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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I didn’t like this - would you have felt the same?

134 replies

SharpeSam · 03/11/2021 22:17

I had a cleaner start today - never had one before so was very excited!

I’d planned to be out of her way when she was here, but as it happened I got home about 30 mins early to see she was cleaning barefoot.

I felt really odd about this. Would anyone else have felt the same?

OP posts:
Original poster
SharpeSam · 03/11/2021 23:49

Pretty mixed opinions then.

I don’t know why it bothers me, it’s not something I’d ever do in anyone else’s house unless invited to do so. I always remember my mother instilling into us how we should never go barefoot in hotel rooms, and swimming pools in the 70’s always had signs up about verrucas.

The comments telling me to get over myself I find unfair. I’m not going to go into the many reasons I want/need a cleaner but I will say that yes, I do work (frontline), and that, foot fetishes aside, I think I’m nice and decent and normal(ish)!

Thanks for all opinions. Now, please will someone explain why I must check my jeans whilst wearing my bra and using the bidet?! Or something like that …

OP posts:
Yaya26 · 03/11/2021 23:54

Veruccas!

Rno3gfr · 03/11/2021 23:55

I get really hot when I’m doing a good clean. She probably just needed to take her socks off. Also, why does it bother you? The tiny bit of skin contact on the floor isn’t going to contaminate your home. Get a grip.

LifeIsTricky · 03/11/2021 23:56

Torn here, I hate the idea of germy shoes on my carpet, I'm really funny about clothes I've worn out and about in the city being on fabrics in the house too, but I dislike the idea of (potentially) sweaty, bare feet too. A compromise of socks or slippers would be preferable! Those little free ones hotels give out, shove a pair by the front door with her name on them

Cheerbear23 · 04/11/2021 00:00

It’s a bit weird, I think my cleaners keep their shoes on. I know where you’re coming from… fungal toe nails and veruccas are a bugger to get rid of.

StarryNightSparkles · 04/11/2021 00:00

Actually just thinking op, you could get her a pair of none slip slippers for at your house as a Christmas present.

Jamallama · 04/11/2021 00:00

Never mind jeans and bra's.....won't someone think of the boden FFS!!!

Barefoot, socks, shoes, Wellington's for all I would care so long as she's done a good job.

whoopy1 · 04/11/2021 00:01

I clean barefoot as well. In my case it is because I am prone to falling and feel that I have more control without shoes or slippers on, though I would certainly think it odd if I had a barefoot cleaner…..not the fact she’s barefoot, just odd that I could afford one. Grin Grin

JesusIsAnyNameFree · 04/11/2021 00:04

please will someone explain why I must check my jeans whilst wearing my bra and using the bidet

It's a Friends reference Smile Monica was convinced the new cleaner stole her jeans and her bra.

Original poster
SharpeSam · 04/11/2021 00:07

Thank you Jesus (feels odd writing that!)

OP posts:
Yogawankonobi · 04/11/2021 00:10

Just ask her to wear shoes. Easy surely?

Btw I had to laugh at this though
I do work (frontline)

Wow

alsonotmyname · 04/11/2021 00:16

I'd be happy for my cleaner to clean in whatever she wants just so I don't have to do it - she can turn up naked as long as the sink gets scrubbed Grin

Isausernameavailable · 04/11/2021 00:19

I wouldn't be happy with anyone being barefoot in my house. I also would be careful about allowing someone working in it to not have footwear on.

If you directly employ her then your risk assessments should address this. If she's agency or self employed then ask to see the risk assessments

ItsDinah · 04/11/2021 00:31

Barefoot is how you spread athletes foot and verrucas, so I wouldn't be happy.

starfishmummy · 04/11/2021 00:53

@whynotwhatknot

watch your bras aswell
Bras on her feet would just be bizarre!!
1forAll74 · 04/11/2021 00:55

Just make sure you clean your dirty floor before she arrives, then she won't get her bare feet dirty.

starfishmummy · 04/11/2021 00:56

@StarryNightSparkles

Actually just thinking op, you could get her a pair of none slip slippers for at your house as a Christmas present.
No, the correct gift for a servant is a length of material so she can make herself some uniforms.
Tenfifteen · 04/11/2021 00:57

Wouldn’t bother me. I’m team barefoot!

plumdeplum · 04/11/2021 00:57

When I came home I found my dog and my cat barefoot. I have never heard of this before.

MadeItOut21 · 04/11/2021 01:02

It's pretty normal actually. YABU.

CheesusTheSaviour · 04/11/2021 01:05

I wonder why most of the world is happy about bare feet in houses without the worry of verrucas. I live in Asia. Completely normal to be barefoot in people's houses. Highly rude to keep shoes on. Our cleaner (and most cleaners, I assume) cleans barefoot, as barefoot inside is the norm. Is it the carpet obsession? Do carpets harbour verrucas?

Marvellousmadness · 04/11/2021 01:14

Ask her to wear socks next time then
But walking inside with shoes is much grosser than walking with bare feet. In our culture there is no shoes inside the house.

Squeezita · 04/11/2021 01:15

People seem to simultaneously want other people to clean their homes and then resent those same people for being in their homes.

We are a no shoes house, no cleaner, but can’t imagine caring about this.

Happyhappyday · 04/11/2021 01:28

Our cleaner takes her shoes off to keep things clean.

gofg · 04/11/2021 01:40

Is this some weird British thing that's a mystery to outsiders? Feet are gross and unhygienic? Fungal infections? What are you people doing with your feet?

Wondering that myself. In the part of the world I live in bare feet anywhere don't provoke all this nonsense. I couldn't care less if people in my house are barefoot or wearing shoes - whatever they find comfortable.