Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Cleaner stole clothes?

238 replies

TractorAndHeadphones · 07/11/2021 16:49

Got a new jacket that I left hanging on a chair (as far as I recall). New cleaner came, cleaned and tidied. Now I can’t find my jacket.

I’m reluctant to jump to conclusions but this is an item of clothing so not easily mislaid (like a piece of jewellery). I haven’t worn this jacket out yet. DP and I have both turned the house upside down but can’t find it. It’s a branded sports jacket (think Puma, Nike etc) so not particularly designer/valuable. I’ve considered texting the cleaner to ask if she’s seen it as well but I’d sound really stupid not knowing where stuff is in my own house!

AIBU to wonder whether she had something to do with it? Although it sounds like a strange thing to steak I see no other option. Nobody else has been in my house since.

OP posts:
KittenCatcher · 07/11/2021 17:14

Just ask her, she may say she took it home by mistake, may deny seeing it, may have put it somewhere. You wont know until you ask her, if you dont trust her any more than theres no point keeping her on, if she feels you have wrongly accused her then she may quit anyway.

Original poster
TractorAndHeadphones · 07/11/2021 17:15

@babyyy1926

Could you have put it on the bed and the duvet covered it and then shes made the bed for you not realizing theres a jacket under maybe?
The bed is stripped and linen in the wash
OP posts:
babyyy1926 · 07/11/2021 17:17

Or maybe you took it in the car with you just incase you wanted to wear it and have left it in there?

Haffiana · 07/11/2021 17:18

So…starting a thread on a forum, and spending several hours searching = automatic assumption for you?

But you haven't even ASKED her have you? So who is making assumptions here?

Claphands · 07/11/2021 17:18

There was a AMA thread recently about finding lost items!

Chippymunks · 07/11/2021 17:19

Could you have left it in your car or lost it on a night out? Do you have a cupboard for coats, if so check in there? I think this type of thing is more likely than it’s been stolen by the cleaner.

Original poster
TractorAndHeadphones · 07/11/2021 17:20

@KittenCatcher

Just ask her, she may say she took it home by mistake, may deny seeing it, may have put it somewhere. You wont know until you ask her, if you dont trust her any more than theres no point keeping her on, if she feels you have wrongly accused her then she may quit anyway.
PP have said they ask their cleaner these things all the time!

Honestly my first instinct was to ask. But because I felt like an idiot not being able to find things in my own house I was compelled to search. If she says she hasn’t seen it and I don’t keep her on then she’ll obviously feel wrongly accused which is why I’m wary of asking her given that I’ve searched!

Also I don’t think peoplenknow how obsessive DP is when searching. He divided every area of the room into squares, with photos taken of each square, everything taken out and apart to within and inch of its life and documented. He would put a forensic team to shame …

OP posts:
Original poster
TractorAndHeadphones · 07/11/2021 17:21

@Haffiana

So…starting a thread on a forum, and spending several hours searching = automatic assumption for you?

But you haven't even ASKED her have you? So who is making assumptions here?

The issue is that if I ask her and she says she hasn’t seen it - and I don’t keep her on she will feel wrongly accused.

Hence the purpose of my starting this thread was to see if there were any other there possibilities that I might have missed

OP posts:
MRex · 07/11/2021 17:21

I suppose this Theead is redundant until I’ve asked her but what if she says she hasn’t seen it what other option is there then?
Just ask her, then see what she says, no point dithering over maybes.

"Hi, I have misplaced my bright orange coat, did you happen to notice it in the flat or put it anywhere? Thanks, Tractor"

Port1aCastis · 07/11/2021 17:21

Maybe give the cleaner a ring and discuss the issue as she may throw some light on the missing jacket but tread carefully as if you accuse the cleaner of theft you may be in hot water.

Sleepinghyena · 07/11/2021 17:21

@TractorAndHeadphones Your title does jump to the assumption you think the cleaner stole it. No need for the nastiness to @RunningFromInsanity
I have a cleaning business. Funnily enough I have never stolen anything from my clients.
The number of threads on here implying cleaners have stolen items is disgusting.

Ariela · 07/11/2021 17:22

I don't understand why you don't simply text cleaner and say
Can't find my new {colour, brand } jacket, was thinking you will have put it away somewhere I've not yet looked?

tallduckandhandsome · 07/11/2021 17:22

Honestly my first instinct was to ask. But because I felt like an idiot not being able to find things in my own house I was compelled to search. If she says she hasn’t seen it and I don’t keep her on then she’ll obviously feel wrongly accused which is why I’m wary of asking her given that I’ve searched!

You’ll feel even worse if you let her come back and she steals again.

Ask her if she’s seen it.

Original poster
TractorAndHeadphones · 07/11/2021 17:23

@Chippymunks

Could you have left it in your car or lost it on a night out? Do you have a cupboard for coats, if so check in there? I think this type of thing is more likely than it’s been stolen by the cleaner.
No car. It’s new. I’ve only been out once since I last saw it and most definitely Wasn’t wearing it.

But it’s not the sort of thing to be stolen which is why I don’t think this explanation makes sense utter.

If there was a professional third party searcher I could hire I would do so 😂😂😂

OP posts:
notanothertakeaway · 07/11/2021 17:23

@Penistoe

Text her before you have to review the hrs of house cctv to re trace your steps can she remember seeing it anywhere.
Your cleaner would probably quit if you did that!
tallduckandhandsome · 07/11/2021 17:23

(Assuming she does steal it)

I’ve never had a cleaner and I imagine this is very rate but it does happen.

laurenaimee20 · 07/11/2021 17:23

@KittenCatcher

Just text and ask her if she remembers seeing a jacket and has she put it away somewhere. You will know by her response.
This
MRex · 07/11/2021 17:24

It would be nice if you find out there's a cupboard you didn't know about in the flat. (My old cleaner found one of those in our old house and put all my shoes in it!!)

Icebreaker99 · 07/11/2021 17:24

I'm irrationally annoyed that you still haven't texted her Grin

Sparklfairy · 07/11/2021 17:24

When I was a cleaner clients would sometimes text and ask if I'd seen x item when cleaning. I never took offence or assumed they thought I'd stole it ffs. Just ask her.

Indoctro · 07/11/2021 17:25

Happened to my mum a few times growing up, cleaners stealing stuff.

I remember once going to the cleaners dog with my mum and she answered and had my mums mohair jumper on Confused

My mum went ballistic and said go and get my stuff now and she went off and returned a few minutes later with a bin liner stuffed with clothes

Personally I don't think people are trustworthy so it absolutely could of been stolen

Comeonmommy · 07/11/2021 17:26

Omg, just ask her!! Stop trying to work out the next moves until you know what she says. She might get able to tell you where it is, then this entire thread is a waste of time

MRex · 07/11/2021 17:27

@Indoctro - oh give over. I can believe once getting a dodgy person to clean, but not multiple people. Most people are honest.

Indoctro · 07/11/2021 17:28

Door not dog *

Indoctro · 07/11/2021 17:29

[quote MRex]@Indoctro - oh give over. I can believe once getting a dodgy person to clean, but not multiple people. Most people are honest.[/quote]
No really they are not and it happened 3 times over the years.

Loads of people are dishonest.

Swipe left for the next trending thread