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Housekeeping

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Original poster

Am I being unreasonable re stroppy note left by my cleaner? She says she is NOT A HOUSEKEEPER.

136 replies

WideWebWitch · 27/11/2006 14:55

OK, so we are a messy house. But nothing really awful, just stuff like clothes on the floor, plates in the front room, mugs in the bathroom etc. Previous cleaner has gone to take another job (not cleaning, a job she is qualified for and which is more money and less work) and introduced new cleaner to us who, up til now(past 2 weeks) has been doing a good job.

We pay £8 an hour, which is over the going rate for this area (I gather it's £7) and I don't care when it's done as long as it's between 8am-5.30pm. She comes 2/3 times a week.

Today I got back today to a clean house but to a note that says

"I am little bit disappointed with the way your house was left this morning. It took me 40 minutes (her underlining) to gather dirty washing from your floors and collect cups and mugs...so I could start cleaning properly. As I said before, I understand you work full time...but I am a CLEANER NOT A HOUSE KEEPER (her caps)
I will contact you or I can even come over and see you to discuss how we can help each-other. SORRY, I hope I haven't upset you too much, but I find that 2 hours is NOT enough for me to do cleaning.
I hope you'll understand.
MY NUMBER IS xxxxxx

And she did 3.5 hours, which I will be expected to pay for (fair enough but I didn't agree it up front) and I'm PISSED OFF (My caps!). I Do work f/t oth, I have 2 children, I'm fucking knackered and my first instinct is to tell her to fk off and bring my key back. I want someone who's prepared to tidy otherwise there's no fking point imo. We're NOT talking shit smeared walls here, we're talking clothes on floor, cups on surfaces.

So, get rid or start tidying up before the cleaner comes and let myself be bossed around by this woman?

I have pmt and have tried to call but no reply from her house, I'll try later.

TIA for your views.

OP posts:
Original poster
WideWebWitch · 27/11/2006 14:56

(Had I got through to her btw I'd have said fk off, I want my key back)

OP posts:
DarrellRivers · 27/11/2006 14:59

What did she say?
sounds like she wasn't the right woman for the job
find someone else who suits you and your family.
your cleaner sounds a bit too judgmental really which is not really what you wanted her for.

Zog · 27/11/2006 15:01

OK, her note reads to me that she's panicking because she can't get enough done (she thinks) in the time she's got, rather than being a snooty cow who thinks tidying is beneath her. How many hours a week does she do and what do you expect her to do in that time?

misdee · 27/11/2006 15:01

she is a cleaner!!

fgs, sack her.

thehairybabysmum · 27/11/2006 15:02

Her note reads as though she maybe up for doing extra time to do the tidying as well as the cleaning. She isnt saying you should tidy first but that there isnt time to do both?? Would you be prepared to pay her an extra hour for this??

If she's doing a good job i would try and bite my tongue as good cleaners hard to come by.

charliecat · 27/11/2006 15:02

My mum cleans, and she hoovers round dirty knickers and the likes
She wouldnt write a note...she would just clean the bits that were cleanable. She wouldnt tidy up either.
Mugs in the bathroom? She would clean under it and put it back
She comes highly recommended believe it or not!

misdee · 27/11/2006 15:02

btw, 40mins to collect stuff up? nah i dont think so.

even i can gather stuff in 5mins with a dodgey shoulder.

NotQuiteCockney · 27/11/2006 15:02

It certainly sounds like you guys have different expectations. She sounds a little rude, tbh.

I don't really tidy before my cleaner comes ... well, it varies. I know that if I tidy, she will have more time to do other things, and will often take on different jobs, which I really appreciate.

winnie · 27/11/2006 15:03

www, I'd be pissed off too. You should not have to clean in preparation for the cleaner to come that defeats the object imho. I would discuss with her what is required in the time required (am assuming this happened before she started anyway) and if she doesn't feel she can achieve that it's probably time to think again. I certainly don't think you should feel bossed around by your cleaner.

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 27/11/2006 15:03

Zog, 6 hours/week, Mon, Weds and Fri and in that time, clean, tidy, put one load of washing on and take one load out. It's a 3 bed house, normal size, not a mansion or anything! DR, I didn't get through to her. Misdee, hmm, my feelings I think. It's such a PITA though! But not as much of a pita as cleaning before the bloody cleaner comes I spose

OP posts:
Twohootsunderthemistletoe · 27/11/2006 15:04

www how rude of her! Does she want the job or not! Having said that, I have a cleaner (comes once a wk for 2 hrs) and I'm afraid I do try and tidy away the surfaces/toys etc before she comes - don't get me wrong I don't clean, just tidy up so that she can get round without needing to pick things up/put things away. But then I am probably a bit of a soft touch .

hertsnessex · 27/11/2006 15:04

we have a cleaner, but the place is always tidy. surely putting a few cups in the sink etc is normal......and then a cleaner cleans?!

cx

tissy · 27/11/2006 15:04

hmm...

think you need to talk to her face to face and define her job plan!

