To ask what you'd say to my cleaner?

[Cosycottage4]

I got a new cleaner a few weeks ago...she has now been 3 times, and while i gave her the benefit of the doubt initially and hoped she would get a bit better (I pointed out a few things I wanted her to do) I can barely tell that she's been when I get home, the floors are still covered in dust all around the edges, the hob is still grimy etc etc

Particularly as I'm on mat leave, I'd rather just save the money and do it myself, at least until I find someone better. But I HATE confrontation and she is a really nice lady so don't want to say it's because she hasn't done a good job.

What would you do/say in my position?!

Yikes! You need to say something. I cleaned for two families before we moved and would have been mortified if I thought they weren't happy but not saying. It's a bit poor though, you can't pay for a service and not get it. I always left the houses I worked in sparkling. Much tidier and cleaner than mine

Just say your wages have fallen because of mat leave and you'll have to do your own cleaning ( Insert sad face here) and you'll call her when your back at work. (and then just don't call her) If you want to avoid an awkward convo and just get rid of her :-)

Text her 🙊

I'm a cleaner.

Text her quite clearly with what you want doing, what isn't up to standard and how you want it done.

I'd like the floor mopped with x cleaner.
The hob should be cleaned with this and hot water then buffed with a dry towel.

If it doesn't improve text her and give her two weeks notice

Of course she's nice! You're letting her get away with not doing her job properly!

Just call her and say you don't think it's working out.

Or you could just say you can no longer afford a cleaner, but don't get sucked in by her offering a discounted rate, you will be stuck with her then.

If you really don't want to confront her, just tell her you can't afford a cleaner anymore.

I did this when my cleaner was a friend of MIL. She would knock plants over and leave the soil on the (cream) carpets and not even bother cleaning it up. She also used to say she was here until 2pm, when I got home at 12.30 and she was already gone. But still, it wasn't worth the fall out of MIL getting involved. And she would have.

Well, she hasn't done a good job! You're basically paying her to do nothing!

I am rubbish at confrontation so no idea!

If you have clearly told her what you want doing and explained again when it was not done to your standard then simply tell her you no longer require her services and find someone new.

I'm on mat leave, I'd rather just save the money and do it myself

Cosycottage4

You've had to reconsider your finances

Unfortunately you're going to have to manage on your own

I'd blame it on my fussy husband! And be apologetic, but ask if you cAn run through a list of exactly what is done each week including ensuring the hob is sparkling clean, that the corners and skirting boards are hoovered/swept thoroughly etc. X

It is hard to learn this skill. It's tough for me too. But you're letting yourself be walked all over.

If she has keys. Be in when she comes next week. Ask her to borrow your set of keys as you have a visitor over at the weekend. When she's gone, send her a text that the cleaning isn't working out and you don't need her to come back again. You don't need to give a reason. You owe her nothing.

If she doesn't have a key, send her the message now. You say you'd rather do it yourself. So put yourself first and be kind to you.

Mummyoflittledragon

Exactly what I was going to say. She may be nice but she's really no more than an underperforming employee.

Agree with the advice to politely nip it in the bud. Just say you can't afford it if you want to avoid an awkward conversation

Avoiding confrontation might be your main aim OP but it's not going to do her or anyone else any favours.
What'd you do if she wants a reference? Does she get work via an agency?
If she doesn't realise her cleaning's crap, she will continue to work at that level with new clients.
Might not be your problem then, but tbh I'd try to tell her that her work is sloppy and you'll be parting ways.

Totally agree with mummy

Thanks for all your replies!

I think I'm little burned by what happened with my last cleaner...had her for 3.5 years, had a good relationship (or so I thought!) She was generally really good except for a few things (mainly the floor not cleaned properly-grubby socks after only a few hours!) which I mentioned casually a few times ...when I finally got a little more direct about it, she quit!

I don't want a confrontation because she lives close by and will likely bump into her...I guess alluding to money issues is prob best, although I'm sure she will wonder why I was looking for a new cleaner only 3 weeks ago! Gah!

I totally agree that it's not doing her any favours, I just can't bear to have the conversation

She might have cleaned other things you are not noticing, such clean the fridge and dust the tops of pictures and door frames. Maybe write her a list of what needs doing in each room and how frequently.

What sort of floor do you have that is causing a problem to both cleaners? Just wondering, do you have loads of hot water and a good mop & bucket for them to use? I'm not blaming you OP but it seems strange that both cleaners seem incapable of getting the floor clean.

Maybe stay in the house with her the whole time next time.

Be available for her to ask if she's not sure about a particular job. Also leave a specific job list.

You'll get a feel for if this is a miscommunication that can be sorted out or not.

If she doesn't do a decent job with you right there I think a curt 'sorry it's not working out text' - and payment in lieu of notice (short time period so perhaps just a week or two) would be fine. If she does she'd get one more chance from me, but if it slipped back when I wasn't in the house the whole time it'd be game over.

Although tbh this is why I go through an agency it's much much easier to explain issues to the agency and let them manage the cleaner.

I agree though that the cleaner will find it rather strange that you're finances have suddenly changed after only 3 weeks. But I'd still let her go if you're not getting a good service from her. I've been spun a line as it were when someone no longer needed my services, I knew it & she knew it. I'd have much preferred a straight forward we don't need you anymore!

Just wooden floors! The first cleaner would vacuum them properly so they're wouldn't be clumps of dust all around the edges, but wouldn't manage to get the grime off (hence black socks by lunchtime on Saturday after clean on Friday)... this new cleaner doesn't even get the dust up let alone remove the dirt 😫

I am a cleaner, and i'd say that this cleaner needs telling! I always tell my employers to please let me know if there's anything they would like doing, or if they want it done in a particular way or I will ask if the job I am doing is satisfactory. I know I clean well and I don't leave a job until I am satisfied with the results but by asking I feel it saves any awkwardness if there is a problem, luckily that has never been the case for me, I have always had good relationships with employers and would be mortified if I knew they were quietly unhappy with my work.