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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am I expecting too much from a cleaner?!?

178 replies

MumOfLittleOnes · 08/02/2022 12:51

I had the same cleaner for the last 10years who unfortunately retired she was absolutely amazing!

I found a new cleaner who started a couple of weeks ago I’m paying £15 an hour for 4 hours and I’m totally unimpressed just wondered if I am being picky or if some of these things are unacceptable. (I have a 4 year old and an 8 week old so things have been a bit manic lately so some toys do get left out as sometimes as you know it is impossible to find the time to tidy every single one away before the cleaner comes!)

I asked if she could do the beds (not change them just make them) she said she charges extra for doing beds I found this really bizzare?!?

When moping the floor in our kitchen they are tiles she has obviously used the wrong type of cleaning product or mop and left it horrendously smeary meaning I had to re do myself.

When cleaning the bath she didn’t actually move any of the kids bath toys from the side of the bath she just cleaned around them.

The glass sliding doors in our kitchen hadn’t been cleaned and had hand prints all over them still

I left to pick my son up from school and during that time she left (before the 4 hours was up)

I text her saying how much do I owe you and she said I did 3.5hours today.

Surely if she has left early then in those 30mins she should of been here she could of made the beds and quickly vinegar sprayed and wiped the glass doors?!

OP posts:
Merryoldgoat · 08/02/2022 12:52

She’s not the cleaner for you. Leave it there.

Hugasauras · 08/02/2022 12:54

Think it's just a mismatch of expectations. I wouldn't except a cleaner to change the beds unless that was explicitly agreed. And some cleaners won't do any tidying or moving of stuff, so they will just clean around any clutter. Sounds like you just need one more aligned to your needs.

Hugasauras · 08/02/2022 12:55

Oh sorry just making the beds. Still not sure I would necessarily expect that of a cleaner really.

itwasntaparty · 08/02/2022 12:55

I wouldn't expect my cleaner to make the beds and I tidy before she arrives so she can actually clean. Mine does do ironing / change bedding but it's an additional service.

ComDummings · 08/02/2022 12:55

@Hugasauras

Think it's just a mismatch of expectations. I wouldn't except a cleaner to change the beds unless that was explicitly agreed. And some cleaners won't do any tidying or moving of stuff, so they will just clean around any clutter. Sounds like you just need one more aligned to your needs.
I agree with this ^ I think you just need to find a cleaner who offers what you want, this one isn’t for you.
Original poster
MumOfLittleOnes · 08/02/2022 12:56

@Hugasauras yes that’s maybe what I was thinking! Maybe I should have been more specific when she started exactly what I wanted her to do and then she could of said like yes or no I don’t do those things!

OP posts:
Grenlei · 08/02/2022 12:57

I don't think YABU OP.

Why on earth should beds cost extra - fair enough if she said 'if I get to them in my 4 hours, if not I might have to charge a bit on top' but AFAIC when you're employing a cleaner you can say within reason how you want them to spend their time - so if you would rather her make the beds than dust the tops of cupboards so be it.

The fact you've had a cleaner for years makes me certain YANBU and your new cleaner just doesn't have great standards. I have given up with cleaners after 1 who couldn't use my hoover (it's a Henry, literally the easiest vacuum in the world to use - one button and it's on) - yet she couldn't work it apparently! - and another who mopped floors around the bin, chairs etc and didn't vacuum before mopping either.

Good cleaners are hard to find!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 08/02/2022 12:57

Never heard of a cleaner making beds before. I wouldn't have thought that's standard.

I'd expect them to do glass. Regarding the bath toys why can't you put them away before she comes so they're not in her way? It takes less than a minute to just chuck them in a bag out the way.

HeddaGarbled · 08/02/2022 12:59

She’s new. You need to explain to her what you want e.g. please could you wipe down the glass doors? You and your previous cleaner had been together for years. Try and let the “she’s not as good as x” thoughts go and start afresh with an open mind and some tolerance during the settling-in period.

FirstTimeSecondTime · 08/02/2022 13:00

Are you paying £15 ph

Original poster
MumOfLittleOnes · 08/02/2022 13:01

@FirstTimeSecondTime yes £15 ph x

OP posts:
ZippyZap · 08/02/2022 13:05

I would write a room detail list for the next cleaner and say this is what you would like... Let me know how long it takes...

I've had similar issues and have just swapped cleaners to someone new and I'm going to nail it this time a d leave a room list!

Original poster
MumOfLittleOnes · 08/02/2022 13:10

@ZippyZap that’s a really good idea actually I think I will do that! Thank you. Smile

OP posts:
Original poster
MumOfLittleOnes · 08/02/2022 13:15

@Grenlei well that was what I was thinking! And especially if she left before 4hours then those 30mins could have been used to make a double bed and one kids single bed?! Yes appreciate I can do myself but I always liked it when my old cleaner did it because it looked nicer than if I do myself haha!

