How do I become a domestic cleaner even though I'm bad at it..

[Labhra]

For various reasons I have very very few other employment options. I don't really want to go into whys here but I have a disfigurement which makes things difficult in a number of ways. It's pretty much driving jobs (30s but can't drive yet) or cleaning.

I love cleaning actually, I love putting on my headphones and getting stuck in.

The problem is that whilst my own house is ok ish I'm not sure my cleaning is up to standard to be paid for it. When cleaning my own house I always end up leaving streaks on everything esp glass and walls even though I follow instructions, no idea which products to use where, I'm not slow but I'm far from fast, when I make my beds they are all lumpy. I want to offer ironing as most wanted ads seem to ask for it, but I'm no good at that either I frequently burn stuff and that would be awful.

Not sounding good is it?!

I've no one to teach me and tried YouTube videos practicing in my own house but still can't seem to get it right.

I'm enthusiastic but how do I learn??

I would hire you.

I am shite at cleaning. Hopefully some professionals will come along and help with advice.

Have a look at Mrs Hinch on Instagram or buy her book; there’s other similar ones as well

Maybe a cleaning company would offer training?

What about cleaning for a school? Things don't have to be picture perfect, mostly everywhere is just given a spray and a wipe with a damp cloth and the hoover is whizzed around. They need the toilets etc done several times a day now so there are more hours.

All great cleaners I had went through a stage earlier where they worked as hotel cleaners, and received training there.
It is significantly worse paid than domestic cleaning (I think the majority of jobs there are NMW), but apparently that's the best place to learn the ropes.

Was about to say same as pp, if you started with one of those agencies they might give some help. Maybe a cleaning team for a business rather than domestic? I know the cinema near me the cleaners come in at about 2 in the morning all together, and there wouldn’t be problems with ironing or anything.

I love you already!! I'm sure you can improve. Perhaps get a job for an established company first, so they train you? They have all sorts of methods, like putting the toilet cleaner and toilet brush in the toilet, doing other cleaning, then going back to it.

No don’t copy Mrs Hinch! She used products incorrectly like wiping antibacterial spray when you are meant to leave it. Plus you only every see her cleaning a clean area. And she has a cleaner on Thursday (if you know you know).

Any vinegar based cleaner would help for glass, mirrors etc...try stardrops. Get yourself microfiber cloths and when you have cleaned tiles with any product, buff it up with microfiber cloth.

My cleaner had a qualification, I think it was an NVQ, might be worth a Google.

Not sure where you are but hotels near me always looking for chambermaids. My cleaner has done hotels and learnt all the tricks of the trade. Plus side, she has a huge amount of funny (and shocking!) stories from her days in the business!

There are loads of cleaning accounts on Instagram, I don’t mean social media influencers like Mrs Hinch, her cleaning tips are sometimes downright dangerous! I mean professional cleaners going about their work posting tips, that would be a great place to start. Like Littlemissmops and dazlincleaning for starters. Also just going for it you’ll learn and pick up things! You sound enthusiastic and have a good attitude which is a great start.

You'll be fine it's easier in someone's home especially tidy homes that need a scrub over and shine.
Ask what they specifically need done.
When you wash the floors give them a quick vacuum after dust etc falls back down.
Bring glass cleaner and microfiber cloths an old clean towel.
Think everything you wash needs drying.
Good luck.

My best cleaner trained at a hotel. Or you could perhaps work for a cleaning company for a few months? Then you will get all the skills and tips you need.
Good private cleaners are always sought after - as soon as one of my friends colleagues, who worked at a shop getting minimum wage, decided to give it a try she started with one client and before she knew it had four that she could fit around her other work and child. She could easily have more but she has no more time. She charges 12.50/ hour (well outside London).
However if you did start cleaning but did not do a good job, no one will recommend you, so get those skills first.

I worked as a cleaner for many years, when I needed time off I got someone l know to cover and all my clients said she was rubbish.

She didn't move things to clean behind, she didn't get into corners, the toilet wasn't cleaned behind or lower down. She missed cobwebs etc. Just do a thorough job, move things. Wiped down all surface even window sills? Skirting boards. Wipe down all doors and round the frames. You will be slow at first but will speed up as you go along.
Expect it to take longer in a new home and tell the homeowner to tell you if there's anything your not doing that they'd like doing.

Don't offer ironing if you burn things! And make sure you get public liability insurance. Accidents can and do happen. I've had a fair few breaks including a tv

I need a cleaner just like you who will leave things clean (i.e. sanitary) but doesn’t spend loads of time making stuff look shiny and karate chopping all my cushions so she can post photo on her Instagram. Basically, I’m busy and just want to know I’m not going to catch E. coli from my surfaces

My late Great Aunt’s cleaner worked for a lot of elderly people who needed basic cleaning and enough time left at the slot to fit in a cup of tea and a chat. It was far more important to fit in the tea and chat than to have streak-free windows.

Thanks for the lovely encouraging comments .

I should have put though that it's pretty unlikely I'd get employed by an employer, as I've speaking problems which go along with my visible difference, which make working in a team or public facing difficult because it takes more time to understand what I'm saying. I've applied for loads but never get anywhere. I think employers see my difficulties on phone or interview and just overlook that I am able bodied and actually can communicate perfectly well albeit slower!!

I wish there was a college course for domestic cleaning!!

I meant to add that to work as a cleaner for the elderly it’s more important to have a full DBS disclosure and two good character references than cleaning expertise or qualifications.

You don't sound significantly worse than some cleaners I've had in the past. However, I've sacked a few.

Thank you for the tips too, some I didn't know, and I'll look at Instagram as well.

Don't discount other jobs unnecessarily, have you considered factory jobs or things like that? They can be well paid if you can do unsociable hours and overtime.

I was going to suggest cleaning in a business like a factory, where there will be set procedures and you'd get proper training, not just left with a mop and expected to know what you're doing. But then I thought, if you can clean then you can work on a production line.

I know you said you didn't want to go into details, which is fair enough, but what sort of thing is it that you can't do? I'm just thinking if you are physically able to do a full range of cleaning activities and could drive (if you learnt) that perhaps you're restricting your options too much?

I had a DBS in the past and have no criminal record, can you get one for self employed though??

I can get character references.

Cross post.

So basically you're being descriminated against at interview. That's shit.

Great thread. I've just left teaching and will be working self-employed after a month off to recover but this is really tempting me to be a hotel cleaner for a few months just to learn the tricks of the trade

I’m not quite sure how my Great Aunt’s various helpers (cleaner, gardener, driver & shopping companion and carer) got their DBS but they did all have them. Do you know any carers or people who work with elderly people? Most of the people we recruited to help Great Aunt were word of mouth. Facebook could be another good way to get started if you have an open profile and lots of friends who could publicly vouch for you.

You honestly sound lovely op.
I really wish you the best. I can never get my windows streak free either even though I use the microfibre cloth etc.