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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To of used my clients loo?

287 replies

Cleaninglady47 · 19/02/2022 12:42

Name changed because this is probably quite outing and I don’t want it linked to my previous posts!
So I’m a cleaner, yesterday I was at a new-ish clients house, she’s got a big home so she’s booked me for 3 hours each time, just before I cleaned her bathrooms I said “oh do you mind if I quickly use your loo before I clean” and she said “hmmm this once but don’t make a habit of it, it’s not very professional”. I did go, because I was desperate but I feel mortified, upset and embarrassed. It’s never even occurred to me that this would be considered unprofessional?! The lady who does my hair, and the one who does my nails comes to my house and they use my loo and I’ve never given it a second thought?!
I ALWAYS use the toilet before I leave my house in the mornings to try and avoid needing to go at clients homes but sometimes I can do 2 cleans before I have my lunch break (4-5 hours plus travel time) and if I’m drinking water to keep my hydrated it’s inevitable I will need the toilet at some point. I know I’m a grown adult and I should of held it and should be able to control my bladder (which I can) but I was desperate and holding it would of made me uncomfortable. Am I being unreasonable?! I’m not sure, does anyone have any tips to avoid a situation like this in the future?

YABU - of course you shouldn’t use your clients toilets!
YANBU - you can’t help needing the loo and should be able to go at a clients house if you really need

OP posts:
sadpapercourtesan · 19/02/2022 12:44

She's a snotty cow. She shouldn't employ human beings if she can't cope with normal human behaviours, ie needing a wee every now and again.

Presumably you clean the bloody toilet? Silly woman.

Elbie79 · 19/02/2022 12:44

This is insane. Of course it's fine to use her loo. Nothing unprofessional about it. Your client is clearly a dick.

Winterfellismyhome · 19/02/2022 12:45

YANBU. Shes being ridiculous

FionnulaTheCooler · 19/02/2022 12:46

YANBU. She's being really weird about it.

Lunariagal · 19/02/2022 12:46

I'm completely mystified as to why this might be an issue.

Chloemol · 19/02/2022 12:47

YANBU. She’s a twat and I would be careful she sounds like the type to take advantage

I would be looking to find someone else to clean for and dump her

Stellaris22 · 19/02/2022 12:47

That's ridiculous, why would anyone refuse bathroom breaks? Sounds like a power trip and she just likes being mean.

BobbinHood · 19/02/2022 12:47

Wtf? Your client sounds awful, of course it’s ok to use someone’s loo if you’re cleaning their house!

Hospedia · 19/02/2022 12:47

Next time just use it while you're in there cleaning and don't bother asking, who would know?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 19/02/2022 12:48

She’s nuts! Nothing wrong with using the loo

Notanotherwindow · 19/02/2022 12:48

You should be able to use the toilet at your place of work. It's a basic human right. A lot of people work in other people's hones or from their own home and if you're there hours then you will inevitably need the toilet. I use the toilet at my therapists house and I'm only there for an hour.

I'd not have asked but just gone when I cleaned the bathroom.

Frankly I think you should just drop her as a client and be upfront as to why. Her money is no better than anyone else's so I'd drop her and replace with another more normal client.

autumnboys · 19/02/2022 12:48

Happy for you to clean it but not for you to use it? She sounds stuck up. YANBU at all.

BeeBop54 · 19/02/2022 12:48

YANBU.

This is awful and she sounds like a horrible and undignified person. You are a human being and should be treated as such.

Ugh.

Original poster
Cleaninglady47 · 19/02/2022 12:48

Thank you so much for your replies, it’s put my mind at rest, I was really worried that I’d broken some kind of unknown rule lol!!

OP posts:
IglesiasPiggl · 19/02/2022 12:49

That is insane and inhumane. Toilets are for using. Anyone who enters my house can use it.

SquigglePigs · 19/02/2022 12:49

That's ridiculous. My cleaner is here for 3 hrs plus travel time and if course she/you should use the loo if you need it. How on earth is needing the loo unprofessional?! Honestly I'd be looking for different clients if I was you. You deserve to be treated better than that!

Tootsey11 · 19/02/2022 12:49

Cleaner here, I use the toilets in my clients houses all the time. Op, she sounds like she might be a problem client, what she said would really put me off working for her.

oscarcat99 · 19/02/2022 12:49

She's weird. I mean you were literally going to clean after yourself so I cannot see how it would affect her! We have a cleaner in and I wouldn't even see the need for her to ask TBH

Georgeskitchen · 19/02/2022 12:50

A work place by law has to provide toilet facilities for their employees

Her house is your work place and you are the employee AND you cleaned the bog after. No idea what her problem is!!

AppleKatie · 19/02/2022 12:50

She’s batshit.

Not very professional?

I’m pretty sure doctors/lawyers/teachers/literally everyone who goes to work… is allowed to go to the loo during the working day.

She’s a bitch and I would look to sack her as a client - that kind of batshittery will only be the tip.

DickMabutt73962 · 19/02/2022 12:51

Don't go back

Mouk · 19/02/2022 12:51

YANBU, she's a stuck up cow.

I wouldn't clean for her ever again.

whatsagoodusername · 19/02/2022 12:52

Of all the people who might ask to use our loo while working in our house, a cleaner is the one I'd worry about the least!

GCAcademic · 19/02/2022 12:52

Needing the loo isn't very professional? I've heard it all now! I didn't realise that I shouldn't be going to the loo at work. Makes me wonder why my employer has bothered installing toilets in our building.

As someone said above, she's on a power trip. If you can afford to drop her and find another client, I would do so.

AnxiousHeffalump · 19/02/2022 12:53

I hope my cleaner feels she can use my loo.