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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To not want 2 cleaners

35 replies

tigerlily0 · 24/04/2023 13:55

To not want 2 cleaners

Looking for a cleaner for latter half of the week. But she says on Thursdays she doubles up with someone else (and so u pay double but half the time?) . Or she has a Tuesday by herself. I'd rather have end of the week.

She has come and done one clean and I did like it, but she came with someone else and I felt like I couldn't and didn't want to tell 2 ppl what I wanted doing, I felt awkward. Plus even tho it's half the time I'm literally paying double. Is there any benefit to having 2 cleaners at once?

I know I can look around for other cleaners which i will be doing but just wondering if anyone has any experience

OP posts:
Wallabyone · 24/04/2023 13:56

I prefer one cleaner for 3 hours, than 2 for 1.5hours. I've had the latter when my cleaner has been away and the agency has sent cover, but I've felt it's not as thorough as they are whizzing around trying to get it done.

Rewis · 24/04/2023 13:56

How are you paying double? One cleaner does the work in 4h, 2 cleaners in 2h. The bill should end up the same?

Nevermind31 · 24/04/2023 13:57

How do you pay double if it is half the time? Surely £ per person per hour is the same?

MaryShelley1818 · 24/04/2023 13:57

We have 2 cleaners come for an hour (so we obviously pay for 2hrs). It's absolutely brilliant, they get so much done. They often over run by 10mins meaning I get an extra 20mins some weeks! I don't ever have to "tell 2 people" what I want done. We agreed that at the initial hiring 4yrs ago and they're professionals so they just get on and clean the house.

AttentionToDetal · 24/04/2023 14:01

When my cleaner comes alone it's 4 hours. When she's with another it's 2 hours. They have a system and I find it's much more efficient when two - for a start working 2 hours is less tiring than for 4!

The money should be the same..?
Not sure what the difference is between telling one or two people what you want doing? Do you feel awkward being there and could you leave the house?

Dontbelieveaword · 24/04/2023 14:02

This makes absolutely no sense. You are paying exactly the same amount of money regardless how many cleaners, surely?
And what do you mean you have to tell two people what to do? Whether you have one person standing in front of you or two, you're only having to give instructions once. Or it's already pre-arranged what chores are included within the clean and they just come and get on with it.

GOW56 · 24/04/2023 14:02

As long as the work is done and you are happy with it, it wouldn't bother me. If you tell them what needs doing at the same time surely that's no different from telling one person.
And also aren't you paying the same for two people for one hour as for one person for two hours. So you are not paying double.

Frenchlady2023 · 24/04/2023 14:03

I don’t know why but I also prefer the idea of having just one even if it makes no difference financially and means they’re their longer overall.

MsFogi · 24/04/2023 14:04

I have this - at first it was fine. The issue as time has gone on is that if they leave a little early (5-10 mins) that doubles the time you are not getting - so one person finishes 10 mins early, no big deal. Two of them leave 10 mins early that is 20 mins you are paying for and not getting. And I have found it happens more and more over time but it sounds petty to raise the issue as they individually see it as 'only' 5-10 mins but the reality for you is double that.

ComeTheFuckOnBridgett · 24/04/2023 14:04

Surely you pay the same for half the time?

bowiesmum · 24/04/2023 14:06

My cleaner does this sometimes when busy and I love it as it means they are only in house for 1 hour. One does upstairs the other down, they fly through it together

Iminthemoneylife · 24/04/2023 14:07

Well she is offering you 2 people on Thursday or one on Tuesday. You either need to choose which one you want or go with someone else.

I’ve had both and either fine unless you are in the house at the same time and having to move around to avoid them in which case two could be more difficult.

NutButters · 24/04/2023 14:09

My cleaner used to come with her sister and I loved it- half the disruption to me for exactly the same amount of cleaning. I don’t understand your complaint that you’re paying double. Surely it’s the same price for 2 people for an hour as 1 person for 2 hours.

burnoutbabe · 24/04/2023 14:12

I'd prefer 2 for shorter time as we work from home and it easier to hide in bedroom for 1 hour than 2.

And I assume it's easier for people to keep up good effort for 1 hour than 2?

fizzyfood · 24/04/2023 14:13

I don't think you're paying double. If you want two hours of cleaning done, and two cleaners come for an hour, how are you paying double?

Nordicrain · 24/04/2023 14:14

I have a little experience of it. First lot were amazing. 3 people, 1 hr. They did such a good job and were in and out of the house quickly which I preferred. They took a divide and conquer approach and there was one "boss" cleaner so I would discuss anything that needed discussing with her.

The second time I did this was with two women who were partners. It was awful. They did every room together and were SUPER slow. Loads of chatting and debating about what they were doing and they could never get the clean done in time. They told me that the house I have had cleaned in 2.5 hrs for almost 10 years would take them 6 hours weekly to do.

So, it depends entirely on the cleaners. I can be amazing, but it can also be incredibly bad value.

ComeTheFuckOnBridgett · 24/04/2023 14:16

It would only be double the price if both cleaners stayed the normal two hours and not halved it.

Whichnumbers · 24/04/2023 14:20

people want their house cleaned at the end of the week for some reason, so Tuesday is going to be quite and Friday busier so doubling up makes sense from a business point of view to get more properties cleaned

80sMum · 24/04/2023 14:29

My mum's cleaning company used to send 3 cleaners! They were only there for 40 minutes, which mum preferred to her previous cleaner who was there for 2 hours. Cost was the same.

SallyWD · 24/04/2023 14:39

We pay for 3 hours with an agency. We get 1 cleaner for 3 hours, 2 cleaners for 1.5 hours or 3 cleaners for 1 hour. Always pay the same, obviously. I prefer it when 3 cleaners come because they're done quickly! I don't like having people in the house for too long.
As long as it's done, what does it matter?

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 24/04/2023 14:41

You shouldn’t be paying double - it should work out the same, as two people will get it done in half the time.

I use a cleaning company, and it’s great for that.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 24/04/2023 14:42

And it’s less intrusive as they’re gone in half the time as a pp said

Oysterbabe · 24/04/2023 14:42

It's much better having 2 so they're in and out quickly.

Greentree1 · 24/04/2023 14:48

If it takes a few minutes to get started and they stop to get ready to go a few minutes early you don't really get the same length of time actually cleaning with two as with one. A friend had two cleaners and became irritated by the constant chatter between them that also slowed down what they were doing. Not that I'm getting a cleaner any time soon, but I would probably prefer one rather than two for half the time.

Hugasauras · 24/04/2023 14:52

Yeah you don't pay double.

Let's say each cleaner is £15 per hour. On Tuesdays one cleaner takes two hours to do the work: £30. On Fridays, two cleaners take one hour to do the work, so £15 each: £30.

I think you've misunderstood that part. I also don't understand why it's any more hassle with two than one. Personally I think you might end up getting slightly more done with two than one as it cuts down on some of the travel time across the house with one so is more efficient.