Am I being too picky with the standard of cleaning by my cleaner?

[Crazyladee]

If recently taken on a cleaner. She was a recommendation from a friend. She's coming for two hours a week and we've discussed the rooms I'd like cleaning each week.
This is cleaning a smallish main bathroom, a tiny ensuite and a downstairs loo. I've also asked her to dust the lounge, hoover the stairs and wipe over the two leather two seater settees.

She told me from the start she doesn't provide her own cleaning products and cloths. Or strip/make up beds. I was a bit disappointed in this as the reason why we decided to get a cleaner was I'm due to have a knee operation soon and will struggle doing the beds. I thought id give her a try anyway and maybe further down the line she might change her mind or we could come to an agreement about it.

She's a lovely little japanese lady and I've noticed she struggles to understand what product to use on what. The first week I showed her where I keep all my cleaning products and cloths and left her to it.
I love accumulating cleaning stuff and have tonnes of really good branded cleaning products but was taken aback when I noticed she was using an anti bacterial multi purpose spray in the lounge on all my wooden furniture and fireplace.
When I saw her start tackling the leather sofas I quickly stopped her and ran and got my leather cleaning product and explained to use that on the sofa. She agreed and off she went. It's the kind of product that a little goes a long way plus you have to buff afterwards.
She's made a bit of a mess as I've realised after she went she's used tonnes of the stuff and not buffed so the sofas have got drip/spray marks on the sofas and look like they're covered in grease. So I've had to go over them myself after she left.
I've also noticed she's not done a thorough clean in the bathroom. A glass shelf where all our toothbrushes are kept which gets full of toothpaste has not been cleaned plus the hinges of the toilet seat are still dirty.
What she does love doing though are making things pretty such as she puts little bows and foldy things on all our toilet rolls which are nice but id sooner her give the place a deeper clean.
It's difficult to explain things to her due to the language barrier but she's so nice it's difficult to fire her off. This week she came round with a load of japanese food that she'd cooked for us which was lovely. She's also a little cheaper than other cleaners in the area too. Am I being too picky?

QuimReaper

I was being facetious about the cleaning silver! Just trying to illustrate it's housekeeper territory AFAIC

I just wouldn't want a cleaner wasting their time changing my bedsheets when there's plenty of cleaning that could be done!

Cleaners don't usually change bedding, unless it's a one off e.g. poorly client unable to do it themselves etc or elderly CV clients that might struggle with that type of thing. Able-bodied peeps can change their own!

Able-bodied peeps can do their own cleaning, too...

For no very good reason, this thread is starting to really pee me off.

Who are these people to whom it rilly rilly rilly matters what arrangement I have with the person who comes in to do cleaning? Why do you care?

Agree with a PP that some people are being utterly weird about this.

Now if someone had started a thread saying, "I agreed to do job X but my employer/client is expecting me to do Y," then I'd have every sympathy. But it would be the same if job X was research scientist and job Y was bookkeeping. It's not a special "cleaner" thing.

You just need to show her exactly what you'd like done and how to do it, and what products to use for which room and what your expectations are.

She sounds really lovely to have brought you food. Time and effort put in at the very beginning is worth its weight in gold to have a reliable and trustworthy and lovely cleaner.

@lookingfortreasure

Viakal spray in the bathroom . Works great on grout /shower doors etc

We only change beds in one house, don't strip them though. Wouldn't have a problem if that was something a client wanted doing though

I would part ways with her, she might be a better fit for someone else but she's clearly not for you. You need someone who isn't going to create extra work and worry for you.

YANBU
My cleaner who is now also my PCA has always changed my bedding as it's one of the many things that I cannot do myself.(I did ask her right at the beginning and she said it was not a problem at all).
She has never had an issue with it and has always done it.

If you have hired your cleaner for the primary reason of changing beds and she has refused you are going to have to have a frank discussion with her that it is a deal breaker if she is not willing to do it.

