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Original poster

Etiquette for cleaner at Christmas

48 replies

CandleWick4 · 02/12/2023 09:01

We have a cleaner who comes every two weeks. She is lovely, happy with how she cleans. This is our first Christmas with her and I’m not sure what the etiquette is around a gift/Christmas tip? Is a nice bottle of wine and a card ok or is a cash tip the norm? And how much? TIA

OP posts:
StillWantingADog · 02/12/2023 09:30

I sometimes pay her extra, this year she is getting a bottle of Prosecco (I know she likes it)

CMOTDibbler · 02/12/2023 09:32

A weeks wages extra, and this year a nice candle - but only as she was saying that was all she wanted for christmas but her daughters were insisting on buying her other things

Grumpynan · 02/12/2023 09:39

sugarandsweetener · 02/12/2023 09:27

but grumpy with your own grandchildren? 😂

Show quote history

😂😂😂, my eldest granddaughter christened me that once when I said no to another cookie before bedtime she said I was obviously over tired and grumpy- she was 3 at the time 😂😂. My son has never let it be forgotten 😂😂

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mynameiscalypso · 02/12/2023 09:42

@Grumpynan Your username doesn't do you justice! You sound like such a lovely person.

mynameiscalypso · 02/12/2023 09:42

Ha, cross posted!

Original poster
CandleWick4 · 02/12/2023 09:52

Thanks all. I pay through standing order with an agency, so I never pay her direct. I pay £30 for the 2 hours she does every 2 weeks so how much would you say as a tip in this case? And would I be best putting say £20 in a card along with a nice box of choccies?

OP posts:
Floofydawg · 02/12/2023 09:53

I'm clearly tight in comparison to the rest of MN. Some of you spend more on your cleaner than I do on my mum!

rookiemere · 02/12/2023 10:00

CandleWick4 · 02/12/2023 09:52

Thanks all. I pay through standing order with an agency, so I never pay her direct. I pay £30 for the 2 hours she does every 2 weeks so how much would you say as a tip in this case? And would I be best putting say £20 in a card along with a nice box of choccies?

That sounds about right.

ColleenDonaghy · 02/12/2023 10:01

We pay double the last week (and then she doesn't work over Christmas so effectively we're paying for the week off iykwim) and a gift like a plant or something.

3peassuit · 02/12/2023 10:03

Double pay for the week plus chocolates and wine. Good cleaners are worth treating well.

Original poster
CandleWick4 · 02/12/2023 10:06

rookiemere · 02/12/2023 10:00

That sounds about right.

Show quote history

great thank you

OP posts:
ProvisionsOnTheDock · 02/12/2023 10:07

Mummymummy89 · 02/12/2023 09:15

I give 50 quid which is about a week's pay (for four hours). But I give it as a sainsburys or tesco voucher, dunno why it feels more genteel than cash but it's basically like cash.

I don't bother with a gift-gift like chocolates, I figure she can choose her own with the voucher

Edited

Giving a supermarket voucher is worse than giving cash! You're dictating where it needs to be spent which is totally patronising.

OldTinHat · 02/12/2023 10:10

I also cover her wages for lost earnings, a week as a tip and her favourite chocolates.

Fridayfederica · 02/12/2023 10:19

We are giving our weekly cleaner £40, some lovely hand cream and treats for her pets.

livingthegoodlife · 02/12/2023 10:36

i used to give our cleaner a weeks wages cash & a box of chocs. we now use an agency so not sure im going to leave anything? different ladies.

Fynoderee · 02/12/2023 17:46

I’ve had my cleaning business for over 10yrs. Most clients leave something like biscuits, chocolate or a candle.
Occasionally I might receive a voucher but never anything close to the cost of a clean.
Some clients don’t give anything.

Floofydawg · 02/12/2023 22:29

Fynoderee · 02/12/2023 17:46

I’ve had my cleaning business for over 10yrs. Most clients leave something like biscuits, chocolate or a candle.
Occasionally I might receive a voucher but never anything close to the cost of a clean.
Some clients don’t give anything.

God I'm glad you said this. I'm happy to buy a gift but two weeks wages? No

GeneandFred · 02/12/2023 23:43

Ex cleaner here.....cash is king 🤣🙌

Twistyripple · 03/12/2023 11:15

We use a company who provides 2 cleaners for 3 hours every two weeks. The main cleaner always remains the same but there is a 2nd cleaner that changes regularly.
What is the etiquette when your cleaners aren't self employed and are actually hired via a company?

Chocolatecoveredshitpig · 03/12/2023 11:20

I do cleaning as a side hustle - I have 3 regular clients. Two give a week's wages, plus a small gift like chocs. The other asks me to choose two days when I don't come, but still get paid. All very appreciated! I agree with people saying don't give wine - I'm teetotal, but even when I wasn't I never drank wine, so a bottle, whilst appreciated, would have been passed on. People have very particular tastes when it comes to booze, I find!

Whatevershallidowithmylife · 03/12/2023 11:23

DM gets her cleaner and her mobile hairdresser a small box of biscuits. No need to buy them anything IMO, both charge way more than the living wage rate.

ChocolateTVandbaby · 18/12/2023 22:18

Christmas card with cash

wherethewildthingsgo · 18/12/2023 22:25

I always get mine a gift. This year it's a Sanctuary Spa gift set.

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