Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Help me cancel cleaner

24 replies

PurplePetalPip · 22/09/2023 13:54

She is lovely, and does a decent job - not amazing but I've never had reason to complain. It's just that money has now become super tight with a few outgoings going up recently and we can no longer justify paying her.

She comes once a week, while I'm here working from home. No contract or anything, she just turns up, cash in hand etc.

I know I need to tell her but I'm someone who avoids confrontation/awkward situations/difficult conversations! I'm guessing it's not acceptable to do it by a text message? It's something I have to do face to face isn't it? Do I then get her to clean for the 2.5 hours she's meant to be doing? Tell her she can leave straightaway?

How much should I give in terms of notice?

I'm dreading it. She's super nice and I think she will understand but it just makes me feel so guilty.

OP posts:
Anothernamechangeee · 22/09/2023 13:57

“Hi X, I am so sorry but our circumstances have changed and we no longer require your services. You’ve done a great job and I’d be happy to give you a reference. Could you let me know what your notice period is? Thanks for everything”

Original poster
PurplePetalPip · 22/09/2023 13:59

@Anothernamechangeee so it's acceptable to do it by text message?

OP posts:
Anothernamechangeee · 22/09/2023 14:00

Yes, but you need to let her tell you her notice period and accept that she might want to do another clean before she goes

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Cleaning
Lastqueenofscotland2 · 22/09/2023 14:00

I think I’d call her, rather than text, and just say unfortunately due to CoL etc that your circumstances such that unfortunately you don’t need/can’t have a cleaner anymore. And yes offer to give a good reference

MotherOfGodWeeFella · 22/09/2023 14:01

I would at least call her and follow up to confirm by text/WhatsApp.

Original poster
PurplePetalPip · 22/09/2023 14:13

Ok, a call is marginally less challenging than face to face I guess. Thanks. I'm pretty socially anxious... it's a wonder I ever even got the courage to hire a cleaner in the first place!

OP posts:
allthehops · 22/09/2023 14:15

Tbh where I live people are crying out for decent cleaners, so I'm sure she will fill the slot!

saraclara · 22/09/2023 14:33

Oh gosh, I'm in this situation too. Not it of financial concerns but simply because she's become so flakey and I need someone I can rely on. But she's been coming to me for nearly a decade so I feel awful and keep putting it off.

There's no easy way really, is there? She has a key so I'm told that I should tell her while she's there so I can take the key back that day. Presumably I then pay her notice rather than her come back?

Ugh. Hate it.

Original poster
PurplePetalPip · 22/09/2023 14:36

@allthehops I hope so! To be honest I get the impression she does it because she likes it rather than that she needs the money as I think her husband has a decent job. She drives a much flashier car than me funnily enough! But I wouldn't want to assume anything which is why I still feel guilty.

OP posts:
Original poster
PurplePetalPip · 22/09/2023 14:39

@saraclara ah sorry you're in the position as well! Yeah I think I'd prefer to just pay whatever notice period and not have her come again just as it's a bit awkward! I'm thinking 2 weeks although I suspect she will refuse it.

OP posts:
starlightmagic · 22/09/2023 14:40

I’m a self employed cleaner and would be fine with receiving a text, I have had the same text recently actually. We all feel the pinch lately, it’s understandable

Icandothisnow · 22/09/2023 14:42

I have done this recently. I made my cleaner a coffee (like I always do when she arrives) had a general chat and then said I needed to speak to her about continuing to work for us and why I was looking to cancel her. I said I was happy for her to continue for 4 weeks to sort out another client and she actually offered to work every two weeks or once a month instead, which actually worked for us. It was a difficult conversation but it went very well. Might be something to consider but good luck whatever you decide.

LoudAndSqueaky · 22/09/2023 14:42

I think it's much better to do in person. If I'd been happily working for someone for so long I'd be pissed off to receive a text.

Just because it's awkward or uncomfortable for you doesn't mean you shouldn't do it! Just been straightforward.

NewUserName23 · 22/09/2023 14:43

Tell her however you feel comfortable, I'm a cleaner and I'd rather the person lets me know by text rather than face to face as I start to feel a bit awkward too.

Let her know exactly what you've said in your 1st post, times are tough and us cleaners are aware we are a luxury.

Original poster
PurplePetalPip · 22/09/2023 14:55

Thank you @starlightmagic and @NewUserName23 - it's useful to have the perspective of the other person (and I'm also relieved you both think a text would be fine!).

OP posts:
Barleymilk · 22/09/2023 15:05

I'm a cleaner and recently received a txt from a client I have cleaned weekly for seven years,she asked if I could go down to two hours,instead of three. Receiving a txt let me have a think and sort in my head things like the effect on my rounds that day and my finances. I replied ofcourse that's fine.
I've also had a txt cancelling any more cleans from a client a while ago and I'd much rather a txt than an awkward conversation.

Streamorwatchlive · 22/09/2023 15:08

Yes, but you need to let her tell you her notice period and accept that she might want to do another clean before she goes

no you don’t. No contact, self employed cleaners don’t have notice period. You can choose to give one if you want but there’s no ‘you must accept her notice period’

PoppyPansyCampion · 22/09/2023 15:16

I've cancelled jobs I've been doing by text/email. I think as long as people are kind and polite, it can work better than face to face.
I think if do it in such a way that it won't feel awkward if you bump into her in the supermarket, it's fine.

Pandajane · 28/11/2023 23:35

I was a professional cleaner for 10 years. I always worked cash in hand no contract. Two of my clients cancelled my service by text due to budgeting issues and I was absolutely fine with that - I wouldn't have expected anything more to be honest. You're doing doing the right thing in my opinion.

WhatFlavourIsIt · 29/11/2023 00:40

A text is fine, actually its preferable to an awkward conversation. I've just got to say I've worked as a cleaner for many years & now have my own company, as lovely as your assumption is, no-one cleans other people's houses because they enjoy it, we do it for the money. Tell her now so she has a good idea of her availability for when all the new years clients come calling.

Princessfluffy · 29/11/2023 09:08

PurplePetalPip · 22/09/2023 14:36

@allthehops I hope so! To be honest I get the impression she does it because she likes it rather than that she needs the money as I think her husband has a decent job. She drives a much flashier car than me funnily enough! But I wouldn't want to assume anything which is why I still feel guilty.

Confused if you honestly think this then surely she will continue to clean your house without any payment OP

Original poster
PurplePetalPip · 29/11/2023 15:47

@Princessfluffy this thread is over 2 months old... don't worry, the cleaner is long goneWink

OP posts:
Princessfluffy · 29/11/2023 19:19

🤔

Help me cancel cleaner
sarah419 · 29/11/2023 21:02

tell her when she’s next at your place that you will likely not be needing her services anymore. if too shy to give the money is tight reason you can just pretend you’ve cut down ur work hours and will have more time to clean yourself.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page