How to get rid of the cleaner

[JoJoSM2]

Not sure where to post it but hopefully someone can help.

When our last cleaner unexpectedly left, the builder working on our house suggested his wife. She's now been about 5 times and she's awful... She has no attention to detail, keeps forgetting stuff - last week she forgot to clean the ensuite at all! Her ironing is awful - my husband has been over it with her twice and still starts fuming whenever he pulls a shirt out of the wardrobe. I think she often uses the wrong product too- the mirrors will be all smudged as if she's gone over then with Cif or something... She can't get her head around the recycling bins either.

I'm sure we have realistic expectations as we were very happy with the last 2 cleaners and barely needed to mention anything ever. And they too less time to do the job thoroughly too.

How do I get rid of the awful cleaner without upsetting the relationship with the builder? He's always been very good (used him for several jobs) and we'd really like him to do a few more. But the pair of them seem joined at the hip. When she's finished working, she follows him for 3h until he's finished and when she's not here, they talk on the phone several times a day and seem to do everything together...

We need the builder for another few months so I really can't imagine keeping her for that long as the house has been getting progressively dirtier since she started.

Tell him you can't afford a cleaner any more as you're trying to tighten your belts. And then either forgo a cleaner until he's finished the job or only have one on days he's not there.

It has crossed my mind to say we couldn't afford a cleaner. I'm wondering if it'd be a too obvious a fib- looking at our lifestyle, it just doesn't seem that believable. Also, the builder is too hardworking for his own good. He's here Monday-Saturday so I'd need to find a Sunday cleaner

Don't get her to do ironing you can hire separate ironing service and make her job list a bit easier maybe just hoovering and a few easy jobs. I bet she won't mind if she's not that good a cleaner anyway. It is just for a few months and I think it would be worth it to keep the builder if he's good. Then you can come up with an excuse if she hasn't improved. Maybe she will with practice.

"Thanks so much for helping out at short notice after our last cleaner left so suddenly. Now I've finally found a replacement for her. She'll be starting next week."

I would keep her on till the builder has finished this job, then get rid of her nicely, saying you can't afford her. I definitely wouldn't risk sacking her while the builder is still working on your house.

I would also just say you've decided to not have a cleaner anymore, thanks very much. Then in aFew weeks just get another one, don't even mention it, why should you?

Think I'd have to just be honest or say what raven said.

When she first came, I did wonder about saying it was only for a month etc but didn't... It now feels awkward to say that it was only temporary.

Tinsel, you've given me a bit of an idea. I could tell her we'd do our own ironing so that she's got fewer hours. As they live quite far away, it might not be worth her while so she could quit?

I'm trying not to make it upsetting as the cleaner and the builder literally wouldn't fart without the other's consent and I think he'd leave if they felt I treated her unfairly

Can't you stick with her until your building work is finished?

This is a tough one because if the builder is the type to take umbrage you could be in for a whole world of pain!

You might have to consider sucking it up until the building is finished.

It does sound like he'd take the huff if you got rid of her. So I'd keep her on until the builder has finished too. It is easier to get a decent cleaner than a decent builder.

Can you just give her a list of jobs that she isn't too bad at?

I'd say that your having to make a few cut backs financially therefore cleaners got to go. Can't really be upset with that can they?!

Blow your budget by upgrading the quality of whatever he's building (nicer bath whatever) and then tell him your budget's blown, cleaner's got to go

Just say your Mum/Sister/Aunt/Friend/Niece has just set up their own cleaning business and you feel obligated to use them and just say thanks for helping out in the short term

Have you tried talking to the cleaner about the things concerning you? Make her aware that she needs to pay more attention to things? Then if she still doesn't improve you can let her go.

I think Lucie's suggestion is a good one! Don't do anything in the hope that she'll quite - she might not and then you have to flail about making progressively more obvious excuses.

*quit

Your cleaner is probably not intentionally being awful. I think you need to give her strong direction.
List clearly;
-what you'd like doing and what cleaning products you'd like her to use for each job.

• Put a label on the recycling bins.

-Outsource the ironing. -And make it clear that her position is temporary.

I would just be really honest with her. No point in lying or making up stories. Honesty is the best policy . Surely he wouldn't take the huff if you explained it nicely to her and asked her straight if she wants to continue with the cleaning job . It may be that she hates cleaning and is only doing it as she feels she has to cos dh is working for you also

Bear in mind that builders rely heavily on word of mouth recommendations and it's essential that they maintain a good reputation in their local area. If he is self employed and (as you mention) very good at what he does, it's unlikely that he'd storm off the job in a huff. I think you should give him more credit.

Can you give her a check list and ask her to tick off each week once she has completed every task?

This is the website I use for my cleaner:

housewifehowtos.com/printable-house-cleaning-checklists/