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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think how can people live like this?!

81 replies

AnotherManicMumday · 03/08/2018 14:19

I'm a cleaner and understand people's houses are going to be a certain level of messy/dirty else they wouldn't need a cleaner but some are just vile!
One family went away for 2 weeks and their fridge was left with opened milk, very very out of date food in the fridge, bins all over flowing. I wasn't going in until they'd been away for over a week so its not like they thought it would only be there for a day or 2 until I went in. I don't do their fridge normally and it was only that I had bought them fresh milk for coming home that I saw it all and got rid of a whole binbag of stuff.
Another family have gone away. Been gone a week. I went in yesterday and the smell knocked me sick.... They'd not flushed either of their 2 toilets after using them so it's been left stewing. There was meat in the fridge and again opened milk. There was spilt cereal that's had milk on it all over the settee. I get that people have busy lives but there is just no need for certain things to be left! Their kids never pick up after themselves including food wrappers/yoghurt pots and this standard of living just seems to be becoming the norm 🤢

OP posts:
crosstalk · 03/08/2018 14:30

OP that sounds utterly disgusting. If you have the choice of other jobs or find them too repellent to work for whatever the financial cost, then I would let them know why you're leaving - and at least speak to them about it very firmly anyway. I thought everyone cleared up so cleaners could actually clean, but clearly I was wrong - and not flushing a loo is noxious. Some people are the pits and are clearly bringing their children up to be likewise.

TopShagger · 03/08/2018 14:31

Ha. My mother is a cleaner, and until a few years ago was head cleaner at a holiday park/caravan park. She used to regale us with delightful reports of...

Turds under the pillows
Vomit in the kettle
A full nappy in the oven

Oh and most memorable one (as if those aren't bad enough) was actual shit in the cutlery drawer.

I do not envy you.

BasicUsername · 03/08/2018 14:34

I have no idea how anyone could live like that.

The things you describe aren't part of your job, surely?

I am not a cleaner by trade, nor have I ever employed a cleaner, but I would imagine that your job is to do specific cleaning tasks in the home, hoovering, dusting, mopping, etc.

Not cleaning up someone's spilled cereal, or flushing their waste.

Do you often do extra things than what you have agreed to do for these families?

Original poster
AnotherManicMumday · 03/08/2018 14:42

Omg @TopShagger your poor mum!
I do do more than the average cleaner as I like to think people can come home and relax thanks to me so guess some bits are my own fault but not flushing the loo or cleaning out fridge is just inexcusable! I've just started 2 new ones that are lovely and tidy clutter away before I come so going to see how they go and hand my notice in at the really bad ones. I still feel sick from the smell. It shocks me how some people live and let their kids live. I know I'm a bit extreme when I go on holiday as I mop the floor on the way out, clean fridge out, empty all bins, put bleach down toilet etc but wouldn't want the pet sitters walking into a mess!

OP posts:
crosstalk · 03/08/2018 14:48

OP please please please let the really bad ones know why you're giving notice. If only there were a way to blackball them to stop future cleaners suffering ....

Mrskeats · 03/08/2018 14:52

I tutor in a filthy house. It’s like one of those on Kim and Aggie. I’m going to have to stop going. I can’t concentrate there. Poor kids living there.

CrazyDogLady87 · 03/08/2018 14:52

I do not envy you OP

I have never hired a cleaner or been one, but if I was I would have a set task list, and those chores you described would not be on it! I assumed cleaners did the basics vacuum, polishing, mopping maybe ironing if it is an agreed chore. I have for large duel coated dogs and an 11-year-old son, DH and I both work (I am also doing a university degree in spare time) and I rarely have time to clean as much as I want to but my house is never dirty and or mess, it rarely has dog hair everywhere....that's not to say there is never dog hair, they are Akitas, there is bound to be, and quite often there is normally a few dishes on the side (1/2 cups and a plate or the dogs bowls) , I couldn't imagine living like that,

you are absolutely NOT being unreasonable if it is not in your description to empty the fridge and clean toilets, simply don't do it unless they draw up a new contract reflecting the new task with pay to supplement the extra work

DownAtFraggleRock · 03/08/2018 14:54

I once went away for a week and accidentally left an unflushed loo I blame DH

it was a truly disgusting thing to come home to. Soon as I opened the front door I could smell it.