As your previous cleaner introduced her, however, I would have expected her to know a bit about how you "operate". If your previous cleaner wasn't unhappy, then either she was far too laid back, or your current cleaner needs to loosen up a bit.

If tidying is part of the job, and she needs to tidy to clean, then of course she should be paid for it. How long did it take the previous lady to clean, on average?

I, however, live in squalor for most of the week, then fly round on Wednesday night tidying, because I know the cleaner is coming the next day.

fennel · 27/11/2006 15:05

It used to take me about 40 minutes to clear up stuff before the cleaner arrived.

which is partly why we don't bother any more with a cleaner, I got tired of the clearing up operation beforehand.

sounds like she's not the right cleaner for you if you need someone to clear up as well as clean

snowleopard · 27/11/2006 15:05

I have to admit when I was a cleaner I expected it to be tidy enough that I could clean without having to tidy it first. (Not that I was the world's most professional or experienced cleaner - I did it for a few months).

I think you just need a cleaner who knows what the deal is and agrees to it. If they have to pick up dirty clothes so they can hoover, or clear away cups and plates so they can clean surfaces, they should be paid for the extra time that takes. But they shouldn't have a problem with doing that if that's what you're asking them to do.

Sheila · 27/11/2006 15:05

Looks like you have different expectations about what the job involves. What was your initial agreement with her - did you spell out that you wanted her to tidy up as well as clean? Most cleaners won't tidy. I have one for 2 hours once a fortnight and I always spend the night before she comes tidying up. I hate doing it but it does mean she spends the time cleaning, which is what I really need, and it does make me tidy up!

I don't think her note is so bad - she has suggested having a discussion and that's surely the best thing to do, once you've calmed down a bit?

mancmum · 27/11/2006 15:06

Sounds like you need to meet and discuss expectations of her service I am inclined to agree with her if she was expecting to just clean... I share a cleaner with a friend whose house is a tip and she gets pissed off that the cleaner does not do as much for her as she does me I do point out that we spend time tidying up before cleaner gets here -- so her time is spent cleaning and not trying to find the floor first.. my old cleaner refused to work for her as she had far too high expectations and I agreed with her cleaner..

I think you would be right to sack her but not to tell her to F* off as she is not actually wrong -- just wrong for you...

justbeme · 27/11/2006 15:06

when i did some cleaning for a woman a few yrs ago - she wrote a list of everything she expected me to do - so i knew where i stood b4 i took the job -
did you expect her to tidy up?
Saying that she must have come round to see you house 1st b4 taking on the job - so she would have seen how you live .
If shes had an easy job cleaning b4 - then i suppose it was abit of a shock for her.
The house i used to clean - the people worked f/t and had a baby - and when i went back the following week to clean - it was as clean as when i left it!!!!!!

mears · 27/11/2006 15:06

WWW - I don't think the cleaner should be tidying clothes up TBH. I understand what she says about cleaning. My mums cleaner dusts, hoovers and washes the floor. She doesn't do dishes. Couldn't you all make an effort to put clothes in a wash basket (I have just got one for everyone's room) and put the dishes in the kitchen?

Sorry not to be supportive

clumsymum · 27/11/2006 15:06

I can see both sides here WWW.

She is worried that she cannot do the cleaning you need in the time available, and you are going to complain if it's not done.

You want her to tidy if you haven't had time. Does she know that you would rather she spends the time tidying, even if everything isn't squeaky clean at the end?

It sounds like you need to calm down, then invite her over, GRIT YOUR TEETH, and calmly discuss with her what you BOTH expect from the job.

You would get more CLEANING for your money, if you can collect your own cups and washing, but if you want her to tidy, you have to let her know that.

Good luck

bakedpotato · 27/11/2006 15:06

I think it's encouraging that instead of handing in notice she has said she would meet up with you to discuss. She could also have worked for 2 hrs then left without completing the expected cleanerly stuff. I think that reflects fairly well on her tbh.
If you haven't got the time to tidy up, and if you don't mind paying her to do it, and if she is prepared to do it for more money, maybe this is the solution. Otherwise, you'll have to call it a day.
In your shoes, if I liked her, I'd appeal to her to see if she could make it work. (But I don't have PMT today.)
Quite normal for cleaners not to tidy, IME. Mine doesn't even clean loos anymore. It has gone out by edict.

Original poster
WideWebWitch · 27/11/2006 15:06

Old cleaner just handed over to new cleaner, we spoke on the phone and she said 'I have a friend who is great and I utterly trust and I can do a hand over to her and she's up for it etc. So new cleaner certainly knew what the job was imo.

Er, I haven't met her, have spoken to her on the phone and left (polite, nice!) notes and, obv, cash.

OP posts:
Skribble · 27/11/2006 15:07

If she is trustworthy and good at her job and just a bit stroppy/ bad day then I would clarify duties and take it from there. Have to be clear about what you want done in the 2 hours you pay her for.

If you are really not happy with her I would looke for a new one.

Tinker · 27/11/2006 15:07

Sorry www but lol at loud at your house being too messy for a cleaner

Zog · 27/11/2006 15:07

Really think it's just a case of different expectations as others have said - don't bawl her out until she's explained what she means

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