Cleaners

[MuppetsRus]

I'll start with acknowledging this is a first world problem and I know that I'm very fortunate to be in the position to afford a cleaner! However, AIBU to expect a cleaner to do a decent job?

I've had a few cleaners over the years and have had long periods where I have done the cleaning myself as I just can't find someone that does a decent job.

I am willing to pay the going rate where I live but ultimately you just can't get people who care or those that do very quickly get overwhelmed and employ staff that aren't great or worst steal from you!

I work full time running my own business and have a young daughter so want to spend the precious time lI have with her doing something fun!

YABU = get real, if you don't like it do it yourself!

YANBU = a decent cleaner is very hard to come by!!

I've had my cleaner for five years, she's great!

But I pay sick leave, lock down leave, Covid leave and holiday pay, as I should!

Age gets a good rate of pay and in turn does a good job.

How much do you pay, do you pay all the above?

YANBU. I lost mine recently after many good years and can't bring myself to try and find another!

YANBU I haven’t had a cleaner for many years as kids grown-up and left home, plus DH and I retired. Based on past experiences though, it’s hard to find a good cleaner. At one point, I was sacked by a cleaning firm because I asked for vases, ornaments etc to be picked-up and a fireplace top cleaned, rather than just dust around them (I think picking them up would have been quicker and easier, than carefully going around them). The response I got was “we obviously can’t meet your standards. I think you should take your business elsewhere”. It was the only thing I had ever taken issue with 🤷‍♀️

It is very hard to find a good cleaner as anyone thinks they can start a business doing it. It takes skill ( I know some will disagree) to actually do the job but a lot of people starting these businesses think it’s like cleaning your own house which it really isn’t. Look for someone who has good feedback from friends, Facebook etc and don’t use a franchise as they are a lot more expensive and a lot aren’t that good

I am a professional cleaner and it's a tough job. Very hard to make a decent living and lots give it up after being treated badly/ messed about and not able to pay bills. It was fine when I was with partner but now as a single mum I struggle to make ends meet, many customers are flakey or not very nice and cancel last minute. I think that's why it's very difficult to get decent cleaners.

We have an amazing cleaner. She does cleaning and ironing.

We’ve only ever had four, in nearly 20 years, but she is the best we’ve had by far. She is thorough, has systems (so some things aren’t done every week, they are don’t fortnightly), and works incredibly hard. I don’t know how she does it.

I pay over the hourly rate that she asked for, provide the exact brands of products and the exact vacuum cleaner that she prefers, pay (some) holiday leave and give generous gifts at Christmas, birthday etc. She in turn is extremely reliable, trustworthy, works hard and is a pleasure to have here.

Do t have a cleaner now, have had several in years gone by: when I was pregnant and then at home with 2 children, husband working away.
Always paid above the going rate and specified exactly what we needed. Some we’re really good, some weren’t. Expect that goes for most jobs.

@RazorSharp where I live the going rate is £15/hr. No I don't pay for leave as cleaners are self employed like myself. None of my clients pay me when I'm unable/choose not to work....

[quote MuppetsRus]@RazorSharp where I live the going rate is £15/hr. No I don't pay for leave as cleaners are self employed like myself. None of my clients pay me when I'm unable/choose not to work....[/quote]
Fair enough, but when I've contracted someone for five years, after one of excellent work I felt it was in my interest to ensure they continued working well and felt valued.

I account for the cleaning in my monthly budget. So I'm not out of pocket.

I do a bit of cleaning if she is away for a week, but she definitely works hard on her first week back.

It works for us and she's fab and she says I'm a great "employer".

@blablablafoghorn

I am a professional cleaner and it's a tough job. Very hard to make a decent living and lots give it up after being treated badly/ messed about and not able to pay bills. It was fine when I was with partner but now as a single mum I struggle to make ends meet, many customers are flakey or not very nice and cancel last minute. I think that's why it's very difficult to get decent cleaners.

Exactly!! My cleaner who is fab, says she's always the first to go if the client is skint!

No notice or ability to replace the client, just we don't need you anymore!

Over 16 years I have had 4 cleaners. The first was the best. Sadly she got cancer, had to stop work and then died. The replacement took a necklace from my room. I hunted everywhere and thought it lost. Then when eating out one evening I saw cleaner also having meal and she was wearing my necklace. I never got it back but she lost her job. Third and forth do ok job and reliable and honest.

I agree it's difficult to find a good cleaner. Though on Mumsnet admitting you have a cleaner is often seen as akin to admitting to being a slave owner.

I have had cleaners who did very little, or damaged things, or very unreliable, or a combination of the above. I've just been grateful though that they haven't stolen, to my knowledge.

I also had one who constantly complained. Not what I pay someone to do!

My current one does a good job, but often cancels last minute. It seems impossible to find someone reliable, efficient, and who doesn't cause damage.