Page 4 | To want a cleaner that will pick my clothes up off the floor?

Zamphina · 2023-10-03T21:19:40+00:00

Dp and I work very long hours during the week. We’re out of the house 9-10 minimum. We eat dinner in the office. When we get home we’re exhausted and just want to sleep. So often the kitchen has our breakfast stuff. We’ve left clothes on the floor. There might be sunday’s dishes on the table. The laundry has been left out drying. We earn an OK salary and have a tiny flat to save money, so a cleaner coming 2-3 times a week for two hours a time won’t be an issue. But obviously I’m slightly embarrassed for someone to see my home in such a mess. Are there any cleaners who will sort all of this? Pick up the clothes, put them on to wash, load the dishwasher, and clean the bathroom etc?

nettie434 · 03/10/2023 22:55

SprogTakesAQuarry · 03/10/2023 22:25

Just be upfront about it from the start. Some cleaners hate tidying up, some don’t mind. I think if you have realistic expectations re time, and are honest about it then you should be able to find someone.

Exactly the sort of reply the OP needs. There's no need to be judgemental! All that is required is for the OP to be clear what tasks are included under 'cleaning' and which are not. I would worry that it was too intrusive to sort clothes on the floor unless it was included in my list of things to do.

FoghornUnicorn · 03/10/2023 22:55

@Zamphina it might be good to edit your post to make it clear you meant 9am-10pm.

margotmargeaux · 03/10/2023 22:55

Alittlebitofthat1 · 03/10/2023 22:30

Get a few cleaners in for meetings and show them the house as is. Don’t tidy up for them. Explain the situation and ask if they’d be prepared to. Show them where clothes go, where dishes go etc.
im a cleaner, I’d do this

This is what the op needs to hear.
It is possible.

I don't know why people are being so harsh, OP is just being honest about the reality of her situation

GodDammitCecil · 03/10/2023 22:56

Anything on the floor surely isn’t going to be work again, so instead of dumping them on the floor, can’t you just dump them in a laundry basket?

It’s no harder to do that - and then you could just ask the cleaner to help with the laundry - a load goes on when she arrives, and then is hung out towards the end of her time there.

YukoandHiro · 03/10/2023 22:56

Bobbybobbins · 03/10/2023 22:28

Surely most people are out 9/10 hours for a day's work? I get not having a spotless house but surely dishes and clothes not on the floor are pretty basic!!

Tbh when I did have hours like that and no children my flat was spotless apart from doing the dishes because nobody was ever in it!
Get a cleaner once a week, make sure you tidy up the night before

CraftyPance · 03/10/2023 22:58

HongKongGarden · 03/10/2023 22:52

Well yes, the idea of leaving the clothes out on the floor, for a week, that you’ve a thirteen hour work / commute day in is pretty unpleasant.

It’s not quite at the level of “is it OK to just west yesterday’s knickers inside-out if they’re a hit skidded”, but it’s in the same ballpark.

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Literally have no clue what anything you've just said even means 🤣

Jeannie88 · 03/10/2023 23:02

Is this 7 days a week? If not then an hour each at weekend to sort flat out can be done surely? Washing for 2 adults, you eat at work so only normal weekend dishes to do. My goodness, the tales I hear of my widowed nanna working every hour with 3 kids, 2 lodgers to look after, no central heating etc. Strewth man, picking your clothes up off the floor ain't that hard is it?!

Jolie12345 · 03/10/2023 23:03

I think there are people for any job you’re willing pay for. If they know what you’re asking of them, and they agree to do it,
it can’t be unreasonable

Againstmachine · 03/10/2023 23:03

AllTheChaos · 03/10/2023 22:45

I read 9-10 as meaning 9am - 10pm, and the op has confirmed that this is what they meant.

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Well I will be honest they need a better work life balance if that is the case however don't accuse people of not reading what is in front of them.

The OP is just lazy to be honest.

MangoAF · 03/10/2023 23:04

There’s a difference between asking someone to clean and asking someone to skivvy for you. It’s just sort of a basic lack of respect for someone to expect to be able to pay them to pick up your dirty underwear, or
wipe skidmarks off the loo for example. Some things everyone, except the very disabled, should do for themselves.
But definitely get a cleaner. Just get into a bit more of a routine tidying up behind you. It takes just a few seconds to put things in the laundry basket and you will feel better for it.

Somewhereovertherainbowweighapie · 03/10/2023 23:07

It’s fine, you just need to make sure the cleaner is happy to pick up stuff when you interview them. You are both adults and paying for a service, so if that’s what you want just organise it.

YouAndMeAndThem · 03/10/2023 23:08

My DH left the house at 745am this morning, back at 6pm. He helped put the kids to bed, did the dishes, fixed some lights, heated up and served dinner for us both, built a flat pack table, and did some of his hobby since he got home!!! He has also, funnily enough, not left his clothes on the floor!!!!

category12 · 03/10/2023 23:08

It just seems very teenage not to be able to take a minute to stick your dirty clothes in a laundry basket.

Maybe a laundry service is what you need rather than a cleaner? Dirty clothes go and reappear clean & dry.

youveturnedupwelldone · 03/10/2023 23:09

You're out of the house for a long time, I can understand why it's all a bit of a mess! All very well to say clean up after yourself but it's not that simple is it.

I think so long as whomever you hire is clear about the task that needs doing it's fine - but be specific when you're looking around because what you need is more than a cleaner.

If you are open to tips to self manage a bit....

Clothes on the floor - a laundry hamper surely covers this. It takes a few seconds longer to put it in there than dumping on the floor.

