To ask cleaner to wear a mask while cleaning

[Avocado1234]

Thinking about having our cleaner back. She said that she's not wearing a face mask in other families houses at the moment as it gets hot.

AIBU to ask her to have a face mask on while she cleans our house? (We will be out while she is here) If it's too much of an ask I might just postpone having her back until I'm more comfortable...

I think personally I would prefer them to wear a mask if I was home but if I wasn't in not wearing one wouldn't be an issue. I'm personally just happy to have my cleaner back

The mask stops someone breathing onto surfaces or simply sneezing and not realising they have the virus (as about 70% of people don't)...fomite transmission basically.

YABU to insist she wear a mask if she doesn't want to, and you're not even there at the time. Good cleaners are hard to find, if it's a deal breaker for you I suppose it is what it is but no way would I even think to ask my cleaner to wear a mask.

Cleaning is physical work, and wearing a mask is hot and claustrophobic, plus if she is having to adjust it to be more comfy or wipe sweat away it's worse than not wearing one at all. She's going to be in your house and touching your stuff, why are you so hung up on a mask? Are you going to clean everything she's touched with her hands, or where she puts her bag down (how will you know, you're not there), if so what is the point of having a cleaner at all? Plus out of interest why do you wear a mask whenever you leave the house? I have to wear one at work and I hate it, can't imagine wearing one voluntarily!

YABVU

YABVU if you're outside. Can she leave the windows opened whilst she cleans if that helps?
I tried wearing them out and they're awful.

You are being totally unreasonable. I am not sure why you even posed the question given you have already arrived at the answer.

I wouldn't trust my cleaner to do a decent job whilst wearing a mask to be honest - cleaning is a physical job and I can't imagine how uncomfortable it would be doing it properly with a mask on.
The guidance isn't even clear cut on masks. It mainly protects the wearer and if you're not around at the time of her being there then it just seems like hysteria.
My husband's workplace (vaccine industry) insists on masks (proper ones) if staff need to be within less than 2m of each other for more than 15minutes. They know what they are talking about given the nature of their work.

YABU as you won't even be there. But it's clear you made your mind up as you are just ignoring all the posters who don't agree with you

Face coverings are for when you can't social distance. I imagine you are never within 2 m of your cleaner.

@holidaydisaster2020 why do you think cleaners are going to be in big demand?
Most of mumsnet seem to think us cleaners will have to beg for work as loads will be begging to clean houses, even if they're crap at cleaning.

To OP, I would wear a mask if you asked, then take it off once you'd gone out.
Bit harsh sacking her, your house your rules I guess.

I think you should try and clean wearing one. It's notnideal and of you are not home it won't matter.

I don't think that's unreasonable. I'd also ask them to wear gloves as well. Why should your home be any different from any other workplace?

*@holidaydisaster2020 why do you think cleaners are going to be in big demand?
Most of mumsnet seem to think us cleaners will have to beg for work as loads will be begging to clean houses, even if they're crap at cleaning.

@Doggyperson*

I'm not an expert by any means but I had thought that many of the new guidelines for re-opening things like schools, businesses, shops etc involve extra cleaning. Plus people wanting to let others back in their house at some point in the future may well want a deep clean first to give them confidence.

My cleaner is not wearing one, thank God. We like to talk.

The guidance isn't even clear cut on masks. It mainly protects the wearer

Err, no. It protects you from an infected person sneezing or coughing on you and/or your surfaces. Why do you think they disinfect buses, trains, and offices every night?

Wearing glasses and a mask is rather unpleasant as the glasses get steamed up from my breath and that's with me sedentary. I can't imagine how much steak would build up behind a mask when cleaning vigorously. You're not in the house when she's cleaning so I think YABU. My cleaner doesn't wear a mask. Unless you intend to lick every cabinet or floor she's touched I don't see how she could be bringing a virus into your home

“ Plus people wanting to let others back in their house at some point in the future may well want a deep clean first to give them confidence.”

Good grief I hope no one goes to that much trouble on my account. If their house was clean enough for me before it will be clean enough now, I’m sure

I’d just tell you I’d do it and then not bother as seen as you won’t be there, which makes it a daft request!

So, you're sacking your cleaner because she is exercising her right not to wear a mask? Well, it's your house and your (petty) rules, but YABU to treat her as expendable goods.

@elenacampana

I’d just tell you I’d do it and then not bother as seen as you won’t be there, which makes it a daft request!

Yep.

YABVU.

Masks are for when you can't socially distance, such as in a bus or train where it's crowded.

If you're that uptight you probably shouldn't be having people in your house.

Have you tried cleaning your house with a mask on for a couple of hours? I feel sorry that this woman is going to lose her job because of this.

You could her to just wherw it while doing surface or washing (depends on what she does for you) but she can leave it off while do the heavier jobs like hoovering mopping etc. Or get an antibacterial spray that can be the lastbthingbshe sprays on the surfaces and she doesnt touch them again after she uses it? Its worth seeing if shell compromise especially if she knows your vulnerable

Of course YANBU to ask! It’s your home! If the cleaner won’t wear one, and you don’t want her in your home without one, then I would say don’t have her back just yet. I get your concerns. She’s in and out of others houses. I can’t believe people are saying YABU

or you could clean everything she has potentially touched when you come back in the house