Expectations of a cleaner

[CleanClothes]

Hi all - just looking for some perspective on cleaning expectations (from professional cleaner).

I am a mum of 2 and work full time (including shift work), as does DH. We recently hired a cleaner through an agency for a few hours each week (the length of time the company recommended when doing a visit to our house and going through what we wanted/needed). We are paying £18/hour, £16/hour goes to the cleaner.

The first cleaner was really good except for folding the clean washing - everything was still inside out from the wash and all in one big pile (not separated into adults vs children's clothes or in piles of tops/trousers etc.). I didn't mention anything to the agency, and planned to speak to her the next week, but unfortunately she was unwell and the agency said she wouldn't be able to work for a while (and would probably be decreasing her workload so she couldn't do the amount of hours we needed).

The second cleaner was OK on the surface. I mentioned the clothes to her, and asked that things be turned the right way, and put into piles of kids clothes/adults clothes so I could put them straight away. As my boys are close in age (3 & 4) it's hard to tell whose clothes are whose, so I don't expect them to do this, but it's pretty obvious about adult vs child sizes. However, when I went to put the clothes away, they were mostly still inside out. So I had to refold everything again. I then found loads of things hadn't been done properly, pots had been put back in the cupboard dirty, mirrors were covered in streaks, dishes left to dry weren't properly clean, bins not taken out etc. It was a long list - I was pretty upset.

The third cleaner arrived over an hour late, left an hour early and did the same with the clothes. I left a dirty air fryer tray on the bench and she just put it back in the air fryer? It's only cooked some chips the previous night, so wasn't baked in shit...

AIBU to expect clothes to be turned the right way before folding? AIBU to expect a proper clean from a "professional"? Or have I just found a crap agency?

• I wash most clothes inside out to preserve the colours etc.

I wouldn’t clean an air fryer, different guidance on how to clean them. I know some you can only use certain products. And some people don’t clean them every time because they’re trying to preserve the non stick coating.
i don’t have a ninja or whatever so I wouldn’t mess about with someone’s.
the clothes thing is frustrating if it was agreed and I think you’re not unreasonable to raise it.

I think the issue is that it's an agency sending you a different cleaner every week. They're not communicating clearly enough. I'd ditch the agency and get an independent cleaner who will get used to you and what you need.

The lady that does my cleaning,.whilst not for me, does do all sorts for other clients that mnetters seem to.think is too much for a cleaner - I don't see.why is.toi much to.ask considering the agency list these things as services they provide, it is hardly taxing work and I don't see why you wouldn't do it

If you're not an ironer then I'd just put the folded clothes away inside out!

I know I am missing the point, but turning all clothes inside out to wash them, then turning them back the right way again sounds like a huge waste of effort. I don't think it generally makes a big difference to the clothes.

I think you need to find someone on recommendation rather than an agency, and also recognise that it will take a while for anyone to settle in to a job and find out how you like things done.

For goodness sake it’s not a waste of money for the cleaner to fold clothes - that’s what the OP wants and is happy to pay for.
my cleaners have always folded clothes and changed bed sheets - it’s not a difficult job and they’ve always been happy to do it and have agreed upon front. It’s just a job I don’t have time for and don’t want to do. I pay for enough hours to have them do it. When the cleaner is away on holiday I get the DC to do it…

I honestly don't know how this is humanly possible. There is no way you can clean 3 bathrooms, 4 bedrooms and the rest of a house in 2 hours a week and have it spotless. There's just not a chance. I'm a cleaner and it would take me 2 hours to do just 3 bathrooms and 4 beds. 20 mins each bathroom and 15 mins each bedroom. I'd be rushing and skimping in that time. Spotless to me means skirting, windows, door frames, hoovering, dusting, curtain poles, mirrors etc plus moving and dusting any ornaments, nick backs etc.

Cleaners don't usually fold clothes or put pans/washing away that's extras you need to pay for.
I recommend you find someone independent locally to you rather than an agency.

They do, in particular when it was by prior agreement.

It is up to you what you want them to do. Make a list in order of the importance of things . It really is that simple.

Can you get a cleaner recommendation from friends? This way it’s the same person and over time they will learn how you like things done . I found with an agency I’d often be send different people and each one had their own way of doing things.

Cleaners don't normally do laundry or washing up.

If you want those done you will have to find someone else not a cleaning agency

And a cleaning agency will have a checklist that they do for each house, rather than more bespoke arrangements.

So you need to find non agency person who you can get to know and explain exactly what you want done

As above, agency cleaners don’t generally do a personalised service. What you need is a self employed cleaner or housekeeper. They will do all those extra jobs like laundry, dishes, cleaning inside of fridges etc.
The cleaning company want your custom so of course they will say they do all those jobs!
Advertise privately, and pay them the full £18- I’d do it for that( assuming you’re not filthy slobs! )

I'm a cleaner and I happily do jobs like folding clothes. I've also done ironing for clients. I really don't mind. As long as you agree with the cleaner up front it shouldn't be a problem. Now homes that are really cluttered and untidy, that's a pain!

I am gobsmacked - I used to clean professionally and I would have been more than happy to fold clothes (who doesn't turn them the right way out?!). I often did tidying, dishes, recycling, bins, bed making, toy sorting, hoovering a bowl of champagne corks (longnstory), all sorts and was happy to head home knowing that my clients would be so happy when they got home. A 2 bed 2 bath is definitely easy to clean in 4 hours so I think the agency might not be very good tbh.

Your expectations of a cleaner aren’t realistic; you need a housekeeper.
the only cleaner I’ve had that dealt with clean laundry , had an hour included for ironing so had to turn the clothes, hang etc. but that was an explicit agreement