What to expect from a cleaner

[broodymamma]

Is it too much to expect my cleaner to actually tidy my house. I have 5 kids the eldest being 8. They are very efficient at turning my house upside down. But up till now I have had a cleaner every day for at least 4 hours. If she finds a kids skipping rope say on the kitchen floor she will pick it up and put it on a chair and tuck chair in rather than find the appropriate place to put it. Worst still if she goes to the playroom to tidy and finds feltips with the lids off she will not replace the lids. She will gather the whole lot and toss them into the nearest toybox. She will often be met with a mixture of games of various sorts that have been played with but unfortunately not been put away. She will make no effort to tidy each game into the appropriate box but toss the whole lot in to whichever toy box is nearest. I guess that if this doesn't suit me I should look for a replacement cleaner. but just wondering if I am expecting too much and a replacement wouldn't be any better. I know my kids need to learn to tidy up after themselves and I am working on this.

[Jackiebrambles]

My husband works full time and pairs his own damn socks!

[BoomBoomsCousin]

There isn't a strict line between housekeepers and cleaners. Some housekeepers will basically do all the running a household tasks traditionally taken on by a wife of yesteryear, but others would not expect to clean (though she would manage the cleaner!), taking on a more household management role. Some will do some childcare, some will not. Work out what you need from someone, list it all out and discuss that list with your current cleaner, an agency, or use it to advertise.

A housekeeper needs a bit more brain space for thinking about your home than a cleaner and should be expected to take more responsibility, so may command a higher wage. It will depend on your area and exactly what you want.

[SukeyTakeItOffAgain]

To be honest, I've never understood the issue with pairing socks. If you don't want to do it, don't. If the person doing the laundry does want to do it, it's easy.

[Underthemoonlight]

Yes op I would say a house keeper would cost considerably more than a cleaner given the list of added responsibilities. I would research what is the going price for a house keeper in your area

[EdmundCleverClogs]

A cleaner cleans.

A housekeeper does all household chores outlined to them (cleaning, washing, picking up after a messy hoard of children).

How do you think people in large families without the income for a cleaner/housekeeper manage to tidy up after themselves?

I've worked in housekeeping, it's amazing how people become lazy and disgusting in their habits when they know 'someone's paid to pick up after me/us'. I think you need to work on your family habits before having a chat with your cleaner (because if her job description is just to clean, not tidy, I'd bet my last quid she will quit if you chase her up on this).

[EdmundCleverClogs]

That should say a housekeeper manages all household chores given to them - that would include managing and delegating chores to other staff, though some would do all chores themselves.

[firawla]

Yanbu because if she is throwing things into the wrong boxes then she's actually making things much worse! I would have to say something. I normally pick things up before my cleaner comes but would not be happy if she did this if I had left something. If she didn't know where it went I would rather she called me over and asked me to sort it quickly before doing that room

[Trifleorbust]

firawla: It doesn't seem as though that would be possible, since the OP is at work. Perhaps the cleaner should clean round the mess instead.

[broodymamma]

I have just gone on maternity leave and I guess my nesting instinct has just switched on to full throttle and I want to get the whole house sorted but although the mind is willing my body is just not up to it. When I employed her I didn't make the task list clear but have always given similar tasks from the start. I am guessing if she had a problem with any of the jobs she would have let me know by now. My house isn't tiny but it's not a mansion either, so I think 4 hours a day is plenty of time to keep things organised in fact when I ask her to do the playroom I make a point of telling her she can take as long as she needs. I just think it doesn't come naturally to her to keep things organised. If I have a container 1 for pens one for scissors and one for rulers, if she is tasked with putting away 1 of each item chances are they will end up in the wrong container. Saying this it sounds like I am only criticising her but overall I certainly wouldn't manage without her and am grateful for all that she does do.

[swlondonnanny]

I think you are really looking for a housekeeper / cleaner and need to look for someone new. And be very clear about what you need before you hire someone?

[CaesiumTime]

I just think it doesn't come naturally to her to keep things organised.

That's your problem, OP. If someone is there to help you organise your home and tidy up, they need to be systematic and organised themselves. Otherwise, they make things much much worse as you will never be able to find what you need and your things will be put in all sorts of random places.

[Trifleorbust]

CaesiumTime: True, if that is her job description, but the OP hasn't answered the many people who have asked her what was agreed with her employee.

[CaesiumTime]

When I employed her I didn't make the task list clear but have always given similar tasks from the start. I am guessing if she had a problem with any of the jobs she would have let me know by now.

She did say this.

The OP didn't specify the tasks but she's now realised that her employee isn't great at organising things. She should work with the employee to explain her expectations more clearly now that she's in her employ.

[broodymamma]

Another thing she does that isn't agreeing with my hormones right now is that when she hangs a wash she will often put the kids cloths on adult sized hangers and the adult clothing on kids hangers. I guess when I am paid to do a job I like to give it my all even if it means staying up to 3 in the morning, so maybe this causes me to expect too much from others.

[Trifleorbust]

OP, are you going to answer the question about what job you are actually paying her to do?

[CaesiumTime]

broody but to her using the "wrong" hanger might be still doing the job right, she might not think that it matters one way or the other unless you tell her.

I assume that you are not expecting her to work beyond her contracted hours?

Just make a list of the things that she needs to change and go over them one at a time, it's not difficult. Have you explained to her that you prefer children's clothes on children's hangers?

It just takes a few minutes of explanation and then it's sorted.

[EdmundCleverClogs]

Why is your cleaner hanging out your washing at at? You seem to have zero idea of what a cleaner is mean to do!

You need a housekeeper, or au pair. Or a whole team of staff by the sounds of it....

[SukeyTakeItOffAgain]

OK then, I think you ought to make a very clear list of her duties if they involve more than cleaning. Day to day if necessary.

[takesnoprisoners]

Why do I feel like your tone is probably not helping your case? both with your 'cleaner' and here, on this thread. Seriously though, Sandals and socks??? and your concern is kids clothes on adult hangers?

[gamerchick]

How much are you paying her? I think that you are describing a housekeeper, I've done cleaning and I wasn't there to pick up after anyone much less pair up socks.

If you're paying her over 30 quid an hour you might have a point to your expectations.

[Flanderspigeonmurderer]

When we had cleaners I tidied everything away so they could clean all surfaces and floors. I thought that's what most cleaners did.

[broodymamma]

I am paying her to do the tasks that I would need to do around the house if I didn't work such as clean the kitchen from breakfast hung/iron the laundry feed and dress my 1 year old. This does not include food preparation or bathing the kids. 4 hours a day is surely enough time to keep a house tidy. Saying this I have just discussed this thread with my DH, and he agrees the posters who have commented that we are a lazy bunch.:-)

[gamerchick]

What you're describing is not a cleaner. How much are you paying her?