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??

@growinggreyer

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

Fair enough. The school I'm at the toilets aren't being cleaned properly until end of day unless the kids have trashed them. It's the touch points in the bathrooms that are being cleaned regularly like taps and the door handles etc.

Here's the NVQ course for cleaning: qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/nvq-and-competence-based-qualifications/cleaning-and-facilities-management/cleaning-and-support-services-skills-l1.html

OP I am not sure where you are based, but in Northern Ireland there is an organisation called USEL, who help people in situations like you get into work, and they’re very successful because they will contribute to the salary so it’s a win for the company too. Perhaps wherever you are has an organisation like this that could suppose you with finding work?

Hi. Cleaner here. I would recommend trying different products at home first to see how good they are. Always ask the customer what they want doing, first clean takes almost double time especially if they've not a cleaner before. Starting up you'll need, glass cleaner, polish, kitchen surface spray (not the ones with bleach in) toilet cleaner, floor cleaner, cif for cleaning kitchen sinks, non scratch bathroom spongers, lots of Microfibre cloths, small bin bags for toilet/ small bins, gloves, a decent Hoover, (Miele for me) bucket and mop (Vileda turbo for me) public liability insurance (around £7 a month)

I have a rubbish cleaner, she has free slots on an ad hoc basis, is kind, doesnt mind my mess. We get on great, she doesnt charge much. She's miles better than not having a cleaner.

There's people who would be happy with that, what can you offer? Exceptional service? Consistency, cheap pricing, ironing or bedding changes, organic cleaning products, clean the oven?

You dont have to do all of those but theres a space in the market for a good but not brilliant cleaner, just make sure you don't pitch yourself at those clients who want a 2 hour weekly sparkling house for X price.

People will be disabled, struggling SAHMs, hoarders etc and be greatful for your time.

But the medical admin sound great obviously!

@Labhra Definitely look at applying for NHS admin jobs. Do you have a specific diagnosis? There might be a specific charity that can help with advice getting into work.

NHS cleaning tends to be contracted out to private companies, but worth a go.

One tip for getting mirrors smear free (from my days as a chambermaid where I learnt how to clean) is flicking hot water straight from the tap and then using an old piece of towel to polish it up. Works everytime!

Also look into the government's 'access to work' scheme. I don't know exactly how it works, but assume you should be able to find out what kinds of support might be possible in advance of applying for jobs you are qualified for.

Also, don't discount the possibility that getting back into work any way you can now, might lead to you going back to stuff you're more qualified for in future. Hope you can find the right niche where you can be useful.

OP - your post is a great example of courage and determination. I am a nurse and once had a female colleague with a facial disability which also affected speech - she qualified. Keep going - onwards and upwards!!!

Some NHS trusts have their own in-house temp agency. It can be a great way to get your foot in the door. I worked for six months as an admin temp and although I did end up answering the phone sometimes it was technically above my pay grade! My whole job was supposed to be typing letters and uploading things to patient records.

In terms of looking for work - we hired our last cleaner after getting a flier through the door.

We had just moved into a new build house - great target area

@cheeseychovolate Thank you very much, I wondered about what to use to avoid scratching things. And I like vileda turbo mops too. I'll have to use the client's own hoovers as I don't drive yet.

@JADS I have facial problems after major surgery. Looks 'different' and speaking affected a bit. No specific diagnosis though. I also have really bad core muscles and slight gynae issues from DCs which cause like a dragging sensation and Dr says could lead to actual prolapse if I'm not careful to limit heavy or repeated lifting or straining.

@PerspicaciousGreen Thanks. Any idea where I could find these types of jobs? I can only find NHS jobs on the NHS website.

Hmm. Tough one. I can't remember now! I can't really offer much advice other than googling "NHS [trust] temp work". However, I'd encourage you to explore other temp agencies too. Often if you're still warm and breathing you're good enough for a low level temp job, and it can get you past the first hurdle.

How about offering ironing instead? You can practice ironing at home before offering it as a paid service.

Or just learn to drive!!

@jgjgjgjgjg I'm on universal credits through no fault of my own and have debts and a really high rent for a shitty moldy flat. It's not easy to "just learn to drive!!". Luckily my family are helping me with the cost of lessons though.

Please be really careful with Instagram cleaners, they often mix chemicals and there is a link between some chemicals and COPD.

@PerspicaciousGreen Thanks. Any idea where I could find these types of jobs? I can only find NHS jobs on the NHS website.

OP, how it works in my hospital for temping, or ‘bank’ work as it’s called,, is you contact your local hospital, and ask about registering for their ‘bank’. Some hospitals contract out their cleaning, but it’s worth an email. You could also look at your local hospital’s website, as they’ll have a full list of their own vacancies. See what you feel like, but there’s loads of stuff you could do that has minimal people contact, like data analysis, risk assessment, and IT support....we have a crew who collate paper documents and notes, scan them, and upload them into the hospital database, as like most places, paperlight is key.

You’re positive, engaging, and come across well here, so I think you’ll do well, no matter what you decide!

@Labhra

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!!

@Labhra that's terrible that you have had such bad experiences and employers won't or haven't accommodated you in the past. I'm sure you know employers and prospective employers have a legal duty to make 'reasonable adjustments' under the Equality Act, but I appreciate in practice this doesn't always work out.

What skills do you have? What are you good at? I'd start there. Perhaps you could set up a cleaning agency or website for cleaners/domestic helpers to advertise (like checkatrade) rather than set out to clean yourself?

[quote Labhra]@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?[/quote]
I use Pledge a lot. I do try and use more eco friendly cleaning products but I know Pledge is safe for most surfaces. Oh, another product I thoroughly recommend is Lakeland mesh cooker filters cleaner. Its brings them up to a sparkle with no effort and your clients think you are a goddess!

My partner just set up a cleaning business a few months ago.
Design a logo on an app, make a facebook page and share it on the local town groups.

She was turning work away with a couple of weeks because there is such huge demand for domestic cleaners.

It really was as simple as I said above public liability insurance is £6 a month so worth it for price of mind for you and your customers.