To throw my toys out the pram with cleaner?

[Createana]

I’ve just gone back to work and have begrudgingly had to employ a cleaner (I say begrudgingly as it’s an expense I could do without). Anyway, I appreciate there are good cleaners and this is not a cleaners bashing post but am I being unreasonable in expecting it to be cleaner than when I left?. There’s marks on the floor, dishwasher is dirty, table is still sticky, oven top is dirty. I’ve had cleaners before but this lady doesn’t actually move anything, is this a new thing? If you are a cleaner please tell me how long you’d suggest for a 3 bed house with 2 kids. No laundry, bed change etc no tidying, just cleaning. Exasperated.

Two hours unless you have lots of bathrooms/toilets. Some of the rooms might only have a hoover and quick wipe but kitchen/bathroom should be sparkling.

If the house is tidy before s/he starts then I'd say 3 hours for that sized house and would allow for a pretty sparkly finish. My cleaner does 3 beds, 2 baths and large downstairs in that time although we're very minimalistic so very little dusting /clutter and we don't ask her to tidy or change beds etc

If there is no tidying what do you mean when you say she didn’t move anything? What would she need to move?

We have a 3 bedroom house with two bathrooms and a downstairs loo. Our cleaner comes for 3 hours. It’s not always super sparkly but to be fair to her it’s often quite messy!

Don’t know how to reply individually, so bathroom sink is still dirty as is loo. When I say no tidying I mean should things be moved so they can be dusted and cleaned? An example is canisters not being moved to be cleaned under. Am I way too fussy or are her standards below par?

When Cleaners have to tidy / put stuff away / move stuff that reduces the time spent actually cleaning. Our cleaners take 4 hours to get a whole 4 bed house to a sparkling finish but the night before we make sure we put toys away and clear surfaces, so they spend all their time cleaning.

Everything was away, I honestly can’t smell any products that have been used and it doesn’t look any cleaner. Maybe I need to try a company versus an individual

@Createana

Everything was away, I honestly can’t smell any products that have been used and it doesn’t look any cleaner. Maybe I need to try a company versus an individual

I know this may be a daft question, but are you sure she's actually been?

Get a cleaner who comes recommended.

This one is useless.

Did they definitely come??

Do you let the cleaner in - is it possible they weren't able to make it today and haven't been able to let you know yet?

Has she actually been. Does it look ANY different to when you left?

Def been here. Video doorbell shows she’s been. Obviously being at work I’m not here.

No. Honestly apart from product down loo looks no different. Annoyed at wastage of money, having to find another person/company and doing it all myself.

You should notice a clear difference. I got an hours cleaning trial this week just downstairs only and the floor was noticeably cleaner, just end the employment, say it’s not working out and find someone else.

She sounds like a rubbish or lazy cleaner. I'd be looking for a new cleaner. I've had a lot of cleaners over the years, some excellent ones and some terrible ones. In my experience the terrible ones started well and then got worse over time. So the fact that she has started badly is not a good sign!

In 3 hours my cleaner does 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room & 2nd reception plus mops hall & landing. It's a biggish 4 Bed house so the rooms and hall etc are large. She also alternates so every other week she'll do downstairs toilet & utility or the stairs which are wood/glass and take a while.

The reason she doesn't do all bedrooms/reception rooms is that it would take longer than 3 hours. She works really hard in the hours she does, and we have a clutter free house so she can get on and clean.

To answer your specific Q OP it doesn't sound as if your cleaner is that good, but 3 hours just might not be enough time to get the job done. I would also say it takes a couple of weeks for them to get into the best routine for the house so wouldn't write her off just yet.

Yes, you are paying for her services, she is not providing them so you should definitely get rid of her. In my experience, you can tell her that you are not happy and she will probably clean better next time, but it will soon slip again. Some people are just brilliant cleaners, others don't have the eye for it. You need to find one of those that are just good at their job.

Thanks all. I was thinking maybe 2 hours twice a week may be better but I’m not keen on giving her more work at the mo and I’m not sure if she can come twice .

Why don't you message her and ask her why she didn't turn up today? See what she says. Then you can say nothing has been cleaned hence your message

My cleaner is here for 2.5hrs (i was happy to employ her for 3hrs she insists she doesnt need the full 3 unless i ask her to do anything extra then she will do the 3) we have large lounge, dining room, kitchen, 2 bathrooms, 3 large bedrooms and a large hallway. My house is always sparkling clean when she leaves. She moves things to dust under and my taps are so clean they are like mirrors

As a former cleaner I can say yes you do lift stuff up while you wipe its obvious for example tea coffee and suger canisters lift and wipe under soap dispenser lift and wipe under its actually faster than trying to wipe around

Cleaner here,
Things should definitely be moved to be cleaned under and your sinks should definitely have been cleaned!
I do a house that's 3 bed, 2 bath, living room, dining room and kitchen and it takes me 2.5 hours and the lady always messages me when home from work to thank me and say how clean it is.
I'd find another cleaner

@Createana
Have you called/messaged and asked her why so much of the house is still dirty?

What time did she leave? Any chance she had some sort of emergency after she arrived and left without finishing.

If she doesn't have a good excuse then I would get rid to be honest. Maybe try an agency for a while?