AIBU to ask this if you have a cleaner?

[Noseycleaner]

If you have an independent cleaner, what do they wear when they're cleaning? I'm just starting out, and I have no idea what to wear. And would you hire someone who had no previous cleaning experience? I thought I had my first client, but when she asked for references and I told her I've never done it before, I didn't hear from her again. I consider myself to be a really good cleaner, I just don't have any references

I would hire a newbie, but be up front about it- advertise your services at a discount and say you are just starting out.

As to clothes, I guess leggings and a vest top? It’s warm work and I’d expect you to need to move about a lot!

Don’t suppose you’re based in the south east?

I would hire a new cleaner, I’d just maybe go through jobs a bit beforehand so I knew everything was being done.

My cleaner wears activewear - leggings and a loose top usually.

Could you ask someone for a character reference rather than a cleaning experience reference?
I want to know that someone is likely to be trustworthy.

My cleaner just wears jeans/t-shirt or leggings/t-shirt - which is what I'd expect really.
I'd probably want a trial from someone with no references/experience - and maybe some sort of police check (since they're in my house when I'm not and have my house keys... we use an agency so they vet their staff and provide these, not sure if independent cleaners do as standard though)

Why don’t you do a clean for a friend or too and then use them as a reference?

Mine wears shorts and a vest top in summer and leggings and a polo shirt in winter.

I rarely see my cleaner but think she normally wears jeans and a tshirt. I would expect them to be in something practical and comfortable.
I’d hire someone with no cleaning references but would prob want some sort of recommendation/reference with regard to character (and DBS).

We have a uniformed agency cleaner now but we had independent for years and they all wore something that looked a bit like a gym kit e.g. leggings/yoga pants and a vest or t-shirt on top. Maybe do a free clean for a friend so they can be your reference?!

I clean as a job. What I wear depends on the job. Currently I'm employed to clean the (busy) public toilets and exterior environment of a busy tourist attraction. And, as a second job, I clean a AirBnB house.

For the toilets I wear a boiler suit. The exterior environment - staff uniform.

At the air BnB my regular clothes. But then I have the place to myself with no-one around Sometimes if the heatings been on at the AirBnB ( which is solar powered and takes ages to change the temperature inside -slow delay) and it's a stupidly hot sunny day, I'll strip down to my pants because it's too fucking hot to work otherwise. Luckily it's in a remote, rural un-overlooked location.

I have my own Logo’d T-shirts with business name on them. And then on bottom I wear stretchy black active wear type bottoms. Not leggings. I didn’t always wear this “uniform” I just wore T-shirt and leggings and realised after I while I was always wanting to wear the same two pairs of active wear bottoms so decided to make those my work trousers and have a T-shirt’s made to make it a uniform.

Wear what is comfortable, clean and tidy looking. You need to be able to stretch and turn and bend and also be cool in. You will be cleaning for a couple of hours at a time in hot weather. Even in winter it is very women cleaning in people’s houses with the heating on. Stuff that is quick to dry and will wash well as you will want it fresh everyday for work. Worth having a couple of sets. Wear Trainers with good grip as wet tiles are slippy.

Be upfront with new clients about just starting out.

Good idea to offer a free clean to friends and family in return for references.

I had a cleaner that just wore her normal clothes, one that wore a little tabard type overall thing and one that wore her gym kit and bounced around as if it was a work out, no idea where she found the energy.

Women= warm

@JoxerGoesToStuttgart do you mind if I ask you a few more questions?

How far do your clients live? I've had people text me looking for a cleaner, but they live 45-60min from me. I don't drive, so I'm wondering if I should still take those jobs?

How long have you been cleaning? How soon after starting your business did you hire cleaners to help you?

The furthest client lives 5 miles away and takes 15 minutes to get there by car. (So 30 minutes return-time that I am not being paid for) I used to travel further, about 12-15 miles, when I first started but as I’ve gained more clients and have a lot more choice in who I take on I won’t travel that far now. 5 Miles would be my limit.

I would never travel 45-60 minutes for a cleaning job. That is time you aren’t being paid for but have to pay out for travel costs. Unless that client wants you to put in an 8 hour shift that will never be worth the money you are paid.

I’ve been cleaning for 7 years. I don’t employ anyone yet but tbh it’s at the stage where I think I need to as I’m turning away so much work I can’t take on. I’m not sure I want to be an employer though. I like my good reputation don’t want to risk somebody ruining it.

Mine wears a t shirt and leggings, with socks, and ties up her hair as if she's going to work out. I guess she is, though!

I don’t think it matters at all what you wear. A couple of cleaners we have had have brought slippers / slip-on indoor shoes to change into because we are a ‘shoes off’ house, which is really appreciated and obviously fair enough as they have to mop floors and don’t expect them to do so in damp socks!

Can I ask a question ?
Are people really fussy and complain job done properly ... people can be so rude I’d feel like telling them where to go lol

People who are fussy tend to specify beforehand what they want done. They leave lists which I always appreciate tbh. I don’t get complaints

I would get an agreed list of what is to be done - it can always be amended later but start with a list that you can work through.
Use it as a checklist at the end of the job to make sure you have done everything.

Tip given to me which has always stood me in good stead: Make sure the taps and shiny things are bright. You can get away with a lot in a bathroom if the taps look clean.

Cleaning places with new arrival guests I always make sure light switches and sockets are wiped down. They are things you just don't look at in your own house - when you walk into a room in your own house and it's dark you just switch on the light without looking for (or at) the switch. Not true in new environments. New guests will always be hunting for and looking at the switch. Nasty fingerprints all over it? No thank you.

I don't really care what mine wears. I'd find it strange if she showed up in fancy clothes for what is bound to be dirty work, bit other than that it really doesn't matter !

As for a first-time cleaner, I would give you one chance to show me that you do the work properly, and if I'm happy with your work, I'd keep you on.

I also would want you to ask about stuff if you have any doubts about what goes where or what needs cleaning how often. If you're really unsure don't try to guess, ask.

My cleaner doesn't speak any language I know so it's hard to talk to her. One big problem I had with her was that she tidied up everything, including stuff I use on a daily basis, which was pointless and annoying.

Im watching.

I need a cleaner, but i need to clear and clean first!!

We are rural so the cleaners here have to cover a wider distance as there aren’t enough houses within 5 miles. But they still limit-my cleaner is about 6.5 from me but she also lives rurally.
I wouldn’t hire a cleaner with no transport though, most cleaners here provide their own kit.

@JoxerGoesToStuttgart you do seem very established, can I ask how much do you charge? How many clients do you have now? Where do you advertise? I put an ad up on gumtree, and that's where most of the interest is from.

@TheSandman excellent tip! Definitely writing that down, thank you

My cleaner just wears comfortable stuff. She’s lovely-fairly new start up. I wouldn’t have minded hiring someone without references.

Good luck with the new business.

I charge £13/hour which includes bringing all my own products, cleaning cloths, mop, bucket and hoover.

I have 7 weekly clients over four days. I keep one weekday free for my day off but will book in ad hoc/ one off clients on that day if I have no personal stuff to be getting on with. (I work evenings and weekends at ironing so need a day during the week to get my own housework done, appointments etc)

I don’t advertise anymore, all my new clients come by word of mouth. When I started I advertised on gumtree and then on fb local selling pages because gumtree charges now.