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Original poster

To give new cleaner another chance or not?

40 replies

Summering23 · 19/09/2023 12:53

I had a new cleaner start yesterday. When she arrived I showed her around, where the cleaning products could be found etc. and talked her through what I wanted her to do.

After she left and I walked through the house there's quite a bit that she has not done. It doesn't look like she has cleaned the kitchen surfaces properly or moved anything as they felt dusty under my hands, crumbs under the toaster etc. A fair few dusty surfaces around in general when I specified to dust and vacuum in every room I showed her.

I specifically asked her to clean the glass of the french doors, and the hanging light pendants - both not cleaned. I also asked that she clean the kitchen cupboard doors and there are still quite a few greasy marks on them.

She has done a good job in the bathrooms with the exception of one toilet which still had a dirty toilet seat when I lifted it up (kids bathroom).

Is this to be expected with a first clean, or not? It's not a time issue as she left 10 minutes earlier than I'd paid for. I'm not sure if I just need to go through it all again next time she comes and specify every surface she should dust rather than just a generic "please dust in here"? Or am I better off telling her not to come again and trying to find another cleaner?

OP posts:
TruthSeeker2023 · 19/09/2023 16:20

the thing is most cleaners are rubbish these days as its hardly a good job is it - if they were that good they'd be doing summat else... And then combined with that (unless v elderly or disabled etc.) most people what get cleaners are lazy / entitled as they can't be bothered to do their own cleaning so they have the time to nitpick and find fault all the time

Original poster
Summering23 · 19/09/2023 16:43

TruthSeeker2023 · 19/09/2023 16:20

the thing is most cleaners are rubbish these days as its hardly a good job is it - if they were that good they'd be doing summat else... And then combined with that (unless v elderly or disabled etc.) most people what get cleaners are lazy / entitled as they can't be bothered to do their own cleaning so they have the time to nitpick and find fault all the time

Do you want ketchup with that chip?

OP posts:
Keekabooyou · 19/09/2023 17:49

Op I would give her another chance but if still the same after that then get rid. 4 hours is more than enough time even with the extras like windows and light shades. My company would do a basic clean in 2 hours for that size of property.

truthseeker2023 - I’ve went from being in retail management to being a cleaner as it suits me and my life and not because I can’t do ‘summat’ else. And my clients are certainly not lazy or entitled but mostly busy people with busy jobs and lives who outsource a small percentage of household chores.

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Cleaning
MarkWithaC · 19/09/2023 17:54

AnonymousJM · 19/09/2023 14:22

@Summering23

I am a cleaner myself
And moving basic equipment like toasters, kettle and even the microwave is something you'd just naturally do.
It sounds like she rushed the clean and wasn't thorough

Usually my first clean is always a deep clean
So I will target a specific area

One time it actually took me two hours to clean someone's kitchen
(Including oven)

The client was satisfied with this

Just means that going forward I can then target other areas

There's nothing worse than having someone come into the home to do a job that you have to then do yourself after they had left

I would unfortunately just let them go
I wouldn't bother explaining basic cleaning duties to her

I always go into my clients homes with the mindset of 'would I be satisfied if someone cleaned my home to the standard I'm cleaning other peoples homes'

If the answer is yes then I know I am doing a good enough job

I've had people pay me extra money for my services out of choice

It's trial and error

Hopefully you find the right person soon!

You sound like a dream. You're not looking for new clients in north London are you by any chance? Grin

AnonymousJM · 19/09/2023 17:56

@MarkWithaC Hahah unfortunately I'm based near Windsor!
If I ever move to north London I will deffo tell you. So I shall hold you up on that offer 🤣🤣😂😂

MarkWithaC · 19/09/2023 18:01

AnonymousJM · 19/09/2023 17:56

@MarkWithaC Hahah unfortunately I'm based near Windsor!
If I ever move to north London I will deffo tell you. So I shall hold you up on that offer 🤣🤣😂😂

You know where to find me, quite seriously! (my cleaner isn't doing brilliantly but I like her and I'm too British to raise any issues...)

SkaneTos · 19/09/2023 18:08

It sounds like she didn't do a great job.

I would give her one more chance. Communicate with her beforehand what you were not happy with.

(I thought most cleaners would try to do a really good job when they are cleaning someone's home for the first time.)

SkaneTos · 19/09/2023 18:09

I mean, one should always do a good job, but especially the first time you work for someone, you want to do your very best!

caringcarer · 19/09/2023 18:22

AffIt · 19/09/2023 14:46

@Summering23

Usually my first clean is always a deep clean, so I will target a specific area

I had a wonderful cleaner who did what you have suggested - when she first came to visit, she said she would take the first couple of appointments to 'get the rooms up to her standard', by which she would deep clean each area then have them on a schedule.

I didn't interfere and let her get on with it! She was absolutely terrific and unfortunately I have never been able to find a cleaner who can match her, but that was mostly because I could trust her absolutely to do her job (and she had exceptionally high standards).

OP, I think I would just put this one down to experience and move on - you don't want to have to be explaining basic cleaning tenets to a cleaner.

I could have written this response. I had a wonderful cleaner who was so thorough and would peg washing out and peel a few potatoes and carrots too. I came home from work and the whole house was spotless. The first few sessions she spent longer getting the house up to standard but then 3 hours twice a week. She left due to getting cancer and I've never found another as good.

Strangerfeeling · 19/09/2023 18:35

I was cleaner for 10 years in many houses in the past.
I cleaned various size houses mostly 3-4 beds or townhouses on 2/3 floors.
I always moved from room to room, never missed anything, the kitchen obviously took most of the time so did the kitchen first, also had to polish high shine tiled floors.
I usually managed all in 3 hrs, rarely I had 4 hrs job.
It seems like she is not very good if she missed the kitchen units etc.
I would probably give her last chance, told her again and if she will be same, I would get rid off.

JustFrustrated · 19/09/2023 18:42

TruthSeeker2023 · 19/09/2023 16:20

the thing is most cleaners are rubbish these days as its hardly a good job is it - if they were that good they'd be doing summat else... And then combined with that (unless v elderly or disabled etc.) most people what get cleaners are lazy / entitled as they can't be bothered to do their own cleaning so they have the time to nitpick and find fault all the time

How can you manage to denigrate both cleaners and the people that use cleaners in the same sentence?

AnonymousJM · 19/09/2023 18:45

@TruthSeeker2023

Bit of a harsh statement
Some people may need it to support their mental health
And if they have the money why not?

I'm a cleaner because the hours are flexible
I'm able to work late afternoons which means I don't need to pay for childcare because my partner is then home

Some people have no choice.

I think you need to be more kind

AliceOlive · 19/09/2023 19:26

TruthSeeker2023 · 19/09/2023 16:20

the thing is most cleaners are rubbish these days as its hardly a good job is it - if they were that good they'd be doing summat else... And then combined with that (unless v elderly or disabled etc.) most people what get cleaners are lazy / entitled as they can't be bothered to do their own cleaning so they have the time to nitpick and find fault all the time

😂

Worriedaboutpp · 19/09/2023 19:35

I'd seriously cut your losses now and find another cleaner. In my experience they get gradually worse, not better. I've left it way too long, too many times. Leaving early when not all tasks you've asked for is quite bad

Puzzledandpissedoff · 19/09/2023 19:41

Previous cleaners have managed it all in the same time

Unless something's changed drastically that's really all you need to know, especially when you'd made your requirements so clear

You'll get roundly criticised on here because many frown on employing a cleaner at all, but this sort of thing is what often develops in time - if they've done it on their very first visit there's no hope at all

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