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?!

If you are on ML can you be at home when she comes so that you can emphasise which bits are most important to you?

I had this exact same position.

I told her my situation had changed and we were no longer in a financial position to continue. Saves embarrassment!!

I'd be specific about what you want her to do. Talk her through it and give her a list.

So, regarding the floors, you want them hoovered including the skirting boards. Then cleaned with x floor cleaner and steam mop/mop. etc etc.

If she doesn't do it then you should look for someone who meets your requirements.

I took some pictures of the worst clumps of dust and let the computer scroll through them in front of her. All I had to say was " Oh I didnt mean you to see that but it could be better." Little laugh.

Ha Lucy, that's what I did with the old cleaner that quit...took pic of black floor wipe and sent it to her with polite, 'so sorry to be picky' message... but scared to try that again for fear of another hideous confrontation!

I guess I could try staying in to give her feedback and give her another chance, I just worry that there's so much not right, I'd be following her round wagging my finger all morning!

I wouldn't cosy I would part ways now. Good cleaners are hard to find, I know I need them all the time as I have a growing cleaning business, but bad cleaners are ten a penny unfortunately.

I would get rid now in any way that suits you and try another one - you have to kiss a lot of frogs and all that ...

Some people just want the money and not the actual work!

Just say you can't afford her after all, that you will keep her in mind if you are able to have a cleaner in future. She's cleaning to her standards and ability - if you have already pointed out things because they weren't being done to your satisfaction, either she does not listen to you, doesn't care or genuinely believes she is doing it right.

Then make alternative arrangements. If the next cleaner is just as bad, chances are that you are being unreasonable in your expectations of what a cleaner should do for the money you spend. If they're better, all well and good.

I know it's not what the thread is about but I can't believe anyone leaves their own hob grimy. You don't clean it after cooking? And black socks means the floor was pretty disgusting to start with. Even if it hadn't been cleaned at all by the cleaner black socks indicate the house is pretty grotty so maybe she just can't get it clean in the time.

Snatched you make a good point.

Occasionally a client will have unrealistic expectations of what a cleaner can achieve in relation to how much he/she priced the job.

On occasion, we have priced a job at our usual rate and then the scope of the work has far exceeded what would normally be the case in similar circumstances elsewhere.

In these cases we need to cut our losses and run as the job simply won't be viable to continue.

There are two sides to every story.

There are a fair few bad cleaners out there though.