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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect a cleaner to empty bins.

56 replies

Skinnyboneylittlepony · 22/04/2018 08:44

We have a new cleaner and after she left the bathroom bin and waste paper baskets are still full. Surely this is a normal part of cleaning, to take out the bins?

OP posts:
He11y · 22/04/2018 16:04

I only know one cleaner who doesn’t empty bins and she’s self employed. I’ve worked for two cleaning companies and both expect cleaners to empty bins. Every other self employed cleaner I know also does them. Likewise, if I employed a cleaner, I’d expect them to empty bins.

A cleaner not emptying and cleaning bins seems completely bonkers to me!

You need to ask her.

He11y · 22/04/2018 16:06

Crap cleaners are easily replaced. Good cleaners can pick and choose jobs.

RoomOfRequirement · 22/04/2018 16:14

What horrible people in this thread Hmm

MsVestibule · 22/04/2018 16:15

Asking is emptying bins a part of your service, because I would like that done if at all possible is probably the best piece of advice you've received!

Why so many threads on failing cleaners lately? If you're employing somebody to provide a service and they're not providing the service you need, you politely ask them if they can do so. It really is that simple.

toldmywrath · 22/04/2018 16:21

RoomOfRequirement

What horrible people in this thread yes there are a few.

toldmywrath · 22/04/2018 16:22

I didn't mean you by the way Blush

theymademejoin · 22/04/2018 16:29

I don't really get the horror at emptying bins. If there's a bag in them, you just take the bag out and tie it. If there isn't, you just turn the bin upside down over the bag/bin you're emptying it into and it all falls out.

We usually empty the bins before cleaner arrives but if we forget, she does it. No biggie.

AngryGinger · 22/04/2018 16:48

Did you ask her to empty the bins? I’ve never hired a cleaner so I don’t know the exact protocol but most people are told what do do in their job, cleaner or not.

As an aside, the amount of derision for cleaners here is appalling. You can’t simultaneously need cleaners and have no respect for their work, surely!

DanglyEarOrnaments · 22/04/2018 17:44

hired hands to do as told. Ten a penny

I assume that was sarcasm aimed at the poster above. Self-employed cleaners are running a service that they manage themselves, and they get to decide where their own service starts and ends. The client gets to decide if the service matches their needs or not.

Cleaners across the UK are always in demand and most carry a waiting list.

We currently have 13 staff with us, and despite us needing to charge premium rates, we always struggle to find enough people to hire and train in time to meet demand for service. It is what slows down our business growth. Clients are easy to find but not good professional cleaners. Some people we try out can never be trained to be great cleaners as they just don't get the skill set required to deliver a good professional cleaning service which represents us correctly. Some however are brilliant at it.

Great cleaners have always been and will always be in demand and can name their price within reason - at least that is how it has always been since I've been in the industry for the past 21 years now. They can also set their service level to whatever they'd like it to offer. As long as everyone knows what is on offer from the start then all's fair to both parties.

FleurDelacoeur · 22/04/2018 17:52

My cleaner doesn't take out the bins.

The bins are round the back of the house, the back door is locked. She doesn't go rummaging in the cupboards so wouldn't know where the key is. I'm sure though if I asked her to, she would.

WhiteFreesias · 22/04/2018 17:54

Nope. I wouldn't expect this.
In any case I don't have a bathroom bin and won't be getting one

Mrsramsayscat · 22/04/2018 18:03

Rosie, that's a horrible comment. It is a contract, verbal or otherwise. Gratitude has nothing to do with it. It isn't the 19th century. I have a cleaner, and I think we're both grateful.

OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny · 22/04/2018 18:10

Our cleaners at work empty bins but that is because when they are shown the job that's one of the things they are asked to do.

All you have to do is ask her to do it rather than presume she will.

seventh · 22/04/2018 18:20

Agree with @OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny

jkl0311 · 22/04/2018 19:00

@DanglyEarOrnaments do you refer to my above post?
No doubt you get to work tomorrow morning and know exactly what to do .....

DanglyEarOrnaments · 22/04/2018 19:37

jk

Well yes of course I know what to do I am the managing director, I am working on the accounts right now and also know what we all must do tomorrow, it is all scheduled in advance. if I didn't know what to do each day i would not still own this business. or be able to perform my other rolse within the domestic cleaning industry.

Not sure what you mean? If you could clarify?

DanglyEarOrnaments · 22/04/2018 19:39

Did you mean what our cleaning staff are scheduled to do?

I am genuinely confused that you think we all do not know what is booked for tomorrow by now! Confused

jkl0311 · 22/04/2018 19:43

@DanglyEarOrnaments no my original post to the OP was that the cleaner is not to blame, you need to write down for her exactly what you need doing as how is she supposed to know? The person that agreed with me was hopefully not being sarcastic about my post!!

clyde5591 · 22/04/2018 19:52

Re: cleaner

Do you re-cycle? As a new cleaner it can be confusing to know what clients wish to either dump/re-cycle etc.
If you do not have specific instructions its best to leave.

Just mention on next visit 'please empty all bins' that should clear up the issue.

DanglyEarOrnaments · 22/04/2018 19:54

Oh I see! Sorry if I got you wrong, but she/he mentioned that cleaners are 'hired help and ten a penny' - I know that is not what you wrote and was someone else but surely this cannot be a modern day view of someone starting out a cleaning business? This why I assumed her to be responding to someone else and not serious in this view - this is 2018 and not victorian times when cleaners were 'staff'. Cleaning is now big business in this country.

peanutbutter310 · 22/04/2018 19:56

Mine didn't as standard when they started, but I asked and they were happy to.

DanglyEarOrnaments · 22/04/2018 20:04

clyde our company's policy on this issue is that' we will take out any rubbish but, because we cover a wide service area across a county, we may not be able to understand the recycling bins which vary from one area to another. We may help with this as a kindness if we can but feel fee to send us instructions as to which bins are which and we will add these to clients' notes so that any cleaner that attends will be able to help with recycling too is this is helpful'.

We also make it clear within terms that part of our service is to remove all rubbish within a bin bag (which we supply and replace each time) but any rubbish not within bin bags in not to be handled by our staff for reasons of health and safety.

EasterRobin · 22/04/2018 20:05

Mine didn't originally but does now I've asked.

SauvignonBlanche · 22/04/2018 20:10

I empty all mine, apart from the kitchen bin the night before she comes, I hate her emptying the bathroom bin and teenage DD’s, as she’s skanky!

She also does squash the recycling as well as I do so I’d rather do it myself. She does the kitchen bin.

donajimena · 22/04/2018 20:11

I'm a cleaner and I do empty bins. However I tell my cleaner not to because she doesn't recycle properly. I'm very precious about my recycling Wink
To the person who said we should be grateful... I'm a cleaner yet I employ one to work in my home. I'm very grateful for her service.