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??

@WeatherwaxLives Basically, I look 'different' due to a condition requiring surgery, and my speaking isn't clear.

Physically I'm ok but I cannot lift much. Ok for cleaning when it's pulling the hoover around etc but couldn't do something like for example supermarket deliveries where you are lifting a lot during a shift.

I can do unsociable hours as DC older teen and nearly teen. I'm saving to learn to drive but affording a car and upkeep would be hard unless earning decent.

I already had the surgery I should say, it's a long term damage.

Oh wow, that's so horrible that you've been discriminated against.

As a pp said though, don't discount other stuff. Maybe a back of office admin job? Something like that. But yeah, also look into cleaning at places like Travelodge and Premier Inn. Or a small factory or workshop. And look for training too.....

I wish you well. I'm sorry things are a bit hard at the mo!

I actually do have a medical administration qualification. I assumed that was out though because you need to be able to communicate very clearly to patients and colleagues and answer the phone. I'll keep looking though maybe there are some which don't require this.

@Labhra

I actually do have a medical administration qualification. I assumed that was out though because you need to be able to communicate very clearly to patients and colleagues and answer the phone. I'll keep looking though maybe there are some which don't require this.

Oh that's interesting.

Not all admin/office jobs require meeting with or communicating with the public. As I say, maybe a back of office/I.T. kind of job. With your qualification, that may be worth a shot!

Good luck.

The NHS should be able to see past your differences! There must be some non-phone-answering admin jobs in the NHS.

As for the cleaning and ironing, join the Organised Mum (Team TOMM) on Facebook. They’re a useful lot.

I was a cleaner for years. I started off passable but finished off amazing.
My tips. Glass cloths. You don't get streaks when you buff with them. Squeegee for shower screens and large windows and buff with the glass cloth.
Magic erasers. You can clean everything with them and they are brilliant on grimy baths an shower trays.
The products I wouldn't be without.
At least 10 cloths per house.
Viakal for shower screens and taps.
Bleach for skid marks. It will dissolve them.
Never use bleach on anything except a loo. It dissolves metal work on plugs, taps and if you spill it elsewhere you are screwed.
Toothbrush
Common faults with cleaners are not lifting stuff to clean under (coffee jars, microwave, toaster)
Not cleaning under taps so you get scum collecting round them.
Not cleaning cobwebs
Ignoring grubby prints on doors and door frames
Ignoring pink or black mould in grout. It can be removed! Use a mould spray and Toothbrush.
Not cleaning the whole toilet. You need to do the whole of the outside. I used loo roll to do this. You just flush it away.
You need to move stuff. So magazine racks and light furniture. Its ok not to move beds and heavy furniture. Health and safety first! Just be upfront.
I've loads more! I should write a book.

BICS training

@TheSockMonster

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.

Yeah I think a bit of cleaning and a sit in with an older person or someone who needs the help and a bit of company would be perfect for you OP.

Maybe if you put a post on your local FaceBook page, saying what you want to do, someone would be willing to train you to clean their house, and then when you're to the right standard, they could hand over the job to you, knowing you would do it how they like it? Just a thought, but might be worth a try.

OP, there’s a lot of good suggestions and encouragement here, and I just wanted to add something anecdotal.

Your qualification in medical administration is something that could be useful, and a steady job with the NHS and a good pension would be helpful. There’s a an admin person ( don’t want to be too specific) who works in my hospital, and has an extremely severe stutter. Most of the work is email, spreadsheets, documents, but sometimes requires answering the phone. There’s never been a problem, this person just needs a little more time to get words out. And they are an excellent worker, very thorough.

One of my former patients also works in the hospital, and they had extensive surgery for oral cancer. Every time I see them, it brings me joy that they enjoying life, well, and confident with in their role.

I think you have a lot a to offer, and certainly, there are other roles you can look at within medical admin, but as a cleaner, I’d see if you can get with an agency to do some cleaning jobs that’ll give you exposure to different environments so you can gain experience. For a private cleaner, I wouldn’t personally expect perfection, but I would value reliability, honesty, and availability more than a streak-free shine!🙂

Good luck to you!

