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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Imagine being a domestic cleaner at the moment

152 replies

MrsMingech · 01/04/2022 18:05

We have just had to let our cleaners go. We could barely afford the luxury anyway, but the stress it took from us was immense.

But the prices of everything going up is just painful.

But how shit must it be to be in a trade such domestic cleaning? Surely it's one of the first things to go. So those who clean will get a double whammy. Their cost of living goes up and potentially their income goes down. Hit from both ends.

Same with things like taxi drivers and so on and so forth.

OP posts:
ellebelli · 01/04/2022 19:05

I am a Cleaner and so far not lost anybody, nor do I expect to. If I do I have several people on a waiting list anyway.
I am actually busier than ever doing extra hours for my clients this week and next!!!
I do intend to put my prices up soon too.

whoruntheworldgirls · 01/04/2022 19:09

@user1487194234

I would give up quite a few things before my cleaner
Same here! They do such a great job
Cyw2018 · 01/04/2022 19:09

The knock on effect of inflation is going to be horrendous.

I worry about they leisure sector. Swimming pools and leisure centres have massive gas and electric overheads, so their prices will have to increase, which means less people will be able to go, meaning their prices will have to increase to keep open and on and on, until they close and once they're gone will we ever get them back?

My DD liked many kids hasn't learnt to swim yet due to lockdowns so it will effect them, and it will mean people loose their jobs including jobs for young people (my first job at 16 was as Lifeguard/recreation assistance in a large leisure centre and I loved it).

It's going to be a scary time for a few years (I hope it's only a few years).

TonkaTruckduck · 01/04/2022 19:09

I get you op. I think people will also drag their hair appointments a few weeks further apart, have less take aways etc.
So not only is the cleaner / hairdresser / takeaway delivery driver not earning so much, but they also aren't spending so much on non essentials and on it goes ad infinitum.

PatientlyWaiting21 · 01/04/2022 19:11

@CremeEggThief

It did read to me as she's hand wringing about it, agonising over it yet still goes ahead and does it anyway! So I wouldn't feel have any sympathy for any boss if I were one of the "little people" in that situation, no.
@CremeEggThief why are you quoting the little people, you are the only person who has used that term. You are also the only one saying the OP was wanting sympathy. Been on the wine and looking for a keypad fight are we?!
CoffeeAlwaysTired · 01/04/2022 19:13

@tttigress

It's quite tricky to get a good cleaner, some that:

a) you trust in your house
b) will do a good job and not gradually reduce their effort once in the job

I would have thought the good cleaners will still get plenty of work

This.

We have had a LOT of cleaners over the years and only one good and trustworthy one. I was shocked how difficult it was to find a cleaner that was satisfactory let alone good. It was really difficult

linelgreen · 01/04/2022 19:15

We have just given ours a pay rise to try and cover her increased fuel costs and also general cost of living rises - she did not ask we offered.

Davros · 01/04/2022 19:15

£15ph, cash in hand, no tax paid? I don't feel sorry for them, they've priced themselves out of work

JuliaSways · 01/04/2022 19:16

I'm a domestic cleaner and so far haven't lost any clients. A lot of my clients are wealthy though, so don't expect to lose them but who knows
I have a few others who pay with their disability benefits, no idea if they will be able to continue to afford my services.

JuliaSways · 01/04/2022 19:17

@Davros

£15ph, cash in hand, no tax paid? I don't feel sorry for them, they've priced themselves out of work
I pay my taxes thank you.
Sexnotgender · 01/04/2022 19:25

I love my cleaner. Just increased her hourly rate as the cost of living is increasing astronomically and I assume she isn’t cleaning my house because she loves cleaning.

JuliaSways · 01/04/2022 19:30

@Sexnotgender

I love my cleaner. Just increased her hourly rate as the cost of living is increasing astronomically and I assume she isn’t cleaning my house because she loves cleaning.
I actually chose to be cleaner afyer years of running offices because I got sick of office politics and dealing with moaning and whinging colleagues. I love cleaning, I like helping people and I get a huge amount of job satisfaction knowing that the incredibly busy parents are able to come home that night to a clean home and appreciate it and relax.

It's the only job I've ever done where my customer is always pleased to see me.

I don't do this job because I have to, I chose to do it.

I realise that this isn't the case for every cleaner out there, but I'd put money on the majority of cleaners liking their work because I can't see how anyone would willingly clean other people's houses if they hated it, it's not renowned for the glamour or high pay after all 😂

Dancer47 · 01/04/2022 19:38

HI OP.
I am one of them. Thank you for thinking of us.