OP posts:
Tothemoonandbackx · 08/02/2022 13:23

She's there to clean, not to tidy I'm afraid (a difference I spent 10 years trying to explain to an ex Confused). Yes, the glass doors could have been cleaned, but as for the bed making, just because your old cleaner did that, doesn't mean she has too. I'm sure if you asked, she wouldn't mind, as long as something else that can be cleaned may be missed if she runs out of time.

DuchessAndThePea · 08/02/2022 13:32

Give her one more chance. Walk her round the house telling her exactly what you'd like her to do in the 4 hours. If she meets your expectations (or narrows the gap) with this next visit then you just need to improve the communication between you. I would expect a cleaner to lift the bath toys up to clean the bath and make beds. Mine even change the sheets and pop one load in the washing machine to get the laundry started.

If she doesn't improve then you'll have to look for a new cleaner.

Tootsey11 · 08/02/2022 13:36

Cleaner here, tidy before she comes, that way nothing to lift and she can get to the cleaning. The first clean is the hardest for any cleaner, getting to know a house, it usually takes a few cleans to get on top of things.

Easterbunnyiswindowshopping · 08/02/2022 13:38

Cleaner here.. Especially when there are dc mess is to be expected ime. Bed making is a given for me. Unless the bedroom is closed /discussed not to clean in there..

roarfeckingroarr · 08/02/2022 13:44

My cleaner changed my bed sheets, it's pretty standard.

maddening · 08/02/2022 13:46

The lady that provides my cleaning service would move clutter and make beds if asked. Surely if it can be done in the time then it can be done. I wouldn't expect a cleaner to do an extra hours work as moving things, doing beds etc take the extra time, but these things are not out if the realm of "cleaning",

My cleaner owes an hour (I pay a month in advance) so she said she will do it this week and do the blinds. Sometimes I will book in extra hours to do extra jobs like the oven, cupboards, fridge etc, but we are also flexible with each other, I pay in advance and it works v well.

RobotValkyrie · 08/02/2022 13:48

The cleaners at my office would not only clean around the place, but also gather mugs and tea cups lying on individual desks, and wash them in the dishwasher in the communal kitchen. They'd make sure the kitchen sink was clear too.

If these office cleaners could do that, I don't see why a house cleaner couldn't tidy bath toys before cleaning the bath. Indeed, it only takes a minute. A minute they will be paid for.

Sounds like this might be a communication issue, but if your cleaner thinks these jobs are beneath her, there will be other cleaners out there who don't...

sparklyponies · 08/02/2022 13:49

My cleaner has made the bed for me when I've forgotten (I only realised when I went to bed that night and it was very posh 😂). She also does fancy things with the kids blankets at the end of the bed etc. we don't have clutter but she still moves things around and just leaves them nicer.

However, I've also tried cleaners in the past who charge extra for skirting boards, doors and toilets. And I had one who spent the entire time cleaning the conservatory windows and nothing else...then the same the week after! I've learnt to ask what's included in the clean and what they do and don't do.

TabithaTittlemouse · 08/02/2022 13:50

Same with any job, you ask and she tells you if she can deliver. If you aren’t compatible you find someone who is.

roses2 · 08/02/2022 13:53

@ZippyZap

I would write a room detail list for the next cleaner and say this is what you would like... Let me know how long it takes...

I've had similar issues and have just swapped cleaners to someone new and I'm going to nail it this time a d leave a room list!

Exactly what I do. Eg:

Bedroom #1 - 20 minutes
Hoover floor
Dust shelves & drawers
Hoover skirting
Empty bin
Change sheets

etc

thepastisanothercountry · 08/02/2022 13:54

Our cleaner who has been with us for about 8 years changes beds, hoovers, sweeps, mops, hangs up washing and / or shoves stuff in machine and tidies. She also picks things up and cleans around them. She does not necessarily do all of these things every time. I will be first to admit that we are not a tidy family however hard I try.

When we are away she comes in and blitzes the place, cleans fridges and ovens, washes practically every bit of fabric she can get her hands on and leaves it dry and folded. We do pay her extra for that.

In exchange I pay her well, turn a blind eye if she leaves early as long as she's done what I've asked and if she occasionally misses something which is rare I do it myself. She's very diffident about asking for pay rises so I ensure that I increase it myself on an annual basis without being asked. I also paid her all the way through lockdown.

I am very glad she is my cleaner - and given she's in demand, I'm assuming she'd have left by now if she was unhappy cleaning for us.

The right cleaner is out there for you OP but it does not sound like this one is it.