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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to wonder why everyone has cleaners these days!

648 replies

Storm4star · 20/04/2018 21:49

Ok, please don’t take offence, I say this somewhat in jest. But my goodness how many of you have cleaners?? I have been utterly ripping the pee out of a male colleague at work because he and his wife have a cleaner but I hadn’t realised how common it’s become until I joined MN!

I personally struggle to justify spending my hard earned cash on things I could do myself (also do most of my own decorating and DIY). But have I missed something? Is a cleaner now the new must have?

OP posts:
Lentilbaby · 25/04/2018 09:28

*@LoveManyTrustfew
*
To this end we spent all day Saturday and most of Sunday in the garden with a bottle of wine on ice, reading our books. The teen was in Brighton all day and working all evening.

Sounds heavenly! Smile

Well.....having had my cleaner start this week, all I can think is 'why the hell didn't I do this sooner?!'
She is lovely and far too classy to be rummaging through my dirty washing basket Hmm
So anybody else wishing to laugh at me as a mum on mat leave employing a cleaner, please feel free while I enjoy my family time and start making plans for my new career path I have chosen! Cheers 🥂

SoyDora · 25/04/2018 10:02

This thread has inspired me to re hire a cleaner Grin

Toddlerteaplease · 25/04/2018 10:15

I have one. I hate cleaning. I'm a nurse and I work long shifts. I don't want to spend my days off cleaning. I've got MS as well so I do need to rest on my days off. (That's my excuse anyway)

MyotherUsernameisaPun · 25/04/2018 10:32

Here is my reason why. My husband I work five days a week. We leave the house at 7.30 in the morning and if we are lucky we sometimes get home before 8pm. I often don't leave the office before 10pm. We enjoy our jobs and earn good wages so we are happy to do this. But it makes our weekends precious - it's the only time we have to spend with each other, see family, do the things we love. So the thought of spending a couple of hours of that precious time in hard graft cleaning the house when I can pay £20 a week to have someone do it for me just seems nonsensical.

I totally appreciate that a cleaner is a luxury not everyone can afford, but if you have the money it's just a case of deciding whether your money or your time is more valuable. For me it's the latter, and so I pay a cleaner. And it has been one of the best decisions I've ever made!

LoveManyTrustfew · 25/04/2018 19:43

SoyDora

Do it..

Aroundtheworldandback · 25/04/2018 20:03

I’m not getting why people need to justify having a cleaner? Only on Mumsnet..

happysnappysandwich · 25/04/2018 20:04

Honestly for me I'd rather spend the money on my cleaner than anything else. Working in a stressful job with 3 kids, walking into a shiny clean house is better than any spa day!

coconuttella · 25/04/2018 20:12

lynney

Do you grow your own food? Do you make your own clothes? Did you make your own furniture? If not WHY NOT you lazy slattern! Why should you pay someone to do something you could readily do yourself if only you could be bothered. Just sleep less ffs... you’ll fit it in.

PoorYorick · 25/04/2018 20:17

It's not a moral issue.

SaltyPeanut · 25/04/2018 20:32

I don't think I could trust a stranger to do my cleaning. I'd always be worried I may have pissed them off and have an overactive imagination as to what they might do as retaliation

Also, the way I've heard of some people talking to their cleaners (know a fair few people who do this for a job) I know can imagine there are some houses where the cleaner does the toilet first before doing the kitchen with the same rag. Remember just because something looks cleans does not mean it is clean.

totolouise · 25/04/2018 20:59

DanglyEarOrnaments

Thank you for your reply.

I was just genuinely interested to know what a cleaner in my neck of the woods might cost, as I could do with a helping hand.

However, as a SAH(single)M to a 2 year old, you now have me thinking about potential return to work options, perhaps setting up the agency option (due to health reasons) that you mentioned in an earlier post.

What is the name of the trade association you referred to please?
I can then do a bit of research.

I'm not sure how I pm you-could you advise please?

