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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Bizarre experience with cleaner

145 replies

Purplelemon7 · 07/06/2022 14:19

I just had a replacement cleaner from
the agency because my regular cleaner is on holiday. The replacement cleaner asked for gloves which I gave her and she complained that they are dirty. I told her they are just fading slightly not dirty. She said she needs other ones. I told her I’m sorry I don’t have others but she is free to use or not use them. A few minutes later she started shouting on her phone and crying. I went into the kitchen and asked her to keep her voice down because I’m working. She came in to the lounge and started screaming at me for not providing kitchen towel and then started packing her things up and stormed off. I’m a bit shaken by the whole thing. My husband thinks she has mental health issues and we shouldn’t complain in case she loses her job. I’m not sure?

OP posts:
KimikosNightmare · 07/06/2022 18:39

Purplelemon7 · 07/06/2022 16:12

Yes it was the gloves that really threw her over the edge. My cleaners normally don’t ask for gloves but ok maybe she wanted to protect her hands and luckily I had some. The gloves definitely weren’t dirty though, why would I want her spreading dirt around my kitchen when I have her around for cleaning!

But you don't usually provide anything for agency cleaners. If they want to wear gloves they should take it up with the agency or buy their own.

KimikosNightmare · 07/06/2022 18:43

ClocksGoingBackwards · 07/06/2022 17:16

Gloves are a personal use thing though. She shouldn’t have to provide cleaning supplies but if she chooses to wear gloves then she can provide her own. They are a choice, not a necessity.

Show quote history

Agency cleaners should be bringing all their own materials, including gloves if they want them. I use Molly Maids- I don't provide anything.

ventreàterre · 07/06/2022 18:56

She sounds unstable. Whether she has mental health issues or not, I wouldn't accept someone shouting at me in my own home when they're supposed to be doing a job! I wouldn't feel safe or comfortable with her after that. It's unfortunate for her, but not many people will want her in their home if she can't control her emotions any better than that.

limitedperiodonly · 07/06/2022 18:58

Purplelemon7 · 07/06/2022 14:35

Hmm. Have now received a message from the cleaning company that she claims derogatory language was used against her so I have to provide my response.

How odd. Have you responded?

MrsLargeEmbodied · 07/06/2022 19:18

you really would have thought she would have bought her own gloves
but i did wonder if you were sarcastic about the detergent and she was upset that you told her to keep the noise down

MarmiteCoriander · 07/06/2022 19:19

I agree with ringing and speaking to the agency first, then put it in writing, incl photos of said gloves. Just keep to the facts- incl 3 yrs on their books with no issues from other cleaners. Also- make a point that your husband was in ear shot and hear the screaming also and it was frightening and you never want her back in your home. MH issues, or not, what if you'd had young children in the house?

Anotherselfemployedcleaner · 07/06/2022 19:58

@Purplelemon7 Out of interest, was it your decision to provide to provide the cleaning products/cloths/gloves etc. or does the agency insist that you do?

AlohaMolly · 07/06/2022 20:43

I run a small housekeeping company and we take all our own cleaning products and tools, it’s incorporated in our fee.

IVbumble · 07/06/2022 20:43

Maybe she felt the gloves were not clean enough because they weren't new in a packet - although of course she could bring her own if she needed them to be like that.

Tollystar · 07/06/2022 20:49

Very odd indeed. I hope the agency listen to you (and am intrigued if it's the same cleaner as cheshirecat's!)

Original poster
Purplelemon7 · 07/06/2022 20:55

@Anotherselfemployedcleaner there’s an option for the cleaner to provide cleaning equipment that costs £10 more for each session. Given I have everything at home doesn’t make sense to do that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Purplelemon7 · 07/06/2022 20:56

The agency have provided some compensation and arranged for another cleaner tomorrow

OP posts:
Puzzledandpissedoff · 07/06/2022 21:07

Sounds like a good outcome, OP, the best bit being that you'll never have to see her again

Koalawithabook · 07/06/2022 21:15

I had a similar situation recently. I hired this cleaner through some of the local Facebook groups, because I wanted to help a newly arrived refugee. She seems lovely at first and she told me she used to work in a very good bank job before the war in her country etc. She cleaned my home okay but was very rude to me, told me my home didn’t have much air (Its not true, and I never prevented her to open a window), also wanted to smoke in my home and was surprised when I asked her to smoke outside before coming to my house as I don’t think it’s a good example for my children. I will not ask her to come to clean again, she is clearly a banker and not a cleaner.

