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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think I've been dumped ?

24 replies

Notenoughhoursever · 22/09/2015 13:24

By my cleaner ? She's been coming for a few weeks 2/3 times a week

Really pleasant and very hard working, good price and I thought all was going well.
I've tried to do things like always offer tea/coffee, always made sure bathroom bin was emptied before she came to clean etc etc and I thought it was going really well.

She was meant to come at the weekend but then asked to change the time from 10 till 8 am which tbh is a bit early for us but we got up and waited but she didn't show up.
Couple of hours later she replied that she was unwell and would be out of action for a few weeks and was sorry. I felt bad for her and asked was there anything she needed and wished her well

The next day she was advertising her available cleaning slots on her fb page so I'm assuming she just didn't want to work for us anymore??

I can't work out why?! She was really nice and hard working and no problems that I can think of
I've been dumped by my cleaner haven't I ?

OP posts:
Scremersford · 22/09/2015 13:40

It might be quicker to have a thread about posters who have a good, reliable cleaner! I've never found one that isn't a bit flaky and unreliable, and neither has anyone I know. I do here people talk about some who are almost reverentially, but apparently they are so difficult to get hold of, its like getting an appointment with royalty. I think I'd be too scared to even contact one of these dieties.

Hence I find it easier to do my own cleaning. Less hassle. My last attempt was a recommendation by a friend. Cleaner and her mother turned up. They had agreed to do 4 hours that day, before we went on holiday, as we were doing a home swap with a family from Canada and wanted everything sparkling clean.

They were reluctant to be shown what was necessary from the word go. We just wanted them to concentrate on a deep clean of the bathrooms and kitchen, but after just over 2 hours, I came back to them packing up ready to leave. They were obviously desperate to get away. They were happy enough to be paid for 2 hours, and said they would come back to do the final 2 hours the next day, but I was busy and that wasn't what had been agreed.

Honestly, I just have a normal house and not some house of horrors! They were so desperate to get away though. They phoned back some weeks later saying they were surprised not to have heard from me again, and I just made some excuse.

I've also never found a cleaner that doesn't miss bits. e.g. in the kitchen, under the units.

Londonista123 · 22/09/2015 13:49

Ours is OK so far (fingers crossed) but had a similar situation to OP with predecessor.

For one thing, ask for your keys back pronto! I'd add in the same message that she seems to be advertising on FB for new clients, contrary to what she said about being unwell, so you assume she is no longer interested n working for you.

Original poster
Notenoughhoursever · 22/09/2015 13:54

She didn't have keys I was just always there when she came to clean

It's just shame as she was really good ! Having help 2/3 times a week was making a massive difference

OP posts:
Original poster
Notenoughhoursever · 22/09/2015 13:54

I wish she had just told me the truth though.

OP posts:
UnderTheGreenwoodTree · 22/09/2015 14:02

Oh no - I'd hate that Confused This is why I never employed a cleaner myself - too much stress,i thought, now I'd have to add a fear of rejection to that!

When the dc were little, I had Molly Maids for a while. They were pretty expensive, but they just came and swept through the whole house in a couple of hours, and it was impersonal iyswim.

Original poster
Notenoughhoursever · 22/09/2015 14:12

I've been trying to think what I may have done wrong, I feel quite rejected !
I thought we got on well and she did a superb job but perhaps my house was too messy ? There's often toys lying around and washing etc but I wouldn't ha e thought it was that bad ??

Guess I'll just have to try and find somebody else now !

OP posts:
Wearyheadedlady · 22/09/2015 14:18

It could just be that she prefers it when the owners are out and she can get on with it alone?

It could be anything really, and if she's got enough people asking her to work then she can be choosy. I wouldn't take it personally.

Bottlecap · 22/09/2015 14:18

You can't lose anything by just asking her what's going on with her FB advertisements.

I would hate, hate, hate to have a cleaner on the weekends - much less at 8am. Maybe she normally cleans empty houses?

