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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

If you have a cleaner would you expect this?

32 replies

pleasethanks · 25/09/2013 18:22

Okay, I have a cleaner who comes in once a week for a couple of hours.

I have noticed on a few occasions over the past months hairs in the bath, which I swear weren't there before! Fair enough I don't expect her to get her white gloves out after she has cleaned the bath, but 2 or 3 dark hairs are pretty noticeable and I suppose I think, well if she doesn't notice those, what else isn't she doing/noticing. Also, she doesn't move the kids bath toys out of the way to clean in the corners - AIBU to expect her to do that? I know she hasn't moved them, it is obvious, but AIBU to think if you clean a bathroom properly, you get in the corners/grouting around the bath?!

PLease, I am asking about the above, not looking for smart arse comments about being lucky and should be grateful I have a cleaner rather than moaning about what they do or don't do!

OP posts:

whois · 25/09/2013 18:25

Yeah she should get into the corners. If the bathroom is cluttered with your DCs Cyprus tho that might be v time consuming. Maybe you could ditch them all into a plastic tub when she comes?

Hairs also would expect to be removed.

Bowlersarm · 25/09/2013 18:25

I would say if she's doing everything else perfectly, then not to sweat the small stuff.

Alternatively, point it out to her?

Ragwort · 25/09/2013 18:29

Of course a cleaner should move the bath toys, but if she really isn't then perhaps you could move them the first time and make a point of saying 'hope this makes it easier to clean the bath' - is there somewhere convenient to put them whilst she cleans the bath. It can be incredibly tedious cleaning baths if you are constantly moving toys/bottles/flannels etc around.

I have had cleaners in the past sadly not at the moment - and it can be a very awkward relationship as so many of us (me included) feel somehow embarrassed & guilty about it; like any job, you should factor in time for an informal 'review' so that both sides can say if they are happy with the arrangement.

Ragwort · 25/09/2013 18:30

Regarding the hairs - do you think she is having a bath in your house? Does anyone in your family have dark hair?

DizzyPurple · 25/09/2013 18:32

I agree, that is not good enough. I have a good friend who is blind. Her cleaner didn't move a few bottles in the shower to clean it. When i saw it and told her my friend didn't even realise the bottles were there. They had obviously not been touched for many weeks, let alone the shower cleaned properly. We complained and the cleaner got really shirty and defensive. I call it abuse of a disabled person myself. Anyway clearly poor standards on the cleaners part who didn't appear to understand why she was now sacked!

Pobblewhohasnotoes · 25/09/2013 18:35

Of courses she should move bath toys, things should be cleaned properly.

fairylightsinthespring · 25/09/2013 18:38

YANBU. We had a fantastic cleaner. When she'd been it was like walking into a hotel room, everything was absolutely sparkling. She's now moved on and our new one just isn't as thorough - what she does is ok, but we could do an ok job, we want a really good one that keeps us to a reasonable standard between visits (DH and I work v long hours and if we didn't have one would never see the kids at all). Although she has asked us to tell her if we want things done differently, its hard to say "well you're just not as good". We do try to clear floors etc so she is cleaning, rather than tidying but the previous one would do it if we hadn't. Today I have come home to find she has literally hoovered around some clothes rather than chuck them on the bed and do a proper job.

DameDeepRedBetty · 25/09/2013 18:42

Different people have different expectations of what's necessary. IME, the more exhaustive you are with your instructions when you first agree the job with a cleaner, the better the outcome. It may feel a bit daft, and you might be afraid that you're putting their nose out of joint, but setting out your requirements early, preferably in writing, saves arguments and ill feeling later.

Nanny0gg · 25/09/2013 19:48

Call me old-fashioned, but I expect a cleaner to clean not pick up after my family.

And I would put the bath toys in a box, then she'll have time to clean properly.

I assume she's paid by the hour?

Belchica · 25/09/2013 19:53

FILs partner is a cleaner and she once casually mentioned that she often takes a bath in one of the houses she cleans when she's there...as it saves her running hot water at home .

You're not in Gloucestershire OP, are you?

coraltoes · 25/09/2013 20:21

A couple of hours a week and you think she has time to clean corners and grout? This is the trouble in many homes. Cleaners are hired for 3 hours or so and yet the expectations are so high. What are her duties?

coraltoes · 25/09/2013 20:23

Nannyogg I expect tidying as part of the job, but I make that very clear and have someone for 10 hours per week, with clear expectations set from day 1.

