To assume a cleaner would clean a toilet?

[Curiosity101]

My and DH have been wanting to hire a cleaner for years. We don't know anyone in our area so haven't been able to get any recommendations of people that cover this area.

We have tried 2 cleaning companies that came highly recommend via facebook reviews. Both times they've not really cleaned the toilet. The first cleaner just squirted some toilet cleaner in the toilet bowl and left it at that. The second cleaner did the same and also wiped any dust off of the top of the cistern and toilet seat lid.

Up until this point I've obviously been doing all the cleaning, and to me cleaning the toilet also includes cleaning all around the seat, hinges and underside of the seat. Maybe even the outside of the toilet bowl and any nearby walls / units if they have any splash marks on them. As a side note they also didn't seem to have particularly high standards, for example cleaning a shower cubicle meant cleaning the glass but nothing else? There was still grime around the plughole, tiles hadn't been wiped down, shower unit hadn't been cleaned etc.

I spoke to them before they started to explain that if they don't have enough time then they're welcome to let me know and we'll book more next time cause I'd rather it was thorough than rushed. Also that if they saw anything I hadn't mentioned that they thought needed a clean then just let me know cause I'm not precious about it and we'll get extra time booked in next time for it.

I'm wondering if IBU with standards that are too high or not? I've never had a cleaner before and don't really know anyone who does so I really don't know.

You are not being unreasonable at all. What you describe is basic cleaning. Spell it out to the cleaner.

As above^^

I hate telling people how to do their jobs. I can never say it in a way that it doesn't leave me feeling very uncomfortable. It might come to that if we do try again for a cleaner though.

We have a cleaner (a team of two, actually) and he and/or she get down on their knees and scrub the toilets from bottom to top. I expect nothing less - I do the same when I have to clean a toilet myself.

I have never had a cleaner but I would expect them to do the job properly.

They don't sound like they are very good at their jobs.

I'm pretty lazy but when I go and clean the bathroom I clean all of it.

@Curiosity101

There is surely a difference between telling someone how to do something and telling them what you would like done? I think that if I was taking on a cleaner I would simply make a [detailed] list - room by room - as to what standard I wanted and what items needed doing

Keep trying till you find one who knows how to clean! Squirting loo cleaner and ignoring plugholes is taking the p*. What's the point of paying a cleaner and going round after them?

I've filled in for my MIL helping her clean when she has been on holiday (she is self-employed and looks after/cleans a select few families houses). Now I do, and I am 99% sure she does too, properly SCRUB toilets sinks and showers - these are my main focus. Aside from the kitchen also. It's what gets the most dirty so why would you not?!

They sound lazy. Why don't you speak to a self employed cleaner, ask them for a little meeting to discuss the kinds of things you expect and also what they offer with their clean? I know my MIL gets work via being recommended around by the families she does clean for. I totally think self employed cleaners work harder and better than agencies - at the end of the day, they HAVE to work hard for your business.

I have been a cleaner. I still do 1 house. I clean all the toilet and surrounding floor and wall. I would also never leave plugholes.

How long are they there for?

Yanbu to expect them to do the job properly, however do you not clean/wipe your toilet every day anyway? It takes less than a minute to wipe the seat/rim.

Maybe that's just me although I don't have a cleaner. But I wouldn't be leaving it for a cleaner to clean either weekly or fortnightly 🤢

First of all, I'd pass your feedback back to the agency so they specify that such and such was expected to be done and was not done.

Secondly, I'd ask them to send another one. Unfortunately, some cleaners are likely to try to get away with the minimum possible (this is why toilets in public spaces are always so disgusting). And you want to get rid of those as soon as possible. When you do find a cleaner who does things properly, hang on to them for as long as you can!

When a cleaner comes, you can also specify which products you'd like to be used where. Then there can be no misunderstandings. I find it helpful to provide a bucket with a plastic bag full of clean cloths (washed every time) and a plastic bag full for dirty cloths, plus a toothbrush for scale and tricky corners, plus any products you normally use yourself (I provide a glass cleaner, descaler, bathroom cleaner, disinfectant, kitchen cleaner, a couple of sponges with a scrubby bit on the back, and a fluffy duster).

Good luck, it can all be very awkward, but you are paying for a service, and like with anything else, it should be up to a decent standard or you vote with your feet. Good luck!

Can I check that you have a toilet brush? Previously when someone on MN was upset about a cleaner not cleaning the toilet it was because she didn't have a toilet brush and expected the cleaner to don gloves and put her hands down the toilet to scrub it....

@Michellebops I'd never think to clean the toilet every day - particularly if we had a regular cleaner. I'd always clean it weekly (if we didn't have a cleaner weekly) and of course it's always kept visibly clean if there are ever any marks on it. But it doesn't get that much use anyway ordinarily as my and my OH work full time.

@HypatiaCade It's a fair question - yes we do have a toilet brush. A nice, clean, regularly bleached toilet brush.

Over the years I've had two brilliant cleaners, who were through and did everything properly and better than I could clean myself.
Unfortunately lost one because we moved and the other because she stopped being a cleaner as she hurt her back.
Trying to find replacements meant trying a few and honestly was surprised how many were half hearted at best, completely shit at worst.

@MopsRUs Sorry I missed your question. 2-3 hours hours a fortnight.

@Ferretyone You're definitely correct it still makes me feel a bit uncomfortable though. Almost like I'm implying something about their ability before they've even had a chance to do anything.