I also never leave the dishes undone of a night - do you have a dishwasher? If not, sacrifice a cupboard to get one - it will be a game changer.

MissTrip82 · 03/10/2023 23:11

We do at least 12 hours at work and had to learn how to manage this. Basically you need a routine, because cleaner or not it’s horrible to live in a jumbled mess. For us we also did nights so the routine was the same we just switched it to pre-night instead of pre-day. Just a routine of make bed, ten minutes cleaning up (clothes in laundry basket, towels hung up, dishes in machine etc) before leaving the house.

I had to laugh at the people incredulous that you’re out this much, asking what on earth you do or suggesting that you’re lazy……..people really have zero imagination for anything at all different to their own lives.

Freshstart78 · 03/10/2023 23:13

House keeper cleaner combo

853ax · 03/10/2023 23:13

To answer your question yes.
I use a cleaning agency mostly do rooms like what done for a hotel room. Dress bed pick stuff up from floor leave on bed or chair.
My kids often have messy rooms notice clothes can be stuffed in drawers. Not sure if that the kids tidy up or cleaners.
If I leave out clean bed clothes they change them and leave stuff to wash in basket by washing machine.
Always do usual toilet, bathroom, floor clean.
I leave them to it but sure if have specifics will do it.
I aim to have dishwasher emptied and any dishes in dishwasher but on occasion when I don't they will do that too ( or hand wash dishes)
An excellent service.
Find if know they coming will do some tidy up which may not otherwise have got done. Also when they have bulk work done easier to focus on keeping things tidy.

isthatmyage · 03/10/2023 23:14

CraftyPance · 03/10/2023 22:58

Literally have no clue what anything you've just said even means 🤣

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Me too 🤣🤣

truthhurts23 · 03/10/2023 23:14

i'll do it , how much do you pay ?

SurpriseItsMeHorseyNeighNeigh · 03/10/2023 23:16

"You're out of the house for a long time, I can understand why it's all a bit of a mess! All very well to say clean up after yourself but it's not that simple is it."

Yes, yes it is. I used to work those hours and there was no cleaning to do because I left before 7 AM and came back after 10 PM. I was exhausted but I ate all my meals outside of the house so the only thing I had to do is to open the laundry basket and put my dirty clothes in it to deal with it later.

Nothing needed tidied up or cleaning as I was out of the house all day. If OP eats breakfast at home, what work is it to put a plate and a cup in the dishwasher (a cleaner would clean the crumbs and stains on the counter top/stove) and to put her clothes in the laundry basket?

If there is a mess with that kind of hours, there is a slob.

SurpriseItsMeHorseyNeighNeigh · 03/10/2023 23:17

isthatmyage · 03/10/2023 23:14

Me too 🤣🤣

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It was hard to get but the gist was "ew, leaving your clothes on the floor for someone else to pick up is yucky. Like asking if you can wear your underwear again if you turn inside out"

I think.

00100001 · 03/10/2023 23:18

MissTrip82 · 03/10/2023 23:11

We do at least 12 hours at work and had to learn how to manage this. Basically you need a routine, because cleaner or not it’s horrible to live in a jumbled mess. For us we also did nights so the routine was the same we just switched it to pre-night instead of pre-day. Just a routine of make bed, ten minutes cleaning up (clothes in laundry basket, towels hung up, dishes in machine etc) before leaving the house.

I had to laugh at the people incredulous that you’re out this much, asking what on earth you do or suggesting that you’re lazy……..people really have zero imagination for anything at all different to their own lives.

I just don't think any job is worth being out of the house 6:45am - 10 pm and later.

Seriously? What's the point of earning £££££ if you're permanently exhausted and can't enjoy life?

I'd rather earn £20k and be at home and have no work stress than earn £200k and fall into bed at night and drag my self out again at 6am and be so exhausted and short of time I can even do basic tasks like put clothes away and clean dishes.

ReadingSoManyThreads · 03/10/2023 23:19

Generally cleaners don't do this, BUT that's not to say you cannot negotiate your cleaner's role prior to them starting. I'd advertise for a Part-time cleaner with light housekeeping duties. Or a part-time housekeeper.

Honeybee798 · 03/10/2023 23:21

I think it’s possible but I do think that you could maybe create a better routine for yourselves. I might leave the odd mug in the sink (no dishwasher) and the cleaner will wash it for me. She will also fold my dry, clean laundry from the tumble dryer or airer, if she has time. Personally, I would prefer my cleaner spends time actually cleaning than tidying because I tidy myself daily. The clothing thing and not doing Sunday night’s dishes should probably be sorted by you and your DP though.

Is there any way to create a better work life balance?

00100001 · 03/10/2023 23:21

youveturnedupwelldone · 03/10/2023 23:09

You're out of the house for a long time, I can understand why it's all a bit of a mess! All very well to say clean up after yourself but it's not that simple is it.

I think so long as whomever you hire is clear about the task that needs doing it's fine - but be specific when you're looking around because what you need is more than a cleaner.

If you are open to tips to self manage a bit....

Clothes on the floor - a laundry hamper surely covers this. It takes a few seconds longer to put it in there than dumping on the floor.

I also never leave the dishes undone of a night - do you have a dishwasher? If not, sacrifice a cupboard to get one - it will be a game changer.

Well it is simple really. oP has time to go on Mumsnet...so she has time to spend 30seconds on putting her clothes on the wash bin.

If she has time to find and organise a house keeper or cleaner... she has time to do the dishes/put clothes away.