Original poster

pleasethanks · 25/09/2013 20:26

coral I don't expect her to clean grout, as in scrub it, just give the edge/ledge of the bath at least a wipe. Which she failed to do. And yes, I do expect her to clean corners, not cut them. FFS, do you think it is acceptable for a cleaner not to clean corners; not to hoover in the corners of rooms?!

nanny certainly don't expect her to "pick up after my family'. Never have, and never will. I would expect her to simply lift up the 4 bath toys that were sitting there and wipe the ledge of the bath. Just like how she moves the coffee table to hoover under it. Is that like expecting her to pick up after my family?

OP posts:

YoureBeingADick · 25/09/2013 20:29

I am a cleaner and I remove all the bath toys when doing the bath. bit of a faff getting them all to sit back up again and stop sliding off the side but that's the job.

the hairs- are you sure she is cleaning the bath?

nokidshere · 25/09/2013 20:31

We clear everything away the night before the cleaner comes. This means that there is never more than a weeks stuff lying around and the cleaner can clean and not waste time tidying.

YoureBeingADick · 25/09/2013 20:33

btw I have some jobs where when I asked if they wanted me to lift the laundry into the utility room (from the floor so I could hoover) they said 'no don't worry about it' so I do have to hoover around the pile of clothes but it's what they want so I just get on with it. be clear with what you want done. not every household expects the same things done so she may be going by what her other houses expect.

Original poster

pleasethanks · 25/09/2013 20:34

youre I can see it is an extra faff to move them, I appreciate that. She could have just left them sitting on the floor tbh, I would not have minded. I do think she is cleaning the bath, but my concern, which I probably should have put in my OP, is that they aren't our hair! She uses her own clothes. I always presumed they were fresh for each house, but now I am wondering! Or actually, they could be her hair now I think about it! But, I am just surprised she wouldn't notice a couple of long hairs in the bath after she cleaned it!

OP posts:

Jellybeanz1 · 25/09/2013 20:35

Ragwort

YoureBeingADick · 25/09/2013 20:40

I use my own cloths aswell but they all go straight into my asda bag (every single one after each use even dusters) and into a 60degree wash when I get home. it's possibly her own hair. what I would suggest is asking her to give the bath a good rinse after washing just to make sure she's getting all the spray/cream off.

TattyDevine · 25/09/2013 20:48

I move everything possible so they are cleaning not tidying (within reason). Even if it means sweeping random stuff into drawers. This includes bath toys. There is a difference between housekeeping and cleaning. Obvs I pay for a certain amount of time (agency) and if I make it unduly difficult they will come back to me. In return though I expect them to do actual cleaning including a gleaming kitchen and glass doors, impeccable floors and bathrooms, etc. Cobwebs. That shit. The rest is our lookout. And I never leave skid marks or piss stains - just a benign looking bathroom that needs a general once-over.

TattyDevine · 25/09/2013 20:49

When I say impeccable, I don't mean white gloves, just not toothpaste or dust on the floor, smears, that kind of stuff. Otherwise I or DH could do it ourselves.

HeadsDownThumbsUp · 25/09/2013 20:56

"Otherwise I or DH could do it ourselves."

You know that you could though. No "otherwise" about it.

TheHouseCleaner · 25/09/2013 21:01

You're paying the cleaner so you make the rules!

Yes of course you should point it out to her, what's the point of having a cleaner if she isn't cleaning properly? Don't feel guilty.

I'd much rather know I was missing something than have one of my clients unhappy with the service I was providing. FWIW my bathroom cleaning covers cleaning out the bath, shower, loo, basins, taps, the china below the sink basin and loo seat/top, mirrors, shower screen, bath panel, towel rail, skirtings, wipe down cupboards and moldings, doors (including handles with antibac), top and sides of bathroom cabinets, windowsills and window frames, a wipe down of tiles and sweep/hoover then mop floors all as standard, on a weekly basis.

I clean for clients as I would clean my own home. There's nothing wrong with "picking up for the family" as long as you allow the time for her to do it. It's not taking the rise or demeaning, it's what you pay her to do.

coraltoes · 25/09/2013 22:04

Not move 4 toys is shit. She should be doing it. I didn't say anything about cutting corners.

Just speak to her or leave a note. I'd also suggest providing own cloths... Wouldn't like someone reusing cloths from another job, just in case this hairs aren't hers either!, yick!

TheArticFunky · 25/09/2013 22:09

What do you mean Headsdown?

The OP doesn't want to/can't clean therefore she is paying someone else to do it. What exactly is the problem?

These threads always go the same way. For some reason some people seem to have a problem with people employing cleaners. I don't get it.

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