Do cleaners not do dishes?

[Fifi00]

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?

There seems to be a big difference about what different cleaners do, or expect to do. We don't have one any more, but our old one did everything, including if we'd left any dishes out. I think some consider their role closer to a housekeeper, so do anything necessary to clean and organise the house, and others (mainly agencies in my experience) are just "vacuum, dust and wipe surfaces" people who don't ever consider doing anything outside that if they aren't specifically asked.

This attitude just shows that you think a cleaning job is degrading somehow.

So do it yourself then.

Normally no. But as you've described I think my cleaner would before cleaning the sink.

Mine would but I never leave any for her, she has enough to deal with in my hovel.

Two separate issues here

Should they leave early - no. They ought to look around and see what other cleaning is needed/useful. Or tell you that less time was needed.

Should they do dishes - no not usually, cleaners expect the place to be tidied before they arrive so they can get on with actual cleaning, this would include dishes done/in dishwasher. I expect they may be nervous about cleaning a few dishes in case they get left an entire dinner’s worth next time.

I do agree with you OP it’s a bit rich to leave early and ignore the dishes. A better solution would be to say that the job needed less time.

I wouldn’t expect my cleaner to do dishes, but if they have done all the work and have time left they she does ironing to make up the rest of the time.

DS has ADHD and often forgets that he's taken something out. HTH

If they are leaving early you need to advise the agency and they either stay for the full time or you pay for less time

Just got a cleaner and I didn't expect her to do dishes but she cleaned the couple that were sitting on the side that hadn't fit into the dishwasher.

TBH though, I'd rather she focused on the bigger things as I can just put them I to the next load of the dishwasher. She ran slightly over but I put it down to me being a bit disorganised due to a few last minute issues, so I'll be making sure there is nothing lying about next time she is here.

If you ask your cleaner to, I don't see why they wouldn't but it will impact on the amount of time they have to do the other jobs 🤷‍♀️

Why can't your DD and DH wash their own dishes 🤷‍♀️

Surely the cleaner does what you request to be done?
If washing dishes is on the list then they should be done. Have you given the cleaner a list?

Had a couple of cleaners over the years.... some did the dishes, I didn't ask them to.

One, the best one, would change the bed sheets if I left clean ones out too!

Most recent one doesn't do dishes. Just cleans around and under any left by the sink.

Maybe you need to spell out what you want doing? To be fair if you had done a good clean a few days before, I would probably have said you only need them for a short time this week, if you can be flexible, or have a list of other non-urgent jobs they can do if they ever have spare time

I agree I think she should

I have let cleaners go for washing my dishes. I've specifically said to not do dishes as I have a dishwasher. They are on the bench in a neat pile of the dishwasher is already on and the sink clear to use for hot water etc. I've said if they had time left to find something that could do with a deeper clean than usual but never to do dishes. The ones who did were gently reminded not too but if they carried on, I let them go as they aren't delivering the service we have agreed.
There was also the one with the fetish about cushion placement but that's a different story! You need to communicate clearly what you do and don't want, they aren't mind readers

If they are there to make your life easier let them clean your loo and skirting boards 🙄

If you had cleaned the house before the cleaner came, you could have left a list of 'spring cleaning' type jobs to do, eg window cleaning, wiping down woodwork, deep cleaning the oven. I wouldn't expect a cleaner to wash up, and if you have left no instructions for the cleaner to fill their time, what can they do ? they could have sat down and had a coffee and left on time.

Next time this happens - leave a list of other jobs for the cleaner

Or just maybe let the cleaner do they job 🤣

Basically you have to manage their time if you want the best service from them. Some people aren't good at using their initiative, so you need to put things in place for any space time, eg a list of alternative jobs

Mine do the same as above. I have 2 cleaners weekly. They also clean the oven out and kitchen cupboards once a month! They are amazing. However I tend to wash the dishes before they come and strip all the bedding. Although they said they don't mind doing it but I just feel more comfortable doing those things.

But just talk to your cleaners/company and confirm everything. Also leaving 30mins early I wouldn't pay for the full hour.

We'll sometimes leave the odd cup or two in the sink (if we've had a coffee before setting off for work) and she'll wash them which I'm grateful for.

As a rule we avoid leaving stuff in the sink as I think on paper it's not a cleaning job.

I don't see why not if you're paying for the time. They can make a decision not to do that of course, and you can make a decision to get a cleaner who is happy to do that as part of their job role.

I tell them too I moan and complain it turns into arguments. I work long hours to be honest and having a cleaner is supposed to help with the load. It isn't I'm not finding them very helpful to be honest , I might look for a very part time housekeeper instead as a cleaner probably isn't what I'm looking for if that's what they do.

No I don't I've cleaned in my old job , I'm saying I don't want someone cleaning my loo as I think it's more disrespectful than washing a few dishes.

I’ve seen people debate this before. Are the dishes considered part of the owner’s daily routine so not included in some cleaners’ lists? Do they see that as adding work? I think it’s ridiculous for them not to do them, surely that is why people hire a cleaner. I would expect them to do the dishes and leaving 30 minutes early is not acceptable. For that alone, you should find new cleaners.