Teateaandmoretea · 25/04/2018 21:02

Also, the way I've heard of some people talking to their cleaners (know a fair few people who do this for a job)

But most people surely are nice? I've had the same one for years, she's a cleaning machine so I have never ever had any issues. I talk to her like I would a friend/ other mum at the school gates tbh.

Thinkingofausername1 · 25/04/2018 21:02

I'd love a cleaner, I'm trying to get organised so I can get one in. I agree about spending time with people is more important.

TheDowagerCuntess · 25/04/2018 21:33

I know can imagine there are some houses where the cleaner does the toilet first before doing the kitchen with the same rag. Remember just because something looks cleans does not mean it is clean.

Another person with an incredibly low opinion of cleaners.

Of course there will always be the odd rogue saddo - as there is in any profession - but why do you think the vast majority of cleaners are such nasty, vindictive people? Confused

I don't go into work each day, thinking about how I can subvert my employer. Do you?

To be honest, these sorts of posts ^^ come across as nothing more than sour grapes from people who don't have cleaners.

AnothermanicMumday · 25/04/2018 21:45

I have colour coordinated cloths for each room so even if it's been through a 60 degree wash a kitchen cloth wouldn't get used in the bathroom and I clean toilet with toilet paper so no cloths touch the toilet.

I have had some people with dogs employ me as it kills 2 birds with one stone
.. company for the dog/let it out in the garden for a run and a clean house!

flubdub · 25/04/2018 21:57

I do a bit of cleaning on the side, as well as my normal job. The only people I know that have cleaners, are the two families I clean for!
And I live in a very well off area unfortunately I am not one of the lucky ones.

Original poster
Storm4star · 25/04/2018 22:01

Aibu to wonder why this thread is still going? Yes I started it but I think everything that can be said about cleaners has been said in 500+ posts 🤣 p.s. still hasn’t convinced me to get a cleaner! 😝

OP posts:
TheDowagerCuntess · 26/04/2018 01:27

Nobody's trying to convince you Storm - why would anyone care if you prefer to do it yourself? Confused

Eesha · 26/04/2018 07:26

I've personally have never been the tidiest person, and my house was definitely not as clean as it could be. When i first got a cleaner, she almost showed me what my house could really look like! Also it allows me to spend more quality time with my kids for a relatively small amount of money. Op, you might already have a nice tidy place or be a very good cleaner for your own stuff, so then don't bother. My only issue was never getting a really good cleaner who then did everything I now wanted (with my newfound higher standards!).

SoyDora · 26/04/2018 07:46

No one cares if you have a cleaner or not Storm4star!
I’ve just booked a new cleaner to start next week Smile. Can’t wait!

busyboysmum · 26/04/2018 07:50

I know lots of people who have cleaners. Not sure what your point is? They exist so obviously some people do have them. I hate cleaning. They offer a cleaning service..... simple as that.

MyOtherProfile · 26/04/2018 08:07

I did think of this thread yesterday when I came home to a lovely clean house. Thry even plump up the cushions on the sofas and straighten our towels so it all looks neat. For one evening only every week I get to pretend i live in a nice clean tidy house 😁

TheDowagerCuntess · 26/04/2018 08:23

My cleaner can't come tomorrow, as it's school hols and we'll all be home. Gutted, as we have people coming over on Sat, so means more work for DH and me!

Back to normal next week.

Dandellion · 26/04/2018 09:32

I very much doubt anyone lies on their deathbed and thinks 'Phew, at least I always dusted my own skirting boards.'

RolyPolyLilBatFaceGirl · 26/04/2018 09:45

I've just started having a cleaner. And I am at home! Granted I'm working from home but for myself so I do have some spare time. Youngest child is 11 so I don't have particularly young kids either

I have a cleaner as a treat to myself. My priority is my bathrooms and I liked coming back to a clean house that I just need to keep on top of for the week. I only have two hours a week but it's enough for what I want doing