To not give cleaner another chance

[sosorryimnotsorry]

Name changed for this
Had someone come to do 2hrs cleaning. Made it clear that I was looking for someone to come and do a clean for 2hrs each week. Prioritising the kitchen, bathroom and floors. She was quite young and from the conversation we had it was clear she was just setting up on her own but had experience. She said it might take her a little longer the first occasion whilst she worked out where everything was - this seemed reasonable - and she was charging a reduced rate for initial clean.
I work from home and have a reactive dog so I retreated to the office (with the dog) whilst leaving her to clean. I came out after about an hour to find she hadn’t progressed beyond the front room and had in her words done a deep clean. I repeated that she didn’t need to do a deep clean but the hat I had asked her to do. My phone rang at that point so I returned to the office and when I came out she had moved from the lounge to the kitchen and was again doing a deep clean! At that point she had been there over 3hrs. Now yes a deep clean would be good but it wasn’t what I asked her to do.
I told her politely that I needed her to finish up and go and paid her for the time she had spent. She asked when she could come back to finish and I explained that she hadn’t done at all what I asked and I really needed someone who knew what they were doing and worked quickly and efficiently to achieve that. I have had a cleaner for some time (sadly moved away) and she had always easily achieved what I needed done in the 2hr time slot.
She is now messaging to say she understands where she went wrong and she is able to complete what I want in the timeframe I need her to. I’m also aware that she is just starting out and I feel bad about not letting her carry on as I’m aware she needs the work.

So what would you do? AIBU to just cut my losses? - I was really cross and upset yesterday that I’d paid her and yet I still have to clean the house myself. Yes I can do it but having someone come in and clean is my little luxury to make my life easier.
Or should I let her come back and try again? She was a really lovely person and she accepted and coped with my dogs really well and crucially my little frightened reactive girls liked her. Which is hugely important to me

Sounds like the cleaner I got out who spent over an hour cleaning my already cleaned toilet (cos I don’t expect cleaners to do that and I doubly cleaned it because they were coming 🤣) then spent another hour on the toilet bathroom floor but didn’t manage to actually clean the bathroom floor and then told me my house was difficult to clean when I said to her I had asked her to ONLY hoover all the floors and mop the floors that needed it and do the skirting boards too properly - as these are the areas I can’t get down to because of my back - and wipe down any mirrors if she had time after that!! I really couldn’t see what she’d spent nearly 3 hours doing! She hadn’t hoovered anything either! I actually refused to pay her as I had said to her very clearly before and during several times what I wanted and she ignored me. I did wonder if she was going through my drawers upstairs as frankly if she wasn’t cleaning what was she doing 🤷‍♀️ it’s not brain surgery!!! Why would you give someone a second chance after that?!?

I wouldn’t give her another chance. I’m surprised at people trying to make excuses here.

It’s not rocket science that you wanted your kitchen and bathroom cleaned.

I’ve had 2 different cleaners. 1 of them was shit and I got rid after a while as she wasn’t thorough enough, but both my cleaners had no problem understanding what was needed from day 1.

I completely understand you are paying to relieve a stress and you’ve already been robbed of money from the last time. Not your responsibility to train someone how to do their job.

I always clean after the cleaner has left. I have never found a cleaner who does a proper job. My last cleaner was purposely slow, worked at the pace of snail and would listen to music with his YouTube on. And would take any opportunity to talk to me. The new one said she thinks my place would need 4 hours, I paid for 4 hours, but she was finished in 3 hours and said she is very efficient. After she left I found some areas not clean and did it myself. I have more stories with other cleaners and sometimes think I can do a better job. But I have a bad back.

sorry didn’t really have any advice.

I'd give her another chance with a list of requirements.

I need your cleaner 😊

I also agree. For me it’s not so much how long she spent on one room but the fact that she ignored your simple instruction.

It’s not difficult to do what you wanted first and if there was still time left in your designated two hours to ask you what else you’d like doing.

I believe you had my old cleaner. Cleaning the areas which were already clean. Also using dirty cleaning cloths were bathroom in other rooms including kitchen and then acting dumb. I had to use Dettol wipes to clean kitchen surface and other areas she cleaned either bathroom rags. I am always stressed with cleaners but like you I have bad back too.

All thus in 2 hours. I live in a 2 flat plus one dressing room and cleaner said she needs 4 hours to clean and I had to take the trash down. Making bed is completely out of question. Once my cleaner said she finished early. I had nothing for her so I asked her to make one bed, she said it’s not her job 😭

I'm getting tougher and tougher with cleaners. Do what I ask and ask if you decide I need something else done.

If cleaners are hard to find, then you may need to give her another chance and see if you can train her up. But I would be very reluctant as I think it's would be hard work and frustrating. Someone who can't follow instructions needs close monitoring, being a self employed cleaner is not work she's well suited to.

No. You’re hiring someone to do a job not running a charity.

the first time was as good as an interview and she failed.

If that had been a formal interview setting she wouldn’t have got the job, this is no different.

And her continuing to message you is unprofessional.

She’s not your problem.

I had one who texted me asking me to lend her money 😱. Changed agencies six months later and by sheer coincidence was allocated the same woman.

Wasted no time in informing the agency about what kind of person she is.

I wouldn't give her another chance for the following reasons

A) she didn't follow the instructions you gave her.

B) you reiterated the instructions and she still didn't follow them.

C) you told her that her services would no longer be required and now she is messaging you saying she knows where she went wrong etc so she has no boundaries either.

Nope. You're not doing her a favour, you are looking for someone to provide a paid service.

I'm a cleaner. If you specifically said those rooms and the floors that is what should be done. I started a new job last week. She just wanted help with the floors. Hoover & mop. That's what I did I didn't go and deep clean the kitchen & bathroom and have no time to do what was asked. That took me an hour. Yes jobs take longer the first time because you are getting used to a house and if you are using their things or their js a build up, but as you said your other cleaner only finished 10days ago. Maybe give her another chance and write a specific list? I ask my customers to let me know if there is anything specific that needs doing x

I’m surprised people are saying my cleaner is doing a lot in the two hours. I feel lucky now.

She just sounds inexperienced. Get a cleaning agency. They are usually more efficient. Sounds like you haven't got time to guide newby to cleaning and just want the job done efficiently. I wouldn't have her back.

I'd give her another chance but reiterate that the most important areas for you are kitchen, bathroom and floors.

I'd then arrange to go out for 4 hours and make clear she can call you for any questions at all.

I wouldnt give her another chance after that.

I think cleaners do get dramatically quicker when they've got familiar with your place.

I use cleaners a lot. She clearly had her own ideas and ignored your instructions. Possibly thinking she could make more money. I would find someone else who can follow instructions and syick to budget. She basically failed the interview / trial. Move on.

There is no fit - move on

I started having a cleaner six weeks ago. She has got much quicker! I would give her another chance but make it clear that if she can't do as you've asked that's it. Mine gets on with my dogs too.

I’d be reluctant to have her back, it would come down to the availability of cleaners in my area.
Is there someone else you can try? If yes, I’d go with them. If no, I’d maybe give her another go but I’d be reluctant. Taking apart the couch to vacuum when you had asked her to prioritize the bathrooms/floors and they didn’t get done? It’s a no from me.