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Original poster

Do cleaners not do dishes?

358 replies

Fifi00 · 13/02/2023 13:47

My new cleaners seem a bit rubbish. I clean the loo , move clothes, I had already hoovered a couple of days ago and gave everything a proper scrub/mop there wasn't much for them to do but DD and DH had left breakfast dishes in the sink. The dishes were untouched and the cleaners left 30 mins early. I pay for 2 hours a week , 2 cleaners so 1 hour. Is washing some dishes and cleaning the sink really unacceptable?

OP posts:
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7
Wakeywake · 13/02/2023 14:09

Part and parcel of cleaning the kitchen I would say. Mine does it.

ZeroFuchsGiven · 13/02/2023 14:09

Mine does, first thing she does is empty the dishwasher and refill with anything on the side. if anything needs handwashing she does that.

Ohdearnamechange · 13/02/2023 14:11

I was a cleaner for four years. Yes I did dishes! I later got a cleaner who refused to do anything apart from basically polishing surfaces. I don't really see the point of having a cleaner who leaves your windowsills sparkling when you have to spend hours tidying beforehand.

My current cleaner is so much more of a help generally - she does bedding and the pets and cleans out the fridge. If she sees that something needs doing she does it. She's amazing! I honestly don't understand what the difference is between scrubbing a bath or cleaning a couple of plates??

DillDanding · 13/02/2023 14:11

No. Ours might empty the dishwasher, but tbh we very rarely don’t do that first thing.

Hocuspocus99 · 13/02/2023 14:12

Yes I do ,can’t bear to see the dishes on the side . Yes it’s takes slightly longer, but sometimes it’s the little things that make a difference, especially when it’s only a few . It makes a difference to the whole appearance of the kitchen.

SVRT19674 · 13/02/2023 14:12

Wow, never knew a cleaner who doesnt put plates in dishwasher or washes them up if not. But I tend not to leave anything out like that as I prefer they concentrate on the biggies.

fitzwilliamdarcy · 13/02/2023 14:12

I've heard it said that tidying/dishes/laundry etc. is what a maid does whereas anything fixed down is what a cleaner does - think that's an American distinction but plenty seem to follow it here. Mine does a bit of both and I'm eternally grateful to her for that. Maybe ask and see what they're happy to do?

Ponderingwindow · 13/02/2023 14:12

Clutter, including dishes should be cleared.
if my cleaner has extra time I might find myself with a cleaned out toaster, or a freshly organized shoe area.

Original poster
Fifi00 · 13/02/2023 14:13

I've just inspected and this was the job they did.

Do cleaners not do dishes?
Do cleaners not do dishes?
OP posts:
DisneyChops · 13/02/2023 14:16

I suppose it depends a bit on what you want from your cleaner.
I always think it's a bit pointless your cleaner spending time doing the day to day jobs you'd do anyway, like washing up and cleaning the hob.
My cleaners do the deeper cleaning jobs I don't get time to do, like cleaning the windows and windowsills and skirting boards.
That way I know if I'm doing the small stuff daily I also know everything else is covered when they come.
Cleaning the dishes to me, is a waste of money/time as it'd only be helpful once a week.

AbreathofFrenchair · 13/02/2023 14:17

MXVIT · 13/02/2023 14:07

The clue is in the name, cleaners are there to clean, not tidy away the shit you and your children cant be bothered to put away

Bold of you to outline the job specification of someone you don't pay.

If OP is paying then the cleaners remit is whatever she says it is.

If you bothered yourself to read properly, it wasn't the OP that I was quoting. It was someone else who said they expect their cleaner to put away packets of crisps that their child had got out and couldn't be bothered to put away.

Apparently its preferable to expect the paid help to do that than teach your child to not be a lazy shit

Original poster
Fifi00 · 13/02/2023 14:18

DisneyChops · 13/02/2023 14:16

I suppose it depends a bit on what you want from your cleaner.
I always think it's a bit pointless your cleaner spending time doing the day to day jobs you'd do anyway, like washing up and cleaning the hob.
My cleaners do the deeper cleaning jobs I don't get time to do, like cleaning the windows and windowsills and skirting boards.
That way I know if I'm doing the small stuff daily I also know everything else is covered when they come.
Cleaning the dishes to me, is a waste of money/time as it'd only be helpful once a week.

They don't do the skirting boards I do that !!! I'm going to sack complete waste of money..

