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AIBU?

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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:
BlingLoving · 08/02/2022 15:33

Why is bed making such a strange request? My agency cleaners will generally straighten the beds without asking and if there is time, and I ask, will also change bedding.

OP - get a new cleaner, ask her if she's willing to do what you need and you'll be much happier. You know there are cleaners out there who will because you had a long term successful relationship with one.

Howareyouflower · 08/02/2022 15:33

I was a cleaner. I would expect to move things, not just clean round them. I also happily made or changed beds. TBH, I liked a room to look as if I'd cleaned it, so if I cleaned a bedroom and left the bed unmade I'd feel as if it didn't look as if I'd cleaned it. If asked to do anything extra, I'd only charge more if I couldn't fit it into my normal time. Usually a client would say "Could you clean this silver/ conservatory windows/garage door instead of doing my bedroom today?" I'd happily do it, then if I had time I'd do the bedroom.
I think you probably should find someone else, and explain at the beginning what you would like to be done. I found the best clients were those who explained in the beginning, then left me to get on with things . I always told them if there was a particular job they wanted done, to let me know, and also to tell me if I'd forgotten something, and I'd make sure to do it the next time.

ivykaty44 · 08/02/2022 15:35

did you run through a check list of all the items you expected cleaned and how they were to be cleaned?

Frauhubert · 08/02/2022 15:36

There will be a lot of people telling you how cleaners only should clean around things, never change or make beds, they can’t really tidy your mess, only wipe the surfaces lightly and vacuum the reception room, that they pay their taxes and even have an insurance if they break a vase! But really, the good ones are so rare that yes- you should probably lower your expectations. You should’t have to, but finding and keeping a good one is nearly impossible. It’s also not really how much they get paid, it’s how little they expect to work.
My best one was charging on the lower spectrum and my house looked like a showroom when she worked for us. She used to be a maid in a hotel and she worked to that standard. The rest of them are just cleaning around things and leaving 45min early.

Nanny0gg · 08/02/2022 15:39

@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.
She was asked to make them, not change them
oakleaffy · 08/02/2022 15:40

''Cleaner cleaned around the toys in the bathroom''

My goodness!
I'm not the world's best cleaner, but everything in the bathroom has to be picked up and washed under.. To clean around them is just laughably bad.

Nanny0gg · 08/02/2022 15:41

@MatildaTheCat

My cleaner is fanatically tidy. Last week I left out my friend’s birthday gifts ready to wrap. When I went to do so they were gone. The brand new with tags jumper was tucked into the charity bag and the book was neatly filed into the bookcase among a few hundred other books. Confused

Definitely have a list but I’ve no idea how to solve the over zealous tidying up.

Don't leave stuff out?
DSGR · 08/02/2022 15:42

Mine changes beds within the four hours but I did expressly ask her to. Your cleaner sounds rubbish, she’s not for you. I would however make a list for the next one. They can tell you if it can be done within four hours

Cheeserton · 08/02/2022 15:43

Not going to work out. Fix now, rather than later.

CharlieBoo · 08/02/2022 15:44

I run a cleaning business and have done for the last 6 years..

Glass doors in your kitchen should be done as standard.. kids toys in bath should be removed or lifted and cleaned underneath..

Tidying, is a grey area and we say we do not tidy, but if we’re in a property where there a few toys left on the floor in bedroom or lounge, we will move them.

Bed.. if there’s time we would make them.. not time then you can either pay for an extra 15 minutes so beds can be made..

Find someone else.. ask for recommendations on FB or friends/ neighbours. The cleaning industry has boomed hugely and there are many cleaners out there, find one that will do things how you like.

CharlieBoo · 08/02/2022 15:45

We do change bedding.. it’s charged at the same rate but we just add on more time. Lots of elderly clients have this as it’s a big job for them to do.

Tdcp · 08/02/2022 15:47

I used to be a cleaner and I always moved things to clean under them, I also tried to do whatever the client had requested, obviously it was within a time frame or I stayed longer and they paid for longer, I never charged extra for a specific service. I also changed bed linen as standard. I was paid £8.50 pH ..not 15

oakleaffy · 08/02/2022 15:48

My elderly aunt was an exceptional cleaner.. She worked for a well known Russian Ballet dancer in the 1970's, and when he asked her to make his tea and run his baths, she said 'I'm not your servant'' ..she'd get cross as he's leave his tights everywhere like shed skins.
Both are sadly RIP now, but good cleaners even wipe the tops of doors and get into the runners of the shower with an old toothbrush.

skyeisthelimit · 08/02/2022 16:01

There are cleaners around here who will change beds. It all depends on what they offer and what you agree upfront with them.

If she doesn't offer those services then you need a different cleaner.

I can understand if you had the other one for so many years and that she did all those things that you just expected the new one to do the same.

mathanxiety · 08/02/2022 16:07

You need to tidy before she comes. It's unreasonable to expect her to do that.

I can see how beds would cost more - they represent wear and tear on her back.

She should wipe down windows though.

BuddhaForMary · 08/02/2022 16:19

Making beds and tidying sounds more like a job for a housekeeper. When I did a stint as a cleaner, I was there to clean, not tidy round after the family.

silverbubbles · 08/02/2022 16:21

YANBU
She sounds poor but maybe she needs educating.
Give her a list and state your expectations

Helloninjas · 08/02/2022 16:21

I’d get rid of her. Clearly she’s quite lazy and it’s going to get worse. All my cleaners have made beds and picked things up to clean under them. Except the last one who I sacked as she lacked attention to detail and left my place half cleaned but less tidy then when she arrived.

EsmeSusanOgg · 08/02/2022 16:23

Our cleaners always make the beds if we haven't. Not expected/ in the list of things to do, but they all have (agency). Is that not standard?

CaMePlaitPas · 08/02/2022 16:31

My cleaner used to change bed linen but for 20 an hour.

I agree with others, you do need to tidy (toys away for example) so she can clean, you also need to make clear what you want done ie please do floors and wipe down windows.

User310 · 08/02/2022 16:32

When I had a cleaner coming, she would not only make the beds but changed the bedding. She tidied up and cleaned, She would even organise. Obviously it took her longer so she was paid for more time.

I’m too scared to get another cleaner now because I highly suspect nobody will compare.

CaMePlaitPas · 08/02/2022 16:32

@BuddhaForMary couldn't agree more, sounds like you're looking for a house keeper OP.

Dindundundundeeer · 08/02/2022 16:37

My cleaner changes the beds. Never occurred to me that she wouldn’t.

Greenbluestar · 08/02/2022 16:40

I wouldn’t want a cleaner if they didn’t change the sheets.

NotquitewhatImeant · 08/02/2022 16:43

I’ve never had a cleaner who doesn’t change beds - is it not a standard thing? I’ve never requested it.