Before Covid hit in March 2020, I was a self-employed domestic cleaner in large private houses. I had as much work as I wanted and often worked 7 days a week doing over 15 houses top to bottom, and in summer, did extra work like companion work and cooking for my clients.
As soon as Covid hit all my work stopped dead. I had made a loss in my first year of operation and a good profit in the next two tax years, but the loss in one of the qualifying years meant I got no support grant from HMRC. Now that Covid is over, no-one wants a cleaner. They have got used to getting by, and a lot of people don't want anyone in their houses except for family. It has changed people. Now with bills rising, people who would like a cleaner can't afford one any more. I do odd jobs now, Yesterday I painted a garage for £30. It took me all day. Tomorrow I am doing someone's fence. I have put flyers through doors within a 15 minute walk offering to do a list of odd jobs that I am good at. I live hand to mouth. I am 51.

Luredbyapomegranate · 01/04/2022 19:39

@CremeEggThief

It did read to me as she's hand wringing about it, agonising over it yet still goes ahead and does it anyway! So I wouldn't feel have any sympathy for any boss if I were one of the "little people" in that situation, no.
That’s entirely about you, not what the OP actually wrote.

There’s a real shortage of taxi drivers since so many left in lockdown, plus there’s a lot of driving work around so I’d hope people who drive for a living will be OK. For cleaners I think it will depend on the area. I’d have to loose my job before I’d give up mine..

Chasingaftermidnight · 01/04/2022 19:39

I actually think domestic cleaning - at least good cleaners - may not be affected as badly as some other sectors. My cleaner is amazing and she told me a few weeks ago that she has a long waiting list.

I think hospitality will be hit hard. Which is very unfortunate because it’s been an awful couple of years for the sector in any event.

But I absolutely agree with your general point. This is how recessions start. People start economising on ‘luxuries’ and that has a trickle-down effect because ‘luxuries’ employ millions of people.

lunar1 · 01/04/2022 19:49

I would give up an awful lot before I cancelled my cleaner. She's honestly one in a million, her prices have just gone up and she has a waiting list.

I run my business from home and it makes it so much easier to work having a clean and tidy home.

Blondeshavemorefun · 01/04/2022 19:49

Totally agree op the luxuries that many have like cleaner garden window washer nail lady hairdresser eye lashes etc

Will be one of the things to go when people need to cut back

Hence the above list many self employed lose their income

frustratedashell · 01/04/2022 19:52

I'm a cleaner and I've taken on new clients in the last month. I feel fortunate that I'm pretty much full now. I love my job and feel appreciated by my clients. I do wonder if I will lose some clients now that the bill increases are starting to bite. But I like to think I'm good at my job and my clients are happy with my work, so I could probably replace them if necessary.
I feel sorry for people who work in hospitality.

Babyroobs · 01/04/2022 19:57

@ISpyCobraKai

I'm so far keeping my cleaner. I'm on disability benefits which is why I have one in the first place, I'm certainly not even comfortable financially, I just choose this to get my house cleaned for an hour a week.
Cleaners, gardeners, car valets, hairdressers, nail salons- all these type of non essential are at risk. Honestly in my village, there are about five hair salons and 3 or 4 beauty / nail places, 4 cafes. I have no idea how they all currently stay in business !
Abridget7 · 01/04/2022 20:01

@Sexnotgender

I love my cleaner. Just increased her hourly rate as the cost of living is increasing astronomically and I assume she isn’t cleaning my house because she loves cleaning.
May I ask by how much she increased her price?
OutTheOtherSideAndBeyond · 01/04/2022 20:01

I won't be giving up my cleaner, she is a gem of a woman and very good at her job. I also wouldn't want to let her down iyswim.

I have thought about what I'll do, I don't live a particularly big life. I'm cycling to work instead of driving most days (only drive or cycle because I have to carry stuff otherwise I'd walk).

The first thing I will cut is my £££ gym membership, I'll replace it with a cheap gym membership. Then my charity subscriptions and NT/EH will stop and I will stop having lowlights and revert to just a cut.

I'm not planning on not having a cleaner!

Sexnotgender · 01/04/2022 20:05

May I ask by how much she increased her price?

She didn’t, I increased her rate from £12.50ph to £15.

Okeydoky · 01/04/2022 20:08

In our area there's a massive shortage of cleaners so they'd soon find work elsewhere. I appreciate that might not be the same everywhere though.

Corcory · 01/04/2022 20:13

Well we won't be getting rid of our's, she is like gold dust. I doubt a decent cleaner will have trouble filling their hours. Our window cleaners are struggling to get staff as are many such industries are at the moment.

Canuckduck · 01/04/2022 20:16

I have two friends who have started cleanup businesses and both have long waiting lists and are considering taking on employees. They both charge decent fees and do a thorough and honest job. I think people will keep cleaners but will make sacrifices in leisure activities.

Gym memberships and eating out are things I hear about people cutting down. Switching up big days out with kids to cheaper or free outdoor activities. I feel very sorry for people in hospitality.