OP posts:
Toddlerteaplease · 13/02/2023 14:19

Mine does. Though I told her she does t have to do them.

CantFindTheBeat · 13/02/2023 14:21

Some cleaners aren't very good, OP.
As they are new to you, they should be doing their best to do a great job.
Leaving early - especially 30 mins - is not a good sign.

Be very clear about what you'd like done. You can ask about dishes. As most have said, it's not standard but many will include if asked and there is time.

Have a list of extra jobs for if they finish early; skirting boards, inside windows etc.

If it doesn't improve, I'd get a new cleaner rather than keep going.

DreamingofGinoclock · 13/02/2023 14:23

I have Never expected our cleaner too and make sure to do any before she arrives/ pack the dishwasher... however occasionally there may be a mug or bowl etc it sink from us just being around and WFH while she is here and she will wash them up ... But its not something I expect

MarshaMelrose · 13/02/2023 14:24

I don't understand the problem with washing the dishes. We is it disrespectful to clean a mug but not disrespectful to clean a toilet? It's all just cleaning. Why would cleaners charge extra to do some washing up? Why is it regarded as a lowly job so awful that it requires extra remuneration? And a separate job title of home help.

DisneyChops · 13/02/2023 14:24

Fifi00 · 13/02/2023 14:18

They don't do the skirting boards I do that !!! I'm going to sack complete waste of money..

Show quote history

Have you told them to?

AbreathofFrenchair · 13/02/2023 14:25

Fifi00 · 13/02/2023 14:07

Having a cleaner is to make my life easier , I actually hate the tidying organising , washing the dishes putting away more so than actual cleaning. I don't mind cleaning so it's probably a waste of money for me and I should sack and do it all myself.

Show quote history

Cleaning and tidying are two very different things.

You see it all the time on here and people have very weird expectations of cleaners and treat them horribly.

Cleaners are there to clean bathrooms, toilets, Hoover, mop, dishes, dishwasher etc but shouldn't be expected to have to make beds, put clothes away and clear stuff away to be able to do that.

You then get posts on here about how they think cleaners are taking the piss because they arent working to the exact 2 hour deadline and god help them of they go over that because theyve had to clear away crap before they can clean.

Ask your cleaning company to only have the cleaners tidy up and you take care of the cleaning if that's what you prefer

2crossedout1 · 13/02/2023 14:27

My cleaners (from an agency) don't do the dishes. I'm not sure why really. I wouldn't make a fuss about that, but I would about them leaving half an hour early.

honeylulu · 13/02/2023 14:27

The real issue is that you paid for 2 hours cleaning and they only did 1.5. Unless dishes are specifically excluded by the t&Cs then Id expect them to do them if they had time to spare after 1.5 hours and literally nothing left to clean. Even if they had excluded dishes I'd expect them to spend 30 mins on something else!

When we had cleaners they did used to do dishes laying around. This was always because the teenager had left them out after we'd gone to work and I was cross (with him) because I wanted them to clean the house not pick up after his slovenly self!

Nevermind31 · 13/02/2023 14:28

Mine sticks them in the dishwasher if left out.
but these cleaners wouldn’t be back - if they gave 30 mins left then they could clean the oven, windows, do some ironing, clean the skirting boards… a good cleaner will find something

Todaynotalways · 13/02/2023 14:28

I wouldn't expect my cleaner to do 'the washing up' but I would expect her to do the occasional cup or side plate I have left in the sink.

Mostly I ensure the sink is clear for her, sometimes it might have a coffee cup, or side plate, or bowl from cereal if I'm in a rush.

StatisticallyChallenged · 13/02/2023 14:28

Mine does - we don't leave a sinkful though so it's normally just a couple of plates from lunch and a few bits so it's probably just as easy to wash them as to move then around.

Kolakalia · 13/02/2023 14:29

Are you paying by the hour or for the clean?

Old cleaner of ours was by the hour, so if she finished early she'd leave and charge less.

Current one pays by the clean, which I don't appreciate as much for various reasons. But that's how they do it and I accept it as there aren't many others around here.

If it's by the hour and they've left early you need to just pay them for the time they've spent.

Mysmallgarden · 13/02/2023 14:30

Fifi00 · 13/02/2023 14:03

Who is your cleaner do you live in the north west ? 😁

Show quote history

Sorry, I'm in North Yorkshire so she's not in your area.