AIBU or cleaners?

[Moominmummyzzz]

Background: We have been using a cleaning company to clean our house for the last three years. We had seven different people and all of them (bar one) left the company. The last five months, the owners (age 72, 73) have started doing the job. We employ them to come to the house two hours twice a week (4 hours a week in total). They have also done a deep clean of the house (8 hrs) in April. We pay £12.50 per hour so around £200-225 a month.

DH and I have a toddler and we both work full time. I mainly work night duties. DH and I are really knackered as we have no family nearby to help us. We have someone to help us clean our house for our mental well being.

Since the owners have taken the role, I have noticed the following

• cancelling the job at the last minute (like texting at 12:00 to say they cant come in for 12:00 noon job)
  
• charging us for days they did not turn to work (this happened twice but did not question it for goodwill as we have used them for three years)
  
• last week owner/cleaner was to do a two hour clean but she left after an hour but still charged us for the full two hours.
  

The owner/cleaners were suppose to come yesterday but they didn't turn up. We got this email from her today:

_______________
Dear Moominmummyzzz,

I have given the cleaning of your home considerable thought, and no matter how I try I can no longer contend with the state we find your home in each time we come.

I really do not want to offend you but when we spoke last you asked me to be honest, are efforts are in vane, the constant wiping of the sofa which is covered in dried on food, picking up stuff from the floors, clearing food and cereal bowls, clearing food and various other things.

Putting washing in the baskets picking up toys and various other things from the bath.

My staff and I are not servants having to clear up behind people.

You are a young couple and there is no reason why you cannot pick things up so we are able to clean, you have the capabilities of making your home a well kept and pleasant place to bring your little toddler up in.

Please take all this on board as being constructive. You are really nice people and I have enjoyed knowing you.

I put your key back through the door yesterday I hope you have found it . If I can be of any help please let me know.


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I'm just confused at this. It sounds like we're disgusting pigs but we are just a real tired couple with a small child. AIBU?

[JenLindley]

In that case then they have unrealistic expectations of what a cleaner actually does. Washing dishes, picking up laundry, tidying toys, scraping hardened food is all par for the course and very very mild in terms of mess IME. I don't batt an eyelid as it's just part of what needs done. They arent suited to the job.

[SpecialAgentFreyPie]

What are you talking about Doors?

[Muddledupme]

When we had a cleaner and I found the morning whizz round tidy up took hours we discussed the problem ( as we all got very defensive about who made the mess) and we realised that we needed to do a radical declutter. It took all weekend but by the end of it we had done a couple of dump runs , numerous charity shop drops and organised the house properly. It may not sound much but even stupid things like not having to remove keys, buttons ,receipts,paper clips etc from the built in wine rack made cleaning so much simpler. We also adopted the motto don't put it down put I away and everything in the house had its place and if it didn't it was in the bin.

[Dishevelled09]

Fgs working night shifts I wouldn't wish on my own worst enemy! The cleaners sound like they were going through their client list and decided to cull it rather than employ new staff. I used to have cleaners,work like a demon, chuck everything on the bed, hide stuff in the dishwasher and the oven then magically they'd clean everything far better than I could. My kids were young and cleaning wasn't my best attribute! Find a new cleaner privately and don't dwell on the old cleaners note and don't feel guilty a bit of crusty food. Did you know if they actually spent 4 hours cleaning each week as that sounds a fair bit? Funnily I did try a new cleaner out about a year ago but she spent ages doing everything and moaning as I didn't have the right cloths,a traditional mop just a steam mop..we just didn't get on.

[ExasperatedAlmostAlways]

I had a family member with an illness put on me to come clean (it's not my job but wanted to help) I went and was shocked. plates stacked with food days old. bath filled with toys. Toys everywhere. Clothes all over the place. It was hard work cause I had to spend ages tidying before I could clean. as far as I'm aware a cleaner doesn't do dishes, washing, tidying or general day to day maintaining. They should be able to come in and knuckle down to cleaning.

cleaning the couch, although I don't allow eating on the couch though, is surely part of her job. I get how hard it is though I have three and ,y sh is away months at a time. I think it's just crossed wires. You do say you tidy before she comes. Try a different company or independent cleaner and talk of expectations first to get the right person for your needs.

[SallyMcgally]

I don't think what is described is that terrible. I worked as a cleaner when I was a student and was always having to pick dirty nappies up off the bedroom floor. Bed was never made and everything was everywhere . . .

[SpecialAgentFreyPie]

They left shitty nappies on the floor?! That's really not normal or hygienic!

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Ugh! The nappies are human waste and I thought cleaners working for companies weren't covered under insurance to touch them.

It sounds as if you need new cleaners. I'm sacking mine on Tuesday. She works for a company and the company just can't be bothered with me. She's nice but really bad at cleaning, sits down and chats instead of cleaning. Arrives and the first thing she does is out the kettle on. She's had a 10 minute drive. The ones before her - owners of the company cleaned faster and better working as a pair and tidied toys up for me. I was very cleat that I wanted two cleaners to work together. We have a relatively bit house and we pay for 4 hours a week.