Why2why · 07/06/2022 21:27

If you did use derogatory language I don’t suppose you’d admit it here. So hard to say. What is clear from your side of your story is that she got very upset about something.

Why2why · 07/06/2022 21:30

And it is disgraceful and derogatory to label someone as having mental health issues or to be “nuts” simply because they show they are hurt by a wrong they perceive to have been done to them.

But this is Mumsnet.

SunflowerGardens · 07/06/2022 21:33

BringBackCoffeeCreams · 07/06/2022 15:56

Blimey, she really didn't like the gloves you gave her.

I think we need a picture of the gloves!

MarmiteCoriander · 07/06/2022 21:33

Out of interest, are the gloves in question rubber, washing up gloves, cotton ones you might see used in a museum to touch expensive books or some other?

I'm also surprised that someone would gladly put their hands in someone elses gloves!

minuette1 · 07/06/2022 21:57

That does sound strange, but I wouldn't expect a cover cleaner to use the same gloves my regular cleaner uses, so I don't blame her for that, but the rest sounds a bit bonkers!

Anotherselfemployedcleaner · 07/06/2022 21:59

I’m pleased that they’ve offered you compensation and a different cleaner (which from what you’ve posted, you totally deserve).

TBH, the agency sounds a bit off to me. I’m really surprised that they don’t provide their workers with gloves to use when they need them though, as that’s basic PPE?

I do wonder about how this agency looks after their workers? I’ve known minimum wage agency cleaners expected to use clients own products, where supplies were not fit for purpose, and to clean ovens with caustic chemicals using gloves with holes … and to be fired if they complained.

I’m absolutely NOT suggesting that you are in any way at fault here @Purplelemon7, or are not supplying correct products - just have known good, hard working cleaners have a complete melt down because of things related to the agency, which have unfortunately erupted (inappropriately) at an innocent clients home.

Original poster
Purplelemon7 · 07/06/2022 22:27

@Anotherselfemployedcleaner I think the agency probably expects cleaners to bring anything they consider necessary beyond the basics which homeowners provide such as cloths and detergents eg my replacement cleaner last week brought an apron thing to protect her clothes and my regular cleaner used to bring a duster before I got one as I used to just give her dry cloths for dusting surfaces in the beginning

OP posts:
HikingforScenery · 07/06/2022 22:32

Why2why · 07/06/2022 21:27

If you did use derogatory language I don’t suppose you’d admit it here. So hard to say. What is clear from your side of your story is that she got very upset about something.

I’m thinking the same.

Elephantia · 07/06/2022 22:35

Seriously, you expected her to use rubber gloves someone else had used, instead of giving her new ones? That is gross.

KimikosNightmare · 07/06/2022 22:38

Purplelemon7 · 07/06/2022 22:27

@Anotherselfemployedcleaner I think the agency probably expects cleaners to bring anything they consider necessary beyond the basics which homeowners provide such as cloths and detergents eg my replacement cleaner last week brought an apron thing to protect her clothes and my regular cleaner used to bring a duster before I got one as I used to just give her dry cloths for dusting surfaces in the beginning

You could save yourself a lot of hassle by going for the agency provides all cleaning materials and equipment option.

Tbh, I've never come across agency cleaners who expected the householder to supply anything.

TattiePants · 07/06/2022 22:42

The OP only had one pair of gloves in the house so what was the alternative? I’ve been cleaning my own house for 25 years and I’ve never used gloves so wouldn’t have any in my house. If the cleaner felt it necessary to wear gloves, she should bring her own.