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AIBU?

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Original poster

My new cleaner

12 replies

Etwinkles · 09/12/2011 16:07

I have a new cleaner who has just started today and has just spent her first two hours working upstairs. Suspicious that she has not appeared to have collected many detergents, I have just checked in her and she has cleaned the bedrooms and bathroom using glass cleaner and cillet oven cleaner. I said 'this is for the oven.' Yes, she replies cheerfully. I use it for sink. Would I be unreasonable to not have her back next week? Should a cleaner know which products to use or should I have to train her? Maybe because her English isn't so great she can't be expected to read the labels? But then how can I trust her to clean properly?

OP posts:
LineRunnerCrouchingReindeer · 09/12/2011 16:08

Well, it's all chemicals, isn't it?

usualsuspect · 09/12/2011 16:11

Was your sink clean though?

Lucyinthepie · 09/12/2011 16:13

Sooner or later she's going to damage something, so I wouldn't have her back I'm afraid.
Does she have insurance in case of damage?

Original poster
Etwinkles · 09/12/2011 16:14

Well that is my quandary. If I must forgive cleaning the bath with oven cleaner, how far does that go? What if she is cleaning the wood with it? I have 12 week old twins so can't trail around after her all afternoon...

OP posts:
Original poster
Etwinkles · 09/12/2011 16:15

And no, I don't think there is insurance. She is through an agency but they act more like finders so they don't employ her.

OP posts:
Original poster
Etwinkles · 09/12/2011 16:18

Ha. The sink appears clean. She hasn't done the oven but maybe we've run out of oven cleaner now. Also, quite embarrassingly, some breastpads seem to have gone round with the laundry and she has hung them on the line.

OP posts:
QuietTiger · 09/12/2011 16:18

Did she come via an agency, or privately?

Regardless of which, when my cleaners started (they're agency), because I'm PFB about my cats, we had a long discussion of what products they could and couldn't use and where - I'm very funny about phenol based disinfectants and won't use them because of the risk to my cats and absorbption through their paw pads.

We also had a long discussion about what it was I actually wanted done - for e.g. I don't expect them to clean litter boxes out, but I expect them to move them and mop the floor underneath. I expect them to dust the surfaces in the lounge with polish, but don't expect them to scrub the toilet until it shines with a toothbrush, but I do expect them to clean it properly and use proper toilet cleaner, IYSWIM? Similarly, to make their job easier, I do certain things before they come, like spray the shower stall with Detol mildew remover.

If she is "good", then make clear what products are to be used where and give her some basic training and explain what your expectations are. Communication works both ways.

Graciescotland · 09/12/2011 16:19

I once decided the cleaner wasn't for me when she helpfully cleaned the laminate with furniture polish.

I'm not a complainer but I was in quite a lot of pain...

Lucyinthepie · 09/12/2011 16:20

I'm a cleaner and I think you would be unwise to continue with her. You have no come-back if she ruins an expensive carpet trying to get a stain out with the wrong cleaning fluid, just for example.
I provide my own materials, use my own equipment, and give my clients a copy of my insurance.

valiumredhead · 09/12/2011 16:20

Which oven cleaner did she use? If it was oven pride then YANBU Grin

Original poster
Etwinkles · 09/12/2011 16:47

It was Cif. Is my skin going to melt off in the bath?

OP posts:
takeonboard · 09/12/2011 16:52

lucyinthepie Where are you? If you are taking on more work, i am interested.....

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