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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu in thinking this

39 replies

Tootsey11 · 19/09/2022 19:32

I am a cleaner. I run my own business for many years, am fully booked and have a waiting list. I've never had a complaint about my work or service. A client I started with about 6 weeks ago has advertised for a new cleaner on a local fb group that I am in. This client has never complained or said there is any issues with my work.

Currently I clean ensuite, main bathroom, 2 bedrooms, landing, stairs, front hall, utility room, wc, sunroom, open kitchen diner and snug. Also windows and ironing. Hoovering whole house and wash out. I have 3 hours in total. The house is only up 10 weeks so everything is like new.

Even though lots of things on each clean are still not dirty when on the next clean, I still have to clean them again. Likewise hoovering. Rooms that are spotless, I'm told are filthy and to get it done.

I'm not sure what the issue is here, but clearly there is one. Would aibu to bin her and put someone in her place. I have this gut feeling she will give me no warning and cancel leaving me out of pocket. I was recommended by a current client to her.

In her ad she has asked for the cleaning to be done in 2 hours and one hour ironing.

OP posts:

Trytoavoidthebastardbus · 19/09/2022 19:34

Wow how do you do that much in 3 hours?

Paperdolly · 19/09/2022 19:35

Nothing to lose I guess. Tell her you saw the advert and ask her what she feels is lacking in your efforts.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 19/09/2022 19:36

Just bin her! She’s sounds very unreasonable.

You won’t have any problems finding a better customer.

Original poster

Tootsey11 · 19/09/2022 19:43

@Trytoavoidthebastardbus exactly, I am working, but she doesn't seem happy, but hasn't said anything. She did give me a list on the third clean to say everything downstairs had to be deep cleaned as it was very dirty. Everything is white in this house so it is easily distinguishable if it's clean or dirty.

OP posts:

carefullycourageous · 19/09/2022 19:52

Just give notice and stop, this person sounds hard work and you can presumably find another client easily enough? If they have advertised they are going to replace you anyway.

Musicalmaestro · 19/09/2022 20:03

You’re better off out of this situation OP

Original poster

Tootsey11 · 19/09/2022 20:14

Thinking I should text tonight and ask is cleaning going ahead tomorrow as planned, but maybe that would make me look a pillock!

OP posts:

LL32 · 19/09/2022 20:19

One of my businesses is a cleaning company, I have never heard of someone doing this, it’s really odd. I think her giving you a list is an indication that she’s not happy, however sometimes peoples expectations are insane!

I wouldn’t say anything about going tomorrow, just turn up as planned. But yes, I would cancel this client, even if she still wants you she sounds like a pain in the arse!

AdInfinitum12 · 19/09/2022 20:23

Are you sure it's for a replacement cleaner? I often post on Facebook on behalf of my nan who doesn't use it. Maybe she's looking for a cleaner for someone else? You said it yourself you have a waiting list.

Original poster

Tootsey11 · 19/09/2022 20:28

If it was someone else, would she not ask me? Ive cleaned for one of her friends for 8 years with no complaints at all.

@LL32 all the things on the list were clean. I cleaned them all again but cleaned nothing at all.

OP posts:

LL32 · 19/09/2022 20:32

That’s my point, I have had one of those customers myself. It’s essentially “let me tell you all the things that are perfectly clean but not good enough in my opinion”.

It’s so funny considering it’s such a visual job, like “oh ok Janet, show me the dirt.”

I’m saying the fact that she’s given you list (of things that were immaculate) is basically an indication that she’s going to be a pain in the arse.

FannyFifer · 19/09/2022 20:33

I would screen shot her ad for a new cleaner & then say good luck finding another cleaner,

wherearebeefandonioncrisps · 19/09/2022 20:38

She sounds like one of 'those' people who will never be satisfied .
I'd sack her off .

Original poster

Tootsey11 · 19/09/2022 21:00

Well I texted her, played dumb asking if cleaning was on tomorrow as normal. She said yes. I don't know what to think now.

OP posts:

Wide0awake · 19/09/2022 21:14

There’s a few things it could be:

might be looking for a cleaner for someone else (relative)
might be looking to replace you
might be looking for a day in addition to what you do (if she knows you’re full and she’s very particular).
might be looking for someone to clean a holiday let property

You won’t know unless you ask, but no point in cutting her off if she’s not actually being difficult at the moment. As you’ve said, you have a waiting list so it’s not as if you’ll have an empty slot for long.

Paperdolly · 20/09/2022 20:00

Well?? Did you ask her op?

AdInfinitum12 · 20/09/2022 20:37

Tootsey11 · 19/09/2022 20:28

If it was someone else, would she not ask me? Ive cleaned for one of her friends for 8 years with no complaints at all.

@LL32 all the things on the list were clean. I cleaned them all again but cleaned nothing at all.

Because you say yourself you have a waiting list? If she knows this then why would she ask you, knowing you wouldn't be available?

Original poster

Tootsey11 · 21/09/2022 19:30

No, I didn't ask her anything.

She doesn't know I have a waiting list, I didn't tell her. But she did mention that she wouldn't use a service provider that would need to use her loo. I did.

OP posts:

GrunkleStan · 21/09/2022 19:34

I'd tell her to f off. Life's too short.

Batceanera · 21/09/2022 19:46

I think it sounds like they have not had a cleaner before. You do a more than reasonable amount in 3 hours. It sound like they would like you to do tasks that take 3 hours in 2, then do another task (ironing).

Do you feel confident enough to say you e seen them advertise on FB? If not I would definitely go over what is possible in 3 hours - 2 cleaning and 1 ironing. You could ask for a chat about how they think it's going to make sure it's a good fit for everyone. If there are shenanigans, you can give notice or quit.

limitededitionbarbie · 21/09/2022 20:01

Do you think she might have ocd about cleaning and is getting another cleaner for a different day

Original poster

Tootsey11 · 21/09/2022 20:16

I get the impression that she thinks I'm not doing enough. She has had a cleaner before, she told me that the cleaner descaled the kettle, cleaned out the fire, basically done a lot more than I'm doing. I told I wouldnt be doing those sort of things, it would be straightforward cleaning, windows and ironing.

OP posts:

Testina · 21/09/2022 20:19

Tootsey11 · 21/09/2022 19:30

No, I didn't ask her anything.

She doesn't know I have a waiting list, I didn't tell her. But she did mention that she wouldn't use a service provider that would need to use her loo. I did.

Does she know?
I’d have refused the job on those terms - especially if I had a waiting list.
But if you took it on those terms, you shouldn’t have used her loo 🤷🏻‍♀️

Jaffacats · 21/09/2022 20:21

Tootsey11 · 21/09/2022 19:30

No, I didn't ask her anything.

She doesn't know I have a waiting list, I didn't tell her. But she did mention that she wouldn't use a service provider that would need to use her loo. I did.

The client doesn’t want the cleaner to use her toilet? You’re cleaning areas described as filthy but there’s no apparent dirt or marks? It does sound like she’s hoping to replace you without letting you know. She has a problem with hygiene etc and she will find it difficult to settle with a cleaner who’s not allowed to use the bathroom…If you want her to replace you quickly tell her you have to use her toilet 😊

BamBamBilla · 21/09/2022 20:28

Maybe she is looking for someone cheaper or who will be able to do her ironing like she mentioned in the fb ad.

Either way, just go to the clean tomorrow as normal and give her notice and fill her space with your waiting list.

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