The whole point of having a cleaner is to make life easier for you not more stressful, especially as you are going to be having surgery and definitely need someone who is willing to be flexible.

My previous cleaner who was with me a few years also changed my bedding with no issues at all.

Cleaners don't usually change bedding, unless it's a one off e.g. poorly client unable to do it themselves etc or elderly CV clients that might struggle with that type of thing. Able-bodied peeps can change their own! I think it's generally assumed that that sort of "task " is a bit personal, like most of us ensure our toilets are clean before the cleaner comes etc

I agree that beds are a bit gross for the one who doesn't sleep in them, and I always make ours before the cleaner comes & I deal with the laundry. But, I presumed that this was my own practice because my cleaners have always offered to deal with the bedding.

You get what you pay for

Housekeepers are paid to do housework. Cleaners are there to clean

Again, this is the first time I have ever heard that distinction. Outside of things like downton abbey.

I get that cleaners don't tidy, and nor would one expect them to do the jobs that are more 'spring cleaning' tasks. But if something needs doing weekly as part of keeping a house clean and fresh, then in my experience, it's housework and cleaners will do it.

Again, this is the first time I have ever heard that distinction. Outside of things like downton abbey

When you were a cleaner, did you do housework?

@EveryFlightBeginsWithAFall thanks I hate the smell of that always gives me a headache so I tend to not buy it .I guess that's where I'm going wrong. Surprised it's good for grout, but I'll give it a go. Thank you !

I have a wonderful pair of cleaners from an agency, they visit for an hour per week and the two of them get far more done in an hour between them, than one person could get done in two hours. They have no issues at all stripping and making beds (although I've usually done the stripping by the time they arrive, as I like to get the washing on early so it has time to dry before the heating goes off) but they did draw the line with the top bunks... so we just agreed I'd do the top ones, they do the bottom ones and the "normal" beds, and they wipe the bedroom doors down in the time they've got left over.

I'd really recommend an agency OP, that way you can discuss any specific needs with them on the phone, and they can match you up with a cleaner who's happy to carry these out.

Good luck with your knee op.

@gamerchick I was never a cleaner

That's kind of my point.

I was, for many different types a few years ago. Never assume what your cleaner will do, what's normal for you might be unheard of with someone else. I wouldn't do beds and don't know anyone else who does cleaning do beds or ruddy generalised housework. The rules are, tidy, clutter free and clear. For cleaning! All sorted out at that very first meeting. It doesn't matter if your mate 100 miles away tidies and changes beds, it's not standard.

I definitely agree on an agency and paying the extra if you have specific requests. Pay cheap and you get cheap.

gamerchick: Never assume

^THIS bit of your post is true.

So why on earth are you banging on that "cleaners don't make beds", as if it's some sort of generality?

BTW, when I was a cleaner, I made beds...

Also, I find many taxi DRIVERS don't just drive, they also CARRY my bags/wheelchair, or even PUSH my wheelchair!

She is a cleaner not a servant. She already made it clear to you before she started what she would not be doing, yet you still employed her. My mum is a bit like this only towards my dad! She follows him round watching him clean, then complains, pick on everything he does, then does it herself anyway! Perhaps it would be kind to see how she goes, if your going to be like my mum, just do it yourself then at least you know it's done properly!

Ha! I just remembered that my present cleaner said she LOVES doing beds. She said she likes to leave the bedroom looking like a hotel one. And it does! The duvet is expertly smoothed, and cushions and a folded throw placed 'just so'. Seriously, it's the best bit of the deal for both of us!

Argh, our cleaner doesn't speak good English either and i once found her cleaning our bath with laundry detergent. So awkward trying to explain! She also uses window cleaner to clean the bathroom and dusts using anti bac. One memorable time she used air freshener.

I try and direct her with what i want her to use but she doesn't seem to remember. Tough because she's a lovely lady and she and DD adore each other which is sweet. For £30 a week she does a decent enough job so that i don't have to, and i trust her. Which i figure is worth something. But yes OP i feel your pain.