Totally anal about making sure they are clean and clear ever since.

Rebecca36 · 03/08/2018 14:56

Sounds a bit like my son's home - sometimes. He lives on his own and travels a lot for work. Has a big clear up once in a while but seems oblivious the rest of the time.

I think there are special rates for cleaners to do a 'dirty job' or a 'spring clean'. On the other hand you don't have to clean for these people, there are plenty who have reasonable standards who would be glad of a cleaner.

BigbreastsBiggerbeard · 03/08/2018 15:00

I'm about to have cleaners in (started a thread about it) but OMG, no way is my place in that kind of state. I feel a bit better about letting them in now Smile. I don't even have out of date food in the fridge and I'm ruthless about getting rid of it....

crunchymint · 03/08/2018 15:00

A friend cleaned for a couple where the woman used to leave used sanitary towels lying around in her bedroom.

Blobby10 · 03/08/2018 15:03

I am considering a cleaner but would expect that I leave the house tidy and fairly respectable so the cleaner could just, well, clean!

Can't believe those families! eeeuuggghh

PaddysMarket · 03/08/2018 15:03

I hear you OP, I'm a cleaner and only last week I went to my usual friday house to find a note telling me they are on holiday followed by a list of "if you have time could you do these jobs". I looked around and thought how could anyone go away and leave this mess. I'm beginning to think I need to stop being a "yes" person as I feel some houses are piling more and more tasks on to me.

Doobigetta · 03/08/2018 15:05

I'm sorry, but you have absolutely no business judging or commenting. They may well be vile filthy pigs, but they've trusted you to be alone in their home, and you are supposed to be a professional. Would you expect a teacher to say she can't believe how thick some of her pupils are? Or a doctor to comment on fat patients? I've seen both of those absolutely excoriated on here. Just because you aren't as highly paid as them, doesn't give you a free pass to be unprofessional and rude about your clients. If any of them saw your comments they'd be entirely within their rights to dismiss you and give you a shit review.

Beeziekn33ze · 03/08/2018 15:08

Topshagger - I can add to your mum's list a pillow rammed into the loo in one chalet with evidence of a stomach upset underneath it.

AmotherManicMumday - you make me feel better about my house which has far too many books and paper around - but the fridge, loo and bathroom are fine. I think I'll go and sort some piles of paper ...

LoveInTokyo · 03/08/2018 15:13

Turds under the pillows
Vomit in the kettle
A full nappy in the oven

Oh and most memorable one (as if those aren't bad enough) was actual shit in the cutlery drawer.

Erm... what the actual fuck ???

BrutusMcDogface · 03/08/2018 15:14

I agree with Doobigetta.

ProfessorMoody · 03/08/2018 15:14

Just because you aren't as highly paid as them, doesn't give you a free pass to be unprofessional

Eh? What on earth does pay have to do with it?

crunchymint · 03/08/2018 15:15

Oh come on cleaners are not professionals. Not being snobby, I have been a cleaner.

BrutusMcDogface · 03/08/2018 15:15

Yes, the bit about the pay is a bit dodgy, but I agree with the first paragraph!

BrutusMcDogface · 03/08/2018 15:16

Agh, not paragraph. First bit.

TopShagger · 03/08/2018 15:17

Yeah, as one of the (or perhaps, the) cheapest holiday parks in the country, perhaps it didn't attract the best of guests.

Thing is, I know she wasn't exaggerating because one summer her car was off the road for a good few weeks (while I took my sweet time fixing it) so I was giving her a lift to and from work. I was invited to see the cutlery drawer. Corn on the cob hasn't been he same since.

crunchymint · 03/08/2018 15:18

Cleaners should be trustworthy, but you are unrealistic if you expect them not to judge you.

BrutusMcDogface · 03/08/2018 15:18

🤢

stayathomer · 03/08/2018 15:23

I'm sure it's horrible but have to say I can kind of understand some of it if people are running late and have kids and are heading off on their holiday? I'd be mid spectrum in terms of cleanliness if you pit me against the cleanest people about then I'm not there but I clean out fridge, clean bathroom regularly, tidy, sweep, mop, hoover, change sheets etc, but I can understand running out of a house to get somewhere and leaving e.g. cereal out or the like. I know it's not great but tbh TopShagger 's stuff that her mother had to deal with? That's make! Maybe cut them a bit of slack?