To ask cleaner not to do the laundry

[Ninefreerangeeggs]

Dh and I employ a cleaner a couple of days a week. I'll call her B. B is an absolutely wonderful girl, trustworthy, hardworking and I am very fond of her. Last week I came home to find the laundry washed and hung up to dry. At first I thought dh had done it but it turned out B had. I was taken aback and a little annoyed as one of the items was hand-wash only but at the same time my heart swelled a little for B who, I have no doubt will have done it to be helpful. As I said she is a star and often goes out and beyond to help around the house. I don't want her to feel she did something wrong by doing the laundry but I'm really not comfortable for it to become a regular thing. Also she doesn't speak English very well and it will be difficult to explain all of this to her.

Ironed socks?! Are you for real, funniest?

funniest are you my sister? I've never come across anyone else who irons socks!

I'm for real / not your sister

It's been a long time since I've done my own laundry! I know we have an iron in the house but no idea where it's kept. Life's too short to do your own housework.

Again though OP, why not have someone do your own laundry? It's better to spend some time explaining (and writing) exactly what you want rather than doing it yourself.

I had an au pair who would iron and fold my newly washed clothes where I left them to take care of over the weekend. It wasn't part of her agreed duties even though it was a huge help but as they contained my underwear and dh's boxers I told her not to bother (perhaps due to her not great English) she continued to do them.
I had to remove all underwear as soon as dry and left her to continue with the clothes

OP I am surprised a cleaner does that as if you pay her hourly, it means she has some time left to complete her hours and does other work?

What is wrong with doing your own housework/laundry?
That sounds really pompous funniest

Jesus, now I've heard it all. I know mumsnet is a hotbed of wannabe-middle-class wankery, but 'Life's too short to do your own housework'?

Get over yourself.

And by the way, my comment referred to the fact that ironing socks is bloody stupid because it makes no difference.

^What is wrong with doing your own housework/laundry?
That sounds really pompous funniest^

It wasn't supposed to sound pompous. The only thing wrong with doing your own housework is there are a million nicer things to do and if you're in a situation like I am, and like it sounds the OP is too, enjoy it. I'm lucky / work hard so that when I finish my paid job, I don't come home and have to hoover, launder, iron or cook therefore I felt I was able to advise NineFreeRangeEggs.

Koala

Aren't you a charmer!

Ironed socks are lovely to put on.

Why don't you employ someone who can speak English?

I bet she speaks better English than half the idiots that born here who can't pronounce their "th's", or t's, or can't string a sentence together.

The issue is that I don't want to upset her/seem like I'm rejecting her work in any way (or for things to get lost in translation as such). She has also, in the past, rearranged my wardrobe so that all dresses hang together on the right, shirts in the middle and trousers on the left...again I was a bit taken aback at the time as I wasn't sure how comfortable I felt about her going through my wardrobe but it did look a lot better and organised than before so I didn't raise it as a concern. I don't actually see her very often as I'm ft and she mostly comes on weekdays when I'm at work. But I leave her little notes of thanks and occasional instructions if there is anything particular that needs doing.

It does take some getting used to nine but once you realise that the seeing your bras or opening your wardrobe is a mundane chore for them and not a gross invasion of privacy you'll enjoy the help you're lucky to have.

My advice stands - write down everything you'd like them to do or not, as the case may be. They'll be able to ask for clarification on anything necessary and you'll be able to relax.

I wouldn't like anyone going through my underwear drawer, it's where I keep my vibrator Can just imagine it being on the draining board when returning from work