbs and pick bits out of the plug hole. But I don’t move the toaster / bread bin etc.

abyssofwoah · 23/05/2023 20:36

Tidy but not especially clean. I wipe up spills and crumbs as I go though so not much mess on the counters as such.

Bigtom · 23/05/2023 20:42

I tidy up so that she can actually do the cleaning. I would never leave crumbs on the work surface - seems like a recipe for inviting the ants to come in!

reluctantbrit · 23/05/2023 20:45

All dishes are in the dishwasher and DH washes up what can't go after breakfast (the odd wine glass from the night before or one. of DD's bowls which aren't dishwasher safe).

He normally washes up and wipes the hob/counter after we had dinner in the evening so there shouldn't be anything big.

I make the beds, put washing baskets off the floor. if I hadn't had a chance to clear it away the night before.

Ohfgsjon · 23/05/2023 20:49

Circumferences · 23/05/2023 20:00

I think it's a good idea to tidy and sort your stuff before your cleaner comes because otherwise you risk them stealing stuff.
I speak from experience.
I've had two different cleaners nick my stuff but unfortunately it couldn't be proven. Haven't bothered with cameras in the house because we're not that rich.

Good grief, this is a terrible way to talk about people. "Them"? How unbelievably rude. I'm a cleaner. I've never stolen a thing. All my clients leave stuff everywhere. Cash, jewellery etc. You must have been extremely unlucky to have 2 cleaners who stole from you.

Thea91 · 23/05/2023 20:57

I tidy before our cleaner comes , change the beds , empty the bathroom bins. Our surfaces are wiped but I wipe them after breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday so no different to what I normally do.

Suddenlysummer · 23/05/2023 20:57

Ohfgsjon · 23/05/2023 20:49

Good grief, this is a terrible way to talk about people. "Them"? How unbelievably rude. I'm a cleaner. I've never stolen a thing. All my clients leave stuff everywhere. Cash, jewellery etc. You must have been extremely unlucky to have 2 cleaners who stole from you.

Show quote history

I agree. I was a cleaner, and my clients also left cash, jewellery, etc.. around their houses. I wouldn't have dreamt of stealing anything. Obviously there must be some dishonest people around, but we aren't all like that and it's hurtful to read posts like that.

wibblewobbleball · 23/05/2023 20:58

I tidy, make sure there's no skid marks in the loos, remove hair from shower traps and try to be on top of the washing as I can so there is less in her way and everything that needs to be ironed is in the basket for her. That way she gets more done. I also do it so that I can get home and put my feet up feeling like we are all squared away rather than still having loads of jobs to do. She comes on a Monday and Monday night is my favourite of the week - clean house, no shit to put away and no washing to put away.

mondaytosunday · 23/05/2023 20:58

I would put all dishes and pots away and do a quick wipe. I'd expect the cleaner to do a more thorough clean (like move the bottles of oil, salt/pepper etc out of the way), but mainly it's the floor that needs it. Also she'd wipe the cupboard doors.
I want the cleaner to clean, not tidy. A few crumbs wouldn't bother me

FinallyHere · 23/05/2023 21:01

Don't do anything different on the days cleaner comes to us, but then we are a two adult, no DC or pets household which is usually reasonably tidy.

We wouldn't leave toothpaste in the wash basic or any marks in the loo from day to day.

We don't really do any cleaning.

RooftopParty · 23/05/2023 21:29

If we haven’t cleaned up from breakfast or lunch, she’ll do it. We don’t have set times that she comes in, just set days so she just gets on with it when she gets here.

OldTinHat · 23/05/2023 21:32

My cleaner gets annoyed with me if I clean before she comes! I get a lot of eye rolling and 'what are you paying me for if you've done it already'!

I always tidy though.