@growinggreyer

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.

I work as a cleaner in a school. It isn't just a quick hoover and wiping things down with a damp cloth. Toilets aren't cleaned several times a day either.

Yes they are - I watch every day as the cleaner comes by and cleans them!

@Northernsoullover

I was a cleaner for years. I started off passable but finished off amazing. My tips. Glass cloths. You don't get streaks when you buff with them. Squeegee for shower screens and large windows and buff with the glass cloth. Magic erasers. You can clean everything with them and they are brilliant on grimy baths an shower trays. The products I wouldn't be without. At least 10 cloths per house. Viakal for shower screens and taps. Bleach for skid marks. It will dissolve them. Never use bleach on anything except a loo. It dissolves metal work on plugs, taps and if you spill it elsewhere you are screwed. Toothbrush Common faults with cleaners are not lifting stuff to clean under (coffee jars, microwave, toaster) Not cleaning under taps so you get scum collecting round them. Not cleaning cobwebs Ignoring grubby prints on doors and door frames Ignoring pink or black mould in grout. It can be removed! Use a mould spray and Toothbrush. Not cleaning the whole toilet. You need to do the whole of the outside. I used loo roll to do this. You just flush it away. You need to move stuff. So magazine racks and light furniture. Its ok not to move beds and heavy furniture. Health and safety first! Just be upfront. I've loads more! I should write a book.

Wow, you should definitely write that book! I hate cleaning, but feel inspired to deep clean my bathroom after reading that!

@Northernsoullover Thank you very much that's really useful. Thinking about it, glass cloths made less streaks when I used them in my house, but my sister convinced me microfibre for everything the way to go, so microfibre only for buffing then?? I never knew that about bleach thank you. When I was younger I didn't think to clean under stuff but I do it now. I read that it's best to go room to room, working top to bottom, and floors last - would you say that's correct in your experience? And if I could just bug you a little more if it's ok what 'general' cleaner do you think is best that works well but won't damage most surfaces? What about wood (sure I've messed up mine)? And for heavy stains?

Also a massive thing - if you do take clients make sure you have full insurance! In case you accidentally damage anything etc. Always always have insurance.

@Labhra

I actually do have a medical administration qualification. I assumed that was out though because you need to be able to communicate very clearly to patients and colleagues and answer the phone. I'll keep looking though maybe there are some which don't require this.

Have you ever tried looking at medical secretary jobs specifically? I did that for a while and didn't need to speak to anyone, really, once they'd explained how it worked - just did my typing and that was it. That was at NHS Band 3 - I think at Band 4 you'd be more likely to be a secretary to a particular consultant and need to deal with people on the phone. It could be something worth looking into!

@Woodlandbelle use scrunched up newspaper to clean your windows, honestly, they'll be streak free!

I have a top tip which I only discovered recently after years of streaky glass despite buying every product known to man and trying vinegar etc - a splash of fabric conditioner in a spray bottle of water. Spray a bit directly wipe with a cloth then dry / polish with a clean cloth. I do windows, mirrors and use it as polish everywhere and it smells amazing

@UseOfWeapons Thank you, that's really encouraging. I'll apply for the NHS admin roles I'd discounted as an option (I had a major surgery also) and try to hone my cleaning skills too.

Office cleaning?

@Pythone Yes I do look at medical admin roles, but they all (except audio typist) emphasise how important being able to communicate clearly to patients and colleagues is to the role, and most specify answering telephone.

I second putting a post on your local fb. We are just starting holiday accommodation cleaning again and I would be happy to train someone up. That would be a win win.

What about NHS cleaning jobs? I work in a GP surgery, and whilst I’m not sure an admin job would be for you (patients scream at me for daring to pause whilst reading something, so dread to think how foul they would be to someone with a disability) but the cleaners we use are employed by the NHS to clean our surgery and other NHS buildings, and several of them have learning disabilities.

@MadisonMontgomery Thanks I'll look at NHS cleaning.

@Bigsighall Thanks is it Facebook local groups I should post to?