To think cleaners could have done a slightly better job?

[ronconcoke]

I've been struggling to find a decent cleaner/cleaning company that will actually do a good job. I know cleaners don't tidy and I admit my home is a bit on the cluttered side but I pick up the kids' things (or get them to) and try to make sure at least the floors are clear before the cleaners come.

Today I tried out some new cleaners (through a small local company that people, including someone I know, have recommended). I was told they have 2 hours between the two of them to clean my 4-bed, 2 bath semi (the 4th bedroom is a guest room and only needs a vacuum).

When I got home the place looked (and smelled) generally clean but they didn't clean the en-suite bathroom (shower, loo and basin) and I noticed they didn't move things around in the kitchen (eg my small coffee machine) to clean underneath them, or the draining board (underneath the rack), which I was surprised about. The stove top (induction) doesn't look like it's been cleaned that thoroughly either.

I asked the cleaning company owner whether they'd cleaned the 2nd bathroom and she said they'd run out of time as had spent a lot of time picking things up from the floor so they could vacuum. As I said above, I made sure there were no toys etc lying around although I know the kids have lots of bits and pieces under their beds (but I don't expect cleaners to clean there) so I'm not sure what it was they spent time picking up. I admit that surfaces, tops of chests of drawers etc are quite cluttered but I don't expect cleaners to tackle those either - and the clutter is on the surfaces, not the floor. The kitchen surfaces just have the normal things on (coffee machine, bread maker, fruit bowl, spice rack etc). The owner said it was the first time and hopefully things would get easier, but if I picked up more stuff they would have more time to clean.

I got rid of our previous cleaners as they cut corners all the time and would leave after 45 mins and often didn't even bother to vacuum behind doors!

AIBU to think the new cleaners could have been a bit more thorough in the kitchen (draining board included) and/or at least managed to clean the en-suite bathroom in their 2 hours? They're only coming every 2 weeks and I'm a bit annoyed that the 2nd bathroom didn't get cleaned (my husband uses it every day).

My old customers I have a coffee and a chat before my time starts and newish ones coffee while I work.

We have a similar size property and have 4 hrs every week. I would say thats a bit on the excessive side but everything does get done to a decent standard.

I don’t think that’s enough time.

I have 4 hours (just upped it) and have a 3 bed.

It easily takes that long.

Also I think every other week is a false economy.

Agree with the others - you're not giving them enough time.

If you are going to stick to the 2 hours, you need to give them a priority list for the jobs you want done.

@Merryoldgoat you are spot on. Every other weeks is a false economy. Two weeks of use and built up grime is much more work. I can clean my home at 2 hours every week. But then, once a month, I need more time for in depth clean and other areas (I.e., windows).

I run a small housekeeping company and allow 2.5 hours for a small 2 bed, 1 bath holiday home that needs to be spotless each time. I wouldn’t dream of sending my cleaners in to a 4 bed 2 bath for 2 hours a fortnight. It’s not enough and will lead immediately to resentment because owners often don’t understand how long it really takes to clean things.

Cleaner here.

Nowhere near enough time for a house that size. The first clean in any house is always the most difficult. Getting familiar with the layout and working out a cleaning plan so that everything is done. I always tell any new client it takes usually 3 cleans to get a house up to a certain standard then maintenance cleans to keep it there.

And shifting lots of stuff is a pain in the arse for any cleaner. Cluttered houses, if they don't improve after a time usually get sacked by me and I know a number of cleaners who do the same.

Bare minimum for your house would be 3 hours, preferably 4 to allow a high standard of cleaning and to make a real difference to your home.

@hippyfarmer

In my fantasy land I’d have 3 hours twice a week but it tips it into unaffordable territory.

But that way you’d really keep in top of everything.

I hate cleaning and I have two autistic children and work 30 hours. I’d give up a lot before I gave up my cleaner.

