Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Am I expecting too much from cleaner!?

47 replies

Cornishqween · 21/04/2021 13:35

We have a large house, have hired a cleaner to help with kitchen, family room, hallway, downstairs loo and small sitting room.

She's on her 4th clean with us so far and I've had some issues that I'm not sure we can work through.

Firstly she is supposed to do two hours, but the time she spends her has gotten less and less. The second clean was 15 mins less and this week she left half an hour early. I'm still being charged for two hours work.
This causes problems because there are things she doesn't do that we specifically requested her to do. She doesn't wipe the dining table over and leaves it covered in crumbs etc. When she wipes sides down in the kitchen they are covered in smears so look dirtier than when she starts. She mops but then walks all over the wet floors which then looks terrible when it's dry.

She also leaves stuff here every single week. Two weeks in a row she left her cleaning products here, and this week it's a baseball cap. The toilet is never properly cleaned (I.e with bleach down it using a scrubber) she just wipes the actual top of the lid.

I have cameras and took a look to see what she's been getting up to and I watched her clean the table - she barely showed it the cloth before walking off.

I came home today to find the front room had attempted to be hoovered but with fluff and things still all over the floor. At this point we feel like she's taking advantage. That's when she does turn up, so far she's missed a clean and we had to re arrange two other appointments because she'd made plans with her child to take her on a day out and the other one she couldn't get childcare for.

This isn't normal is it?

OP posts:
Lampzade · 21/04/2021 13:38

If you are not happy then sack her
The cameras though Op...

DM1209 · 21/04/2021 13:38

Are you employing her directly or thorough an agency?

If direct, have a conversation, set clear boundaries and what your expectations are. Give her a chance to put things right.

If an agency, contact them and voice your issues and request a different cleaner.

Finally, if you can't get passed it then let her go. Oh and I assume she knows she's being recorded?

GU24Mum · 21/04/2021 13:41

The recording is definitely the wrong side of odd but the cleaner sounds useless. Just say it's not working out and find another one.

Shitfuckcommaetc · 21/04/2021 13:43

It's not normal, she's shit, sack and find another.

But turn the cameras off, that's creepy as fuck

Lovingspring · 21/04/2021 13:46

If it's not working out then get rid of her.
Does she know she is being recorded? Why do you have camera pointed at your table?

NicolaDunsire · 21/04/2021 13:46

You have to tell people they are being recorded...

IoIdoIdoOoh · 21/04/2021 13:51

You arent expecting too much at all and she clearly isn't delivering so as others have said you just need to tell her politely that you won't be requiring her services again.

As for watching her on camera, its completely inappropriate and even more so if she doesn't realise that you're doing it.
I dont get why people have cameras indoors at home? amazon keep recommending various different ones to me and it seems bizarre.

Evidencebased · 21/04/2021 13:52

Clearly she's a rubbish cleaner.

You, otoh...
When I cleaned for people, if I'd become aware of any camera, I'd have walked out on the spot. First telling you what I thought in no uncertain terms.
Then sought legal advice.

ipredictariot5 · 21/04/2021 13:54

You can’t record her on camera without her being aware this is the case
Leaving early and not doing tasks properly is not acceptable
My experience with cleaners is you need to set a realistic expectation and then tell them exactly what you want them to do. Gives her a chance to do what you want or she/ you can make the decision to move on
You will never ever find a cleaner that if you look hard enough you won’t find things to criticise so important to be very clear- I have had cleaners for about 25 years and only has three in that time. I take the view of pay them well., be clear about what you want but be flexible and look at what they have done and not what they haven’t . Whenever mine is on holiday I soon see how hard she works !! And she is happy to do extras like beds / spring cleans / windows but on those days she does less of the regular stuff
Hope that helps

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 21/04/2021 13:58

You shouldn't need to have a conversation with a cleaner to tell them how to clean! That is their job they should know the basics on how to wipe mop and hoover!
I'm a childminder. The children's parents don't need to have a conversation with me to tell me to change nappies or feed their children. I also used to be a cleaner. People would give me a list of the things they needed done and that's what would be done everytime.
If she was doing a good job just in a quicker time than she predicted, I would say keep her, but she's clearly at it. I would find another cleaner.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 21/04/2021 14:00

Agree with everyone about the cameras.

LaceyBetty · 21/04/2021 14:04

It's not true that it is illegal to record in your own home.

iMatter · 21/04/2021 14:06

You need to tell her that you are recording her

She'll resign, problem solved

LaceyBetty · 21/04/2021 14:08

You don't need to tell her if the cameras are within the boundary of your property. Most people don't understand this. You need to tell people if the cameras are capturing footage outside of the boundary of your private property. Of course, you can't have cameras in the bathrooms for example.

Cornishqween · 21/04/2021 14:08

Ok so the cameras....I have a child with SEN and keep them in the house because it's very large and I'm terrified when I leave the room my other child will get hurt. They aren't on constantly they just pick up movement. I look at them if I need to go upstairs so I know what his mood is. They do record, but when she first came I deliberately pointed them out to her and asked her if she was ok with this, I only checked them last week and this week as I began not to trust what she was telling me.

Today she done an hour and a half (which thankfully the cameras picked up), and has now text me stating she did extra (2.5 hours) and I need to pay her extraHmm

OP posts:
BornIn78 · 21/04/2021 14:08

Just sack her. You don’t need to look at the cameras to know she’s a shit cleaner.

81Byerley · 21/04/2021 14:08

As an ex cleaner, I'd say tell her it isn't working, and find someone who takes a pride in their work.

Cornishqween · 21/04/2021 14:10

Yes - I already got the key back today just in case, but I think I need to just pay her what she's asking for but ask her not to come back.

No idea what to do about the items she left here today though...I've now found her cleaning cloths too

OP posts:
LaceyBetty · 21/04/2021 14:12

OP, it is fine to have cameras in your house for footage of your personal family or household affairs. The lines do blur if you were specifically installing them to monitor your cleaner (although not necessary illegal either), so don't worry.

LaceyBetty · 21/04/2021 14:13

And you didn't need to tell her about them.

Lovingspring · 21/04/2021 14:16

Good you have the key back OP. I wouldn't mention the things she has left behind until she asks. If she does want them back offer to leave them outside in a plastic bag for her to collect. I would tell her you are not paying extra as the camera show her working 1.5 hours. Hope your next cleaner is better.

iMatter · 21/04/2021 14:20

Blimey - she's ripping you off and knows you have cameras. What an idiot.

Agree with pp - tell her it's not working out for you and ask her to collect her things.

Waiting423 · 21/04/2021 14:21

I’d imagine she’s asked for more money as you’ve got the keys back - she knows what’s coming

MyGorramShip · 21/04/2021 14:27

Do not bloody pay her extra!

Tell her she’s shit and a piss taker and a sack her.

mathanxiety · 21/04/2021 14:35

You can't record her. Take down your camera or turn it off.

Give her a list of what you expect done instead of the two hour arrangement. Price each item so that you end up paying her the same as you would for 'two hours' if she gets it all done.

Or just find someone else who knows how and what to clean.

You could probably wipe the crumbs off your table yourself - why not do this? How long do crumbs sit there?

Please create an account

To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account.

This thread is closed and is no longer accepting replies. Click here to start a new thread.