When you get your next cleaners, it's best to ensue they are happy to tidy and clear up, do the dishes etc. I asked mine to change the beds and do the odd bit of tidying. The kitchen was always clear.

And why oh why do cleaners clean the surfaces but not the stuff on top such as the ornaments? Surely they could clean the surface one week and the stuff on top the next? I have vases, a jewellery box, perfume bottles, books etc covered in dust but squeaky clean table tops. Does anyone else have this problem?

[OneEpisode]

For the OP: are you awake all night working, then awake all day with a toddler? Bless you.

[3luckystars]

You would be better off paying a nanny/housekeeper in your home to keep on top of things, you cant go on like this with no sleep.
When we had a cleaner, she cleaned and tidied up the house. In 3 hours, she would clean the bathrooms, change all the bedcovers, hoover and clean all floors and tidy anything that needed to be done.
That was all done 3 hours and I never cleaned before she came. 4 hours every week is a lot and should be plenty of time to keep a house clean.

If all this is true, maybe they have been bad lately because they were trying to get you to dump them, but you were so tired and grateful for the dig out, that you didn't notice!

[JustBoppinAlong]

How rude and unprofessional!

I am a cleaner and houses I clean vary. In many houses we tidy before we clean, but the customer pays for additional time to factor that in. You seem to be doing that so I don't see the problem?

Many customers who have kids will have a rushed morning. So breakfast pots will be left out, toys scattered in the living room and bedrooms, yesterday's and last nights clothes in various places. None of this bothers me! Doesn't take long to have a quick tidy and wipe a few extra surfaces.

The whole point of paying a cleaner is to make life easier for yourself. Some customers even pay for me to put dirty washing into the washer and to hang up clean washing to dry. We change beds and also do some ironing.

Everyone has a different personal life. I would look at other cleaning companies and give them a call. Explain that you need a cleaner who is willing to tidy before cleaning and to wipe surfaces that your child covers in food such a the sofa. Explain you understand you need to book in extra time for this and are happy to do so. Heck I even walk dogs on some cleans!

I don't think YABU at all. No wonder their company didn't work out.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

There was absolutely no need for them to write that - just incredibly rude of them.

If they don't want your business they can just give notice.

My cleaners come twice a week and they tidy, clean and will pick up dirty washing if my children haven't put it in the dirty linen.

However they come twice a week so the house never gets too bad in between and I do try to have loaded the dishwasher and checked all rooms before I leave in the morning.

Just find another cleaner but perhaps get them in more often.

[lanbro]

My cleaner tidies as well as cleaning, we have discussed this and she is more than happy. I come home to a beautifully clean house with a little pile in each room, and she will do dishes, washed and put away, if there are any out. Love my cleaner!

[Afreshstartplease]

Just look for another company op, I don't think anything you have mentioned sounds too awful! No one is frequently leaving a shite in the corner to be picked up or anything!

I always leave bath toys in the bath until they dry!

[MrsCampbellBlack]

There is no way in my 70's I would want to be full time cleaning - done properly it is hard physical work. As others have said they probably just want to wind down the business or only keep clients where all they do is flick a duster round and plump cushions.

[fizzyyes]

It wouldn't phase my cleaner.
She'd have the dishwasher and washing machine on within 10 minutes of arriving.
I do tidy up before she comes because I'd rather pay for cleaning rather than tidying but she says she comes to do whatever jobs need doing.
Find someone new but explain your requirements before she starts.

Also, lots of people would have a messy house with your lifestyle op, don't be too hard on yourself.

[flumpybear]

We 'clear the decks' when our cleaners come so they just clean, not tidy. Have you tried putting a throw in the sofa so you can just wash it!?

[blitheringbuzzards1234]

You say that the owners of this business are getting on a bit. It sounds like they are 'winding down' to make things easier for themselves as they are less energetic now.
Cleaning is a lot easier if you can just get on and clean instead of tidying up first. Maybe they're trying to ditch the more complicated customers and it sounds like it's time to find another company.

[BoGrainger]

It's sounds honest to me. Why are so many offended at the email? The cleaners don't want the job any more and are giving the reasons why.

As for someone not putting their plate away themselves because the cleaner was due You sound very entitled or are only 8 years old.

[Psychomumsucks]

Im sorry, but dried food left on the sofa... for how long? Thats disgusting, if you cant even wipe your sofa after cleaning your child then you are lazy plain and simple, im messy and i have two kids, one with extra care needs so my house is always cluttered, but its not hard to run round and pick things up, i may not work and neither does my partner but we are full time carers and manage to keep a clean dirt free house.

[MrsCampbellBlack]

The email was patronising and not at all helpful or constructive - it was written to make the OP feel rubbish about herself.

In business if you don't want to work with someone you just politely give notice - it wasn't a romantic relationship they didn't need to give reasons.

[Spanielsarecool1]

I don't see the problem, we have a cleaner 3 hours a week and as well as doing a fab clean she folds washing / tidies anything up haven't had time to put away / arranges toiletries and has time to cuddle the dog. This is what you are paying them for. I think as long as they have time and 4 hours should be long enough, clearing out dishes etc part of course!