Do cleaners actually do cleaning?

[getmeacupoftea]

Probably a bit of a click bait title, sorry. Looking at the absolute state of my house last week I felt a bit overwhelmed with it all (amongst other things)so I thought I would treat myself to a domestic cleaner today. God I sound middle class 🤣🤣

I've never had one before, so I'm not sure whether it's a general deep clean they do, (like dusting, polishing, etc,) or if they do tidying as such? Like putting away things, making beds. I would be so embarrassed if this lady turned up thought I'd left it in a shit state for her, but on the flipside, it's an expensive ish company I've gone for so would like to feel like I've got my money's worth.

Any ideas? Thankyou

Who has a house that untidy that a cleaner would have to move things or tidy first?

People with kids, I'd wager! Also people who use dishes etc during the day. Not everyone has a dishwasher or washes up after each meal

Who has a house that untidy that a cleaner would have to move things or tidy first?

Who has a house that untidy that a cleaner would have to move things or tidy first?

Surely most people have to move stuff first before they can clean? I don't think our house is that cluttered, but I would still have to move stuff off the surfaces before cleaning.

example: My bedside table day to day will usually have reading glasses, kindle, drinking glass, they all get tidied up before cleaner arrives.
I baked this morning, I would make sure all pots and pans used were off the kitchen side if cleaner came this afternoon. (they are already washed just on drainer)
Hallway has some muddy wellingtons from use this am, plus cardboard from parcels to taken to recycling, I would have tidied these away already if cleaner due (instead i am just going to take to the garage when i go out shortly)

In reply to @bountylisa,

Me! I'm that person! I have 2 under 3, work in the evenings, and I'm depressed. Woo!
Sometimes I dont want to spend what little free time I have tidying or I'm just feeling shit and dont have the energy to clean. The cleaner is a God send. I did have a little spruce up for her before she came. Thanks for the shaming though!

@getmeacupoftea Don't feel shamed! My cleaner comes on a Wednesday when we're at work and school. For approx 15 mins on a weds evening I have a show home. By Thursday evening every room is a disaster - 2 primary schoolers and 2 full time working parents, life is just a bit messy.

I’ve used four cleaners. Two cleaned and tidied and house sparkled.

The other two took my money and moved some dirt around but didn’t really clean. One actually left muddy paw prints on the lounge floor?

@bountylisa

Well done
Have a gold star

One actually left muddy paw prints on the lounge floor?

One of the downsides of hiring a dog to Ben your cleaner. Very good at emptying the bins though.

Ours does whatever we need doing and what she can fit it the time available. Initially she did a room at a time deep clean and now it's just a quick clean (cos it's so much cleaner) and she also puts a couple of loads of washing on and does the ironing in the fixed price of £12 an hour (she set the price). We have her two half days a week which is probably overkill but the house is both clean and tidy. She also attends BBQs and kids school events because she has grown to be a close friend. I guess we are lucky.

My cleaner puts toys away, any clothes that are drying on radiators etc and generally just straightens things up. After that she entirely cleans my 2 bed semi although I do my own beds usually. Generally when they first start they do a deep clean so I paid for an extra session the first week but it's not a prerequisite. Just be clear with her about what you want as everyone is different

How do cleaners tidy and put stuff away? How do they know where it all goes?

I am a tidy person, but I expect my cleaner to tidy, clean, and iron. She also cleans and tidies the pavement in the front of the house. Essentially, she does everything I ask her to do.

I generally do what's asked. Few examples:
One client asks me to just do kitchen. I put dishes away and clean out cupboards.
At most places I dont tidy. Just general clean.

That's a light clean or known as superficial no way deep clean as needs steamers hun! Light clean means clear up round the mess..so keeping on top off it ....not fridges...freezers moving stuff to actually clean...plus a no no..mainly due to ppl ripping of cleaning companies with the cleaner broke it! I ain't middle class but I hate ..yep the word hate came out... ironing...I used to pay my mum to do my ironing as totally useless...but with OCD I am cleaning mad..can't say I love it but like being clean and making stuff clean..tidy...all places get untidy hun...so make a cleaning 'dump zone' or box...or tray for each room shove stuff in and do that once a week...filing letters...putting bits away...or keep out of sight...no one is country homes magazine worthy (truly I know) ...if you have kids .. husband of partners they come with 'bits' so design with you I mind what the eye don't see...the heart won't grieve for but keep your work surface spotless! Get the cleaner to keep on top of it ..win win x prosecco anyone?

Great person x

I have been a cleaner for many years, when I start in a new house I normally do a deep clean in kitchen and bathrooms literally strip the rooms from top to bottom then it's easier for client to surface clean in between visits. Its advisable to at least tidy some stuff away so your cleaner can do what you dont have time to do otherwise shes just tidying not cleaning. Also I keep a book at each house where we can communicate with each other ie if they have guests arriving I'll clean the guest room. Over a period of time your cleaner will know what is needed that week, hope this makes sense seems to work with my ladies and I've worked for some over 15 years 😊

I’ve just got a cleaner. They’re doing a deep clean to start then a general clean weekly.

My cleaner is great. I make sure the house is tidy (its usually superficially tidy, however cupboards are another story...)

She does all kitchen, bathroom cleaning, dusting, windows, floor mopping etc. She sort of rotates the bigger jobs like pulling sofa out.

She’s even got to know when we put out Christmas tree up, so gave our downstairs windows a clean the day before!

She is fantastic, makes our life so much easier, and I love coming home to the house smelling lovely!

Who has a house that untidy that a cleaner would have to move things or tidy first?

Almost everyone I know!

You agree before hand. My last one walked around and asked about expectations eg what I wanted regularly v occasionally eg windows and skirting boards. We tidy up for cleaner. I’m paying her by hour to clean not tidy. Some will tidy but you’ll need to pay more hours. An example would be bathroom I make sure all my toiletries in basket. If she had to pick up and move individual bottles before cleaning shelf it would take a lot longer.

My cleaner is ace. She cleans, tidied as she goes, makes up one bed a week ( I do the others), hangs up washing and occasionally does extra tasks she thinks need doing - e.g. high up cobwebs, cleaning down back of sofa etc.

We are lucky to have her it's been 4 years now. However from what I read on here I suspect shes the exception rather than the rule!

My cleaner cleans.
I always tidy before she comes.
I don't want her tidying, I want to clean.
Hoover, mop, polish, clean bathrooms, kitchen, work surfaces, sinks etc...
So it really depends on what you want.
Would she know where to put stuff if you want her to 'tidy' up???
Get things put away and allow her to clean / do her job properly!

I used to be a cleaner for a little while and I did what the client asked me - sometimes a deep clean of a room or a general clean and tidy, always a thorough clean of kitchen and bathrooms, ironing etc. I can only speak for myself but there was nothing worse than going into a house that was already basically clean and tidy! It was satisfying knowing that when I left there was a very noticeable difference to when I started. I wouldn’t be pleased if there was absolute filth everywhere (!) but a clean and tidy of messy rooms was what I expected and what I was getting paid for!

We have a good tidy up before the cleaner comes. we try and give her a clear run by putting things like washing baskets and airers on the bed so she can hoover without things in the way and put away kitchen gadgets etc. She sometimes straightens things out like folding the flannels in the bathroom basket which I couldn't really care less about. She does straighten the throws on the sofas really well though. I think she's a genius in that respect!

I also always make sure the loos are clean before she comes because I don't expect her to clean a dirty toilet. She's not a skivvy.

My friend though had one who did everything, folding washing, ironing, put the rubbish out, make the beds etc. Just depends on what you agree.