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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To tell my cleaner to put things back where she found them?

27 replies

quesshoe · 09/11/2018 12:27

This is a real 1st world non issue.

I rent a serviced bedroom in the city for work. The building as a whole has a team of cleaners, and I often chat to mine when I see her. Lovely lady.

There is a sink in my room. A few times a week, it is within her duties to clean it.

Being a sink, I obviously have things like handsoap, toothpaste, mouthwash, around the sides. I may put a drinking glass in the sink to wash myself when I get back from the office.

The cleaner picks up all of this stuff, and puts it on the floor benneath the sink. Cleans the sink. Great, I get that it’s in the way of completely
cleaning. But, she then leaves all my things on the floor.

Am I being unreasonable to somehow politely ask her to put the things back where she finds them?

OP posts:
AjasLipstick · 09/11/2018 12:38

It's odd of her to leave it all on the floor but it's also a bit odd of you to clutter it up like that.

IAmRubbishAtDIY · 09/11/2018 12:46

If I was that cleaner I think it would really annoy me, her job is more like a chambermaid than your personal cleaner, and if you were having an extended stay ie longer than 2ish days, I would only expect her to clean around your stuff, not under it.

LagerthaTheShieldMaiden · 09/11/2018 12:48

If I was that cleaner then I would think that if I put your stuff back into the sink then I could be accused of not having cleaned the sink! I think she is trying to do the right thing and so YABU.

drivingmisspotty · 09/11/2018 12:51

I agree it is odd for her not to put it back. Maybe she is letting the sink dry out? Or she is massively pushed for time? Maybe she finds it demeaning as the person above said (I have a cleaner and she offered to tidy/move stuff/wash up when she started so I know she doesn’t mind but I still do it because I prefer not to waste her time with that).

I’d probably ask her if they are in her way. And if so maybe you could get a little basket/Tupperware thing to put your stuff in the day she cleans? Tbh I wouldn’t fancy my toothpaste sitting on the floor all day. Probably illogically since I guess she has just cleaned the floor too!

LongWalkShortPlank · 09/11/2018 12:54

Sounds like you just need a basket or something to keep your things in, by the sink.

Nothisispatrick · 09/11/2018 12:55

It’s not odd to have your mouthwash and toothpaste by the bathroom sink Confused

Original poster
quesshoe · 09/11/2018 12:55

Good point about her wanting me to know she’s cleaned the sink.

I don’t have a basket as there isn’t a great deal of space. There is no shelving, but I do have a tooth brush holder/pot.

OP posts:
Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 09/11/2018 12:59

As a cleaner I pick things up to clean around and underneath them. I leave them there for people to put back when I’m done. It means I don’t waste time putting things back and more time for cleaning.
It is weird but I imagine she is leaving them there as she won’t put the back until the surface she has cleaned is dry. But then never ones back.

I personally wouldn’t leave stuff like that on the floor but that’s me

TheMobileSiteMadeMeSignup · 09/11/2018 13:00

She puts it on the floor?! Ewwwww!!!!

But stop leaving the glass in the sink. Can you keep stuff in a little box that could be lifted and replaced more easily.

Dontgiveamonkeys1350 · 09/11/2018 13:00

It can make rings on surfaces if u put wet stuff back. I would mention it to her.

IStandWithPosie · 09/11/2018 13:00

Very weird. Everything should go back exactly where it was. Although I (cleaner) would wash the glass for you and leave it on the side.

SushiMonster · 09/11/2018 13:13

I have a piece of stiff waterproof material that makes a shallow tray with four poppers - take that with me when traveling for work then my 'stuff' can go in there and is easily cleaned around/under.

Always feel bad for cleaners having to move my toiletries to clean.

SushiMonster · 09/11/2018 13:13

But yeah leaving it on the floor is wrong

DaysOfCurlySpencer · 09/11/2018 13:16

If I am not in my own home I keep my stuff in a see through zip up bag on the door, you can get them with sections so that things stay upright.

Bottles and jars neatly in a cosmetic bag or a little basket in the bedroom, usually near the mirror. Keeps it tidy and out of the way of cleaners. I also used to do this at home as it was easier to keep things clean a and dust free, plus I don't like having bottles and things on show. Can also grab it all to move to another room.

myfatarse · 09/11/2018 13:18

I put make on infront of my window and all the stuff i need is on the windowsill - so rather than our cleaner having to move all the bits to clean then put back, on the day she comes i put all the bits in a little basket and leave on the windowsill so it's easier for her then i put back at leisure

Ginkythefangedhellpigofdoom · 09/11/2018 13:19

It's not the cleaner you should be talking to it's the owner of the serviced room to get a shelf put up.

I see your point about having nowhere else in the bathroom to put your things but as an ex chambermaid/hotel cleaner, it's quite annoying having lots of things to move then put back after, we got a very small amount of time to clean and didn't get paid more than the hours we were contracted for, if the rooms took longer, tough!
I know that's not your problem and might not be true of this establishment obviously.

AjasLipstick · 09/11/2018 13:21

Get a soap bag and put everything in there. Or a cheap basket.

SushiMonster · 09/11/2018 13:23

The thing I have is called a "travel valet tray" but I can only see leather or felt ones online not a nice waterproof one like mine

Tinty · 09/11/2018 13:28

Being a sink, I obviously have things like handsoap, toothpaste, mouthwash, around the sides. I may put a drinking glass in the sink to wash myself when I get back from the office.

You wouldn't be unreasonable to ask her but wouldn't it be easier if you just got a small box/tray and moved those things onto it on the day when the cleaner is coming, then she could clean easily.

When I clean my bathroom sink I take everything off and put it back after, but it is a pain in the bum., You have to move all those items and then put wipe them and put them back. Which takes as long as cleaning the sink. As PP have said they get a set time to clean a room if it takes longer it is tough.

Jux · 09/11/2018 13:32

Is there room for a tiny stool which can live under the sink and on which you can have a small box for your stuff? Under the sink to one side? You might even find one with a storage compartment.

GhostCurry · 09/11/2018 13:36

YANBU op, I wouldn’t like that either

DerelictWreck · 09/11/2018 13:39

I may put a drinking glass in the sink to wash myself when I get back from the office

Can we please have some more information about this?!

Is it some sort of beaker for dipping things into....

CurcubitaPepo · 09/11/2018 14:23

Yonks ago as a student I did some cleaning work and I made a point of putting things back exactly as I found them.

My client then thought I hadn’t done my job and hadn’t moved them to clean around.

PigletJohn · 09/11/2018 15:22

save up for a shelf.

MatildaTheCat · 09/11/2018 15:30

Buy a non residue sticky hook to hang a wash bag on? The type that is designed to hang.

But YANBU, my cleaner moves all my dressing table items each week and lines them all up. Each week I wonder why and move it back into position. Only about 5 items. She puts everything else back in other rooms. Weird.