Original poster
Notenoughhoursever · 22/09/2015 15:12

I wondered about the empty house thing too.... Had bad experiences with cleaners in the past so vowed to myself in future to always be in and not give a key till I was 100% sure about trust . Maybe I was too overbearing?

OP posts:
Wearyheadedlady · 22/09/2015 15:21

no I doubt you were overbearing

she could a) prefer to work in quiet or with music on

b) spend half the time on the phone and half the time cleaning

and its not your fault.

DiamondoInTheSky · 22/09/2015 15:23

I would comment on the FB posts!

Bottlecap · 22/09/2015 15:45

It's not your fault, but maybe she normally gets jobs through people who know other people so she goes in with a certain level of trust. It's not the easiest job and I would feel really uncomfortable if it were obvious that my employer didn't trust me.

I think you'll find that the best cleaners get jobs through word of mouth, they keep their clients for a long time, and they work in an empty house.

Topaz25 · 22/09/2015 16:04

It's not your fault. TBH you sound completely lovely. She has behaved inappropriately, moving the scheduled time so you have to get up early and then not turning up then feigning illness to get out of cleaning for you while still advertising for other clients. And you are trying to work out what you did wrong! Bless you! I'd be seething.

LunchpackOfNotreDame · 22/09/2015 16:12

To the pp two cleaners cleaning for two hours is 4 hours payment. They're doing two hours each

squatcher · 22/09/2015 16:20

It'll be because she prefers to work in an empty house, probably with the radio/TV on. I spoke to my cleaner about this and she said she finds it really hard to work in silence, which she generally has to if the owner is at home. I work from home so am always here when she is but I just shut myself away in my office after making a cup of tea and brief chat with her - so she can play her music and just get on with it.

beardsrock · 22/09/2015 16:39

I reckon it was the fact that you were in the house.

If I was a cleaner I would hate it if the client was in the house.

There is a huge market for cleaners which doesn't seem to be being exploited - everyone I know is desperate for a cleaner!

Casimir · 22/09/2015 16:39

Pay her more

50shadesofmeh · 22/09/2015 16:45

id comment something passive aggressive on the Facebook posts but I'm a goady fucker.

NeedAScarfForMyGiraffe · 22/09/2015 16:53

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LookAtAllThesePhucksIGive · 22/09/2015 16:59

Agree with lunch. 2 cleaners. 2 hours. 4 hours pay. I used to clean with my friend sometimes to help her out. One time the woman came back early. We'd done everything she was paid to do. We stayed 3 hours instead of 4. She kicked off and accused my friend of effectively stealing. Hmm even her husband had to step in and tell her not to be so ridiculous and that she got a good deal out of us and that we had every right to charge for 6 hours. Her face was a picture when he said that. :o

LookAtAllThesePhucksIGive · 22/09/2015 17:02

Oh yeah please vacate the house. Nowt worse than the owner being around. Even if they say they won't be in your way they usually are.

Original poster
Notenoughhoursever · 22/09/2015 17:07

If it was the money is have hoped she would have just told me! Tbh I'd have happily paid a bit more as she did an amazing job
She set the price though £8ph which I agreed to so I doubt it's money ? Expect I'll never know

OP posts:
tywinlannister · 22/09/2015 17:32

My DM ran a cleaning company for years and had many repeat clients. I used to go with her when cleaners let her down and we had to do it, and she'd get let down about 3/4 times a week! The only reliable ones are people she knew who were looking for extra cash. Is there anyone you know who would be happy to do it for you? Someone not particularly close but who comes with a friends recommendation? That way you can trust them a bit more from the start.

suzannecaravan · 22/09/2015 18:14

I have worked as a cleaner and it is much easier ime to get on with the job if the house is empty, you can relax and focus on what you are doing.
With the occupants there I always felt a bit self conscious and awkward about taking charge of someone else's housework.

Of course I appreciate that you wouldn't want to leave a stranger alone in your house so it is tricky! ?

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