To refuse to buy bleach?

[Eastie77Returns]

First world problem alert.

Our cleaner has asked demanded that I add Domestos bleach to my cleaning products. There's been a bit of an ongoing issue for a while now as I have trialed various eco-friendly cleaning products over the last few months and she generally doesn't like them. I have changed a couple of times in the hope she will get on better with a new range but she has a preference for products that contain high levels of chemicals. I understand they are the go-too products that she trusts but I just don't want to use them.

At the moment she is begrudgingly using the Ecover products I most recently bought. Now she is insisting she needs bleach to clean properly because Ecover doesn't really cut it. I said no as I just can't have it in the house. The smell is one thing but it's so toxic and dangerous (I'm absolutely haunted by an acquaintance whose young child inhaled some). She is a really good cleaner and in high demand. I'm aware she's already given notice to two households on our street because they did not fall in line with her requests (not cleaning product related, something else).

Has anyone used any of the 'natural' bleach products currently out there and were they effective?

Be prepared to find a new cleaner. 🤷

YABU.

Bleach is only toxic if not used properly. Tell her to open a window after and you’ll be fine.

Surely nothing is that dirty that you need bleach if you have a regular cleaner?

It's absolutely your choice, but you're making her job harder and she's entitled to go elsewhere.

I have bleach in my house for once-in-a-blue-moon use but I prefer to use only eco-friendly products for normal use and my excellent and in high demand cleaner respects it.

I wouldn't employ someone who insists on using products I'm not happy with.

She sounds difficult.

I have never bought bleach and I'm over 60. There is no need if you're prepared to use elbow grease.

In this case if your prepared to pay for someone else's elbow grease.

Perhaps that's the answer OP. Acknowledge that she has to work harder at your house and offer more money.

I suppose her view is she's having to work harder and be less effective because of your choice of products. She might be right she might be wrong but that's her position.

So you either fall in, to the extent of bleach anyway, and keep her or you offer her more pay/more hours to do the job on your terms - she may or not agree to that, or you let her go and find a cleaner on your wavelength. It's your house after all.

I'm staying tuned though to see if anyone does know of a bleach that isn't bleach.

Hmm I can't decide whether YABU or not.
If that's the products she's asked for then you should provide then realistically. But on the other hand, if you pay a regular cleaner then nothing should get that dirty that you need bleach every time to get on top of it 🤔
Maybe meet in the middle, every month or so she can use bleach for a deep clean, then keep on top of it with eco friendly products?

Bleach is toxic no matter how its used so I'm in absolute agreement with you not having it in your house but I think you may have to find a replacement cleaner if she insists on using it.

I am also one of those who never has bleach at home and haven't for many years. Absolutely hate the stuff and what it's doing to our planet. If it's a case of cleaning just being more difficult and taking longer, can you pay her for an extra hour to get it done? If not, would you mind her not cleaning the specific place that she feels requires bleach (guessing it's the toilet)?

What does she think needs bleach? I was a cleaner i didn't use bleach often but clients expected bleach smell in some houses so I would pop some in the toilet 😅 in other houses I would use a small amount as required on a floor that was really bad but mostly you didn't need it

This is one of those things where you're at impasse. Your view is perfectly reasonable and valid, and it is YOUR house.

Her view is also perfectly reasonable and valid, and it is HER job.

So you can choose to refuse, and she can choose to leave. Easy as that.

I don't think either of you are being unreasonable. She wants to use bleach to carry out her job. You don't want bleach in your house. Both fine, but it's an incompatibility rather than either of you being wrong. You just need to decide if you want a bleach free house more than you want to scrub your own toilet, or to find a bleach free cleaner. You pay your money, you take your choice.

Meanwhile I'm over here bleaching my sink each night before I head up to bed 🫣

Good cleaners don't use bleach. The bloody stuff doesn't clean. What on earth is she using it on?

I haven't bought bleach in over 20 years. What is everyone using it for?!

I cant use bleach in my house due it flaring up my asthma and causing severe attacks. Just lie and sya your asthmatic.

What does she want it for specifically and maybe someone has a good alternative?

I didnt think that bleach actually cleans but stops germs?!!!

I never use bleach. I mostly use white vinegar or eco products. I don't think they make cleaning more difficult. She sounds somewhat inflexible in general so I'd be looking for a new cleaner.

Let her use bleach - you're not using it.
I used to buy eco stuff for me to use and chemicals for my cleaner (her request... I wasn't trying to kill her).

It's your house so why does she care if you want Eccover etc only?

You're not claiming the house is dirty after she's used it are you?

She sounds crap if she won't just use what you ask.
Plus even if she wants bleach why the high end branded one? That's obviously missing the point, haha.

But yeah, either she uses what you like or you part ways.

I do think I would want bleach if I was scrubbing someone else's poo.

I never use bleach personally but our cleaner does and it does make a difference - makes the sink a bright white and shiny again. I have yet to come across really effective eco cleaning products unfortunately so keen to hear about any too.