I've just switched to a new cleaner and have 2 hours for a 2 bed semi detached. My previous cleaner laid out clearly what they could/couldn't do in the hours, so for example, one week they'd do the dining room but the following week do the spare bedroom. That way everything got done but they alternated those last 2 jobs on rooms that don't get used that much. In the end I let them go because it just didn't feel clean when I walked in. I wanted to feel like it was sparkling, so I've now moved to another cleaner.

That’s no time at all! I’d expect 4 hours at least.

And sounds like you near a tidy/clear out first

My cleaner does 5 hours for a 2 bed 90sqm flat but she basically does everything. 1 hour each for a 4 bed house is nothing. Would you be able to clean half of your house in that time scrubbing every corner or under?

Cleaner here, not enough time to do a four bed two bathroom house. Also if you're having them every two weeks it'll take them longer to clean the bathrooms than if you we're having them every week because they're cleaning two weeks worth of dirt, same for the kitchen cupboard doors and surfaces. I'd recommend a thorough first clean so probably 4 hours and then 3 hours weekly.

2 person hours is nowhere near enough! What a joke. 4 hours absolute minimum for a first clean to bottom everything out, Your cleaners did their best with only 2 person hours. Eventually you might get away with 3 person hours IF you keep the floors completely clear and all clutter off
all the surfaces.

2 hours isn't enough time at all for a house that size to be cleaned properly- I have a 1 bath 2 bed and would expect it shiny after 2 hours. You need someone offering three.

Not enough time to get everything done. I have two cleaners for 2 hours so total of four hours cleaning once a fortnight. 5 bed house, 2 public/lounges, main bathroom, downstairs loo and 2 en-suites. We use one bedroom as a dressing room so only hoovering and wiping down doors, windowsill in there. 2 other bedrooms as offices. We wfh while they are there so no cleaning in these rooms.

We have a mad tidy round before they come so they have nothing to pick up from floors. They do clean under toaster etc and move ornaments/pictures to polish.

You need to up your time if you want everything done. The best bit for me is the great job they do of the glass showers but this is time consuming. They do three at mine.

When I got them I identified what I wanted them to focus on. For me it was the showers and the kitchen. They do a great job of these and also hoover and mop floors and polish. If I want them to do inside windows/oven/skirtings etc I ask and pay for an extra hour or two.

You need 3 hrs minimum (we have 4 - she is amazing and also folds clothes and tidies a bit). Also, cleaners are always slower the first time.

Nowhere near enough unless you just want a vanity clean.

We have a three bed flat, our cleaner does four hours a week. For that each room is cleaned properly, rather than just a vacuum and dust.

Was anything picked up though? Try them again but take before and after pictures

Your expectations are unrealistic for the time given

Agree with the majority of posters. Two hours a fortnight is not enough time, I would even say you might as well not bother as you are going to be continuously disappointed with the results. When I last had a cleaner I had a three bed three bath house we booked four hours a week.

Was it a first clean where maybe things were a bit yuk? It takes a lot longer to clean something like a bath that’s not been touched for ages than if it gets a good clean regularly. Unless you’ve been keeping it under you need to double up for the first session.

Agree with everyone else. That is not enough time, especially first time and especially if you’re not thoroughly tidying. Fortnightly you need more time for them to catch up as well.

We have the same size house and it takes our excellent cleaner 3 hours weekly. She absolutely guns it and doesn’t stop for coffee. Plus we tidy ruthlessly before she comes and she’s been doing it for years.

The only way I can see being possible for 2 hours and that size, is if your house is show home clear for them coming. You're being unrealistic OP.

I agree with everyone else. It's not enough time.
I have a 4 bedroom 2 bathroom house and i used to do 2 hours every week but that was as a regular clean and i knew not everything would get done. I'm also pretty tidy, there is nothing to pick up on the floor and i do a superficial clean most days. On the days cleaners come i make doubly sure it's tidy for them.
If i wanted a thorough job I'd be doing 3hours every week. As a first time in a house 2 hours is very tight, especially if it's messy.