Cleaner stole clothes?

[TractorAndHeadphones]

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.

Do you have a ring doorbell or similar? To put your mind at rest, see what your cleaner was carrying when she left??

Other than that, could it have fallen off and been swept up in the bottom of the wardrobe etc.....

Managed to bin a bag full of clothes and coats in the process of a move once.

Also lost loads of glasses and found at least one pair in the freezer.

People lose stuff

Honestly OP I lost my favourite leggings for like a month, looked everywhere, had come to the conclusion my sister thought they were hers and kept them when we last visited. Found them last week under the code v in the bedroom that id moved when looking for them

@FindingMeno

Why would a cleaner do this when they'd obviously be in the frame?

I don't know either, that's another reason why I wondered if anybody else had the same experience. i would presume anybody (not cleaners here ) who wanted to take something would have taken it from a place that was untouched

Anyway I'm not going to let her go or do anything ... she's not due for another week anywayl Hopefully it'll turn up

@Pbbananabagel

Honestly OP I lost my favourite leggings for like a month, looked everywhere, had come to the conclusion my sister thought they were hers and kept them when we last visited. Found them last week under the code v in the bedroom that id moved when looking for them

code v?

Has it maybe fell into a bag with other stuff and been shoved out of sight , or in the washer/dryer , or under another coat

@TractorAndHeadphones

Anyway I'm not going to let her go or do anything ... she's not due for another week anywayl Hopefully it'll turn up

Have you checked the car?

Hopefully you didn't send them to the charity shop with your old coats

I left my jacket at a clients house once her son was wearing it until he realised it was lady's size 14 not age 14 boys

Have you had anyone visit who might have picked it up by mistake??...
Or taken anything to a charity shop since it went missing.. ie.. bag lying on the floor... jacket fell in..??

If my ds loses his keys he just walks around the house going: keys! Keys! Keys! Out loud. And strangely enough he finds them. Saw it online and it's your subconscious leading you back to where you last had them.. or something!

Many years ago I lost the tv remote. we only had 4 rooms but it still took me 3+ hours to find it (was in a plant pot in our bedroom). I must have put it there as I was the only one in at the time but I had no memory at all of doing so.
I tell you this in case you have done something similar, that is, had it in your hand to put away somewhere, then been struck with another thought and forgotten you had the jacket, put it down somewhere and forgotten about it. I think this is unlikely though as you sound like an organised person and have had a good look for it. I hope it does turn up.

The bed is stripped and linen in the wash
Is it in the wash with the bedding?

All you can do is ask the cleaner and she's said she doesn't know where it is...at least if it was her she would figure she won't get away with it again.

I work as a cleaner.I dont know why people here are so tetchy about a cleaner maybe taken the jacket.Like in any other profession from heart surgeons to toilet attendants,you get people stealing things occasionaly.

Hope that you find it

You've just moved.

I reckon you left it on the back of a chair in your old home.

But this:

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 …

... is ridiculous! Are you playing with us, OP?

On the back of a door.

Been put in a drawer and has fallen over the back so is now in the carcass of the chest of drawers.

Something else was put on top of it on the chair back and they were both picked up together.

Have you considered its on a hanger under another jacket? Ie she's used one hanger to hang up to items?

It does happen! I would set up cameras it's your home your fully allowed to!

My auntie had to do it after my nephews piggy bank kept getting tampered with! He was only 7! Caught her red handed taking £10 notes out. Which he had saved his whole entire life

OP, you'll have to chalk this one up to experience. Or wait for it to turn up somehow. Or install a domestic cctv in public areas and let the people who'll be in your home know you have, so you're not secretly recording them and so they can make an informed decision on whether to continue or not. (There are laws/guidance for this). I don't see anything else you could do.

I know people like to jump to conclusions and accuse cleaners of everything (it doesn't seem like you've done this) but on the other hand, people will tell you it's more likely for the jacket to have found a secret wardrobe to Narnia in your house than for a cleaner to have stolen from you.

Fact is that some people steal (cleaner or not). It's not the only explanation but it's natural to ask or suspect that someone who's rarely in your home (and was the only one around at the time?) has taken something if it's missing, especially if you've looked everywhere.

I do like the fact that your DP has been so thorough with his searching for your jacket. He's a keeper!

@no3whatsitgoingtobe

It does happen! I would set up cameras it's your home your fully allowed to!

My auntie had to do it after my nephews piggy bank kept getting tampered with! He was only 7! Caught her red handed taking £10 notes out. Which he had saved his whole entire life

Unless the law has changed in the past couple of years, legally you would have to let cleaners know you have cameras, covert or not. Even though it is your home, in law filming cleaners, babysitters, tradesmen etc comes under "employee surveillance" which has its own different legal requirements.

I lost a watch my parents got me for my 30th birthday. Found it 5 years later down the side of the sofa- it had slipped into the frame!

I find retracing my movements last time I saw whatever it is helps.

Have you looked in the laundry basket? My cleaner often bundles random clothes up and puts them in there.