To clean or not to clean

[Realitea]

I just can’t make up my mind about whether to go back to work. I’m a self employed cleaner and I would be returning to just one household where the owner lives alone. She has said she will stay outside while I clean for about three hours. I’ve started taking home her ironing to start with.
My children both have asthma and dh has autoimmune problems and is from the bame group. He’s worried but said to go as it would help financially.
What would you do?

[Realitea]

Yes, I think she needs to let me do what I need to do to feel safe at least. I’m being inundated with links now to how the virus is fake etc and I’m very close to saying I won’t go back

[cheeseychovolate]

I'd say I'm only prepared to come if you stay in a different room to me and I'll be wearing a mask. Even though you need the money you need to feel comfortable and safe.

[Realitea]

August is probably a safer bet. I feel it’s too soon to go back but feel really pressured. I’m tempted to just say she should find someone else. My family are high risk. But then I really need the money and she does live alone. I don’t think she’s been sticking to social distancing though and her view of it all being ‘fake’ really annoys me. It’s like I’m being undermined when I say I don’t feel 100% safe yet and now being told not to wear a mask in her house.. the whole thing doesn’t feel right.

[cheeseychovolate]

Hi. I'm a cleaner and have not gone back to work yet. My clients have been understanding and told me to go back when I feel comfortable. I keep in touch via text and planning on returning in August as I'm hoping houses can mix by then and my parents will be able to look after the children whilst I work. I'm planning on wearing a mask and gloves and changing clothes when I get home. I'm going for disposable gloves and planning to wear 4 pairs, eg one for kitchen then disposing, one for bathrooms, one for bedrooms and on pair for lounge, conservatory and dining room

[Realitea]

The lady who wants me to start up again as soon as possible has asked that I don’t ‘get sucked in to the fear’ and to not wear a mask! I now feel really uncomfortable about this and she’s sending me links on how masks are bad because you breathe in carbon dioxide. It’s just a paper surgical mask ffs
I feel very pressured
When are other cleaners going back?

[Realitea]

Yes I think the same with stripping beds. I wear gloves the whole time because I have eczema on my hands so gloves will be important. Disposable gloves to go in with and rubber gloves when inside.
When finished I’ll wash hands and wear disposable ones to the car then bin those too.
It really depends how safe she’s been and whether people have gone in to her house and if she’s been sticking to the guidelines. She did mention someone had installed something in her kitchen which made me think 🤨

[LizzieMacQueen]

I'd get your client to strip her own bed and leave in a pile for you.

[ChardonnaysPetDragon]

Why would you need gloves for everything. They just spead the virus and add to cross contamination.

By all means, wear gloves to clean the loo, if you've already done that, otherwise, washing your hands should do it.

[DianneWhatcock]

Hi op

I'm a cleaner too

I'm going back soon to most of my clients. however (as far as I know) me and my family are healthy with no underlying health issues so fairly low risk.

I won't be visiting my vulnerable clients though I can't risk them

[WhoEatsPopTarts]

I don’t understand why wearing gloves will help? Everything you touch before cleaning will pass onto the gloves, which you’ll still wear after you’ve cleaned, much better to wash your hands multiple times surely?

[Bluewarbler27]

Yes I would. The risk is small.

[Windyatthebeach]

Cleaner here.. I am still doing one house only. 1 man who stays in his office!!
I bleach all surfaces and door handles as a priority.. Then regular hand washing - as the guidelines.. Hand gel in my car before I set off home. Shower and change ASAP at home.

[Bananasandorangesss]

I agree though that it’s a difficult issue and not too sure I want someone in my house right now, even though I think we’ve think we already had CV anyway. If you wear gloves when you work and social distance, I think it’s pretty low risk vs going to supermarket etc.

[Bananasandorangesss]

Well I wish my cleaner was back working! My house is a tip!

[Spied]

If you are happy that you can keep yourself safe then do it. If you can mentally cope with putting yourself at a slightly higher risk and won't ruminate about it- then do it.
The question I asked is simply the question I asked myself.
For me, I decided it wasn't worth the risk at this time.

[Realitea]

You’ve put me off now!
I would have more anxiety but I would have a plan and have all the right equipment to keep me safe. We’re all going to have to get back to work at some point. Just trying to calculate the risk now

[Spied]

Is the extra money worth the extra anxiety and risk?
If yes, go ahead.

[Realitea]

Thanks. I think I’m in a constant state of alert at the moment anyway 😂 the anxiety of catching it makes me and probably a lot of people not want to go outside again. Luckily I won’t need public transport.

[Branster]

👍 Don’t forget to Stay Alert! Let us know how you get on. I completely understand your apprehension based on your circumstances but as long as you work on your own and follow the basic rules you’ll be OK. Having a clear simple plan is what we will all need when re-starting some of our previous activities. Don’t forget to be careful on your journey if using public transport.

[Realitea]

Right. I’m ready to do this! Thanks everyone
It’ll be nice having some money again!

[Branster]

If the owner is not in the house you’ll be fine. Wear everything you feel comfortable with and makes you feel safer even if it doesn’t make a real difference. (gloves, mask, face shield etc.) keep hair tied up, windows open, DoNotTouch Your Face until you wash your hands at home.
Stay further than 2m away from the house owner.
When you get home leave cleaning stuff out of the way, leave shoes by the door, wash hands thoroughly, shower, brush your teeth, wash your working clothes.
Then do it again next week.

[Wingedharpy]

@LouiseTrees : No problem.
I wondered if you had a gadget, or a technique, I should know about.😉

[Realitea]

I suppose it is safer than the supermarket’

[Realitea]

That’s how I was cleaning before, especially when cleaning after race week guests. I was so careful and will carry on that way probably forever now. I can’t get hold of gloves still but I assume rubber gloves would be alright while I’m there?
Also not sure about changing bedding but I don’t know if I’m just being over the top!
As far as I know she has been keeping indoors as much as possible and being careful.

[LouiseTrees]

@Wingedharpy sorry that should say Don’t touch anything without gloves on ie even the door on the way in.